Patsy Winters from Dublin has swapped homes 45 times, saving €18,000 on travel while enjoying stunning accommodations worldwide
Dublin: A woman has found a unique way to travel the world. Patsy Winters swaps homes with other travelers. This lets her stay in beautiful places without spending much.
Patsy, 43, has exchanged homes 45 times. She has visited over a dozen countries. By doing this, she estimates saving around €18,000 on accommodation costs.
She often stays in stunning homes. “Sometimes I can’t believe how nice they are,” she said. As an environmental scientist, she enjoys meeting like-minded people online.
One memorable stay was in Paris during the Rugby World Cup. She enjoyed a lovely apartment near Sacre Coeur. “I went early to soak in the city,” she shared.
Another highlight was a gorgeous villa in Guadeloupe. It had a sea view and a private pool. “It felt like paradise,” she recalled, wanting to spend more time relaxing there.
In Martinique, her apartment opened right to the sea. She loved having a private cove to swim in. “The properties in Panama were amazing too,” she added.
Patsy saves money by house swapping. She plans city breaks every January, booking flights and enjoying extra days without hotel costs. She does this up to eight times a year.
Inspired by the movie “The Holiday,” she started house swapping. The film sparked her interest in trading homes for travel. She signed up for HomeExchange to find matches.
Patsy’s two-bedroom house in Dublin is popular. She receives messages daily and often checks for new opportunities. She has swapped homes in many exciting locations.
Her first exchange was in Costa Rica, surrounded by nature. She also enjoyed stunning sea views in Martinique and Guadeloupe. “It felt like a nature documentary,” she said.
Last summer, she visited Panama, staying in four different properties. She enjoys meeting guests who stay in her home, sharing tips about Dublin.
With a base on Clare Island, she can offer her Dublin home regularly. The experience feels like a community, with everyone helping each other.
Looking ahead to 2025, Patsy feels adventurous. “The world is my oyster,” she said, excited for spontaneous travels.
