Bruce has been a member of the Club since 2012. Keep reading to hear about his journey along the Rhine River with ThirdHome Adventures and Uniworld River Cruises.
Read his full testimonial below:
As a boy, my family lived beside Germany’s enchanting Black Forest. Summer days were filled with adventure—my friends and I would hop on our bikes and ride to the the banks of the Rhine River. School field trips took us across borders to Basel, Switzerland and Strasbourg, France, sparking a lifelong love of travel.
Despite having explored much of the world since then, I’d never been drawn to cruise trips. When ThirdHome Adventures offered the opportunity to revisit this beloved region through Uniworld’s “Castles Along the Rhine” cruise at a significantly discounted price, I was immediately intrigued.
What a plesant surprise to discover Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is widely regarded as the pinnacle of river cruising. From the moment we stepped aboard, it was clear: this was no ordinary vacation. Every detail—first-class accommodations, gourmet dining, impeccable service, thoughtfully curated excursions—was elevated to a level of luxury that exceeded my expectations.
For me, it was more than just a scenic voyage. It was a return to the landscapes of my youth, now seen through the lens of refined comfort and nostalgia. The flexibility to tailor each day to our own pace—whether joining a guided tour or enjoying room service in our suite—made the experience feel both personalized and indulgent. The truly all-inclusive nature of the trip (yes, even top-shelf drinks and gratuities!) meant we could fully relax and savor every moment.
To say we’d love to relive that magical week is an understatement. We’re now devoted fans of river cruising and proud ambassadors of Uniworld. Thank you, ThirdHome Adventures, for opening this door—we can’t wait to see where you’ll take us next.
Interested in joining a Uniworld Voyage Adventure? Inquire with Liz Bates.
Click here to explore all ThirdHome Adventures.
Mike and Sue Challenger have been members of the Club since 2021. Keep reading to hear about their extraordinary South African safari experience by ThirdHome Adventures & Custom Travel.
Read their full testimonial below:
Whoever said, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” hasn’t been on a ThirdHome Adventure, arranged by Liz Bates, Director Adventures & Custom Travel. At 70+, we had never been on a 4-wheeler (quad as they call them) in our lives, but that all changed at Leobo Private Reserve, the first leg of our three segments Adventure in South Africa.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Heidi, co-manager with her husband, Chris, took three of us out for our first ride around the upper savannah, and animal activity at that hour was prolific. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, kudos, warthogs, springbok, and impalas were everywhere. We loved every minute and looked forward to our next ride, which came on Thursday afternoon when we went for a 17 km ride down the rugged road to the hippo pond. And we did all of that just hours before our helicopter ride around the entire property to get an up-close aerial view of all the animals.
We experienced lunch out in the bush and dinner under the stars. We were busy from morning to night every day with more new things to do than we ever had done in one week. We would say our favorite experiences here were the quads and the helicopter ride witnessing all the many animals from above, and the sweeping river views. This experience at Leobo could not have been accomplished without Heidi and Chris and their excellent support staff. They spent many long hours making sure everything was perfect and that we were all having a fabulous time.
The second leg of our trip was to Cape Town and Table Mountain, the Wine Country, Cape Hope, and the South African Penguins. Everything was perfect, from meals and accommodations to our tour guide, Luci, and everything in between. The views from Table Mountain and Cape Hope were extraordinary, the wine countryside was beautiful, and the wines were delicious. Of course, our favorite experience here was the penguins, which were beyond adorable. Liz once again outdid herself on accommodations, activities, and lunches.
For our third and final segment, we went to Camdeboo Lodge. Wow, the adventures just keep continuing; nonstop action of early morning game drives to a shortcut over and down the mountain that literally had us on the edge of our seats and the edge of the road while returning to the lodge in the evening. On the first day, we encountered the Lions—that was a WOW moment for us! It was good to know they were not there to eat us but leisurely enjoy the day. The female cheetah, however, was not to be outdone. We slowly walked over to the bush with our guides, where she had her cubs. We didn’t see the cubs, but the cheetah was sitting there regally posing and letting us soak up her beauty. The second day was just as extraordinary. We had close encounters with elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, vervet monkeys, and much more. We were so excited to see more of the Big Five. The staff and guides at Camdeboo were wonderful.
Lastly, to add to this once-in-a-lifetime trip and all its memories were the extraordinary new friends we made on this Adventure! Wade and Debbi were absolutely perfect hosts. We can’t wait for everyone to get together again for a reunion and experience more. We are all hooked on travel and are always looking for the next new experience and WOW moment. This Safari Adventure definitely gets a 5++. We feel it was definitely over the top and our favorite trip from all the places we have visited all over the world.
Seeking a personally curated South African safari experience for your own private group of family and friends? Collaborate with Liz Bates.
What are other members saying about this incredible South African safari experience?
“We had such an amazing time with the group in South Africa! The entire trip was AWESOME!! We loved the trip! Our favorite Leobo experience was the helicopter ride! Absolutely beautiful and thrilling at the same time! Ruth’s WOW moment was capturing the video of giraffe running with the helicopter so close she felt like she could touch their ears! Favorite Cape Town experience was the coastal drive to the Cape of Good Hope. Views were breathtaking and the hike by the lighthouse was fantastic! We would rate the safari experience at a 5, actually higher!! And YES, we would like a reunion experience with the same group. Everybody, including us had so much fun. And we have made new friends–including with Wade and Debbi!! We all became friends very quickly and enjoyed our time together!“
– Frank V. Member since 2021.
“I must say I really wasn’t sure exactly what to expect on our trip to South Africa but what I can say it was beyond my expectations!!! It was an unbelievable trip with several amazing experiences that makes it hard to pick just one. We have traveled with groups before where we didn’t know most of the other people but this group we met on this trip were all amazing and wonderful and everyone got along so well. I really feel that all of us from this group will continue to stay in touch with each other and try to meet each other again whenever possible. It was so nice to see people helping each other if some could not keep up and everyone was very encouraging to help people try new things! This trip was so well organized with never a lack of something to do. If anyone asks what kind of trips ThirdHome organizes I would be very happy to say only the very best!“
– Ruth V. Member since 2021.
“WOW WOW WOW!!!! I can’t say enough about the fabulous trip at Leobo Private Reserve. From the moment we landed in South Africa, we had a smile on our faces. Leobo was beyond impressive…the adventures were unique, the food was scrumptious, the accommodations and views were breathtaking and of course, the company was extraordinary! This was the most memorable trip Milt & I have ever been on. We look forward to experiencing more ThirdHome Adventures in the future.“
– Dee and Milt W. Members since 2015.
“If life is a tapestry made of our experiences and memories, we would like to thank the ThirdHome family for adding bold colors and golden threads to our fabric. The trip to South Africa put together by Debbi, Wade, and Liz was a dream come true, full of unforgettable people and events. We can’t wait for the next ThirdHome Adventure!!!
– Neal and Jamie H. Members since 2015.
Have you ever wanted to create your own bespoke ThirdHome family & friends Adventure?
ThirdHome is excited to announce My Private Adventures! If you’ve loved the itineraries of past Adventures, but prefer to travel with a group of your own, you are now able to do that through ThirdHome My Private Adventures. Enjoy all the benefits and exciting features of a ThirdHome Adventure, but while with the familiar camaraderie of family and friends!
Members can choose their ideal personal travel dates and incorporate tailored experiences based on their unique interests, while deciding how much day-to-day structure works best for their group. Features included in the itineraries will vary by Adventure, but all will be intricately designed and assisted fully by the ThirdHome Adventures team. The minimum number of guests needed to book is 6, and maximum number of guests also varies by the trip.
There are already three captivating My Private Adventures available for your own gatherings, including My Private Glamping in Patagonia, My Private Cottars Safari, and My Private Cuba! Coming soon are unique My Private Adventure specialty interest themes that will encompass culinary & wine, yoga & wellness and nature-eco safaris. For any questions regarding My Private Adventures, please email liz@thirdhome.com.
Get to know ThirdHome Adventure host, JT Hodges, and learn more about this extraordinary Soul to Soul Adventure!
JT Hodges of Buffalo Soul has come together with
Read our interview with JT Hodges below to learn more about this Music City Adventure!
How did you get involved in the music industry?
I was born into it. My father started the first multi-track recording studio ever built in Fort Worth, Texas, called Buffalo Sound Studios. My mom was a professional singer and was offered a recording contract with MCA records but chose to stay home and raise her babies. Music has just always been a part of my life.
How have you seen the music industry change and where would you like to see it go in the future?
The digital age obviously completely changed the music business landscape forever. The days of multi-million records being sold is unfortunately over. Personally, I would like to see the music business better compensate its creators. The creators being the singers, songwriters, producers, and musicians. It’s the “wild wild west” these days but I guess that’s what makes it exciting! I am very positive about the future for music and opening it up to everyone outside the industry bubble.
Why is music so special to you and your family?
Honestly, we all just have this amazing feeling that connects us to music. The feeling reminds me of that unconditional love you have for your family and friends. I like to say it’s in the blood because it’s just such a part of who we are. It’s always been a huge part of our family.
How was Buffalo Soul founded?
My wife Kasey and I had the concept to create an experiential creative retreat/stay for artists, as well as the listeners and music lovers. Our partner and creative visionary, Todd Baldree, helped us make Buffalo Soul a reality. We are so proud of what we have all accomplished thus far in just a short amount of time.
What is your favorite part about living in Nashville?
The sense of community and obviously the fact that it is Music City!
What do you love most about curating experiences for guests staying at Buffalo Soul?
I love seeing and feeling the listeners and artists connect. It truly is a soul to soul experience. I love watching the fourth wall being broken down and seeing real connections being made. It makes me so proud to also know that an appreciation for the music is being realized.
What makes this Adventure so unique and what are your goals as the Adventure Host?
This Adventure is so unique because we truly give our guests the opportunity to check out from their hectic lifestyles, step out of their comfort zones and check into the things that ground us and make us feel connected to ourselves and one another. Our guests also always leave Buffalo Soul with a new appreciation for the art of music and sense of community.
My goals as an Adventure Host are simple. I love meeting new people, making a connection that’s truly memorable. Getting an opportunity to give to others and make their experience special is what it’s all about! I am really looking forward to hosting more ThirdHome guests in the future.
What do you hope guests will get out of this experience?
Illumination, inspiration and a whole lotta soul.
More about JT Hodges:
ACM-nominated artist JT Hodges hit the country music scene under Show Dog Universal with his Billboard Hot Country charting debut “Hunt You Down” from his self-titled album in 2011. His follow up single “Goodbyes Made You Mine” raced up the charts and garnered over one million views and over two million Spotify plays, while “Sleepy Little Town” spent two weeks at #1 on Sirius/XM’s The Highway. The blue eyed Texas native has captured hearts of fans across the nation while touring with the likes of Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Eli Young Band, Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas and Toby Keith. In December 2013 he received rave reviews from The New York Times on his starring performance in the Hallmark Film Finding Christmas, helping to secure the film as the #1 rated movie of the week. His heartwarming rendition of “Joy to the World” from the film was released digitally the same month. JT has scored several top ten singles since with the songs “Goodbyes Made you Mine”, “Ray Bans” a top 5 record and “Sleepy Little Town”, which went to number one!
ThirdHome Adventures are made to transform your idea of travel. Advance your status to world-explorer with uniquely elevated journeys around the globe. From small groups to custom tours, the rugged outdoors to luxury lodgings, there is a heart-opening, perspective-changing experience for you. Which one fits your traveling taste? Take our quiz to find out!
For almost 10 years, ThirdHome has created a safe community for like-minded second home owners to exchange time at their property for world exploration in a luxurious manner. Harnessing what we know from a decade of experience in luxury travel, there are now more ways than just Exchange to travel with ThirdHome. With this company evolution comes the introduction of ThirdHome Rentals, ThirdHome Adventures and ThirdHome Rewards.
Staying worldly has never been easier.
ThirdHome Rentals
Explore an ensemble of sophisticated stays and book your next vacation at an impressive home with ThirdHome Rentals. The properties offered are the same incredible quality as the selection of properties on the Exchange. You no longer have to sort through rental properties that don’t meet your standards. Relax, we’ve done the searching. You can do the traveling.
Do you have a home you would like to list on the Rentals website? Click here to learn more. When you list with ThirdHome Rentals, there are no commissions and no posting fees when you submit two qualifying weeks to the Exchange.
ThirdHome Adventures
Are you ready to experience a new perspective of the world? These spectacular trips will allow you to immerse yourself in cultures throughout the world while also experiencing the finer things in life. From celebrating New Years in Vienna, to staying at Andrea Bocelli’s childhood estate, ThirdHome Adventures include activities that help kindle an adventurous spirit. Feed your wanderlust while enjoying the ease of these carefully-crafted trips, where every last detail is already planned. Embrace the unknown and enjoy more than just a trip. Take an Adventure.
ThirdHome Rewards
Members of ThirdHome Exchange will now have their loyalty rewarded! Earn points for reserving an Exchange stay, booking a home through Rentals, going on an Adventure and more. Points can be redeemed on the ThirdHome Exchange site to reserve stays and more. Stay tuned for additional details!