Monday, August 20, 2018
Why You Should House Sit Around the World
This post was written by expert vagabond, Ana, from The Art of Epic Living!
So you may or may not be wondering.. what exactly is house sitting anyway? Well, it’s kind of like babysitting, except instead of watching a kid, house sitters are in charge of looking after the house, pets and gardens of homeowners who need to go out of town for one reason or another.
Here are some tips for house sitting around the world!
Where You Can House Sit
Where there are expats or home owners wanting to visit family or take a vacation, there are house sitting opportunities! Although you may have never heard about house sitting, that does not mean that house sitting opportunities do not frequently pop up.
In order to become aware of available positions, you should consider joining a house sitting-specific membership site, such as Trusted House Sitters and Nomador. These websites will allow you to view and apply to house sitting opportunities all around the world.
Once you join, you will be asked to create your “house sitter” profile which includes basic information, photos, experience and reviews. After your profile is completed, you will have the ability to reach out to homeowners who post housesitting opportunities on the website.
In order to become a member you must pay a fee, but I like to think of this fee as more of an investment, that will come back to you tenfold if you take your house sitting search seriously!
Why You Should House Sit
Well, there are a variety of interesting perks that come along with this kind of opportunity. As mentioned, house sitting gigs can be found all around the world.
From tranquil jungle retreats in Costa Rica, to traditional Italian villas, to high rise apartments in the heart of Manhattan- housesitting can take you to faraway places, at a fraction of the cost. Plus you are benefitting homeowners who want to leave their belongings and pets in good hands.
If you put some effort into creating a killer profile and get into it properly, you can score some amazing travel opportunities with all of the perks that come along with this unique work exchange.
The Perks of House Sitting
Free Accommodation
Probably one of the biggest, and also one of the most obvious, perks of being a house sitter is the fact that you get to save on accommodation. House sitters provide their services in exchange for a free house to live in, and therefore, a major travel expense is taken out of the equation.
Housesitting allows you the chance to save some dollars, or to budget in some extra activities for which you otherwise wouldn’t have had the funds.
Unique Accommodation
It is already a plus that house sitters can enjoy free accommodation, but now let’s talk about the types of accommodation. As a house sitter, you are not staying in a simple private room, hostel or hotel- you are staying in someone’s actual home.
This means that you have access to unique living quarters that you would likely not find as a standard traveler. From cozy, to quirky, to traditional, to luxury — house sitting opportunities give you the chance to have not only a free, but potentially an AMAZING accommodation.
My house sitting experiences have taken me to a quaint, treelined street in the heart of South Beach, a glass, beachfront condo on the shores of Ecuador, and a couple of colorful, traditional haciendas in Mexico.
My current house sit, which has inspired this article, has relocated me to the beautiful Algarve Region of Portugal. At the moment I am staying in a 150 year old, modernized farmhouse, complete with a giant patio, thatched roof yoga deck and pool, all of which look out from the hillside to the ocean.
As a housesitter, you may find yourself with access to a gym, pool, beach, beautiful natural surroundings and more.
Live Like a Local
As a house sitter you will live less like a tourist, and more like a local. You will experience your house sitting location as a person who is based there, rather than as a person who is just dropping in for a day or two.
Therefore, you will truly get to know the area. The lady in the corner shop, the cute little old men who play checkers in the street…you get the point. In addition, homeowner’s will likely leave you with info about the area that only locals would know (i.e. the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants, local bus routes, day trips, etc).
Time With Animals
Personally, I am a major animal lover and as a full-time traveler, I am unable to have pets while on the road. One of my favorite parts about housesitting is that I get to settle into a place with the company of adorable animals!
It brings me so much joy spend time with animals — they just get it. Animals are living the life that they want, in the present moment, and have so much love to give. As humans, we can all learn a lot from them
I really appreciate the fact that housesitting gives me the sense of home that I often lose out on while abroad.
Solitude & Space
This is a big one. S O L I T U D E. Wow. Sometimes when you are traveling, it is hard to to get that alone time in.
Whether you know it or not, solitude and personal space are essential. As an introverted extrovert, I fully understand that although I love my social time, I also NEED my alone time in order to recharge my batteries and get into a clear headspace.
If you are bouncing between cities, cramming in the middle seat of an airplane or crashing on dorm beds of a hostel, this isn’t always as easy. House sitting provides you with an entire apartment or house to enjoy some serious solitude.
Treat yourself to a face mask, do yoga in the middle of the living room, blast whatever music you want — enjoy all of the things that you can’t always do while on the road.
Travel to New Places
House sitting may introduce you to places you’ve never even heard of. We all have our bucket list trips, and we all know the major cities or beaches we’d like to visit, but house sitting exposes us to even more locations that we may have otherwise never encountered.
One of my house sits for example was in Ajijic, Mexico. At first I thought, Ajijic? Where is that?! And actually…how do you even pronounce that place?
Well my friends, it turns out that Ajijic is an adorable and quirky little town on the shores of the largest freshwater lake in Mexico. I was so happy to spend a few weeks there, enjoying breathtaking views and bonding with the eccentric expat community and lovely locals of the area.
New Friendships
After each of my house sitting assignments, I find myself leaving with not only a cool experience under my belt, but also newfound friendships. When you step into someone’s home, and are entrusted with their beloved pets, you naturally become close fairly quickly.
All of the homeowner’s for whom I have housesat are amazing humans, who I hope to remain lifelong friends.
More Information
If you would like some more information on house sitting, you can read my previous post about house sitting as a travel job. As mentioned earlier, I land my house sitting gigs through Trusted House Sitters and Nomador. If you are interested in signing up for their annual membership (which I think is well worth the cost), I have a discount code for you here.
Good luck to you, and I hope that this article inspired you to look into the wonderful world of housesitting!
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Sunday, August 19, 2018
10 Floral-Themed Travel Essentials
Who doesn’t love pretty travel accessories? I like to add a little color to my travel days, so I’ve picked my favorite floral-themed travel items!
How about a pretty sundress that’s easy to throw on and go exploring? Or, maybe, a toiletries bag that spices up your travel beauty routine? Or a passport case that you can’t miss in your bag?
Here are my favorite floral-themed travel essentials!
1. Laptop Sleeve
I always travel with my laptop for photo organizing, editing, and staying up to date with my business, so it’s important I keep my computer protected with a laptop sleeve. I love this floral design for a pop of color!
SHOP HERE
2. Cut Out Floral Swimsuit
I’m obsessed with cut out one-piece bikinis lately. They’re flattering and easy to wear paired with a cover up, sun hat, or shorts for a day at the beach! This print is so pretty and the light pink color looks great on tan skin.
SHOP HERE
3. Garden Print Midi Dress
This 1940s-inspired midi dress is the perfect floral-print dress for a classy, day look. I love the gathering around the chest and the slit above the knees. You can pair with sandals or wedges and have a great outfit together in just a few minutes!
SHOP HERE
4. Floral Toiletries Bag
Every lady needs a toiletry bag when traveling—let’s be honest. Why not pick a roomy bag that’s also stylish? The outside of this floral toiletry bag is coated, which means spills can be wiped off easily and won’t stain.
SHOP HERE
5. Floral Pillowcase
I always travel with a silk pillowcase—in fact it’s been my favorite travel hack for years. Not only does it give you the comfort of home and your own bed, and tackles some hygiene issues, the silk fabric protects your hair from split ends and breakage.
SHOP HERE
6. Floral Sundress
This is my new favorite travel dress. It’s easy to throw on with my favorite pair of sandals and a sun hat, and go. The material is high-quality and lightweight, so it doesn’t take up much room in my luggage.
SHOP HERE
7. Floral Duffel Bag
This cute duffel bag is a great size for carry-on luggage, and is made of heavyweight canvas and includes a removable + adjustable shoulder strap. It’ll fit everything you need for a weekend getaway or carry-on bag!
SHOP HERE
8. Floral Backpack
A backpack makes a great day bag when you’re traveling. This backpack has a built-in laptop sleeve, and so many pockets to help you stay organized throughout your day!
SHOP HERE
9. Floral Headbands
These headbands are soft and stretchy and are perfect for travel (and by that, I mean a lazy hair day!). When I have a long travel day, I use a headband to keep hair out of my face but still feel presentable. They also pair great with solid color outfits for a cute up-do!
SHOP HERE
10. Floral Passport Cover
Everyone needs a passport case, and a place to stash their boarding passes, and slots for your credit cards, so why not make it fun and colorful. Here are my two favorites!
SHOP HERE & HERE
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Thursday, August 16, 2018
How to Spend 48 Hours in Queenstown
New Zealand is one of my favorite places on the planet. With incredible natural beauty, this slice of paradise is a dream destination for any nature lover. New Zealand is a mecca for extreme sports fans from all over the globe.
A lovely resort town on New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown was one of my most unforgettable trips down under.
Love adventure? Here is how to spend 48 hours in Queenstown.
Day 1
Grab Breakfast (or a Burger)
Queenstown is famous for its pies and the best place to sample them is Fergbaker. I tried a kangaroo pie from there on my first trip and it was admittedly pretty disgusting, although it gave me a taste of authentic Kiwi cuisine!
I went for a veggie pie last time and loved it. You can also check out the breakfast burgers at the famous burger spot, Fergburger, next door.
Head Up Bob’s Peak + Skyline Gondola
For the best view in Queenstown, get to the top of Bob’s Peak. The Skyline Gondola takes you 450 meters (1476 feet) above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. It is actually the steepest cable car in the southern hemisphere and you can hop on from just five minutes outside of downtown at the Skyline terminal.
They had a luge at the top, and it was so fun that, after our first trip down, we went all the way back up to race down again! If you want to give your inner speed racer a thrill, look no further.
Go Out for Beers
After getting an adrenaline fix, we went to Dux de Lux for beers. Sadly, this cozy place has closed down so you’re on your own to hunt down the next best ginger beer (I’m talking the alcohol kind!).
Rafting or Jet Boat
New Zealand is famous for its gorgeous scenery, so getting out onto the water for a shoreline view is a must. Just outside of Queenstown, the picturesque Skippers Canyon is perfect for rafting.
Every adrenalines lover’s paradise, you can get your heart racing by flying around in a 60 MPH jet boat along the Kawarau River.
Hot Springs
After all of this, you’re definitely going to be ready for some time to unwind. The South Island of New Zealand has a few must-visit hot springs like Hanmer Springs, Maruia Springs, and Tekapo.
About three hours outside of the city, halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown, you will find the closest hot springs at Lake Tekapo. Visiting a hot spring is definitely out of the way but well worth it if you want to experience life in the scenic countryside of New Zealand.
Day 2
Wine Tasting
Home to the world’s great pinot noir and other first class varieties, you’ll find a ton of different wine tours around Arrowtown, Queenstown and Gibbston wineries. In fact, there are 200 different vineyards that are a 40-minute or less drive from central Queenstown so you’ll be spoilt for choice here.
Lake Wakatipu
Queenstown is located on one of New Zealand’s biggest lakes, Lake Wakatipu. I’d highly recommend setting aside some time to just walk around the shores. You will also find spots that rent out boats, which are ideal for getting out on the water and snapping pics.
A View from Above
While I’m afraid of heights, I can never turn down the chance to get as high above the ground as I can. You just won’t find a better view (or way to face your fears!) than going paragliding or taking a helicopter ride.
Go to Arrowtown
Just a 20-minute drive outside of Queenstown, this old gold-mining town is worth a visit. Take a stroll down the main street to check out the quaint little cafés, restaurants, and shops.
AJ Hackett Bridge
The AJ Hackett Bridge, also known as the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, is actually the world’s first commercial bungee jumping site. While you can definitely have some fun here, the more faint of heart will also find this to be a good Instagram stop.
A friend of mine had his first bungee jumping experience at the AJ Hackett Bridge. Although I didn’t get to have a first hand experience here, it’s high up on my to-do list after seeing him take the plunge!
AJ Hackett isn’t the only spot in New Zealand to Bungee, a quick Google search will show you all your other options!
Skydiving
One reason why Queenstown will always have a special place in my heart is because I had my very first skydiving experience here! Getting up 12,000 feet in the air, I saw a side of New Zealand that I will always remember.
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Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Day Trips from Auckland
The largest city in New Zealand, Auckland is located on the North Island of the country. It is a must-visit city, and it is also the perfect base for exploring the natural wonders of the area.
With beautiful national parks, glacier trekking, and endless extreme sports, New Zealand is a place like no other. While Auckland is gorgeous, you just have to get out of the city to truly experience the raw beauty.
Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Here are a few of my favorite day trips from Auckland.
Waiheke Island
30 Minutes by Ferry
The most populated island in the picture perfect Hauraki Gulf, you can get to Waiheke Island in just over a 30-minute trip on a ferry from downtown Auckland. For stunning beaches along with primo olives and wine, this is the place to be.
Waitakere Ranges
40 Minutes by Car
New Zealand is famous for its lush natural landscapes and when you’re travelling through the Waitakere Ranges you’ll see why this place is renowned. I drove through this pristine mountain range to experience the black sand beaches of the coast line (which are perfect for surfing by the way).
Rangitoto Island
25 Minutes by Ferry
The youngest volcanic island in New Zealand, Rangitoto Island just emerged from the water about 600 years ago. This is the perfect place for a hike and, while you’ll definitely want to get some shots from above here, you should note that New Zealand has some drone restrictions.
Great Barrier Island
4.5 Hours by Ferry, 1 Hour by Flight
Sitting in the Hauraki Gulf, the Great Barrier Island is 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of Auckland. This is one of the largest islands and it has a diverse landscape. On the east coast, you’ll find high cliffs towering over white beaches that are perfect for surfing.
On the western shores, there are sheltered harbors with calm sandy beaches that are perfect for long afternoon in the sun.
Around 60 percent of the Great Barrier Island is protected by the New Zealand Department of Conservation so you can experience truly pristine flora and fauna here.
Piha Beach
50 Minutes by Car
Welcome to the most famous surf beach in New Zealand. This stunning black volcanic sand beach is located 45 minutes west of Auckland and it’s one of the Kiwi’s fave getaways.
It’s a wild beach so pack a picnic and, if you have time, it’s worth staying in a bed and breakfast or cottage for a rural getaway. You can get surfing lessons here, abseil down Piha canyon, or just trek around.
The Coromandel Peninsula
2 Hours & 40 Minutes by Car, 2 Hours by Ferry
Famous down under for its sweeping plains, dramatic cliffs, lush rainforests, and perfect golden beaches, the Coromandel Peninsula is just an hour and a half drive from Auckland (and so worth the trip!)
One of the best treks in New Zealand, the Pinnacles walk along Kauaeranga Kauri Trail is a must-do if you truly want to take in the natural beauty of this island down under. It is a full day walk (eight hours) so you definitely want to come prepared.
It’s the path that bushmen and gold miners used to take and it’s a cool way to get a glimpse into how life would have been so many year ago. There are some quaint little overnight spots to stay along the way so I’d recommend breaking it up into two days if possible.
Waitomo Caves
2.5 Hours by Bus or Car
In the village of Waitomo on the North Island, you will find the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves. This extensive underground system of caves is made truly incredible by the countless glowworms who light up the caves.
You can take a boat ride into the caves that will take you through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto.
Rotorua
3 Hours by Bus or Car
Famous for its native Maori culture and geothermal activity, Rotorua is about a three-hour drive outside of Auckland. See a modern day Maori village and sit in awe of the highly active Pohutu Geyser.
With bubbling mud pools and hot springs, Rotorua is a spa lover’s paradise so plan some extra time here to unwind!
Hobbiton
2 Hours by Car
Attention, Lord of the Rings fans, Hobbiton is your motherland! Visit the Shire, and remember exactly why the world fell in love with the natural beauty of New Zealand after seeing this stunning region featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
The Bay of Islands
4 Hours by Car
Made up of 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula, the Bay of Islands is gorgeous. Go for a crazy day out on a sandboarding tour, or take a sea tour kayaking through Tapeka Point for endless sightings of penguins, dolphins, and other local wildlife.
Taupo
3 Hours & 25 Minutes by Car, 50 Minutes by Flight
Located between the Taupo Volcano and Lake Taupo, the largest lake of Australasia, the town of Taupo is a must-see. Like so many places in the area, it was made for nature lovers. Visit the Huka Falls then take a walk through the geothermal wonders.
Experience New Zealand’s first public cable wakeboarding park, Taupo Wake Park, and make time to get a kayak into Mine Bay.
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