If you're rigid about your itinerary and uptight, it won't work. Lavine added it's also important to choose a place that will meet your family's needs. Ask first about the number of bathrooms and bedrooms, she suggested. Even the most fantastic Paris apartment won't do if there's not enough room. There is one drawback to this family travel plan, however.
Swaps can be a lot harder to cancel than hotel reservations.
Just ask the Lavines. When a hospitalized child forced the Florida family to cancel their trip to Ireland last summer, they couldn't stand ruining the Irish family's vacation, too. The Lavines rented them a hotel suite on the beach. The kids became fast friends, and the Lavines hope to go to Ireland next summer. Meanwhile, they're already mulling offers for this school year's breaks.