Family live real life ‘The Holiday’ after swapping home with strangers from Facebook

A family from the UK had a real-life experience similar to “The Holiday” movie after swapping homes with strangers they found on Facebook. Emma Coulthurst, aged 37, was searching through house swap websites to take her six-year-old son, a huge fan of Mario Kart, to Super Nintendo World in Los Angeles. Instead, she received an intriguing offer from a family in Zeytinlik, Cyprus, to exchange homes. After making the necessary arrangements, Emma and her family flew to Cyprus in July 2024, spending three weeks in a three-bedroom villa with a pool. They enjoyed the local cuisine, visited water parks, and even got to witness baby turtles hatching. The total cost of the trip was £3,000, the same amount they would have spent on a traditional UK summer holiday.

Emma, who owns an art supply company and holiday cottages in Derbyshire, shared that the experience was about living rather than just holidaying. She described their time in Cyprus as peaceful, relaxing, and enriching for the soul. The idea of house swapping came to her when they were renovating their home and financially constrained, leading them to explore this unique way of travelling. The family had previously swapped homes to visit different places like the Pembrokeshire coast and Blackpool.

The decision to swap homes with the family in Cyprus stemmed from Emma’s son’s fascination with Super Mario and their desire to visit Super Nintendo World in LA. Despite initial challenges in finding a suitable exchange partner, perseverance paid off when they connected with the family in Cyprus. The exchange turned out to be a magical experience with unforgettable moments.

During their stay in Cyprus, the family enjoyed the villa’s amenities, explored the local attractions, and made memories that they would not have had on a typical holiday. Emma reflected on the value of the experience, highlighting how it allowed them to have unique adventures and create special memories with their children. The family returned home with a newfound appreciation for house swapping and are considering future exchanges.

This heartwarming story showcases how stepping outside of comfort zones and embracing new opportunities can lead to enriching and unforgettable experiences. The concept of home swapping not only offers a cost-effective way to travel but also fosters connections with people from different parts of the world, creating lasting memories and valuable experiences. Emma and her family’s story serves as an inspiration for others to explore unconventional travel options and seize the chance to make extraordinary memories.