On this article, I’ll define the most effective methods to turn out to be a home sitter in Italy. Since leaving my residence within the UK in 2022 and embarking on a worldwide touring journey, I’ve been lucky sufficient to get pleasure from two incredible spells in Italy. Home sitting has performed a giant half in permitting me to journey extensively whereas additionally saving a fortune with free lodging alongside the best way.
Figuring out the place to look and easy methods to safe nice placements is vital. It may be a bit daunting getting began, so I’m completely happy to have the ability to provide the better of my years of information and expertise to get you efficiently on the street to home sitting in Italy.
Italy has all the time held a particular place in my coronary heart. It was the primary nation my husband, Rob, and I actually explored in-depth. A lot in order that he now speaks Italian to a fairly first rate stage. It was additionally whereas sitting in a beautiful cafe in Milan that we determined that touring completely was what we needed to do.
Stunning Italy is stuffed with tradition, historical past, world-class meals and wine. It’s additionally residence to a few of the most welcoming folks I’ve ever met. With an enormous variety of home sitting alternatives out there, from the seashores of Sicily to the piazzas of Turin, let’s get began.
How you can Grow to be a Home Sitter in Italy
Many glorious web sites publish home sitting jobs in Italy. With some assorted memberships, value choices, and totally different options for every, discovering the fitting web site for you is a crucial first step. I’ve outlined all the small print for my high 5 right here.
1. Trusted Housesitters
Trusted Housesitters has been my go-to home sitting website for over 5 years now. It’s by far the largest website of its variety available on the market with over 7,000 energetic listings worldwide at present searching for sitters. It’s an incredible platform that’s straightforward to make use of with some very helpful options for home sitters.
One function I significantly love about this website is the choice to save lots of my search filters in order that I might be alerted when the fitting itemizing comes on-line. Being fast to use for postings is essential and this function is a good way to make sure you don’t miss any good placements that come up.
Having probably the most listings and being, in my view, the most effective home sitting web site round does carry with it an even bigger price ticket than others on this record. Priced at $260 a 12 months, the top-tier membership contains advantages cancellation insurance coverage, enhanced customer support, and extra. The extra financial primary membership at $129/12 months is a extra inexpensive place to begin.
Avoid wasting cash once you join by utilizing GOATS20 for 20% off any membership choice. Or be a part of utilizing this hyperlink.
2. Thoughts My Home
There’s loads to love about Thoughts My Home, and it’s an incredible web site for newcomers wanting to check the waters. Priced at simply $29 a 12 months, it’s an inexpensive platform that has some nice options.
Thoughts My Home is without doubt one of the longest-established home sitting web sites having been energetic since 2005. The homeowners play a day-to-day position within the customer support which I really feel offers it an in depth and private really feel. The stats portion of the web site is a wonderful addition that enables everybody to see precisely how many individuals are utilizing the positioning and the place they’re primarily based.
Householders be a part of and publish their listings without cost, so you may as well make certain of loads of home sit alternatives. On a fast scan on the time of penning this, there are over 20 posts out there throughout Italy, starting from just a few days in Umbria to a 5-month keep in Veneto! With such a low yearly value, Thoughts My Home is a superb addition to any home sitter’s software equipment.
3. Nomador
Nomador is a superb alternative for home and pet sitting in Italy. Though the web site does record sits throughout the globe, they’ve a extremely sturdy European membership base with a whole bunch of postings on the Continent. The platform has most positively taken a leaf out of the Trusted Housesitters e-book; it’s straightforward to make use of and has some glorious options.
The absence of an app is actually a degree in opposition to it because it requires you to recurrently examine your emails for updates on any saved searches. However, the premium membership affords early entry to deal with sits and definitely offers members a head begin when making use of for these superb Italian listings.
Nomador has 3 membership choices, the highest tier with quite a few added advantages is $190/12 months. However in the event you’re nonetheless a bit not sure about committing for a complete 12 months, there’s additionally a 3-month ‘Discovery’ choice. At $85 it is a nice solution to get began with out a important monetary outlay.
4. Workaway
I’ve a tender spot for Workaway I’ll admit it! I’ve met some nice buddies and had many great experiences utilizing it. I got here throughout it just a few years in the past while searching for volunteer alternatives world wide. I rapidly discovered it to be an excellent useful resource for home sitting too.
One of many important search choices on Workaway is for home sitting and it’s turn out to be useful for me just a few occasions when searching for placements. What’s essential to recollect is that hosts might solely record their property on one web site, so it’s a good suggestion to maintain your choices open with no less than a few totally different platforms.
Workaway is a superb alternative and can be a superb string so as to add to your home sitting bow. With a low annual value of $50 a 12 months or $30pp when a pair joins, it’s an inexpensive choice to have at hand. The app and web site are simple to make use of, and I’ve discovered that energetic hosts all the time reply promptly to inquiries.
5. Home Carers
There are many glorious home sitting alternatives ready for you at Home Carers. Whereas it might not have the sheer quantity of listings that Trusted Housesitters boasts, it does provide a considerable variety of present listings prepared for functions.
Within the curiosity of holding your choices open, the cool factor about Home Carers is you can create a profile and browse listings with out spending a dime. While you bump into a home sit that piques your curiosity, you’ll have to improve to a full-paying membership, which is a really cheap $50 per 12 months.
In case you’re contemplating changing into a home sitter in Italy, Home Carers is a incredible platform to discover all that house-sitting web sites have to supply and get a really feel for the whole course of. With its user-friendly interface and an inexpensive membership price, it’s a good way to get began.
Private Expertise Housesitting in Italy
Round 5 years in the past, my first home sitting stint in Italy occurred unexpectedly. Whereas doing a Workaway language alternate with an Italian couple from Brescia, we fashioned an prompt connection. A lot in order that they invited my husband and me to care for his or her little farm for per week that summer time.
We had a whole lot of enjoyable taking good care of their 30+ chickens, 6 sheep, and a deaf canine referred to as Ringo who saved us entertained along with his every day antics across the different animals on the farm. We’ve remained shut with our Italian buddies, and have visited them no less than half a dozen occasions since.
Upon leaving the UK in January 2022, Italy was the primary level of name. Stimigliano, a small city north of Rome, was the placement for the primary home sit of the 12 months. The host, a beautiful Scottish expat named Pleasure, had a house and backyard that required some hearty maintenance. We, after all, knew this forward of time and loved working outdoors just a few hours every day – the spectacular valley views we had have been simply the icing on the cake.
A spritely canine referred to as Alfie was additionally a part of the cut price and he was a enjoyable man to take care of. The home was properly stocked with wine and Pleasure had advised us to assist ourselves! The stunning little city and neighbors have been a delight that solely added to our optimistic expertise. We have been invited most evenings for sundown aperitivo drinks someplace shut by.
Greatest Areas to Home Sit in Italy
There are various actually great elements of Italy simply ready to be explored. Listed here are just a few locations that I’ve lately seen energetic home sitting alternatives for.
1. Rome
Rome is maybe the obvious alternative when contemplating home and pet sitting in Italy. The nation’s capital, often known as the ‘Everlasting Metropolis’, recurrently has ample home sitting alternatives with quite a few listings out there. You possibly can count on to see extra flats listed centrally, while additional out of city, greater farms and villas recurrently search sitters.
Rome is one in every of my favourite cities on this planet; the overwhelming historical past on each nook is in contrast to anyplace else. Having the ability to seize a ‘cafe portare by way of’ (that’s a takeaway espresso to me and also you), and see the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountains, and the Pantheon all earlier than your drink will get chilly is a singular expertise.
Rome is a bustling metropolis and may turn out to be very busy throughout peak seasonal journey occasions across the summer time. Don’t overlook home sits on the outskirts of the town. Frascati, Velletri, and Stimigliano are only a handful of the gorgeous little cities away from the hustle and bustle however shut sufficient for a fast prepare trip in for a slice of pizza and some glasses of wine.
Location: Rome is situated about midway down the nation, in the direction of its western shoreline. Nice prepare companies hyperlink it with the entire nation. Naples is beneath 90 minutes away, as is Florence. Milan can also be reachable in beneath 4 hours by way of direct prepare companies.
2. Turin
Turin is usually overshadowed by its extra fashionable Italian siblings but it surely affords an genuine style of the nation with out the overwhelming vacationer crowds. A home sitting placement right here will situate you amidst grand structure and picturesque piazzas while the native delicacies and plentiful aperitivo choices make it a culinary expertise unto itself.
When leaving the UK, Turin was my first level of name. I’ve all the time cherished the former Italian capital metropolis for its breathtaking monuments, the gorgeous River Po that flows via it, and the beautiful Duomo that dominates the skyline. It’s an incredible metropolis to easily stroll round and discover.
Turin is the birthplace of the Aperitivo, which is actually an Italian completely happy hour with numerous small snacky meals plates – perfection. In case you step out for an early night drink count on to be stuffed earlier than you even make it to your dinner reservation. Town has a vibrant really feel while sustaining a neighborhood spirit. Tourism is energetic right here but it surely’s nonetheless a homely place to safe home sit.
Location: Turin is located in northwest Italy. The northern cities of Genoa and Milan are each reachable inside just a few hours by automobile or prepare. Montgenèvre Cross, a typical crossing level into France, is round 87 miles (140 km).
3. Brescia
I’d guess that Brescia has not often cropped up in many individuals’s lists of Italian cities to go to. In spite of everything, Milan, Venice, Lake Garda, and Verona are all very shut by. However it’s for this very motive that Brescia must be excessive up on everybody’s record, particularly for home sitting alternatives.
It’s the right spot for basing your self and exploring additional afield. Brescia was the placement of one in every of my first ever home sits and is a spot I proceed to return to time and again. It seems like a little bit of an untapped tourism gem. Having the ability to hop on a prepare to so many beautiful locations is an unbelievable perk, however Brescia itself is an incredible place.
Town has a giant college which lends itself to a bustling metropolis vibe. An enormous medieval citadel dominates the skyline whereas the town middle boasts not one however two cathedrals! You’ll additionally discover many nice eating places and that cafe tradition for which Italy is so cherished.
Location: Brescia is situated fairly centrally within the northern part of Italy. The closest airport is Milan Bergamo which is round 1 hour away. The lakes of Garda and Iseo are each beneath an hour away. Nice prepare companies join Brescia with all of Italy.
4. Sicily
Sicily has actually been on my home sit wishlist for a very long time. I visited a number of years in the past for a summer time trip and completely cherished my time on the southern Mediterranean island. Though technically nonetheless classed as Italy, Sicily is its personal unbiased area with round 5 million inhabitants.
The 2 main cities of Palermo and Catania stand out as nice home sitting places, while most of the smaller coastal cities make for dream places to safe a posting. I discovered all of the locals to be extraordinarily welcoming and pleasant. Even with a translation barrier my husband and I have been invited to barbecues, and pool events, and have been purchased drinks on quite a few events.
The island is residence to the highest energetic volcano in Europe. This will likely trigger concern for some, however good warning techniques and the space from many civilian areas imply Sicily is protected to go to always of the 12 months. I’ve climbed Mount Etna and walked on the cooled lava fields of a current eruption. It was a loopy expertise and one I gained’t be forgetting any time quickly.
Location: Sicily is an island within the South Mediterranean Sea, situated simply 1.9 miles (3 km) from the mainland of Italy. Rome is round 620 miles (1000 km) north. The island nation of Malta is round 60 miles (93 km) off Sicily’s southern shoreline.
5. Florence
Florence is an unbelievable place to deal with sit and having hiked a lot of the area, I can verify any rumors you’ve heard of Tuscany’s magnificence are true! Nestled within the coronary heart of Tuscany, Florence stands as a residing testomony to the Renaissance period. It’s an excellent metropolis with a wealthy historical past and sumptuous structure – it’s no shock that it’s thought of a jewel in Italy’s crown.
Florence was a bustling middle for artwork and science within the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Town’s museums, such because the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, home masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli to call however just a few. The Ponte Vecchio is sort of a gateway to the previous, with many small retailers and market stands lining the outdated bridge over the River Arno.
Past its apparent creative attraction, Florence is a foodie’s dream to discover. The Mercato Centrale is a feast for the senses with large shows of native produce, cheeses, and meats. The numerous glorious trattorias discovered throughout the town serve up conventional Tuscan meals with native wines to enhance the meals. What’s to not love?
Location: Florence is located ideally for accessing a lot of Italy. With nice prepare hyperlinks, guests might be in Rome to the south or Milan to the north inside 1.5 – 2 hours. The world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is simply over an hour to the east of Florence.
Is Italy Secure?
Italy is usually thought of a protected vacation spot for guests. It boasts a strong vacationer infrastructure and environment friendly important companies. Nevertheless, petty theft is particularly prevalent in busy vacationer areas similar to Rome, Florence, Naples, and Venice. I’d advise warning and contemplate leaving valuables at residence.
Scammers and peddlers of counterfeit items might be present in most of the main cities. Bear in mind that vacationers might be topic to fines for buying inauthentic objects. Widespread begging, significantly by older Romani ladies with kids, can cover a syndicated exploitation community. Contemplate doing your individual analysis earlier than donating to charitable causes.
Pure occasions similar to flooding, although irregular, can pose a threat. Lively volcanoes similar to Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius shouldn’t be neglected as a doable security concern or journey disruptor. All the time keep alert for climate warnings and you should definitely observe native steering to make sure a protected and clean go to.
The varied Mafia clans energetic all through quite a few Italian cities very not often affect vacationers in any means.
Execs and Cons of Being a Home Sitter in Italy
There are various optimistic points of home sitting in Italy and naturally just a few unfavorable points too. From my very own expertise, I’ve outlined some professionals and cons to pay attention to earlier than accepting a place home sitting in Italy.
Execs of Home Sitting in Italy
- Cultural Richness: Italy has a wealthy cultural historical past of artwork and structure. Home sitting in Italy affords an immersive expertise in a rustic that has influenced world tradition for hundreds of years.
- Culinary Paradise: Italian delicacies is famend worldwide. From pasta and pizza to regional specialties, spending an prolonged interval in Italy means having easy accessibility to a few of the finest meals on the planet.
- Laid-Again Life-style: Italians put an emphasis on having fun with life. The tempo is notably slower, and there’s a give attention to savoring the second. Lengthy lunches and lazy espresso breaks make it an incredible place for anybody searching for a relaxed way of life.
- Beautiful Landscapes: From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic cliffs, Italy has many various and breathtaking landscapes. Home sitting right here will permit easy accessibility to a few of the most stunning surroundings on this planet.
- Mediterranean Food regimen: Italy’s conventional weight loss program, wealthy in olive oil, contemporary greens, and lean proteins, is related to varied well being advantages.
- Festivals and Celebrations: Italians actually know easy methods to have a good time life and festivals, and occasions are quite common. You’re prone to see all the things from conventional Christmas and Easter celebrations to very large summer time concert events.
- Proximity to Different European Nations: Italy’s central location in Europe makes it handy for journey. You possibly can simply discover neighboring international locations, and expertise various cultures only a quick journey away.
- Pretty Locals: Italians are recognized for his or her heat and powerful sense of household and group. Home sitting in Italy offers the chance to kind relationships with neighbors and locals and make actual long-term connections.
- World-Class Wine: Italy is famend globally for its wine. Whether or not you’re choosing up an affordable bottle from the grocery store or forking out for a fancier choice at dinner, you’ll be able to relaxation assured the wine in Italy is classy.
Cons of Home Sitting in Italy
- Bureaucratic Hurdles: Italy is understood for its paperwork, which might be time-consuming and typically irritating. Coping with paperwork for visas, healthcare, or different administrative issues will virtually actually require endurance.
- Language Barrier: English is broadly taught, particularly in city areas and among the many youthful inhabitants, however some areas do pose a language barrier. There are various dialects of Italian; in rural areas typically even primary Italian doesn’t reduce it.
- Price of Residing: In main cities and vacationer locations, the price of residing might be comparatively excessive. I’ve discovered that gasoline, eating out, and sure items and companies are dearer in comparison with different international locations I’ve visited – particularly within the north of the nation.
- Political Instability: Italians like to passionately focus on politics. Principally as a result of Italy has skilled intervals of great political instability. Staying knowledgeable in regards to the political local weather is a good suggestion.
- Healthcare System: Whereas Italy does have a public healthcare system, the standard and effectivity of healthcare companies can fluctuate. Entry to English-speaking medical professionals can also be restricted in sure areas, particularly additional south.
- Pure Catastrophe Dangers: Italy is susceptible to seismic exercise, particularly in areas like Naples and Sicily. Whereas stringent constructing codes and monitoring techniques assist decrease dangers, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can and do happen.
- Driving Points: Though most of the important roads are simple to navigate, driving in smaller cities and busy cities generally is a problem. In case you’re unfamiliar with the driving practices, the locals might properly offer you some direct suggestions.
- Pace Traps: The Italian police love a pace entice and are recognized for fining for something they will discover unsuitable along with your driving or automobile; they most probably will subject you with a ticket in the event you get pulled over. My recommendation: be taught the foundations and persist with the pace restrict always.
- Visa Restriction: Home sitting in Italy long run could also be a difficulty for non-EU residents who usually can solely keep within the European Schengen Zone for 90 days each 6 months.
Home Sitting in Italy: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions on home sitting in Italy:
Sure, having insurance coverage is essential when visiting Italy. Whereas many home and pet sitting platforms might present protection for host cancellations inside their memberships, it’s important to not overlook healthcare bills in Italy. Guaranteeing protection for medical conditions is crucial, as even minor medical occasions can incur a considerable value.
To turn out to be a home sitter in Italy, your preliminary step is to register on a home or pet sitting platform. There are glorious choices out there with quite a few listings at present searching for sitters in Italy. All fluctuate barely and have membership costs to go well with all budgets. My most popular decisions are Trusted Housesitters and Thoughts My Home.
Sometimes, you gained’t be paid to be a home sitter in Italy. As a substitute, the association usually revolves across the alternate of your home and pet sitting companies for the chance to remain in a pleasant residence, offering you with a cushty base to discover the encompassing areas.
It’s a mutually helpful understanding the place the main focus is on the expertise and the cultural immersion slightly than monetary transactions.
Sure, there are certainly listings for home sitting in Italy with out pets. On varied web sites, you will discover listings the place the first accountability is overseeing a property whereas the hosts are away. Nevertheless, it’s price noting that within the majority of instances, the association usually contains the care of a number of pets as a part of the general settlement.
How lengthy you’ll be able to keep in Italy whereas home sitting depends in your visa sort and nation of origin. It’s essential to conduct thorough analysis earlier than committing to any home sitting engagements. Overstaying your visa can lead to a advantageous, speedy deportation, or perhaps a ban from coming into the European Schengen Zone for a major interval.
I’ve discovered home sitting in Italy to be a mix of cultural immersion, scenic magnificence, and culinary delights. From the historic wonders of Florence to the sun-soaked seashores of Sicily, every area affords a singular expertise.
While residing amidst smaller native communities I’ve made some lifelong connections. Caring for lovely pets has added a heartwarming and memorable side to each itemizing I’ve undertaken. Home sitting in Italy means that you can actually stay someplace and expertise it on a a lot deeper stage, in comparison with merely visiting for a trip.
In a way, sure, you’ll be able to home sit in Italy without cost as, usually, postings don’t contain an alternate of cash from both facet. However that’s depending on customers having already signed up and paid a small membership price with a home sitting web site. While some websites permit a free profile choice, you’ll have to turn out to be a full-paying member to use.
Costs begin from as little as $29/12 months (Thoughts My Home) and even Trusted Housesitters with its 7,000+ energetic listings has a top-tier all-inclusive yearly membership that’s cheaper than 2 nights in a mean lodge!
To be a home sitter it is advisable to be dependable – in spite of everything, somebody goes to depart you answerable for their residence, pets, and worldly possessions. Flexibility and flexibility are additionally essential, each in regard to arrival and departure dates, duties you might be requested to do, and new environment that might not be what you’re accustomed to.
Consideration to element is one other essential talent for changing into a profitable home sitter. The hosts might depart particular requests for his or her residence with reference to vegetation or pets and these must be adopted to a tee. Being an outgoing and pleasant particular person will guarantee your hosts really feel completely happy and assured when heading off leaving you answerable for their residence.
In Conclusion
I’ve maybe seen extra of Italy than I’ve my very own nation. It’s one place that I’ve actually missed having such easy accessibility to since leaving the UK. Being able to jump over from Stansted Airport on an affordable Ryanair flight for the weekend was a luxurious I took benefit of many occasions.
Home sitting in Italy over the previous couple of years, has allowed me to immerse myself much more within the tradition of such a beautiful nation. While you spend time within the ‘actual’ Italy you get to see a lot greater than the vacationer spots can provide. And though these spots are equally great, it’s the depth of home sitting experiences that really make them memorable.
There are a whole bunch of Italian properties at present ready for functions, so get your self signed up right this moment.
