On this article, I’ll define the very best methods to grow to be a home sitter in Italy. Since leaving my residence within the UK in 2022 and embarking on a world touring journey, I’ve been lucky sufficient to get pleasure from two implausible spells in Italy. Home sitting has performed an enormous half in permitting me to journey extensively whereas additionally saving a fortune with free lodging alongside the best way.
Realizing the place to look and how you can safe nice placements is essential. It may be a bit of daunting getting began, so I’m joyful 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 at all times 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 reasonably respectable stage. It was additionally whereas sitting in a beautiful cafe in Milan that we determined that touring completely was what we needed to do.
Lovely Italy is filled with tradition, historical past, world-class meals and wine. It’s additionally residence to a number of the most welcoming folks I’ve ever met. With an enormous variety of home sitting alternatives obtainable, from the seashores of Sicily to the piazzas of Turin, let’s get began.
Easy methods to Turn out to be a Home Sitter in Italy
Many glorious web sites put up home sitting jobs in Italy. With some diverse memberships, worth choices, and completely different options for every, discovering the appropriate web site for you is a vital first step. I’ve outlined all the main points for my high 5 right here.
1. Trusted Housesitters
Trusted Housesitters has been my go-to home sitting web site for over 5 years now. It’s by far the most important web site of its type available on the market with over 7,000 lively listings worldwide at present searching for sitters. It’s a fantastic platform that’s straightforward to make use of with some very helpful options for home sitters.
One characteristic I notably love about this web site is the choice to avoid wasting my search filters in order that I may be alerted when the appropriate itemizing comes on-line. Being fast to use for postings is vital and this characteristic is an effective way to make sure you don’t miss any good placements that come up.
Having essentially the most listings and being, in my view, the very best home sitting web site round does deliver with it a much bigger price ticket than others on this record. Priced at $260 a yr, the top-tier membership consists of advantages cancellation insurance coverage, enhanced customer support, and extra. The extra financial primary membership at $129/yr is a extra reasonably priced start line.
Avoid wasting cash whenever you enroll 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 a fantastic web site for newcomers wanting to check the waters. Priced at simply $29 a yr, it’s an reasonably priced platform that has some nice options.
Thoughts My Home is without doubt one of the longest-established home sitting web sites having been lively since 2005. The house owners play a day-to-day position within the customer support which I really feel provides 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 location and the place they’re based mostly.
Householders be a part of and put up their listings without spending a dime, so it’s also possible to make certain of loads of home sit alternatives. On a fast scan on the time of scripting this, there are over 20 posts obtainable throughout Italy, starting from a couple of days in Umbria to a 5-month keep in Veneto! With such a low yearly price, Thoughts My Home is a superb addition to any home sitter’s software equipment.
3. Nomador
Nomador is a superb selection for home and pet sitting in Italy. Though the web site does record sits throughout the globe, they’ve a extremely robust European membership base with a whole bunch of postings on the Continent. The platform has most undoubtedly taken a leaf out of the Trusted Housesitters ebook; it’s straightforward to make use of and has some glorious options.
The absence of an app is actually a degree towards it because it requires you to often examine your emails for updates on any saved searches. However, the premium membership affords early entry to accommodate sits and positively provides 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/yr. However when you’re nonetheless a bit of uncertain about committing for a complete yr, there’s additionally a 3-month ‘Discovery’ choice. At $85 this can be a nice technique to get began with out a important monetary outlay.
4. Workaway
I’ve a delicate 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 a couple of 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 a couple of instances when searching for placements. What’s vital 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 not less than a few completely different platforms.
Workaway is a superb selection and could be a wonderful string so as to add to your home sitting bow. With a low annual worth of $50 a yr or $30pp when a pair joins, it’s an reasonably priced choice to have at hand. The app and web site are easy to make use of, and I’ve discovered that lively hosts at all times 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 purposes.
Within the curiosity of holding your choices open, the cool factor about Home Carers is that you would be able to create a profile and browse listings with out spending a dime. Whenever you encounter a home sit that piques your curiosity, you’ll must improve to a full-paying membership, which is a really affordable $50 per yr.
Should you’re contemplating turning into a home sitter in Italy, Home Carers is a implausible 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 reasonably priced membership charge, it’s an effective 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 trade 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 caring for their 30+ chickens, 6 sheep, and a deaf canine known as Ringo who stored us entertained together with his each day antics across the different animals on the farm. We’ve remained shut with our Italian buddies, and have visited them not less than half a dozen instances 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 yr. The host, a beautiful Scottish expat named Pleasure, had a house and backyard that required some hearty repairs. We, after all, knew this forward of time and loved working outdoors a couple of hours every day – the spectacular valley views we had have been simply the icing on the cake.
A spritely canine known as Alfie was additionally a part of the discount and he was a enjoyable man to take care of. The home was nicely stocked with wine and Pleasure had informed us to assist ourselves! The beautiful 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.
Finest Areas to Home Sit in Italy
There are lots of really great components of Italy simply ready to be explored. Listed here are a couple of locations that I’ve just lately seen lively home sitting alternatives for.
1. Rome
Rome is maybe the obvious selection when contemplating home and pet sitting in Italy. The nation’s capital, generally known as the ‘Everlasting Metropolis’, often has ample home sitting alternatives with quite a few listings obtainable. You possibly can count on to see extra residences listed centrally, while additional out of city, greater farms and villas often search sitters.
Rome is one in all my favourite cities on this planet; the overwhelming historical past on each nook is in contrast to anyplace else. With 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 might grow to be very busy throughout peak seasonal journey instances across the summer time. Don’t overlook home sits on the outskirts of 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 experience in for a slice of pizza and some glasses of wine.
Location: Rome is positioned about midway down the nation, in direction of its western shoreline. Nice prepare companies hyperlink it with the entire nation. Naples is underneath 90 minutes away, as is Florence. Milan can be reachable in underneath 4 hours by way of direct prepare companies.
2. Turin
Turin is usually overshadowed by its extra standard Italian siblings nevertheless it 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 ample aperitivo choices make it a culinary expertise unto itself.
When leaving the UK, Turin was my first level of name. I’ve at all times cherished the former Italian capital metropolis for its breathtaking monuments, the gorgeous River Po that flows via it, and the gorgeous Duomo that dominates the skyline. It’s a fantastic metropolis to easily stroll round and discover.
Turin is the birthplace of the Aperitivo, which is basically an Italian joyful hour with a lot of small snacky meals plates – perfection. Should you step out for an early night drink count on to be stuffed earlier than you even make it to your dinner reservation. The town has a vibrant really feel while sustaining an area spirit. Tourism is lively right here nevertheless it’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 a couple of hours by automobile or prepare. Montgenèvre Go, a typical crossing level into France, is round 87 miles (140 km).
SEE ALOS: Easy methods to Turn out to be a Home Sitter in France (Free Lodging!)
3. Brescia
I’d guess that Brescia has hardly ever cropped up in many individuals’s lists of Italian cities to go to. In any case, Milan, Venice, Lake Garda, and Verona are all very shut by. Nevertheless it’s for this very motive that Brescia ought to be excessive up on everybody’s record, particularly for home sitting alternatives.
It’s the proper spot for basing your self and exploring additional afield. Brescia was the placement of one in all my first ever home sits and is a spot I proceed to return to many times. It seems like a little bit of an untapped tourism gem. With the ability to hop on a prepare to so many gorgeous locations is an unbelievable perk, however Brescia itself is an incredible place.
The town has a massive college which lends itself to a bustling metropolis vibe. An enormous medieval fortress dominates the skyline whereas town heart 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 positioned 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 underneath 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 impartial area with round 5 million inhabitants.
The 2 main cities of Palermo and Catania stand out as nice home sitting areas, while most of the smaller coastal cities make for dream areas 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 lively volcano in Europe. This may occasionally trigger concern for some, however good warning programs and the gap from many civilian areas imply Sicily is protected to go to always of the yr. 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, positioned 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 accommodate sit and having hiked a lot of the area, I can affirm 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 a wonderful metropolis with a wealthy historical past and luxurious structure – it’s no shock that it’s thought-about a jewel in Italy’s crown.
Florence was a bustling heart for artwork and science within the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The town’s museums, such because the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, home masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli to call however a couple of. 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 inventive attraction, Florence is a foodie’s dream to discover. The Mercato Centrale is a feast for the senses with enormous shows of native produce, cheeses, and meats. The various glorious trattorias discovered throughout 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 may 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 Protected?
Italy is mostly thought-about a protected vacation spot for guests. It boasts a sturdy vacationer infrastructure and environment friendly important companies. Nevertheless, petty theft is very prevalent in busy vacationer areas comparable to Rome, Florence, Naples, and Venice. I’d advise warning and take into account leaving valuables at residence.
Scammers and peddlers of counterfeit items may be present in most of the main cities. Remember that vacationers may be topic to fines for buying inauthentic gadgets. Widespread begging, notably by older Romani girls with youngsters, can conceal a syndicated exploitation community. Contemplate doing your individual analysis earlier than donating to charitable causes.
Pure occasions comparable to flooding, although irregular, can pose a threat. Lively volcanoes comparable to Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius shouldn’t be missed as a attainable security concern or journey disruptor. All the time keep alert for climate warnings and you’ll want to comply with native steerage to make sure a protected and easy go to.
The assorted Mafia clans lively all through quite a few Italian cities very hardly ever impression vacationers in any manner.
SEE ALSO: Finest Time to Go to Italy (Climate and Prices)
Execs and Cons of Being a Home Sitter in Italy
There are lots of optimistic points of home sitting in Italy and naturally a couple of unfavourable points too. From my very own expertise, I’ve outlined some professionals and cons to concentrate on 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 number of the finest meals on the planet.
- Laid-Again Way of life: Italians put an emphasis on having fun with life. The tempo is notably slower, and there’s a deal with savoring the second. Lengthy lunches and lazy espresso breaks make it a fantastic place for anybody in search of 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 enable easy accessibility to a number of the most lovely surroundings on this planet.
- Mediterranean Food plan: Italy’s conventional eating regimen, wealthy in olive oil, recent greens, and lean proteins, is related to varied well being advantages.
- Festivals and Celebrations: Italians actually know how you can have fun life and festivals, and occasions are quite common. You’re more likely to see all the things from conventional Christmas and Easter celebrations to 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 brief journey away.
- Beautiful Locals: Italians are recognized for his or her heat and robust sense of household and neighborhood. Home sitting in Italy gives 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 inexpensive bottle from the grocery store or forking out for a fancier choice at dinner, you possibly can relaxation assured the wine in Italy is elegant.
Cons of Home Sitting in Italy
- Bureaucratic Hurdles: Italy is understood for its paperwork, which may be time-consuming and generally irritating. Coping with paperwork for visas, healthcare, or different administrative issues will nearly actually require endurance.
- Language Barrier: English is extensively taught, particularly in city areas and among the many youthful inhabitants, however some areas do pose a language barrier. There are lots of dialects of Italian; in rural areas generally even primary Italian doesn’t reduce it.
- Value of Dwelling: In main cities and vacationer locations, the price of residing may be comparatively excessive. I’ve discovered that gas, 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 significant 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 differ. Entry to English-speaking medical professionals can 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 programs assist reduce dangers, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can and do happen.
- Driving Points: Though most of the important roads are easy to navigate, driving in smaller cities and busy cities is usually a problem. Should you’re unfamiliar with the driving practices, the locals might nicely provide you with some direct suggestions.
- Pace Traps: The Italian police love a pace lure and are recognized for fining for something they’ll discover flawed together with your driving or automobile; they most certainly will difficulty you with a ticket when you get pulled over. My recommendation: study the foundations and stick 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 essentially 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. Making certain protection for medical conditions is crucial, as even minor medical occasions can incur a considerable price.
To grow to be a home sitter in Italy, your preliminary step is to register on a home or pet sitting platform. There are glorious choices obtainable with quite a few listings at present searching for sitters in Italy. All differ barely and have membership costs to swimsuit all budgets. My most well-liked selections 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 typically revolves across the trade of your home and pet sitting companies for the chance to remain in a pleasant residence, offering you with a snug 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 moderately 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 duty is overseeing a property whereas the hosts are away. Nevertheless, it’s price noting that within the majority of circumstances, the association usually consists of the care of a number of pets as a part of the general settlement.
How lengthy you possibly can 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 effective, rapid 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 lovable pets has added a heartwarming and memorable facet to each itemizing I’ve undertaken. Home sitting in Italy permits you to really stay someplace and expertise it on a a lot deeper stage, in comparison with merely visiting for a trip.
In a way, sure, you possibly can home sit in Italy without spending a dime as, usually, postings don’t contain an trade of cash from both aspect. However that’s depending on customers having already signed up and paid a small membership charge with a home sitting web site. While some websites enable a free profile choice, you’ll have to grow to be a full-paying member to use.
Costs begin from as little as $29/yr (Thoughts My Home) and even Trusted Housesitters with its 7,000+ lively listings has a top-tier all-inclusive yearly membership that’s cheaper than 2 nights in a mean lodge!
To be a home sitter you must be dependable – in any case, somebody goes to depart you in command of their residence, pets, and worldly possessions. Flexibility and adaptableness are additionally vital, 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 acquainted with.
Consideration to element is one other vital ability for turning into a profitable home sitter. The hosts might go away particular requests for his or her residence with regard to vegetation or pets and these must be adopted to a tee. Being an outgoing and pleasant individual will guarantee your hosts really feel joyful and assured when heading off leaving you in command of their residence.
For extra data on the abilities wanted to be a profitable home sitter, try this put up: High 10 Should-Have Abilities For Being a Profitable Home Sitter.
In Conclusion
I’ve maybe seen extra of Italy than I’ve my very own nation. It’s one place that I’ve really missed having such easy accessibility to since leaving the UK. Being able to jump over from Stansted Airport on an inexpensive Ryanair flight for the weekend was a luxurious I took benefit of many instances.
Home sitting in Italy over the previous few years, has allowed me to immerse myself much more within the tradition of such a beautiful nation. Whenever 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 actually make them memorable.
There are a whole bunch of Italian houses at present ready for purposes, so get your self signed up in the present day.
