María is a Member of the HomeExchange team, and she herself is a passionate traveler and HomeExchanger. Do you want to hear about her exchange experience in Annecy?
Annecy is a unique place: one of the most emblematic and charming cities in France. Located in the mountains, it is surrounded by wonderful landscapes, romantic canals (this is why it is called the Venice of the Alps), and streets full of color and magic.
María, a Member of the HomeExchange team, visited the city while on a home exchange, and she’s going to tell you all about.
"Hello, my name is María and I am part of HomeExchange's marketing team. I love exchanging homes when I travel because it allows me to travel to different destinations and live like a local because I am in contact with my hosts and I get to meet people from all over the world.
On this occasion, our exchange took us to Annecy, in France, for a long weekend on All Saints Day (November 1). We enjoyed this wonderful city with a non-reciprocal 4-day exchange (with GuestPoints). We went on this exchange to surprise my partner. We were very excited to go there together, because he was born in Annecy.
The communication with our host was perfect throughout the whole exchange process. At the beginning, the conversation went through the HomeExchange messaging system, but then we switched to texting. In order for us to enjoy our stay even more, our host prepared a guide for us with information about his, the city’s main attractions, and he even gave us some local recommendations. We enjoyed our stay very much - the house was very comfortable, beautiful, and had everything we needed.
One of the most special moments was when we arrived at the house and discovered a welcome note from our host, along with several welcome gifts. He had left us a package with a delicious blueberry jam and beer, all typical regional products!
When we left, we thanked him for his hospitality with a bottle of good wine and some chocolates. It was a pity that we could not meet him in person, since he was not in the area. He left the keys in a safe deposit box and sent us instructions before we arrived. He was also very kind and lent us 2 bicycles with which we were able to enjoy an incredible bike ride around Lake Annecy.
Must-sees in Annecy:
Our host left us a very complete guide to the city and the surrounding area. In addition, he provided very useful information. Here are some of the things he recommended for us to do:
- A bike ride around Lake Annecy: You will have incredible views during the entire ride. The total route is 40-50 km, but you don’t have to bike the whole way if you don’t feel like it. You can stop at any time. It is worth it to enjoy the views and the small towns.
- Have brunch. A brunch place we loved was called "La Bicyclette Rose”. I assure you that after eating there, you won’t be hungry for the rest of the day!
- If you go in winter, I recommend trying fondue. The region’s typical dish is made with very tasty cheese from the region and it is definitely worth trying. A "tartifflete" is also a great choice. And try to make a reservation at the restaurant you want to go to, because seats fill up fast!
- Lastly, I would recommend that you visit the castle. It’s been turned into a museum where you can discover the city’s history.
It was a fantastic exchange: the house, the food, the city. We would happily go back to Annecy! And we would also be happy to have our host come stay at our home in the future."
Have you ever been to Annecy? It might be a good idea for your next getaway!
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