How I Used HomeExchange to Experience Europe Like a Local.

On a chilly afternoon, under a slight drizzle, I got off the tram with my suitcase. Under the bridge where I stood, the River Garonne flowed gently. I walked the short distance to the nearby neighborhood, located the apartment and let myself in.

I found myself in a living room flooded with natural light, full of little touches, with a balcony overlooking the wilderness. A sweet handwritten letter welcomed me, gave me a quick orientation and pointed me to a careful curation of vegan snacks! This was going to be my home for the next four nights in Toulouse, in the south of France – my first HomeExchange experience.