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How Much We Saved with Trusted Housesitters: Our Pet Sitting Experiences in Portugal and England
Traveling long-term or slow traveling can quickly add up in costs, especially when it comes to accommodation. But what if you could stay in beautiful homes around the world, enjoy the company of pets, and save thousands of euros in the process? That’s exactly what we discovered through TrustedHousesitters during our recent adventures in Portugal and England.
Here’s a look at our experiences, the real savings, and whether it’s worth the investment.
Our Trusted Housesitters Journey: Portugal & England
We started our house sitting journey in Portugal, taking care of pets in a variety of settings:
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First Sit: Four nights in a small village with Charlie, a sweet 14-year-old dog. The home had a lovely pool and was close to a winery. We enjoyed a homemade dinner with the owners, who were incredibly welcoming.
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Second Sit: Four nights near Lisbon with Nico, a 12-year-old energetic dog. The penthouse apartment was just a 7-minute walk from the beach and local restaurants. We loved the area and the daily walks along the coast.
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Third Sit: Two weeks outside of Cist Arena with two friendly golden retrievers. This sit required a car, but the house was
spacious, and the Scottish owners were delightful. We enjoyed exploring local trails and rural Portugal.
After Portugal, we headed to England:
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Fourth Sit: 19 nights in Henley-on-Thames, just outside London, with Maisie, an 8-year-old dog. The British owners were off to Portugal, and we enjoyed a large, comfortable home with all amenities, including cleaning services before and after our stay. We even took Maisie on a road trip to Wales!
What Does TrustedHousesitters Cost?
To access these sits, we paid €375 for a TrustedHousesitters annual membership. However we took out a Premium plan that would allows us to sit and also retain sitters. Plans start as low as $129. This is the only required cost to use the platform as a sitter; you do not pay for the accommodation itself. Other expenses, like transportation, food, or car rentals, are your responsibility.
If you use our referral link, you could save 25%
How Much Did We Save?
Let’s break down the savings:
Location Nights Estimated Accommodation Cost/Night Total Saved
Village in Portugal. 4 €100 €400
Lisbon, Portugal. 4 €120 €480
Cist Arena, Portugal. . 14 €100 €1,400
Henley, England 19 €150 €2,850.
Total 41 €5,130
Is TrustedHousesitters Worth It?
Absolutely, yes. For the cost of a single night in a mid-range hotel in many European cities, you get a full year of unlimited sits worldwide. The more you use it, the more you save. Plus, you enjoy:
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Free, comfortable accommodation in real homes
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The companionship of pets
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Access to local neighborhoods and experiences you wouldn’t get in tourist hotels
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Peace of mind for pet owners, knowing their pets are cared for at home
What’s the catch? You must genuinely love animals and be willing to commit to their care. Your responsibilities include daily walks, feeding, medication (if needed), and keeping the home tidy. You’ll also pay for your own transportation and food, and occasionally a car rental if the home is remote.
Our Honest Take
TrustedHousesitters has transformed the way we travel. We’ve stayed in beautiful homes, made new friends (both furry and human), and explored places we never would have visited otherwise. The platform is built on trust, with reviews and video calls ensuring a good match between sitters and homeowners.
If you’re a pet lover and want to travel more for less, the small upfront investment is quickly offset by the massive accommodation savings. For us, it’s been a win-win-win: for us, the pets, and the homeowners.
Ready to try it? If you’re curious about slow travel, love animals, or just want to make your travel budget go further, TrustedHousesitters is absolutely worth considering. With just one or two sits, you’ll more than recoup your membership fee—and you might just find your new favorite way to see the world
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