What are THIRDHOME members saying about their luxury home exchange trips to Ireland and New York?

THIRDHOME Exchange members recently returned from Galway, Ireland and Hudson, New York. Read more about their fantastic fall retreats and unforgettable luxury cottages.

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Whale Harbour Cottage | Roundstone, Ireland

Whale Harbour Cottage is located in the scenic Roundstone area in the west of Ireland. Comprised of a stunning kitchen, a generous sitting-room, private outdoor spaces, three en-suite bedrooms, and a cozy fireplace, this is the perfect destination for a relaxing countryside getaway. Enjoy a reading room with unparalleled views over Whale Harbour to Gurteen Bay. Better yet, the stunning Whale Harbour Cottage is ideally located as a base to explore Connemara & the rest of Galway.

THIRDHOME member Terry says, “We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Whale Harbour Cottage. [Hosts] Jon & Brenda generously stocked the property with food and drink so we were comfortable on arrival and well cared for during our stay. The home is located in the spectacular Connemara region of Ireland and we took advantage of the great day trips that were within a short drive from Roundstone. It was so refreshing to come back to the Cottage and enjoy a quick dip in the ocean or walk along the beaches within a short hike from the house. Thanks Jon & Brenda for sharing this lovely, peaceful home with us. It provided a perfect location for a special anniversary trip for us and we hope some day to return!” Click here to read more of Terry’s review.

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Downtown Hudson Valley Retreat | Hudson, New York

Boasting a cheerful interior with vibrant colors, this sophisticated Hudson Valley abode is the perfect retreat for extended families or large groups. The space includes eight bedrooms, multiple kitchens, and ample large gathering areas. Situated on 4500 square-feet, this property is only one block from Warren Street and a few blocks from the Catskill Mountains. Hudson Valley lies 120 miles north of the boroughs and is close to the Hudson River with hiking trails that boast red and orange foliage in the fall. Experience one of the oldest wine-producing areas in the country, beaming with natural beauty and history.

THIRDHOME member Elizabeth wrote, “We had a fantastic time staying in this very special home. The division of the house into three separate apartments connected by an interior hallway was perfect for our extended family. The location is A+, a short walk to Warren Street with all its great little shops and restaurants, and the house has been updated and furnished with great decorative flair. We loved the excellent selection of books on the bookshelves in the various units, and the fun art displayed throughout. The owners were very responsive and helpful. We would be more than happy to visit again.” Click here to read more of Elizabeth’s review.

Members, click here to view all available weeks and plan your next THIRDHOME Exchange trip. Remember, you must be logged in to your account to see availability.

Want more information about our Exchange Club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME.

 

Imagine spending a week or two at a beautiful home while walking the steps of history. There are plenty of magnificent properties within the THIRDHOME portfolio, and quite a few have a historical background that will make your stay awe-worthy.

 

Keep reading to discover the intriguing and historic homes within the THIRDHOME Rentals and Exchange portfolio!

 

Eastry Court | Eastry, United Kingdom

Step inside one of England’s oldest palaces! Eastry Court claims to be the first recorded house in English history. It’s thought to have been the palace of King Egbert of Kent beginning in 665 AD. Ever since then, the palace has been inhabited by many English aristocrats. Eastry Court was passed from the kings of Kent to the religious establishment at Canterbury in the Anglo-Saxon period. In 1164 AD, Archbishop Thomas Becket hid within the walls of the palace from King Henry II. Only about 70 miles from bustling London, this English getaway is sure to captivate any traveler’s mind.

Click here to view on THIRDHOME Exchange.

 

King Edward VIII’s Beach Estate | Nassau, Bahamas

A former king’s island residence could be your next holiday destination. This beautiful estate in Nassau, Bahamas belonged to King Edward VIII while he served as governor of the Bahamas. He lived here for the first year of his governing with his wife, American socialite, Wallis Simpson. Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry Simpson and they moved to the Nassau estate in 1940. British aviation pioneer, Mr. Sigrist, built the home in the mid-1920s and it was featured in the early “James Bond” movies!

Click here to view on THIRDHOME Exchange.

 

Villa la Querce | Impruneta, Italy

Built in the hills and vineyards of Impruneta is a historic Italian masterpiece. Villa la Querce is an elegant villa located in the hills of Florentine Chianti and is not only known for its quality of wine and olive oil, but is also known for its historical significance. The main architectural feature of the villa, a prominent and stately tower, dates back to the 1300s. Furthermore, there were reports of a sale in the area of a “house with land and vineyards” dated back to 1042. During World War II, the villa was occupied by German soldiers at one point.

Click here to view on THIRDHOME Rentals.

 

The Boathouse | Galway, Ireland

A 200-year-old coast guard station on the coast of the Irish Ardfry Peninsula awaits your arrival. This renovated 19th-century building now offers 5 bedrooms, incredible green scenery, and uninterrupted ocean views. Located right on the water and surrounded by walled gardens, there couldn’t be a more relaxing or wonderful place to experience alongside family. This seafront residence is tucked away off a country road on the grounds of the 18th century Ardfry castle ruins and is only 9 miles from the city of Galway.

Click here to view on THIRDHOME Exchange.

 

Chateau de Lalande | Crozon-sur-Vauvre, France

A quintessential chateau nestled in the heart of France could be your next magical destination. Chateau de Lalande was built in the 16th century and once belonged to King Louis XIV’s cousin, La Grande Mademoiselle. The romantically-structured chateau is built to accommodate up to 22 guests. Standing amongst nature in the small town of Crozon-sur-Vauvre, there is plenty to explore and see in the French countryside. You can even visit the nearby town of Nohant to visit the home of French novelist, George Sand, where she hosted many famous artists such as Frederick Chopin, with whom she had a relationship. 

Click here to view on THIRDHOME Rentals.

 

Villa Scopetello | Sinalunga, Italy

One of the most renowned villas in the heart of Tuscany is calling your name. Historical documents show that the first owner of Villa Scopetello was recorded in the 13th century! Pope Pio II’s family owned the villa until 1873. Whether you’re swimming in the lavish pool or playing tennis on the private court, there is much to see and do around the 700-year-old villa. Built amongst the small, quiet village of Sinalunga, Villa Scopetello will welcome you with unparalleled beauty.

Click here to view on THIRDHOME Exchange.

 

If these historic homes intrigue you and you’d like to learn more about  THIRDHOME, please click here.

Lily Grove has been a THIRDHOME member for the past 2 years! Based out of California, Lily has been able to use her Lake Tahoe properties to travel with her husband on a bucket list tour of Europe. From Southern France to Italy to Switzerland, Lily’s seen it all! Get to know THIRDHOME member Lily Grove!

How did you get involved with THIRDHOME?

A good friend referred us.

Where are you based?

Folsom, California

Who do you usually travel with?

My husband.

What do you do for a living?

I’m an insurance broker.

What are your favorite travel hobbies?

Museums, cruising, hiking, sightseeing and most of all, socializing with locals.

In your past travels with THIRDHOME, what was your favorite destination and what did you love about it? 

Switzerland as far as scenery. We stayed at a small ski village called Grindelwald and the scene is breathtaking, trains galore to the highest Europe mountains. Ireland as far as people. Kind, gentle and friendly locals.

What’s the next destination you are eyeing to travel to with THIRDHOME?

Currently on a Europe tour just finished staying at 2 different THIRDHOME properties and we are currently staying at another THIRDHOME in France. Next THIRDHOME booking is in Rome.

What do you love most about your property with THIRDHOME?

The luxury quality and booking reliability.

Compared to other exchange and rental platforms, how has your experience been hosting other THIRDHOME members?

Very good.

How has THIRDHOME changed the way you travel?

Ease of mind that there will be a luxury place to stay and the lodging quality is always a guarantee.

What makes a THIRDHOME stay so special?

Beautiful homes in the best neighborhoods.

How would you describe THIRDHOME to a friend?

Amazing and exceptional list of homes all over the world.

What’s the most memorable restaurant you’ve eaten at during one of your trips?

Chateau St Pierre Serjac hotel restaurant in Puissalicon, France.

Any travel tips for fellow members?

Book all your lodgings with THIRDHOME, no regrets.

Based out of Dublin, Ireland, Michael Johnson and Jane Forman love using THIRDHOME to travel the world. Their coastal South Africa home has taken them to New Zealand and Australia. Learn how Michael and Jane use THIRDHOME to enhance their travel lifestyle.

Waipapa, Golf Course North Island, NZ

How did you get involved with THIRDHOME?

We were recommended by members of THIRDHOME based in Canada.

Where are you based?

Dublin, Ireland

Who do you usually travel with?

We like to travel together as a couple.

What do you do for a living?

I am now retired.

What are your favorite travel hobbies?

Local Cultures, sightseeing, foodies and golf.

Queenstown, South Island, NZ

In your past travels with THIRDHOME, what was your favorite destination and what did you love about it? 

New Zealand and Australia were very special, we planned a long trip and stayed in a range of THIRDHOME member properties over a period of 3 months – this was the trip of a lifetime made possible in part by other THIRDHOME members.

What’s the next destination you are eyeing to travel to with THIRDHOME?

We have a number of trips already booked in the system, Arabella in South Africa,  Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Marabella in Spain.

Waipapa, Golf Course North Island, NZ

What do you love most about your property with THIRDHOME?

We know we have a lovely home in a great location that is very popular with members who enjoy what we have and that gives us a really good feeling.

Compared to other exchange and rental platforms, how has your experience been hosting other THIRDHOME members?

We get the type of guests who respect our home and are generally experienced in travel and protocols, we have never had a problem with THIRDHOME members as they are just like us!!

Any personal/family achievements you’d like to share?

Being able to retire early enough to enjoy long trips and visit exotic places has been a real achievement.

How has THIRDHOME changed the way you travel?

It lets us stay in wonderful homes in super locations, we can visit places that otherwise may never have been on our radar and brings us luxury travel at affordable levels.

Janet on a helicopter tour to see the Great Barrier Reef

What is the nicest amenity you have encountered while staying at a THIRDHOME property?

We have stayed in some truly spectacular properties that have everything you could ever want and one in particular in New Zealand had a wonderful master suite.

What makes a THIRDHOME stay so special?

Luxury is generally how we describe our experiences – properties live up to our expectations or exceed them, and the vetting and assistance from THIRDHOME staff is fantastic.

Michael and Janet’s view of The Great Barrier Reef

How is staying in a THIRDHOME different than other types of accommodations?

It’s home away from home, and the standards are very high and locations are special, we have not found that consistently elsewhere.

How would you describe THIRDHOME to a friend?

If you have a high-quality property that you wish to use for the purpose of traveling to similar quality properties in great locations, THIRDHOME is the best possible option.

Abel Tasman, South Island, NZ

What’s the most memorable restaurant you’ve eaten at during one of your trips?

Mudbrick Restaurant and Vinyard on Waiheke Island in Auckland, New Zealand. The food and ambiance was just fantastic.

Any travel tips for fellow members?

We found that building a “war chest of credits [Keys]”  allowed us to stay in THIRDHOME properties on a road trip type basis and this is a great way to assist organizing complex itineraries.

Pelican Point, Western Australia. 6 iron, 158 yards.

Dr. Charles Stoopack, a clinical instructor at UC San Diego and a former practicing OBGYN, has a second home in Vail, Colorado. He combines his love for skiing and adventure with THIRDHOME ski properties across the globe. He also loves discovering new cultures and attending musical events in Vail. He highly recommends catching a George Balanchine ballet (either Swan Lake or Serenade) if you ever get the chance. Meet THIRDHOME member Dr. Charles Stoopack!

 

 

How did you get involved with THIRDHOME?

I saw an article in a travel section of the Sunday paper. This was back in the fall of 2014. It just sounded like such a unique concept. The article showed all these places you could go, and it looked amazing. What happened at that point, I either called or emailed THIRDHOME in October, and we had a couple of conversations and I ended up joining around Christmas.

 

 

Where are you based?

I’m based out of Carlsbad, California, which is North of San Diego. I grew up in New York and moved here when I was 25 for my residency at UC San Diego, and I just fell in love with the place.

 

 

What do you do for a living?

I originally practiced as an OBGYN. At this point in time, I’m a professor at UC San Diego. I used to be in clinical practice for 23 years, but I had to have some orthopedic surgeries and stopped practicing and transferred to education. It’s wonderful teaching. I’m doing a lot of good. You try to mold young physicians into caring doctors, try to teach them what we call the “Art of Medicine,” how to appropriately care for patients to make them feel valued. The gain as a physician is that your practice will be more fun and be rewarding if you have that sort of relationship with your patients.

 

 

Who do you usually travel with?

My wife and my daughters. Now they’re both engaged, so we’ve got two weddings coming up this year. We travel with other couples as well. The idea behind joining THIRDHOME was that the properties were large and we could bring groups of friends or family.

 

 

What are your favorite travel hobbies?

I like skiing. I also like beach holidays with a beautiful beach that has nice sand and warm water. I like traveling where it involves culture, fine dining and fine wining as well. Not like whining, but wining!

 

 

In your past travels with THIRDHOME, what was your favorite destination and what did you love about it? 

I wrote down the whole list so I could think about it. I would say Barbados. We stayed in a 9 bedroom and 9 bathroom villa that was fully staffed. The whole experience was very spoiling. The staff felt like your family after a day or two. They prepared all the meals. We paid for food and staff, of course. We had access to a private beach club at Sandy Lane which is one of the premier beach clubs in the world. It’s where Tiger Woods got married. The whole thing, the island, the people the staff, the access to the beach, it was just wonderful. We brought 13 people with us, and there was plenty of room for everyone. The food was incredible. We’d come home from wherever we were and there would be pitchers of margaritas and hor d’oeuvres waiting for us. We’d be sitting at a long dining table and it felt like we were in an old fashion movie. It was just spectacular.

 

 

What’s the next destination you are eyeing to travel to with THIRDHOME?

I’m going to Kenya next, to two different THIRDHOME properties. We’re going to Hippo Point and then to Cottars Mara Private Homestead. They look incredible. There was only one week available at Cottars, and it’s our 30th wedding anniversary and after several weeks of talking with the owner, with the help of Liz Bates, THIRDHOME‘s Director of Travel and Concierge Services, the owner agreed to give us that week. We’re very excited! The other property [Hippo Point] was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest as well. It has a gorgeous tower. I recall reading that Brad and Angelina had stayed there once, too.

 

 

What do you love most about your property with THIRDHOME?

The skiing in Vail. It’s the best skiing mountain in North America because it’s not terribly cold (Whistler members would argue with that). You get sunny days, which is much different than Whistler, where it was very dark. Vail’s got the back bowls, which if you don’t ski are these large open areas, they call them the legendary back bowls. The condo is extremely well located. It’s about 5 minutes from the gondola, if you don’t want to walk to the bus stops out front too. Our building went under a $10 million remodel so everything is updated and upgraded. The location is wonderful, 3 nice bedrooms, and 1800 sq ft. It’s very spacious. You can go there with other couples or two families and not feel on top of each other. I used to bring our daughters along with their friends for ski trips. We still go every summer for the annual dance festival. Something that’s unique to Vail is the summers. There is a BRAVO music fest that goes through July for 6 weeks or more, then a dance fest, then a jazz fest around Labor Day. There are a lot of cultural experiences that are just delightful. During the day you can hike or golf, then at night you go to the performances. These are world-class performances. The saying is that people go to Vail for the winter and then move there for the summers.

 

Any personal/family achievements you’d like to share?

Both of my daughters are engaged now so we have a busy year ahead of us. Their fiancés are great guys. We also have our 30th wedding anniversary coming up.

 

How has THIRDHOME changed the way you travel?

It allowed me to visit places that we probably would not have gone to and has allowed me to have accommodations for many people.

 

Anything else you think members should know?

I think the staff [of THIRDHOME] is wonderful. The concierge and member services are very helpful: Liz, Kristine, Amy Jo, Kelly. I hope I didn’t leave out anyone. I got a friend to join, and he booked a trip to San Juan Island. Actually, I’ve had two people that joined and two others thinking about it. And the Chairman’s Club, I’d thought about it for a while and when I finally did it, I loved it. It’s definitely worth it.

 

3 curated trips bound to bring you together as a family

 

Baby doves typically leave their nest after eleven days and become flighted after four more days. That means that with an average lifespan of two years in the wild, baby doves spend around 2% of their existence with their family. By contrast, humans spend over six thousand days with their family before they are “flighted”– nearly 23% of their life is spent in the nurture of their parents. We have so much more time with family than the ill-fated dove, but why does it seem so short? In the flash of an eye, family life can simply become family memories and those memories are painted by those shared family experiences. THIRDHOME has curated three experiences across three continents for you to share with your family. They’re bound to leave a lifelong impression.

 

1. Alaska: The Last Frontier

 

Explore Alaska: Beyond your Dreams, Within Your Reach

Set up base camp at the beautiful mountaintop Alyeska Resort for a week’s worth of wilderness adventures. Take a relaxing float trip down the Portage River to observe hanging glaciers, moose, bison and elk. The day after, cruise the Kenai Fjords National Park to catch a glimpse of the majestic humpback whales, orcas and sea lions. Climb aboard the Alaska Railroad GoldStar Dome train to get a panoramic view of the unspoiled countryside. You can also journey by float plane to the Redoubt Bay Bear Sanctuary and witness the free roaming Brown and Black bears while relaxing at a rustic frontier lodge. Catch wild salmon, kayak through Byers Lake, hike over glaciers and visit Alaska’s Iditarod champion Huskies. There are so many ways to experience the great frontier with your family with this fully customizable package.

To learn more about this curated Alaska journey click here.

 

2. Costa Rica: Rainforest & Beach Adventure

 

Costa Rica: Pure Life

Dive into the tropical lowlands of Costa Rica’s Carribean coast. Journey up the Tortuguero Canal on your way to your selected lodge to encounter monkeys, tree sloths and the brightly colored birds of the region. The return trip to Arenal features a sunset view of Costa Rica’s most famous active volcano. Venture into the forest canopy on an Eco-Glide tour to take in the forest at all its magnificent angles. Spend the rest of your travels relaxing in a Guanacaste beach resort of your choosing. Walk the beach with your family, kayak along the luscious coast or set out on a horseback excursion. The choices are limitless and fully catered towards your family’s preferences.

To learn more about this curated Costa Rican adventure click here.

 

3. Ireland: Lucky Irish Charms

 

Ireland: A Breath of Fresh Air

Discover the 9th-Century wonder of Dublin and other historical charms on this family-centric trip. Tour Dublin’s medieval heritage by land and water aboard a WWII-era amphibious DUCK vehicle. Travel first class by train towards the southern tip of the Emerald Isle where your family can explore the legendary Blarney Castle, followed by a stay at the stunning Castlemartyr Resort. Take in a limerick or two alongside a private barbecue prepared specially for your family at Caslemartyr. The following day head to Kinsale Pottery and Art Centre to learn how to make colorful ceramic pottery or Celtic jewelry with local artisans. At Ballymaloe Cookery School you can have a firsthand culinary experience with expert chefs, and show off your new found tricks with the family. After leaving Caslemartyr Resort you’ll reside at Dromoland Castle where you will receive the royal treatment. On your final day, bike along the Cliffs of Moher to watch The Atlantic’s waves crash against the rugged Irish coast. Your experience will be an unforgettable one.

To learn more about this curated Ireland outing click here.