We had the pleasure of speaking with THIRDHOME member and Chalet Bellevue owner Elizabeth (Lizie) Gower.
Lizie Gower and her luxurious chalet-style apartment in Méribel, France, joined THIRDHOME in 2018. Fast forward to 2022, Chalet Bellevue is now a featured home in the Paramount+ original series, Millionaire Holiday Home Swap! To celebrate, let’s get to know more about Lizie, her home, and her experiences as a member of the Club.
Why did you choose Méribel as the location of your second home?
I worked as a chalet girl in Méribel when I was 20 years old.
Can you tell us a little bit about how you acquired Chalet Bellevue?
Homes in Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys) region are highly sought after, making them difficult to come by. They’re usually only discovered through word of mouth, which is how I found Chalet Bellevue.
You couldn’t build a new home there, so you basically had to tear down an existing property, then build it back up and renovate. When I first visited our property, it was a pile of rubble, but the turnaround time was quick.
“We had a fantastic week at Chalet Bellevue. The apartment is large but very comfortable and furnished with wonderful taste. Subtle and warm. The location is ideal. The ski rental shop(s) are literally a stone’s throw away, as is the lift that takes you to the slope. Great restaurants, bars, and skiing. And our host, Lizie, was terrific. She could not do enough to make the trip a success; her directions were spot on, as were her recommendations of restaurants and ski instructors. A great trip, a great host, and happy to give a five-star recommendation.”
Neil C. THIRDHOME member since 2018.
Have you taken any trips with THIRDHOME?
So far, I have taken nine trips with THIRDHOME to destinations such as the French Riviera, San Diego, and Cabo San Lucas. I also just recently spent two weeks in England. But I mainly utilize THIRDHOME for skiing, including my trips to Park City and Vail.
Why did you want to be involved in the production of Millionaire Holiday Home Swap?
I love Giles [head of Strategy and Operations for THIRDHOME] and was happy to help. I also work in the film industry myself.
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met during your travels?
It wasn’t a THIRDHOME trip, but I made seven friends eight years ago on holiday in Turkey at a keep-fit spa. I traveled with them to Turkey again this year, but we did some shopping and sunbathing this time.
What is your top travel tip?
Don’t travel on a Saturday or Sunday. Instead, travel mid-week. Weekends are busy and crowded, with travelers leaving and arriving, especially at ski resorts. It can be hard to get lift passes because you’ll need to wait in long lines. Plus, the quietest day in the mountains is Saturday, and you don’t want to miss that by traveling. Not to mention, you can usually find half-price airline tickets during the week.
Click here to learn how a home exchange with THIRDHOME can help you travel just like Lizie!
Get an inside look at Chalet Bellevue by watching Millionaire Holiday Home Swap, now streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland.
Paramount+ includes a mountain of quality entertainment for everyone to enjoy. UK-based readers can subscribe here: https://www.paramountplus.com/gb/.
Paramount+ costs just £6.99/month or £69.90/year in the UK (€7.99 per month or €79.90 per year in Ireland) with a free 7-day trial available to everyone.
Sky Cinema subscribers get the bonus of Paramount+ included at no extra cost.
Get to know THIRDHOME member Louise Cottar and the history behind the award-winning Cottar’s Safaris in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.
You may recognize Louise Cottar and her captivating property in Kenya from Episode 1 of Millionaire Holiday Home Swap. But for those who don’t, join us as we get to know one of THIRDHOME’s featured members.
Louise and her award-winning Bush Villa joined THIRDHOME in 2012. Then in 2019, her 1920s Safari Camp was a curated THIRDHOME Adventures glamping experience. Now, with an impressive list of awards and accolades, Louise and Cottar’s Safaris also appear in the Paramount+ original series.
When you think of a home exchange, what comes to mind? Perhaps an expansive oceanfront villa? Or a stunning countryside estate? Well, in the Paramount+ original series, Millionaire Holiday Home Swap, one THIRDHOME member offers an unparalleled holiday experience. Meet Louise Cottar, co-owner of Cottar’s Safaris. Let’s hear what she has to say about filming the series and her personal travel experiences. Then, join us as we take a deep dive into her family’s safari legacy.
What was your favorite part about filming Millionaire Holiday Home Swap?
My favorite part about the filming was the film crew, who were patient, kind, and willing to do whatever it took to get a great shot!
Do you have any funny stories from when the film crew was there?
The film crew had fun trying to film and get close to our resident eland.
If you had the opportunity to experience a past trip again, what would you see or do that you never got the chance to?
I would appreciate getting further insider tips from the THIRDHOME homeowners as to what is really cool to do in the local area.
Who do you usually travel with, and what’s the reasoning behind your choice? (Solo or group? Friends or family?)
I normally travel with family when it’s a THIRDHOME trip, primarily because we can all be together under the same roof, and that helps with bonding and maximizes our time together.
What is your favorite aspect of traveling?
Making the most of the moment with loved ones in unique places.
How does traveling and seeing the world inspire you?
I love to learn and be exposed to new ideas; traveling always gives me much to be inspired by.
Now that we know a little more about Louise, let’s explore the Cottar family’s safari heritage:
To understand the Cottar’s fifth generation family business, we must begin with Charles Cottar. Charles was the first American-born white hunter in East Africa who quickly became a notable name in the safari world.
In 1919 Charles, along with his three sons, pioneered Cottar’s Safari Service—one of the first registered safari companies offering superior game hunting and film safaris throughout Africa, India, and Indochina. The family would later become some of the first to import American vehicles for safaris, the first to discover Lake Paradise and the first to obtain never before seen wildlife footage.
Over the years, the Cottar family launched several other camps, including the first established tented camp dedicated to photographic safaris. In the 1990s, Louise and her former husband Calvin established Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp.
The 1920s Camp and its exclusive Bush Villa are located in the private Olderkesi Conservancy, bordering the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve. Together, the two provide travelers with a luxurious yet authentic safari experience that includes world-class Maasai guides, a dedicated staff, and an abundance of wildlife.
Today, Cottar’s Safari Service works diligently to maintain its reputation for wilderness and privacy and continues to foster extensive conservation and social development efforts through numerous initiatives.
See more of Louise and Cottar’s Safaris by watching Millionaire Holiday Home Swap, now streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland.
Paramount+ includes a mountain of quality entertainment for everyone to enjoy. UK-based readers can subscribe here: https://www.paramountplus.com/gb/.
Paramount+ costs just £6.99/month or £69.90/year in the UK (€7.99 per month or €79.90 per year in Ireland) with a free 7-day trial available to everyone.
Sky Cinema subscribers get the bonus of Paramount+ included at no extra cost.
Scotland is one of eleven countries featured in the Paramount+ original series, Millionaire Holiday Home Swap—and it’s easy to see why!
What sets a holiday to Scotland apart from other getaways is the opportunity for an itinerary unlike any other. Local fare, picturesque views, and all things synonymous with your typical vacation only scratch the surface when it comes to this one-of-a-kind destination. If you plan it right, spending a holiday in Scotland could look like swapping homes to stay in a Scottish castle, savoring the country’s national drink, and discovering the birthplace of the best-selling book series in history. Read on to find our own recommendations for an extraordinary trip to Scotland!
Find a unique holiday home in Scotland
At the end of the day, it all comes down to where you stay. Anyone can book a hotel room, but if you really want to give them something to talk about, home sharing is the way to go for your next holiday. Just like our members in Millionaire Holiday Home Swap, exchanging time in your second home could land you in some of Scotland’s best architectural gems. With THIRDHOME, you can stay in million-dollar homes on your next vacation, like a 17th-century Scottish castle in the rolling countryside.
Discover famous sites in Scotland
What’s the best way to make a Scotland holiday more magical? Experience the birthplace of J.K Rowling’s award-winning Harry Potter book series firsthand! Start by visiting The Elephant House in Edinburgh—the cafe where J.K Rowling penned her famous fantasy novels. Afterward, travel to Hogwarts over the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Highlands Railway. And be sure to have your camera ready as you’ll pass some scenery from the films! Unique experiences like these will make you want to visit Scotland time and time again!
Tour the Scotch Whisky regions
Scotland is famous for its whisky, which means no holiday is complete without tasting the country’s renowned spirit. Travelers can find well over 130 whisky distilleries spread across Scotland’s six whisky-producing regions. It’ll be hard to choose which to visit, but one of the benefits of a home exchange is receiving recommendations from your host! You can ask them about the best whisky tours to take in the area as well as other local recommendations.
Can’t get enough of Scotland? See more of this beautiful country by watching Millionaire Holiday Home Swap, now streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland.
Paramount+ includes a mountain of quality entertainment for everyone to enjoy. UK-based readers can subscribe here: https://www.paramountplus.com/gb/.
Paramount+ costs just £6.99/month or £69.90/year in the UK (€7.99 per month or €79.90 per year in Ireland) with a free 7-day trial available to everyone.
Sky Cinema subscribers get the bonus of Paramount+ included at no extra cost.