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.

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.

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.

THIRDHOME member Larry Grossman turns 70 this year.

In celebration of this milestone, he’s hitting all 7 continents with the help of THIRDHOME.

Meet Larry:

World Traveler, Philanthropist, Friend, & THIRDHOME Member

As Larry travels the globe with THIRDHOME, he’ll be blogging about his experiences as he navigates the post-pandemic world. His planning began in 2019 with THIRDHOME Director of Adventures, Liz Bates, who has assisted him in pivoting to satisfy his travel cravings when COVID-19 restrictions have not allowed him to visit a destination. Keep reading to learn more about Larry’s most recent travel experiences.

Test Run: The Pandemic Pivot Blog

East Coast Road Trip

For starters, I love everything about Spain. Tapas, flamenco, Mediterranean food, Las Ramblas in Barcelona and Moorish architecture. I planned to return to international travel and visit southern Spain in September as a vaccinated American and visualized myself sitting on a balcony in my Third Home condo in Malaga, sipping sangria, and gazing at the Mediterranean. Seaside condo, check! Car rental to explore the Costa del Sol, check! Renewed passport with extra pages, check! And then I saw the dreaded CDC Traveler’s Health notification: “Level 4: Very High, Avoid travel to Spain”. And thus began my “Pandemic Pivot”.

I consider myself a pretty adventurous guy, but the emergence of the Delta variant and the possibility of quarantine made me reconsider and go to “Plan B: East Coast Road Trip”. So, I returned to the THIRDHOME website and there it was: “Chateau Plateau” in the New York Catskills. In 8 hours and 3 minutes I could arrive at the front door of the house and thereby satisfy my travel addiction. I booked it quickly, places like this don’t last long on the website, and then it got better! I called my friend and muse Liz Bates, THIRDHOME travel guru and after whining about my lost European adventure and informing her of my revised road trip she had an idea. “Don’t stop in New York, keep going north in New England.” “Why don’t you consider going “glamping” in Cape Cod, I know a great place and September is beautiful in that part of the world.”

I replied that Larry’s Camping Era ended about 4 decades ago and I was presently a bit of a lodging snob, in large part due to being spoiled as a Third Home member. So camping was not an option, and by the way, “what the hell is “glamping” anyway? She patiently pointed me toward the Cape Cod “Autocamp” website that highlighted Airstreams and luxury tents that bore no resemblance to my prior camping experience of sleeping in a pup tent in a noisy and bug infested campground. I humbly apologized, and at her suggestion, made a reservation to spend 3 nights in an iconic Airstream “Suite” located in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The spacious Autocamp Clubhouse featured gourmet coffee, killer granola, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and pizza in the evening. Spending 3 nights in an Airstream proved Liz right: “Glamping” was the way to go for an old guy who loves the outdoors, but doesn’t want to spend any remaining part of his life climbing in and out of backpacking tents.

Cape Cod highlights? There were several!

1. Bike riding along the coast on the 10.7 mile Shining Sea Bikeway. (Thank you Autocamp for the complementary bikes).
2. Sampling lobster rolls in waterfront restaurants.
3. Sipping Bloody Marys while boating over to Martha’s Vineyard on the Island Queen Ferry.
4. Riding the oldest carousel in the country, “The Flying Horses”.
5. Nightly campfires at Autocamp in our private fire pit.
6. Visiting Bad Martha’s Brewery in Falmouth and ordering “Tatooed Lady Beer” from a real tattooed lady.

And so it went! My 8-day New York tour included a stop at Citifield Stadium to watch a NY Mets game. This was followed by my first visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown allowing me to verify that my beloved Chicago Cubs had indeed won the 2016 World Series and I hadn’t imagined it. From there I proceeded on to my reserved THIRDHOME in the Catskill Mountains in time to witness the beginning of fall foliage.

A week at Chateau Plateau proved to be an exceptional getaway and just what the doctor ordered. The majestic home is located at the top of Plateau Mountain with no neighbors, no noise and breathtaking sunrises over the Catskills. By day we explored small towns like Woodstock, Stamford and Hunter, New York. Back at the house I read, took photos and hung out with Tina and David without a care in the world. Each evening happy hour on the deck was followed by sitting by the fireplace and yakking with my friends til’ bedtime.

My New England pivot and adventure was just what the doctor ordered. I substituted NY wines for fruity sangrias, hiking in the Catskills for daydreaming on my Malaga balcony, and I enthusiastically embraced exploring a different body of water along the beautiful Cape Cod coast, in lieu of my lost Mediterranean adventure. I figured Spain would still be there next year, as would airplanes, tapas, historic sites and the Mediterranean Sea.

7 at 70 up next: Covid be damned, I’m going to Morocco!!!!


To read more about Larry’s adventures with THIRDHOME, click here. Stay tuned for more of his travels!

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

THIRDHOME Exchange members recently returned from Pietralunga, Italy and Southampton, New York. Keep reading to learn about their THIRDHOME travel experiences!

Villa Cavagnetti | Pietralunga, Italy

Situated in the green heartland of Umbria, Villa Cavagnetti is a stunning luxury private villa. Tranquil yet not isolated, it is the perfect Italian getaway. This home is positioned on a hilltop with panoramic views stretching across the Umbrian countryside. With eight bedrooms and expansive living areas, gather and unwind comfortably with a large group.

THIRDHOME member Bill says, “Beautiful setting in the Umbria hills – quite well appointed, in a personal way, with quality pillows and linens. The fireflies each night after watching the sunset and wine was amazing!” Click here to read more of Bill’s review.

Southampton Relaxed Retreat|Southampton, New York

Escape to a quintessential Americana vacation drenched in history and nostalgia. This picturesque residence is filled with local charm, and includes five bedrooms, large common areas, and a beautiful pool. Located only six minutes from Southampton village and 12 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean beaches, the area offers a vast array of year-round activities to enjoy.

THIRDHOME member Patricia says, “The pool was lovely and the house was fully equipped with anything we might need. Southhampton is a great spot for doing daily exploring of all the Hamptons. We would love to return and would highly recommend this home and terrific owner.” Click here to read more of Patricia’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.

 

THIRDHOME Exchange members have recently returned from Milan, New York, and Laikipia, Kenya. Keep reading to learn about their THIRDHOME experience.

 

Milan New York Kenya

Rustic Countryside Home | Milan, New York

Looking to escape the city? This rustic Upstate New York retreat is perfect for you. Surround yourself in the Hudson Valley’s majestic natural beauty while enjoying modern amenities and appointments in this home and guest cottage. The rolling expanse of the countryside certainly gives one a sense of space, but the 5,700 square-feet of home living space and 6 bedrooms certainly drives the point home. Enjoy a sense of privacy and tranquility that can only be afforded by countryside living. Keep a watch on this home for fall when the Hudson Valley’s transforming foliage is on full display.

THIRDHOME member Jan says, “Wow. Just wow. This home is newly built and no expense has been spared. ‘Rustic’ is being modest…substitute the word ‘Luxurious’ in the description, and that doesn’t begin to cover it. Stunning architecture. Top-end appliances, linens, furniture…well, top-end everything, really. And the home is perfectly situated on the side of a hill with sweeping and unobstructed views of the mountains. ” click here to read more of Jan’s review

 

Laikipia Kenya family house

Nanyuki Family House | Laikipia, Kenya

Wild and remote, the Nanyuki Family House rests in the foothills of Mt. Kenya. Offering an oasis from the rugged and dry terrain of the Great Rift Valley, this spacious home features a pool, full-sized billiard room and indoor gym. The best part about this property is having the wilderness of Africa at your doorstep. A short ways from the grounds of the estate you’ll find elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos and more! Stay at this home for a combined walking safari and luxury home experience under the shadow of Mt. Kenya.

THIRDHOME member Arthur says, “This was our first trip to Africa and there is a lot of planning and preparations required to explore and enjoy the culture and sites of Kenya. Richard and Amelia Leach were incredible with their insights and suggestions and I can’t thank them enough. The Nanyuki House is perfect for families to have a home away from home in Kenya.” click here to read more of Arthur’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 luxury home exchange club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME.

WHAT ARE THIRDHOME MEMBERS SAYING ABOUT THEIR LUXURY HOME EXCHANGE TRIPS (TO SWITZERLAND AND NEW YORK) THIS WEEK?

 

switzerland new york

Zem Waldhus | Switzerland

At the base of Unterrothorn, near the Sunnaga ski run, sits the stylish Zem Waldhus residence. Shrouded by the local wood, but within walking distance of Zermatt’s lively dining and shopping scene, this property is the perfect mix of accessible and secluded. 24-hour access to the Sunnega lift is the only transportation you’ll need in this car-less town. The rest of the local attractions are only a few minutes away by foot. When you’re not exploring the natural beauty of the Alps, you’ll be enjoying the simple elegance of Zem Waldhus. Cozy up during Zermatt’s winter months with Zem Waldhus’ heated floors, fully-equipped kitchen and fireplace. But it would be sinful to tout only Zermatt’s winter when summering in the Alps is an equally gorgeous experience.

THIRDHOME member Daniel says, “Our family had a great stay at Zem Waldhus. The chalet is spacious, modern, fully stocked, and centrally located with views of the Matterhorn…Coming from Hong Kong it was plenty of fun to see snow at the top of Kleinmatterhorn…We would definitely like to come again in the future.” Click here to read more of Daniel’s review. 

 

New York estate switzerland

Hendricks House | New York

On 29 acres of Upstate New York countryside sits the historic Hendricks House. Built in the 18th century, the home is rumored to have had George Washington as a guest. This home’s larger than life history is complimented by its spacious layout.Hendricks House is a very attractive property for large families and groups, with 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and 10,000 square-feet of living space. The outdoor space features a covered BBQ, a heated pool, a 18th-century barn and plenty of room for entertaining. After a day of pool lounging, the antique barroom, with its 70” flat screen, makes an excellent place to retire. The winter sitting room is equally compelling with its huge 18th-century fireplace and plush seating. There’s no better way to experience the natural beauty and luxury of Upstate New York than the gorgeous Hendricks House.

THIRDHOME member Marcus says, “Having fallen in love with Hendricks House after seeing the photos on THIRDHOME, we sensibly dialed down our excitement levels and prepared ourselves for disappointment as we rounded the final corner of the lovely 1 km long driveway. As the house came into view, jaws dropped commensurately with the palpable rise in excitement. This is a stunningly beautiful property, just… STUNNING…So, please don’t book this place, don’t even think about it. It is clearly not for you because my family and I would very much like to return and, if it becomes too popular, it may be a very long time before we do.” Click here to read more of Marcus’ review. 

 

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

Want more information about our luxury home exchange club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME.

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