Exchange your home instead of renting one or a hotel room when you travel. There are people all over the world exchanging their homes during holidays. Look at http://www.intervac.com
I may be an over cautious person but I would NEVER trust a stranger in my house while I take off on a vacation..that's just begging for trouble !!! you don't know the people and have no way of telling if they're honest or not.I'm sure your HomeOwners Insurance would love to know how your Family silver got ripped off by strangers,but they're having to pay.I'm sorry but I don't trust just anyone anymore..suppose your home is confiscated from drugs while you're gone?it's happened before.think before you do something you might be sorry for later.