On this article, I’ll define the perfect methods to turn into a home sitter in Italy. Since leaving my dwelling 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 easy methods to safe nice placements is essential. It may be a little bit daunting getting began, so I’m blissful 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 degree. It was additionally whereas sitting in a stunning cafe in Milan that we determined that touring completely was what we wished to do.
Lovely Italy is filled with tradition, historical past, world-class meals and wine. It’s additionally dwelling to a few of the most welcoming individuals 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.
Find out how to Turn out to be a Home Sitter in Italy
Many glorious web sites publish home sitting jobs in Italy. With some various memberships, worth choices, and totally different options for every, discovering the best web site for you is a vital 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 web site for over 5 years now. It’s by far the largest web site of its sort in the marketplace with over 7,000 energetic listings worldwide at present on the lookout for sitters. It’s an excellent platform that’s simple to make use of with some very useful 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 will be alerted when the best itemizing comes on-line. Being fast to use for postings is essential and this characteristic is a good way to make sure you don’t miss any excellent placements that come up.
Having probably the most listings and being, for my part, the perfect home sitting web site round does carry with it a much bigger price ticket than others on this listing. Priced at $260 a yr, the top-tier membership contains advantages cancellation insurance coverage, enhanced customer support, and extra. The extra financial primary membership at $129/yr is a extra inexpensive start line.
Avoid wasting cash if you join through the use of GOATS20 for 20% off any membership possibility. Or be a part of utilizing this hyperlink.
2. Thoughts My Home
There’s rather a lot to love about Thoughts My Home, and it’s an excellent web site for newcomers wanting to check the waters. Priced at simply $29 a yr, 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 a detailed and private really feel. The stats portion of the web site is a wonderful addition that permits everybody to see precisely how many individuals are utilizing the location and the place they’re based mostly.
Householders be a part of and publish their listings at no cost, so you may also make sure of loads of home sit alternatives. On a fast scan on the time of penning 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 good addition to any home sitter’s instrument equipment.
3. Nomador
Nomador is a good alternative for home and pet sitting in Italy. Though the web site does listing sits throughout the globe, they’ve a very robust 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 simple 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 commonly examine your emails for updates on any saved searches. However, the premium membership gives 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/yr. However for those who’re nonetheless a little bit uncertain about committing for a whole yr, there’s additionally a 3-month ‘Discovery’ possibility. At $85 it is a nice method to get began with no vital monetary outlay.
4. Workaway
I’ve a mushy spot for Workaway I’ll admit it! I’ve met some nice pals and had many fantastic experiences utilizing it. I got here throughout it a couple of years in the past while on the lookout for volunteer alternatives around the globe. I rapidly discovered it to be an excellent useful resource for home sitting too.
One of many most important search choices on Workaway is for home sitting and it’s come in useful for me a couple of instances when on the lookout for placements. What’s essential to recollect is that hosts might solely listing 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 good alternative 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 inexpensive choice to have at hand. The app and web site are easy to make use of, and I’ve discovered that energetic 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 functions.
Within the curiosity of maintaining your choices open, the cool factor about Home Carers is which you could create a profile and browse listings with out spending a dime. Once 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 yr.
When you’re contemplating changing 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 your entire 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 change with an Italian couple from Brescia, we fashioned an on the spot 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 variety 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 day by day antics across the different animals on the farm. We’ve remained shut with our Italian pals, and have visited them no 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 situation for the primary home sit of the yr. The host, a stunning Scottish expat named Pleasure, had a house and backyard that required some hearty maintenance. We, in fact, knew this forward of time and loved working outdoors a couple of hours every day – the spectacular valley views we had had 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 beautiful little city and neighbors had been a delight that solely added to our constructive expertise. We had been invited most evenings for sundown aperitivo drinks someplace shut by.
Finest Areas to Home Sit in Italy
There are various really fantastic elements of Italy simply ready to be explored. Listed here are a couple of locations that I’ve not too long ago seen energetic home sitting alternatives for.
1. Rome
Rome is probably the obvious alternative when contemplating home and pet sitting in Italy. The nation’s capital, often known as the ‘Everlasting Metropolis’, commonly has ample home sitting alternatives with quite a few listings obtainable. You’ll be able to count on to see extra residences listed centrally, while additional out of city, greater farms and villas commonly search sitters.
Rome is one among my favourite cities on the planet; the overwhelming historical past on each nook is in contrast to wherever 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 turn into 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 attractive little cities away from the hustle and bustle however shut sufficient for a fast practice trip 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 practice providers hyperlink it with the entire nation. Naples is below 90 minutes away, as is Florence. Milan can be reachable in below 4 hours by way of direct practice providers.
2. Turin
Turin is usually overshadowed by its extra well-liked Italian siblings but it surely gives 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 at all times liked the former Italian capital metropolis for its breathtaking monuments, the attractive River Po that flows via it, and the gorgeous Duomo that dominates the skyline. It’s an excellent metropolis to easily stroll round and discover.
Turin is the birthplace of the Aperitivo, which is actually an Italian blissful hour with plenty of small snacky meals plates – perfection. When 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 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 a couple of hours by automotive or practice. Montgenèvre Move, a typical crossing level into France, is round 87 miles (140 km).
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. However it’s for this very cause that Brescia ought to be excessive up on everybody’s listing, particularly for home sitting alternatives.
It’s the right spot for basing your self and exploring additional afield. Brescia was the situation of one among 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. With the ability to hop on a practice 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 fort 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 liked.
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 below an hour away. Nice practice providers 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 liked 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 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 had been invited to barbecues, and pool events, and had been purchased drinks on quite a few events.
The island is dwelling to the highest energetic volcano in Europe. This will likely 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 latest eruption. It was a loopy expertise and one I received’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 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 a wonderful 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 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 outlets 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 large 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 practice hyperlinks, guests will 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 providers. Nonetheless, petty theft is particularly prevalent in busy vacationer areas reminiscent of Rome, Florence, Naples, and Venice. I’d advise warning and take into account leaving valuables at dwelling.
Scammers and peddlers of counterfeit items will be present in most of the main cities. Bear in mind that vacationers will 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 personal analysis earlier than donating to charitable causes.
Pure occasions reminiscent of flooding, although irregular, can pose a threat. Lively volcanoes reminiscent of Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius shouldn’t be missed as a doable security concern or journey disruptor. At all times keep alert for climate warnings and be sure you comply with native steering to make sure a protected and clean go to.
The varied Mafia clans energetic all through quite a few Italian cities very hardly ever impression vacationers in any manner.
Professionals and Cons of Being a Home Sitter in Italy
There are various constructive 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 pay attention to earlier than accepting a place home sitting in Italy.
Professionals of Home Sitting in Italy
- Cultural Richness: Italy has a wealthy cultural historical past of artwork and structure. Home sitting in Italy gives 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 Way of life: 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 excellent place for anybody searching for a relaxed life-style.
- 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 few of the most stunning surroundings on the planet.
- Mediterranean Weight loss program: Italy’s conventional weight-reduction plan, wealthy in olive oil, recent greens, and lean proteins, is related to numerous 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 the whole lot from conventional Christmas and Easter celebrations to very large summer time live shows.
- Proximity to Different European Nations: Italy’s central location in Europe makes it handy for journey. You’ll be able to simply discover neighboring nations, and expertise various cultures only a brief journey away.
- Beautiful Locals: Italians are identified for his or her heat and robust sense of household and group. Home sitting in Italy supplies 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 selecting up an affordable bottle from the grocery store or forking out for a fancier possibility 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 forms, which will 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 extensively 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.
- Value of Dwelling: In main cities and vacationer locations, the price of residing will be comparatively excessive. I’ve discovered that gas, eating out, and sure items and providers are costlier in comparison with different nations I’ve visited – particularly within the north of the nation.
- Political Instability: Italians like to passionately talk about politics. Largely 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 providers can fluctuate. Entry to English-speaking medical professionals can be restricted in sure areas, particularly additional south.
- Pure Catastrophe Dangers: Italy is liable to seismic exercise, particularly in areas like Naples and Sicily. Whereas stringent constructing codes and monitoring programs assist decrease dangers, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can and do happen.
- Driving Points: Though most of the most important roads are easy to navigate, driving in smaller cities and busy cities generally is a problem. When you’re unfamiliar with the driving practices, the locals might properly provide you with some direct suggestions.
- Velocity Traps: The Italian police love a velocity lure and are identified for fining for something they will discover flawed along with your driving or automotive; they probably will problem you with a ticket for those who get pulled over. My recommendation: be taught the principles and persist with the velocity restrict always.
- Visa Restriction: Home sitting in Italy long run could also be a problem for non-EU residents who sometimes 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 price.
To turn into 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 on the lookout for sitters in Italy. All fluctuate barely and have membership costs to go well with all budgets. My most well-liked selections are Trusted Housesitters and Thoughts My Home.
Usually, you received’t be paid to be a home sitter in Italy. As a substitute, the association usually revolves across the change of your home and pet sitting providers for the chance to remain in a pleasant dwelling, offering you with a snug base to discover the encircling areas.
It’s a mutually useful understanding the place the main target is on the expertise and the cultural immersion fairly than monetary transactions.
Sure, there are certainly listings for home sitting in Italy with out pets. On numerous web sites, you could find listings the place the first accountability is overseeing a property whereas the hosts are away. Nonetheless, it’s price noting that within the majority of instances, the association sometimes contains 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 kind 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 tremendous, rapid deportation, or perhaps a ban from getting into the European Schengen Zone for a big 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 gives a singular expertise.
While residing amidst smaller native communities I’ve made some lifelong connections. Caring for cute pets has added a heartwarming and memorable side to each itemizing I’ve undertaken. Home sitting in Italy permits you to really reside someplace and expertise it on a a lot deeper degree, in comparison with merely visiting for a trip.
In a way, sure, you possibly can home sit in Italy at no cost as, sometimes, postings don’t contain an change 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 enable a free profile possibility, you’ll have to turn into 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+ energetic listings has a top-tier all-inclusive yearly membership that’s cheaper than 2 nights in a median lodge!
To be a home sitter you might want to be dependable – in spite of everything, somebody goes to go away you answerable for their dwelling, pets, and worldly possessions. Flexibility and adaptableness are additionally essential, each in regard to arrival and departure dates, duties chances are you’ll be requested to do, and new environment that will not be what you’re acquainted with.
Consideration to element is one other essential ability for changing into a profitable home sitter. The hosts might go away particular requests for his or her dwelling with regard to crops or pets and these should be adopted to a tee. Being an outgoing and pleasant particular person will guarantee your hosts really feel blissful and assured when heading off leaving you answerable for their dwelling.
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 affordable 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 an exquisite nation. Once 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 fantastic, it’s the depth of home sitting experiences that actually make them memorable.
There are a whole bunch of Italian properties at present ready for functions, so get your self signed up right now.
