Are you ready to go with me on an amazing journey with a budget flavor? Then pack your suitcases, fasten your seat belts and go! Today we are waiting for an acquaintance with one very interesting idea of an unusual and very cheap vacation. This way of traveling is called haussitting.
What is haussitting
You don't even need to be an expert in English to understand the origin and approximate meaning of this unusual term. Haussitting is usually called temporary residence in someone's house, or rather looking after him.
It turns out that if you intend to go on vacation or on urgent matters, and there is no one to leave the house for, there are many people who will happily look after your home, feed your beloved cat and pour precious petunias on the window. These are the so-called "haussitters" who provide such services in exchange for a certain period of free stay in someone else's house.
If this is your first time hearing about this type of recreation, you may be pleasantly surprised by its considerable benefits. The main advantage of this way to relax abroad is gratuitousness. You will not have to pay for your accommodation, but you will have to take on certain simple responsibilities.
This way of travel has long been known in the countries of Europe and America, but it is only gaining popularity among Russian tourists. It is interesting that such unusual agreements between residents of exotic countries and tourists can be concluded for a very different period and with any reservations.
Another way to find a free overnight stay abroad is couchsurfing. All the details are in our article.
What are the advantages of house sitting
It should be noted right away that Haussieters do not pursue the goal of saving their travel expenses or making extra money. Although, this is not at all excluded! The main goal of lovers of such an extraordinary way of travel is to learn about the peculiarities, traditions and nuances of people's lives in a particular country of interest to them. It is the establishment of personal relationships, meeting new people and replenishment of invaluable life experience - these are the main advantages of houseiting.
Would you like this kind of relaxation? Everyone decides for themselves. You can go to a distant country and stay for a few days in a hotel you like or a modest hostel. At the same time, you will not be bound by responsibilities and will not remain indebted to anyone.
But if you are not afraid of difficulties, are ready to take care of looking after cute pets and do not see anything shameful in accepting a free offer to live in a private house, apartment or cottage - haussitting will be the best option for you.
At the same time, you can directly plunge into the world of national traditions, see an exotic country not through the "pink" prism of the hotel windows, but become a full-fledged inhabitant of it. Even if not for long.
Where to go
When the question arises of where to go on a Haussitting journey, you are presented with an impressive list of countries in Europe and America. Here, they know firsthand about this method of mutual assistance. Thousands of tourists have already appreciated the benefits of such an unusual vacation. There are many Russians among them who easily picked up this trend.
Therefore, you can safely draw up a schedule for exploring the sights of the UK, Portugal, Italy and other countries. As a rule, the services of haussitters are used by those who do not want to leave their home unattended for the time of departure, who need help looking after their pets, or who intend to give their country house in good hands during the off-season.
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It is in such cases that you can count on free accommodation and accommodation in exchange for your time and labor, which will have to be spent on performing often simple duties. Haussitting is the best way to enjoy a complete vacation away from home. But not everyone can afford to pay for accommodation even in an inexpensive hotel.
Who should choose
Well, are you already wondering? Haussitting will be a great option for a holiday abroad for all those whose main activities are not tied to one place. In particular, businessmen who supervise business via the Internet, other specialists whose workplace is the World Wide Web.
Even students who are not full-time students. It will generally be useful for them to be away from their home. Perhaps it is in the picturesque suburb of Parma or on the shore of some lake in Germany that you will think better, and your thesis will be more successful.
But all those who are “tied hand and foot” by office ties, whose work is connected with a certain place, should not despair. They can also taste the delights of an extraordinary vacation. After all, no one canceled a vacation or a weekend. One has only to correctly guess the timing and discuss all possible nuances in advance. Undoubtedly, the number of options will be somewhat more modest, but everyone will have a place for an interesting vacation, even in the most busy work schedule.
How to select options and where to look for offers
So, we have already formed a certain idea of a tourist vacation abroad called "haussitting". Now let's try to figure out where to find offers, and what points should be paid priority attention.
As mentioned earlier, this form of mutually beneficial travel is most common in Western Europe, North America and Australia. Therefore, there are a number of sites that are always full of ads and relevant offers. It is enough to enter only the key phrase "housesitting in ..." and many options will be offered to your attention, some of them may seriously interest you.
In addition, there are already several international sites that post similar advertisements for temporary accommodation in exchange for small housekeeping services. If you plan to travel in this manner for a long time, it is worth taking care of registering on the sites. For your attention there are always fresh and relevant offers that are posted on the sites:
- www.trustedhousesitters.com
- www.housecarers.com
- www.luxuryhousesitting.com
What is necessary
Since traveling in the style of house sitting involves not only spending time abroad, but also close communication with the owners of houses where you can stay for a while, discussing all the nuances of mutually beneficial tourism, you certainly need to be fluent in foreign languages. In most cases, just English is sufficient. But it will be much easier for those who speak several languages. This greatly simplifies communication and increases the chances that you will be chosen.
So, let's say that you are on fire with the dream of experiencing all the delights of haussitting, and even picked up the first place for the trip. In addition, you are fluent in English and have a great sense of adventure. Then you have to register on one of the sites you like and make an entrance fee. The sum is modest and, rather, even symbolic - from 20 to 80 dollars. This payment will have to be made annually.
In addition, future haussites will have to fill out a detailed questionnaire about themselves, post their photos, as well as reviews of those with whom you had the good fortune to meet. The main thing in this business is responsibility. After all, a correctly and once completed profile will work for you for a long time, and sincerity and simplicity will become the best "magnet" for possible foreign friends.
By the way, on the Internet you can find a lot of practical recommendations and advice on how to become a real Haussieter and succeed in this type of tourism.
When the registration process is over, you will periodically receive an email newsletter of fresh offers that are posted on the site. You will only have to monitor the offers and choose from the whole variety of interesting offers for you, which are suitable both by date and place.
Once you find what you are looking for, contact the homeowner. To do this, you will have to fill out an application form and wait for someone to contact you. From how interesting your profile is, and what facts you have stated in the application, you will have a higher or lower odds against other haussitters.
If your profile is to your liking, you will be contacted and offered to chat. And if everything goes smoothly, you will be able to discuss all the nuances of living in someone else's household.
Do not forget to find out all the points of interest to you so that there are no unpleasant surprises. Fortunately, this is not difficult to do now, because you have at your service ultra-modern communication channels - Skype and e-mail. And one more nuance. Haussitters arrive a couple of days before the departure of the owners of the house in order to have time to get acquainted with the house, the animals and receive detailed instructions. They leave the next day after the owners returned home.
Worth remembering
If you choose such a budget way to travel abroad, there are some important points to keep in mind. First of all, haussitting is not a trivial opportunity to live in someone else's house for free. Remember, a potential guest is chosen scrupulously, studying in detail the personality and transferring its qualities to yourself. As a rule, already in the process of communication, a certain impression is formed about the guest and the owner of the house, which, in most cases, turns out to be correct.
Europeans and Americans choose a person according to their values, studying all aspects of the personality. They will not let anyone into their comfortable house on the seashore or in the middle of the beautiful capital. It is not uncommon for a haussitter to receive an invitation from the owners after a couple of letters or one Skype conversation. But the profiling experience comes with time.
Another important nuance. Since for Russians this kind of recreation is still a “dark forest”, many of our compatriots equate haussitting with the services of “housekeepers”. That is why, out of their pride, many refuse haussitting, claiming that they are able to pay for their vacation themselves. And they don't know what they are actually giving up!
And that's why. Haussitting does not mean that there is no money to spend on vacation. Among the haussitters there are many citizens who can boast of higher incomes than the bulk of tourists from Russia. But they all also go on a visit to distant countries, preferring to live in someone else's house, and not in a hotel. This is a kind of exotic, an opportunity to get acquainted with the traditional occupations of people who live on the other side of the world, an opportunity to plunge into the unusual world of traditions and local customs.
Important instructions
Haussitting, despite its growing popularity, is filled with competition. As soon as you see a suitable option for a tour, you should immediately apply. Indeed, in this matter, only those who are faster win. The more interesting the offer, the larger the queue of those wishing to get it will knock on the homeowner's door. It is not uncommon for applications to stop accepting applications within a few hours after the advertisements are placed, and homeowners opt for one of the candidates.
Therefore, if you want to go to an interesting place and get the coveted offer, you should systematically monitor the options and do not hesitate to submit applications. First of all, pay attention to "hot" offers, the chance to get them is always higher. Occasionally, the initially selected haussitters have unforeseen situations, and homeowners have to urgently look for replacements for them. This is where your "finest hour" may come! The main thing is not to miss it.
When considering proposals, immediately clarify whether you can come alone, with a couple or with children. As a rule, homeowners have nothing against this family vacation. Well, it will not always be possible to relax with animals, although it is as lucky there. Sometimes having children is a priority. For example, if the owner of the house has his own children, and would like to introduce him to communication with his peers. In this case, you will win twice: you will be able to spend a vacation with your family and give your kids the opportunity to “improve” their English or another language.
In addition, it is worth paying attention to the presence of animals at the host side. If you come across an offer to spend a few weeks in the city of your dreams and live in a luxurious house on the shore of a lake or sea, the owner of which loves his pet, be sure to write about your cats / dogs and how you love animals. Give examples of why it is worth choosing you and, with a calm heart, entrust the care of your pet to your kind and reliable hands. It helps a lot.
And further. Don't be intimidated by the prospect of caring for animals. You will have enough time for sightseeing, swimming in the sea, and other little things. Many haussitters will confirm this to you.
Well, do not forget to agree on all the nuances. For example, many invitees do not mind at all if you go to the city for shopping in his car. It is important to remember here that the cost of gasoline and the payment of possible fines will be entirely on your shoulders.
Also, do not forget to discuss the points related to the payment of utilities, making the necessary contributions, and the like. This is especially true if you plan to live in the house for more than a month. Well, some points can generally be written in the form of a written agreement. This will help you avoid confusing situations and get out of difficult situations with dignity. So do not neglect this opportunity.
Undoubtedly, novice haussitters will have to learn a lot of nuances of this type of rest. But it will pay off with interest.
And here's another good advice: try to build any agreements and acquaintances solely on personal qualities. Trust between people is tested in practice.
This is how he rests in the style of haussitting. We wish you interesting adventures, interesting acquaintances and vivid impressions. See you!
