On this article, I’ll define the very best methods to become a house sitter in Italy. Since leaving my house within the UK in 2022 and embarking on a world touring journey, I’ve been lucky sufficient to get pleasure from two unbelievable spells in Italy. Home sitting has performed an enormous half in permitting me to journey extensively whereas additionally saving a fortune with free accommodation alongside the way in which.
Understanding the place to look and learn how to safe nice placements is vital. It may be a bit of daunting getting began, so I’m blissful to have the ability to provide the better of my years of data and expertise to get you efficiently on the highway to house 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 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.
Stunning Italy is filled with tradition, historical past, world-class meals and wine. It’s additionally house to a number of the most welcoming folks I’ve ever met. With an enormous variety of home sitting alternatives accessible, from the seashores of Sicily to the piazzas of Turin, let’s get began.
Methods to Grow to be a Home Sitter in Italy
Many wonderful web sites publish house sitting jobs in Italy. With some assorted memberships, value choices, and completely different options for every, discovering the suitable web site for you is a vital first step. I’ve outlined all the main points for my prime 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 form in the marketplace with over 7,000 energetic listings worldwide presently in search of sitters. It’s an ideal platform that’s straightforward to make use of with some very useful options for home sitters.
One characteristic I significantly love about this website is the choice to avoid wasting my search filters in order that I might be alerted when the suitable itemizing comes on-line. Being fast to use for postings is vital 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, in my view, the very best home sitting web site round does convey with it an even 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 fundamental membership at $129/yr is a extra inexpensive place to begin.
Avoid wasting cash once you enroll by utilizing GOATS20 for 20% off any membership possibility. Or be part of utilizing this link.
2. Thoughts My Home
There’s rather a lot to love about Mind My House, and it’s an ideal 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 house sitting websites having been energetic since 2005. The homeowners play a day-to-day function 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 permits everybody to see precisely how many individuals are utilizing the location and the place they’re based mostly.
Householders be part of and publish their listings totally free, so you can too make certain of loads of home sit alternatives. On a fast scan on the time of scripting this, there are over 20 posts accessible throughout Italy, starting from just a few 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 instrument package.
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 very robust European membership base with a whole lot of postings on the Continent. The platform has most positively taken a leaf out of the Trusted Housesitters ebook; it’s straightforward to make use of and has some wonderful options.
The absence of an app is definitely some extent 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 accommodate sits and definitely provides members a head begin when making use of for these wonderful 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 bit of not sure about committing for a whole yr, there’s additionally a 3-month ‘Discovery’ possibility. At $85 it is a nice strategy to get began with no important monetary outlay.
4. Workaway
I’ve a gentle spot for Workaway I’ll admit it! I’ve met some nice mates and had many fantastic experiences utilizing it. I got here throughout it just a few years in the past while in search of volunteer alternatives all over the world. I shortly discovered it to be an excellent useful resource for home sitting too.
One of many fundamental search choices on Workaway is for home sitting and it’s turn out to be useful for me just a few instances when in search of 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 no less than a few completely different platforms.
Workaway is a superb selection and could be a superb string so as to add to your own home sitting bow. With a low annual value 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 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 wonderful home sitting alternatives ready for you at House Carers. Whereas it could not have the sheer quantity of listings that Trusted Housesitters boasts, it does supply a considerable variety of present listings prepared for functions.
Within the curiosity of preserving your choices open, the cool factor about House Carers is you can create a profile and browse listings with out spending a dime. If you come across 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.
Should you’re contemplating turning into a home sitter in Italy, House Carers is a unbelievable platform to discover all that house-sitting web sites have to supply and get a really feel for all the course of. With its user-friendly interface and an inexpensive membership charge, 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 shaped 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 every week that summer season.
We had quite a lot of enjoyable taking good care of their 30+ chickens, 6 sheep, and a deaf canine referred to 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 mates, 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 repairs. We, after all, knew this forward of time and loved working exterior just a few 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 discount and he was a enjoyable man to take care of. The home was nicely stocked with wine and Pleasure had advised us to assist ourselves! The stunning little city and neighbors had been a delight that solely added to our optimistic expertise. We had been invited most evenings for sundown aperitivo drinks someplace shut by.
Finest Areas to Home Sit in Italy
There are various actually fantastic components 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 probably the obvious selection when contemplating home and pet sitting in Italy. The nation’s capital, often called the ‘Eternal City’, commonly has ample home sitting alternatives with quite a few listings accessible. You possibly can count on to see extra residences listed centrally, while additional out of city, greater farms and villas commonly search sitters.
Rome is certainly one of my favourite cities on this 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 novel expertise.
Rome is a bustling metropolis and may develop into very busy throughout peak seasonal journey instances across the summer season. Don’t overlook home sits on the outskirts of the 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 prepare journey 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 train services 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 commonly overshadowed by its extra widespread 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 all the time cherished the former Italian capital city for its breathtaking monuments, the attractive River Po that flows via it, and the beautiful Duomo that dominates the skyline. It’s an ideal 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. 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 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 automotive or train. Montgenèvre Pass, a standard 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 purpose that Brescia must 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 situation of certainly one of my first ever home sits and is a spot I proceed to return to many times. It looks like a little bit of an untapped tourism gem. With the ability to hop on a prepare to so many beautiful locations is an unbelievable perk, however Brescia itself is a tremendous place.
The town has a large university which lends itself to a bustling metropolis vibe. An enormous medieval castle dominates the skyline whereas the 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 beneath an hour away. Nice train services join Brescia with all of Italy.
4. Sicily
Sicily has definitely been on my home sit wishlist for a very long time. I visited a number of years in the past for a summer season trip and completely cherished my time on the southern Mediterranean island. Though technically nonetheless classed as Italy, Sicily is its own independent region with round 5 million inhabitants.
The 2 main cities of Palermo and Catania stand out as nice home sitting places, while lots 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 had been invited to barbecues, and pool events, and had been purchased drinks on quite a few events.
The island is house to the highest active volcano in Europe. This will likely trigger concern for some, however good warning programs and the space from many civilian areas imply Sicily is secure 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 accommodate 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 dwelling testomony to the Renaissance era. It’s an excellent 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 center for art and science in the 15th and 16th 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 just a few. The Ponte Vecchio is sort of a gateway to the previous, with many small retailers and market stands lining the previous 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 various wonderful trattorias discovered throughout the town serve up conventional Tuscan meals with native wines to enrich the meals. What’s to not love?
Location: Florence is located ideally for accessing a lot of Italy. With nice train links, 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 Protected?
Italy is usually thought-about a safe destination for visitors. It boasts a sturdy vacationer infrastructure and environment friendly important companies. Nonetheless, petty theft is very prevalent in busy vacationer areas equivalent to Rome, Florence, Naples, and Venice. I’d advise warning and think about leaving valuables at house.
Scammers and peddlers of counterfeit items might be present in lots of the main cities. Bear in mind that vacationers might be topic to fines for buying inauthentic objects. Widespread begging, significantly by older Romani girls with kids, can disguise a syndicated exploitation community. Take into account doing your personal analysis earlier than donating to charitable causes.
Pure occasions equivalent to flooding, although irregular, can pose a danger. Lively volcanoes equivalent to Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius shouldn’t be missed as a attainable security concern or journey disruptor. All the time keep alert for weather warnings and remember to observe native steerage to make sure a secure and clean go to.
The assorted Mafia clans energetic all through quite a few Italian cities very hardly ever influence vacationers in any manner.
Professionals and Cons of Being a Home Sitter in Italy
There are various optimistic facets of home sitting in Italy and naturally just a few adverse facets 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 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 give attention to savoring the second. Lengthy lunches and lazy espresso breaks make it an ideal place for anybody looking for a relaxed life-style.
- Gorgeous Landscapes: From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic cliffs, Italy has many numerous and breathtaking landscapes. Home sitting right here will permit easy accessibility to a number of the most lovely surroundings on this planet.
- Mediterranean Eating regimen: Italy’s conventional food plan, wealthy in olive oil, recent greens, and lean proteins, is related to varied health benefits.
- Festivals and Celebrations: Italians definitely know learn how to rejoice life and festivals, and occasions are quite common. You’re more likely to see every thing from conventional Christmas and Easter celebrations to large summer season 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 numerous cultures only a brief journey away.
- Beautiful Locals: Italians are identified for his or her heat and powerful sense of household and group. Home sitting in Italy gives the chance to type 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 inexpensive bottle from the grocery store or forking out for a fancier possibility 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 thought for its paperwork, which might be time-consuming and generally irritating. Coping with paperwork for visas, healthcare, or different administrative issues will virtually definitely 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 generally even fundamental Italian doesn’t minimize it.
- Price of Residing: In main cities and vacationer locations, the price of dwelling 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. Largely as a result of Italy has skilled durations of significant political instability. Staying knowledgeable concerning 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 range. Entry to English-speaking medical professionals can also be restricted in sure areas, particularly additional south.
- Pure Catastrophe Dangers: Italy is liable to seismic activity, 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 lots of the fundamental roads are simple 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 velocity entice and are identified for fining for something they will discover unsuitable together with your driving or automotive; they almost definitely will problem you with a ticket for those who get pulled over. My recommendation: study the foundations and keep on with the velocity restrict always.
- Visa Restriction: Home sitting in Italy long run could also be a problem 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. Making certain protection for medical conditions is crucial, as even minor medical occasions can incur a considerable price.
To develop into a home sitter in Italy, your preliminary step is to register on a home or pet sitting platform. There are wonderful choices accessible with quite a few listings presently in search of sitters in Italy. All range barely and have membership costs to go well with all budgets. My most well-liked selections are Trusted Housesitters and Mind My House.
Sometimes, you received’t be paid to be a home sitter in Italy. As a substitute, the association typically revolves across the alternate of your own home and pet sitting companies for the chance to remain in a pleasant house, 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 varied web sites, yow will discover listings the place the first duty is overseeing a property whereas the hosts are away. Nonetheless, it’s value noting that within the majority of instances, the association usually consists of 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 relies 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 high quality, rapid deportation, or perhaps a ban from coming 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 novel expertise.
While dwelling 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 permits you to actually dwell someplace and expertise it on a a lot deeper degree, in comparison with merely visiting for a trip.
In a way, sure, you’ll be able to home sit in Italy totally free as, usually, postings don’t contain an alternate 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 permit a free profile possibility, you’ll have to develop into a full-paying member to use.
Costs begin from as little as $29/yr (Mind My House) 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’s good to be dependable – in any case, somebody goes to go away you in control of their house, pets, and worldly possessions. Flexibility and flexibility are additionally vital, each in regard to arrival and departure dates, duties you might be requested to do, and new environment that will not be what you’re aware of.
Consideration to element is one other vital talent for turning into a profitable home sitter. The hosts might go away particular requests for his or her house with regard to crops or pets and these must be adopted to a tee. Being an outgoing and pleasant individual will guarantee your hosts really feel blissful and assured when heading off leaving you in control of their house.
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 inexpensive Ryanair flight for the weekend was a luxurious I took benefit of many instances.
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. If you spend time within the ‘actual’ Italy you get to see a lot greater than the vacationer spots can supply. And though these spots are equally fantastic, it’s the depth of home sitting experiences that really make them memorable.
There are a whole lot of Italian houses presently ready for functions, so get your self signed up at this time.
