Travel Tips

E-book on housesitting

2008-09-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

UK based professional house sitting couple, Tom Hill and Lin Worthington of housem8.com share some tips and resources in their downloadable e-book. Just US$10 from the link shown.

Download house sitting e-book free sample

Planning a Holiday Vacation with Little or No Travel Budget

2008-09-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

This thought provocing articles shows you how you can get the bargains that you fear you miss out on - but always hear how someone else got a better deal. Have a sweet holdiday knowing you have got a good deal.

The places to look to get value for your holiday dollar

Resources site for housesitting

2008-09-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

I came accross this great resource that has some great tips about house sitting. How to get a housesit, what to expect and how to be succesful.

Resources site about housesitting

When travelling dont leave an empty home - target for burglers

2008-03-10T21:50:00.000-07:00

Really enjoy yout home knowing your home is safe from intruders by getting a house sitter. House sitters dont charge - most are just looking for a change of scenery and it is popular with retirees.

You can view housesitter available postings at the House sitters community forum below

House sitters available for housesitting - view postings online

Vaccinations required for International Travel

2008-01-08T14:15:00.000-08:00

Your passport and visa may be sorted? But what about Vaccinations for your oversease trip? It is advisable to start planning this 6 months before your intended trip.

Read more below:
Vaccinations required for International Travel

House Sitters Forum

2008-01-01T00:32:00.000-08:00

A new house sitters forum has opened for discussion. Never pay for accommodation again while travelling - learn how at the housesitters forum

House Sitters Forum

Travel with rent free accommodation as a house sitter

2007-12-20T20:39:00.000-08:00

Here is a great resource for finding travelling as a housesitter.

House Sitting Resource

How housesitting works video presentation

2007-11-28T23:25:00.000-08:00

House sitting means your home is more secure, and your pets can stay in their own environment and. View video on how house sittin works.

View Housesitting Viedo

Blue Mountains' homeowners recommend sitters jegraeme

2007-11-25T17:48:00.000-08:00

We have just returned from a beautiful 2 week break and have found our dog was so happy and healthy and seemed to have made a real friend with the housesitters who we had found using this service.

Our home was also in wonderful condition - neat and tidy and cleaner than we could have expected. We cannot recommend housesitters "jengraeme" more highly, they are such a lovely, honest and sincere couple.

We wont hesitate to use the service (or jengraeme) again! Thankyou! .. jkimbe01

BYO Kids resources for travelling families

2007-11-25T17:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a great site for BYO kids while travelling - even housesitting or houseswap with Kids

BYO kids with houseswap or housesitting

Your Pets can stay and play -while you're away. (The booming Pet Sitting Industry_

2007-10-25T02:21:00.000-07:00

Baby boomers and younger are looking for business opportunities to escape the rat race, treadmill life - help stop the world so I can get off.

Those who love oets can combine this with an opportunity and start a pet sitting business.

Travellers can leave their pets at home, in their won stress free environment. Kennels can stress pets and expose them to disease. A recent poster lost her beloved cat to flue when she left her in a kennel. For her - no more kennels

Here are some pet sitter directories by country where you can find pet sitters in your area. These are visiting pet sitters and dog walkers.

Pet Sitters Directory Australia

Pet Sitters Directory Canada

Pet Sitters Directory England

Pet Sitters Directory USA

Travel resourece for Australia

2007-10-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a great resource if you are looking at travelling in Austrlia
Travel rent free in Australia

A great free accommodation alternative while travelling

2007-10-19T22:08:00.001-07:00

Here is a good resource page on how to travel with free accommodation.

Rent Free Accommodation while you travel

Great travel accommodation discounts for seniors

2007-09-25T00:07:00.000-07:00

I recommend the following resource for discounts for senior travellers

Travel accommodation discounts for seniors

Travel and Explore the world with free accommodation

2007-07-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

Here are the current opportunities to house sit in various countries of the world.

House Sitting Opportunities South Africa

House Sitting Opportunities New Zealand

House Sitting Opportunities United States

House Sitting Opportunities Australia

House Sitting Opportunities France

House Sitting Opportunities Canada

House Sitting Opportunities England

Find a house sitters in Australia's leading directory

2007-06-17T05:30:00.000-07:00

Find a house sitters in Australia's leading directory

Relocation Services

2007-06-04T23:15:00.000-07:00

Are you moving? Here are some moving resources that may help.
It pays to be prepared

Relocation Services

South Australian Government recognises House Sitting

2007-05-15T00:43:00.000-07:00

The South Australian Government has recognised the importance of house sitting by
creating a house sitting reference

South Australian House Sitting Directory

On the job with a dog sitter - Importance of having a Mentor and support.

2007-03-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

What motivated Nancy (Owner of Dogs N' All pet-sitting service in Richmond Hill), to become a pet sitter? What does it take? What is good and bad about the job? Is it important to have a mentor?

The Savanah Morning news profiles a pet sitter transitioning from a stressfull
career to pet sitting.

On the job with a dog sitter

Parrticipating in the Pet Sitting Forum is one way to get support and mentoring from experienced pet sitters

Consider Travelling as a house sitter and getting free rent

2007-03-01T14:02:00.000-08:00

Travellers can register for house sitting:

See details on how to get rent free accommodation as a housesitter

House sitting is a great way to see the world rent free. You get to experience being part of the local community - and living like a local.

Leave your home in safe hands - get a housesitter

2006-11-07T21:28:00.000-08:00

Are the responsibilites of home and pet ownership keeping you from taking a well earned rest? Consider matching with a house sitter in your area and have a stress free break from the responsibilites of home owner ship.

Find a house sitter to secure your home and mind your pets while you are away

Motorhome or Sleeper Van? Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your New Zealand Holiday

2006-11-04T23:26:00.000-08:00

Finding the right vehicle for your holiday can be a daunting prospect, with many choices and differing terminology. Review the options and discover the pitfalls in choosing a rental vehicle for independent travel through New Zealand.

With a myriad of labels used to describe vehicles for the independent traveller, such as Campervan, Camper, Motorhome, Motor Home, Winnebago, RV, Combi, Kombi, Class-A, Class-B and Class-C to name a few, choosing the right kind of vehicle can be confusing from the outset.

The common terms used in New Zealand are Camper or Campervan, Motorhome and Sleeper Van. Campers are vans that have been converted for independent travel and contain similar features to their larger cousin the Motorhome. A Fiat Ducato or Ford Transit style of van is popular for these conversions and the finished product is a modern, easy to drive vehicle.

Motorhomes on the other hand have a cabin built on a van or light truck chassis. Typically constructed from fibre glass, with alluminium skin over plywood occasionally used, the cabin is wider than the chassis base making Motorhomes more spacious. Driving is reasonable straight forward and the models available for rental only require a standard driver’s licence.

Motorhomes and Campervans are self-contained and support you with the comforts of home, albeit miniaturised. Self-contained vehicles have a sink, hob or cooker, fridge, toilet and shower. The level of self-containment varies but there is a New Zealand Standard (NZS 5465:2001) developed by the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA), a body that represents private motorhome owners. The rental motorhome companies are starting to take their vehicle though the certification process and it is worthwhile enquiring about this as you research rental options. The essence of the self-containment standard states a vehicle must be designed to completely meet the ablutionary and sanitary needs of the occupants for at least three days, be equipped with water storage tanks for drinking and cooking and have waste water holding tanks.

A Sleeper Van is a Camper that does not meet the self-containment criteria. Beware that this definition is not industry wide and it is not uncommon for a Sleeper Van to be referred to as a Campervan, simply because the vehicle is a van rather than a car. Purpose built Sleeper Vans are frequently constructed from people movers, such as Toyota’s offering, and from station wagons. Because of the type of vehicle used in construction it is uncommon to able to stand. Sleeper Vans can have some elements of self-containment, such as a cooker and small refrigerator allowing lunch or a light meal to be made while out on the road. Sleeper vans, like campers, are easy to drive.

What makes for the best independent traveller vehicle comes down to personal preference and a balance between cost, comfort and the type of holiday you’re after.

Perhaps the best place to start is deciding where you want to overnight, as this impact on the type of vehicle that will be suitable and also affects the budget. There are four options for overnighting in New Zealand.

1) Native Parks – is a network of rural properties and businesses that welcome travellers. You can stay on these properties free of charge, meet the local people and see a bit of their lives. A great way to see NZ beyond the beautiful scenery and they are not crowded. There is a real mix of people involved from large wineries to small artist, plus action and adventure like diving, limestone caving and horse trekking. You do need a self-contained motorhome or campervan. Check out www.nativeparks.co.nz.

2) Campgrounds – there are a large number of campground that follow a traditional format. In recent years the number of campgrounds has been in decline, so they can get very busy in peak season (Christmas they are at capacity through to the end of February), so it is advisable to book ahead. The following site might help www.topparks.co.nz.

3) DoC Campground (Department of Conservation) - typically have fewer facilities than other established campgrounds, so a self-contained motorhome / campervan would make life more comfortable. They are often in very scenic locations and cheaper than privately operated camping grounds. Same situation occurs after Christmas as with other campgrounds. See www.doc.govt.nz/Explore/003~Huts-Cabins-and-Campsites/Conservation-Campsites/index.asp.

4) Free / Wild / Freedom camping - just parking up wherever. Rarely permitted in much of NZ, though you can get away with it if you’re sensible. Rules on freedom camping vary from district to district. The Native Parks guidebook highlights what’s permitted in each district. In general terms do not overnight in “No Camping” areas or near established camping ground. It is advisable to be at least 10km from the urban boundary of any town or city. To freedom camp a self-contain motorhome/camper is a must.

If you prefer staying in camping grounds, but don’t want the hassle of a tent a Sleeper Van may be a good fit. Do bear in mind that an established camping ground costs between $30 - $40 NZD per night for a couple, so it is possible for a Sleeper Van to cost more than a self-contained vehicle with the use of some of the options above on the odd night. If you do want to get away from it all, or you’re looking for more comfort, a self-contained vehicle will be the way to go.

Past the obvious vehicle rental costs things to consider are whether extra charges for one-way rentals apply, what are the insurance options and whether road user charges for diesel vehicles are included.

The easiest measure of comfort is size, though it is not the full story. There are many other considerations for comfort and again it comes down to personal preference. Do you need to make up the bed each night? Is there space to have some time out from your travelling companion(s)? Is there an awing to provide shade? How about appliances like microwave and air conditioning (NB power hungry appliances only work when the vehicle is connected to mains power)? These can be found in smaller vehicles so size shouldn’t be the only criteria when it comes to measuring comfort. If you are tall do ask about the ceiling height.

So there are a number of things to consider when determining what will be the right vehicle for your holiday. As with any purchase it is worth seeking out a company that backs up their vehicle with service and professionalism. These won’t be hard to find, but if you are looking for a starting point there are a few suggestions on the Native Parks website.

Bio
Adrian Tonks is the founder and CEO of Native Parks - a NZ business providing free overnighting sites for visitors touring New Zealand in rental campervans and motorhomes.

Easy Ways to Increase the Security of Your Home

2006-11-01T18:54:00.001-08:00

While home security devices may be the most obvious way in which to protect your home from intruders, there are other improvements you can make and practices you can employ in order to keep criminals away

Read Entire article - Easy Ways to Increase the Security of Your Home

Living rent free through house sitting

2006-11-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

Take a look at this take on house sitting by savingadvice.com

Living rent free through house sitting

Australian Consumer Association Report on House sitting

2006-10-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

Choice Magazine (Australian Consumer Association) has produced an objective report on house sitting. What to look out for from the home owner viewpoint.

See full article from Australian Consumer Association on House Sitting Agencies

If you are travelling, a house sitter provides home security and live-in pet care while you are away.