On this article, I’ll define the perfect methods to change into a home sitter in Italy. Since leaving my house 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 way in which.
Understanding the place to look and safe nice placements is vital. It may be just a little daunting getting began, so I’m comfortable to have the ability to provide the better of my years of information and expertise to get you efficiently on the highway 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 first rate degree. It was additionally whereas sitting in a beautiful 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 house 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 one can Grow 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 totally different options for every, discovering the precise 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 in the marketplace with over 7,000 energetic listings worldwide at present searching for sitters. It’s an awesome platform that’s straightforward to make use of with some very helpful 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 precise itemizing comes on-line. Being fast to use for postings is necessary and this characteristic is a good way to make sure you don’t miss any good placements that come up.
Having essentially 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 12 months, the top-tier membership consists of advantages cancellation insurance coverage, enhanced customer support, and extra. The extra financial fundamental membership at $129/12 months is a extra inexpensive start line.
Avoid wasting cash while you join through the use of GOATS20 for 20% off any membership choice. Or be part of utilizing this hyperlink.
2. Thoughts My Home
There’s loads to love about Thoughts My Home, and it’s an awesome 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 among the longest-established home sitting web sites having been energetic since 2005. The house owners 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 superb addition that permits everybody to see precisely how many individuals are utilizing the positioning and the place they’re based mostly.
Householders be part of and put up their listings free of charge, so you may also make sure of loads of home sit alternatives. On a fast scan on the time of scripting 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 package.
3. Nomador
Nomador is a superb selection 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 tons of of postings on the Continent. The platform has most positively taken a leaf out of the Trusted Housesitters guide; it’s straightforward to make use of and has some glorious options.
The absence of an app is definitely some extent towards it because it requires you to usually verify your emails for updates on any saved searches. However, the premium membership affords early entry to accommodate sits and definitely 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 $190/12 months. However in the event you’re nonetheless just a little not sure about committing for a whole 12 months, there’s additionally a 3-month ‘Discovery’ choice. At $85 this can be a nice strategy to get began and not using a vital monetary outlay.
4. Workaway
I’ve a gentle 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 just a few years in the past while searching for volunteer alternatives world wide. I shortly discovered it to be an excellent useful resource for home sitting too.
One of many predominant search choices on Workaway is for home sitting and it’s come in useful for me just a few instances when searching for placements. What’s necessary 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 not less than a few totally different platforms.
Workaway is a superb selection and can be a wonderful string so as to add to your own home sitting bow. With a low annual worth 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 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 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 maintaining your choices open, the cool factor about Home Carers is which you can create a profile and browse listings with out spending a dime. Whenever you bump into a home sit that piques your curiosity, you’ll must improve to a full-paying membership, which is a really cheap $50 per 12 months.
When you’re contemplating turning 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 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 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 every week that summer time.
We had plenty of enjoyable caring for their 30+ chickens, 6 sheep, and a deaf canine known 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 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 12 months. The host, a beautiful Scottish expat named Pleasure, had a house and backyard that required some hearty repairs. We, in fact, knew this forward of time and loved working outdoors just a few hours every day – the spectacular valley views we had had been simply the icing on the cake.
A spritely canine known as Alfie was additionally a part of the cut price and he was a enjoyable man to take care of. The home was effectively stocked with wine and Pleasure had instructed 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 a lot of actually fantastic elements of Italy simply ready to be explored. Listed here are just a few locations that I’ve just lately seen energetic 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’, usually has ample home sitting alternatives with quite a few listings out there. You’ll be able to anticipate to see extra flats listed centrally, while additional out of city, greater farms and villas usually search sitters.
Rome is considered one of my favourite cities on the earth; 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 change into very busy throughout peak seasonal journey instances 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 practice experience in for a slice of pizza and some glasses of wine.
Location: Rome is situated about midway down the nation, in direction of its western shoreline. Nice practice 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 practice companies.
2. Turin
Turin is usually overshadowed by its extra well-liked 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 liked the former Italian capital metropolis for its breathtaking monuments, the gorgeous River Po that flows by means of it, and the gorgeous Duomo that dominates the skyline. It’s an awesome metropolis to easily stroll round and discover.
Turin is the birthplace of the Aperitivo, which is actually an Italian comfortable hour with a lot of small snacky meals plates – perfection. When you step out for an early night drink anticipate 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 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 just a few hours by automobile 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 purpose that Brescia needs to be excessive up on everybody’s listing, particularly for home sitting alternatives.
It’s the proper spot for basing your self and exploring additional afield. Brescia was the placement of considered one of 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 practice to so many gorgeous 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 fort 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 liked.
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 practice companies 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 time trip and completely liked 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 lots 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 house to the highest energetic 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 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 received’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 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 period. 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 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 outlets 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 big shows of native produce, cheeses, and meats. The various 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 practice 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 Protected?
Italy is usually thought-about a protected vacation spot for guests. It boasts a sturdy vacationer infrastructure and environment friendly important companies. 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 house.
Scammers and peddlers of counterfeit items might be present in lots of the main cities. Remember that vacationers might be topic to fines for buying inauthentic objects. Widespread begging, significantly by older Romani ladies with youngsters, can disguise a syndicated exploitation community. Think about doing your individual 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 you should definitely comply with native steerage to make sure a protected and clean go to.
The varied Mafia clans energetic all through quite a few Italian cities very hardly ever influence vacationers in any means.
Professionals and Cons of Being a Home Sitter in Italy
There are a lot of optimistic elements of home sitting in Italy and naturally just a few destructive elements too. From my very own expertise, I’ve outlined some execs 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 affords an immersive expertise in a rustic that has influenced international 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 greatest 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 concentrate on savoring the second. Lengthy lunches and lazy espresso breaks make it an awesome place for anybody in search of 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 few of the most lovely surroundings on the earth.
- Mediterranean Food plan: 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 definitely know have a good time life and festivals, and occasions are quite common. You’re more likely to see every little thing 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’ll be able to 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 robust sense of household and neighborhood. 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 inexpensive bottle from the grocery store or forking out for a fancier choice at dinner, you may 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 nearly definitely 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 a lot of dialects of Italian; in rural areas typically even fundamental Italian doesn’t minimize it.
- Value 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 costlier in comparison with different international locations I’ve visited – particularly within the north of the nation.
- Political Instability: Italians like to passionately talk about 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 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 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 lots of the predominant roads are simple to navigate, driving in smaller cities and busy cities generally is a problem. When you’re unfamiliar with the driving practices, the locals might effectively offer you some direct suggestions.
- Pace Traps: The Italian police love a pace lure and are identified for fining for something they will discover unsuitable together with your driving or automobile; they probably will challenge you with a ticket in the event you get pulled over. My recommendation: study the principles 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 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 value.
To change into 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 range barely and have membership costs to swimsuit all budgets. My most well-liked decisions are Trusted Housesitters and Thoughts My Home.
Sometimes, you received’t be paid to be a home sitter in Italy. As an alternative, the association usually revolves across the trade of your own home and pet sitting companies for the chance to remain in a pleasant house, offering you with a cushty base to discover the encompassing areas.
It’s a mutually helpful understanding the place the main target 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 accountability is overseeing a property whereas the hosts are away. Nonetheless, it’s price 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 may 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, fast 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 affords a singular 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 reside someplace and expertise it on a a lot deeper degree, in comparison with merely visiting for a trip.
In a way, sure, you may home sit in Italy free of charge 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 permit a free profile choice, you’ll have to change into 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 resort!
To be a home sitter it is advisable be dependable – in spite of everything, somebody goes to depart you accountable for their house, pets, and worldly possessions. Flexibility and adaptableness are additionally necessary, each in regard to arrival and departure dates, duties you might be requested to do, and new environment that is probably not what you’re aware of.
Consideration to element is one other necessary ability for turning into a profitable home sitter. The hosts might go away particular requests for his or her house with regard to vegetation or pets and these have to be adopted to a tee. Being an outgoing and pleasant individual will guarantee your hosts really feel comfortable and assured when heading off leaving you accountable for 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 an exquisite nation. Whenever 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 actually make them memorable.
There are tons of of Italian houses at present ready for functions, so get your self signed up immediately.
