Culture Shock
Overcoming cultural challenges that you will likely face. Plus, the iconic color of Italian sports, scootering 101, a college town worth exploring, preparing for Sanremo and more.
Culture Shock - Are You Prepared to Handle It?
Recently, Smart Move Italy’s private community, A New Life in Italy, gathered on a call with Italian cultural expert and psychotherapist Paolo Molino. Part of the conversation revolved around the concept of culture shock and how to handle it. This got me thinking. Sometimes we are so enamored by the idea of Italy that we overlook the related challenges associated with actually living there (whether part-time or full-time). This could be a recipe for disaster but there is a way to avoid disappointment — be prepared.
No matter where you come from, the culture in Italy is going to be different than what you’re used to. There’s no point expecting every day life to be the same (and that’s not really want you want, is it?). The best thing you can do is to learn about the possible cultural differences you will encounter before you try to settle in. You probably won’t be used to the way people talk to each other (and you), the lack of privacy at the doctor’s office, the curious stares directed your way, etc…. It will be ok.
Remember, you are integrating into a new country, not the other way around. There will be some bumps and a possibly steep learning curve, but it’s all a part of the process. Cultural shock is normal and doesn’t last forever. The key is to be flexible and willing to have an adventure.
Oh, and when you absolutely cannot find your favorite brand of peanut butter or laundry soap, just let it go. It’ll be easier that way.
Interested in joining the conversation in the private community? You can enroll today. 🔽 We’d love to see you there.
Azzurri: Blue is the Color of Italian Football ⚽🇮🇹
In Italy, football (or soccer) is life. It is by far the most popular sport in the country. On match days, stadiums are packed with excited fans singing and waving flags with passion and matches are regularly the most watched television broadcasts. If you’ve seen the Italian National Team play (live or on T.V.), you may have been surprised by the sea of blue that dominated the stands. Maybe you expected red, green, or white — the colors of the Italian flag.
Many outside of Italy (especially those who don’t follow sports closely) are surprised to learn that the Italian National Team is also known as the Azzurri. This term, which translates to "The Blues," holds a profound cultural and historical significance that goes beyond the vibrant blue jerseys the team proudly dons.
The origins of the Azzurri nickname trace back to the early 20th century when Italy officially adopted blue as the color representing its national sports teams. The choice of blue wasn't arbitrary; it was a nod to the House of Savoy, the ruling royal family of Italy at the time, whose heraldic color was azure blue. The decision to embrace blue as the national color was made in 1910, and soon after, the Italian football team became synonymous with the Azzurri moniker.
🗣️ One of the most iconic moments in Italian football history was captured in the photo known as “Tardelli's scream” during the 1982 FIFA World Cup. The picture immortalized the raw emotion of Marco Tardelli after scoring a crucial goal against West Germany in the final match, launching Italy to victory. Azzuri fans around the world cherrish this image and all it represents for the Italian National Team.
Scootering in Italy 101 🛵
Dreaming of living the Italian dream on a Vespa? You’re not alone. All different types of scooters fill the streets of Italy. Since the small roads and the liveliness of the cities can sometimes make it difficult to get around by car, tourists and locals opt for scooters to get to their destinations more efficiently and in style of course.
We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to help make your scooter rental as fun and seamless as possible. Soon enough, you’ll be living the dolce vita.
In order to rent a scooter in Italy, you’ll need to be 18 or older and have:
a valid driver's license from your country
a valid international driver’s permit/license (if you are a non-European citizen)
a valid photo ID (some rental agencies may let you use your driver's license or may request to see your passport)
motor vehicle insurance (most rental shops will offer this to you as an add-on)
credit card (sometimes needed for booking and a security deposit for any damages)
You’ll be able to rent scooters under 125cc with your standard driver's license. The CC (cubic capacity) of the scooter is the power output of the engine. The CC of a scooter can vary from 50cc to 1800cc. The higher the cubic capacity, the faster the scooter. If you want to rent one that is over 125cc, you’ll need a motorcycle license instead of just the standard driver's license.
If you’re a resident of a non-European country, you will also need to have an international driver's permit/license. You can apply for it before your trip. It’s relatively inexpensive and lasts for one year from issue. Check your local DMV or auto Association for information on how to get one.
Now that you’re set on the documents-side of things, here are some safety tips to keep in mind when out on the road:
Carry your drivers license, international drivers permit (if from outside of the EU), and insurance with you.
Wearing a helmet is required in Italy (you’ll be able to get one from the rental provider)
Drive on the right side of the road.
Pass other vehicles on their left side.
The blood alcohol limit (BAC) in Italy is actually 0.0% for those under age twenty-one or had their drivers license for less than three years. The BAC is 0.05% of everyone else.
Many major cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan have Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL or Zona Traffico Limitato in Italian). Only residents and registered vehicles can drive in these areas or you risk a fine. Be sure to confirm with the rental agency if the scooter is registered to drive in these areas.
For those of you who are going to move to Italy, we recommend working towards getting your very own Italian drivers license since the international drivers permit can only be used for a year.
Get Ready for the Sanremo Music Festival 6-10 February 🎵🎤
There are a few events that bring Italians together as they collectively watch their television sets with great interest and passion. One of them is Italian football. Another is the Sanremo Music Festival. Since its launch in 1951, this celebration of Italian pop culture has become a cornerstone of the country’s musical legacy.
San Remo itself is a beautiful location worth visiting, but once a year, this seaside town transforms into a haven for music lovers and artists alike. Originally intended to showcase the best of Italian music, it has evolved into a global phenomenon, propelling artists to international stardom.
Måneskin, one of Italy’s most recent musical exports, is an example of the success Sanremo can bring. The band won both the Sanremo Music Festival and the Eurovision Song Contest with their entry Zitti e Buoni in 2021. Since then, they’ve packed venues around the world and were nominated for a Grammy in 2023. Other iconic Sanremo performances include Volare by Domenico Modugno in 1958 and Con e partiro by Andrea Bocelli in 1995.
Sanremo’s reach goes far beyond music. It’s a tradition that withstands politics, economics and natural disasters. No matter what challenges the world, and Italy, face, Sanremo endures — for the past 73 years! It’s also a place to see and be seen. During this festival, Italians’ love for fashion and style is on full display. Just check out the red carpet scene! It’s impressive, to say the least. 📸
This year’s event is just around the corner and the country is buzzing with anticipation. Soon, families will gather around their television sets, friends will engage in passionate discussions about the performances, and the entire country will be immersed in the magic of Sanremo.
Will you be watching? Let me know in the comments.
How the Experts Use Immobiliare.it
Our property team loves immobiliare.it and it has more than just a simple search feature. Immobiliare.it is one of the most used (and highest-rated) property sites in Italy for both rentals and sales. Even auctions!
They even have a page where you can search price averages in each town, province, and region of Italy (you can translate the page with a Chrome or Safari extension. ✅).
Here’s how our team drills down the data for more information:
There’s a map view, a traditional view, charts, and more. So, if you’re flexible on where your next home sweet home will be, then this will be THE resource for you!
Has Lucca stolen your heart, but the prices are higher than you’d like? Search Lucca, then select provincia (province), and lastly click mappa (map) for an overview. SEE BELOW 🔽
If you zoom in further or view stats on the first page that appears (rather than map view), you’ll see which parts of the city, province, and region, cost the MOST and LEAST. Who knows, maybe you’ll settle on somewhere in between and save those extra euros for renovations or more trips to gelaterias and scenic getaways.
Whether you’ve located your ideal property or are still on the hunt, Smart Move Italy’s property puchase assistance program can help make the process as seamless as possible. Sign up for a consultation 🔽 to see if this service is right for you.
Location Spotlight: Perugia, Umbria
While walking the streets of Perugia, it’s easy to feel a bit torn. One one hand, it’s difficult to miss the overwhelming beauty of the medieval architecture and winding cobblestone streets that lure visitors to this ancient town. On the other, it’s impossible to overlook the youthful energy that spills into the streets of this college town. Perugia is a true dichotomy in the very best way.
There are plenty of can’t-miss sights but one that dominates the landscape here is the Palazzo dei Priori in the main square. It’s an excellent starting point for your Perugian explorations. Inside of this imposing building you’ll find the National Gallery of Umbria, which features an impressive collection of Renaissance and Medieval paintings and sculptures. Once you exit, don’t just walk by the iconic Fontana Maggiore. Take a few moments to really appreciate the intricacies of this 13th century fountain. A piece of art in its own right, it dipicts scenes from the Bible, the agricultural calendar, astrological symbols and important people in Perugia’s past.
Cultural and culinary festivals are also an importance part of Perguia’s appeal. The town hosts world-renowned events like the Umbria Jazz Festival, the Sagra Musicale Umbra (for classical music enthusiasts) and the very popular Eurochocolate festival (read about it here.). Of course, quaint weekly markets and smaller, local celebrations contribute to the town’s everlasting charm.
Now back to that youthful buzz. Perugia is home to one of Italy's oldest universities —the University of Perugia, which accounts for the clusters of students you’ll see huddled in local cafes, pouring into the buses and trains, and studying on stairs. Don’t worry though. The students blend in seamlessly with the city's historical backdrop and add to Perugia’s allure.
If exploration and adventure are in your blood, know that Perugia’s central location makes it easy to explore beyond the city limits. Venture out into the rolling hills of Umbria, escape to the tranquil Lake Trasimeno, or hike through the Monte Subasio Regional Park. There’s never a shortage of options when it comes to activities in this area.
If you're drawn to the medieval allure of its streets, the lively cultural scene, or the youthful energy of the university community, Perugia may be your ideal destination.
Check out this 2 bedroom apartment 🔽 with a large terrace in Perguia, featured in this week’s Vendita, Smart Move Italy’s free property newsletter. The listing price is an affordable € 110.000!
Don’t forget to subscribe to Vendita for 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday ☕️. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel. It’s completely free! What’s your favorite property searching tool? Let me know in the comments.
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA) 💬
Dear Samantha: We are Italian dual citizens and have small kids. We want to move to Italy, but one of our sons has ADHD. Are there services for him there?
Dear Julie: As a mom of an ADHD son (now all grown up with kids of his own) I can understand your concern. Integrating into a new culture and language is difficult without having other learning differences to contend with, so you will definitely need to take some time to pick the right place to live. Like any country, there are good and bad schools in Italy, but there will always be services for children with learning differences in both public and private systems. If he doesn’t speak Italian fluently, then I highly recommend you enroll him in an international school, at least for the first year. This will relieve him of the pressures of language and cultural stresses that he will feel as a foreigner in a busy public system, and give him time to assimilate. There are many international schools throughout Italy, many are in cities. Overall, I think that Italy has a lot to offer a young family, and children are loved, included, and cherished in the culture, and he will thrive with this kind of support behind him.
So much on the horizon…
How is it the end of January already? This month has flown by and I hope you’ve settled into 2024. We have so many exciting developments to share with you in the coming weeks and months so please stay tuned.
In February, we’ll do a deep dive into citizenship and talk about the ways you can claim the coveted red passport, whether you have Italian ancestors or not!
I’d love to know if you’re on the citizenship path so take a look at the poll below. 🔽 Finally, did you know Smart Move Italy has an entire team dedicated to citizenship? It’s true, and they’re always ready to assist.
That’s all for this week. As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!