🇮🇹 Get Off the Beaten Path in Italy (And Grab Some Wine 🍷... We'll Explain!)
We head to Montepulciano & head underground to explore its caves & their "livesaving" vino... then we get a little "nuts" & indulge our sweet tooth ➕ more
“Drunk but Alive” – Why Montepulciano’s Underground Caves are Worth Exploring
Visiting the Tuscan hilltop town of Montepulciano will require a bit of effort. It's not on a main train line, so you'll either need to drive or grab a bus or taxi from the Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station. Then, once you arrive, you'll be greeted by some relatively steep, winding streets that will test your stamina while offering many charming shops and amazing restaurants as pit-stops. It's often said that nothing worth doing is easy and you'll probably agree once you experience the truly breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside and the friendly people who call Montepulciano home.
It's easy to see why Montepulciano is a popular destination for visitors and expats, but there's more to this quaint walled city than meets the eye — specifically, an extensive network of underground caves. What you can't see, unless you look, is the underground city that lies beneath the cobblestone streets of this picturesque town. An impressive collection of hand-dug caves and tunnels tell the story of Montepulciano’s past. This subterranean labyrinth houses Etruscan tombs that were once used as an aqueduct, staircases built for workhorses, massive wine barrels, and ancient wells. Some are still used today to age and store wine.
While many of the caves are a part of private properties, some are open to the public. The best way to get a glimpse of Montepulciano's hidden treasures is to schedule a tour. There are several to choose from including those offered by Azienda Agricola Ercolani, Contucci winery, and De'Ricci winery. Each offers a unique historical perspective and added perks like wine and cheese tastings.
De’Ricci’s tour will take you to an incredible underground cathedral that you must see to believe. On a recent tour, the guide/sommelier shared that the people of Montepulciano would hide in these caves when they were under attack — which was often. At the first sign of an enemy approaching, the townspeople would head underground, lock the doors and wait until the attackers retreated (which usually meant they ran out of water).
As you can imagine, there was still plenty of wine to sustain the crowd, which meant they were “drunk but alive.” That's one way to wait out a storm!
Travel Tip —> Italy is dotted with hidden treasures like Montepulciano's underground caves, so there’s always an opportunity to explore beyond the typical landmarks. A good way to discover these gems is to talk to the people who live there. Ask your waiter, barista or taxi driver for their tips and recommendations. You may be surprised by their responses!
Nutella Lovers, Listen Up: Let’s Talk About the Amazing Hazelnut
Nutella is not just Italy’s most beloved breakfast (or anytime) spread, it’s also one of the country’s most beloved exports around the world.
Introduced by Ferrero in the 1960s, Nutella is now synonymous with Italian culture. Behind pasta and tomato sauce (neither of which are Italian creations!), Nutella is probably right up there with Vespas and espresso as some of the first things that come to mind when someone says “Italy.”
If you haven’t heard of it, Nutella is a hazelnut cocoa spread. It can be addicting, too, pairing with everything from breads to fruits. (But you probably should temper that addiction given the nutrition facts – it’s a true “ignore the label” indulgence!)
While not the main ingredient, hazelnuts (nocciole) give Nutella its unique flavor, just like they do for the liqueur Frangelico. Hazelnut cultivation comprises around 80,000 hectares in Italy, the world’s number-two producer of the nut. If you’re shocked to learn Italy is not number one, you’ll be bowled over to learn that Turkey produces eight times more hazelnuts than Italy!
Piemonte is home to some of the most coveted hazelnuts in the world, and the tonda gentile del Piemonte has earned the European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). But you’ll also find regular old hazelnuts growing in Lazio, Campania, and Sicily.
Hazelnuts can be eaten fresh,dried, or ground up into a powder added to various confections like pralines… or Nutella! So next time you dig into that jar of gooey goodness, think of the humble nocciola!
Speaking of Nuttiness, What’s With All The Candied Almonds?
There’s another nut that is beloved in Italy, and this one holds a lot of meaning for special occasions.
Jordan Almonds, or confetti, are whole almonds wrapped in a sugar shell. They are a must-have at big celebrations – births, graduations, anniversaries, and religious rites – in a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Of all the celebrations, marriages have the strongest connection to confetti. According to the wedding website The Knot, “At traditional Italian weddings, five almonds signify five wishes for the couple: health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity.” By the way, they are not alone in this belief – many Greeks also incorporate five Jordan Almonds into their weddings.
The confetti’s colors can also identify the type of celebration: traditional white for marriages, red for graduations, or silver for a 25th wedding anniversary.
Abruzzo and Campania are confetti’s two largest production regions. In fact, after Italy began allowing wedding receptions post-pandemic in June 2021, The New York Times described the little town of Sulmona, Abruzzo, as “experiencing a sugar rush… most Italians know it best as Italy’s candy land, the ancestral home of the wedding party favors, sometimes known as Jordan Almonds, that are beloved in Italy’s south and by Italian grandmas everywhere.”
We love that even nonnas can go a little “nuts” at times!
Podcast Corner 🎙️ I Married 💒 an Italian – Now What?!
Today, we’re diving into what it’s like to move to Italy as the spouse of an Italian citizen. We explore common questions, like how the process changes if your Italian spouse is already living in Italy versus if you’re moving together from abroad.
From the unique privileges and responsibilities of being married to an Italian citizen to the legal steps required for residency, we’ll walk you through what to expect. You’ll learn about the importance of organizing all essential documents before arriving, securing a place to live, and making sure your marriage is registered in the AIRE database. Once in Italy, we cover the steps for applying for a permesso di soggiorno (residency permit), so you can settle in with confidence.
We tackle practical advice on navigating Italy’s bureaucratic landscape, including the challenges you might face if marital status changes occur, like divorce or losing a spouse. Plus, we cover the pathway to Italian citizenship, including the latest language requirements and the added benefits that come with citizenship.
This episode also includes listener questions on topics like working while awaiting citizenship and adjusting to life in Italy. Whether you’re already married to an Italian citizen or just welcome the idea, this episode offers essential insights to support your journey to a new life in Italy!
As always, think carefully about your options, and know that SmartMoveItaly.com has resources to help with every step of the way.
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA): Where Are the Best Places to List an Available Apartment?
Ciao, Samantha! Thank you for all the insightful emails! I have been part of the SMI community for three years. My husband and I moved to Italy a year ago with your assistance. 😊
We’d like your advice now regarding apartments… Specifically, how can we let the SMI community (and others) know about our available apartment? We are moving in December and are hoping to secure a tenant for our current apartment. Any recommendations on how to expose our current apartment to be rented? (Brokers seem to cast a small net, as the MLS is not a shared commission-based network, so motivation is low!) Grazie! – Kimberly & Jacob
Ciao, Kimberly & Jacob! I’m so happy to hear you’re loving your new life in Italy —what an exciting chapter! If you’re looking to find a long-term renter, there are a few ways to go about it, but just a heads-up — you’re probably going to get a ton of messages. Long-term rentals are super in-demand, and while that’s great, it also means you’ll have to sift through the dreamers who aren’t quite ready to make the leap.
One option is to work with a real estate broker. They’ll list your place on big sites like Idealista or Immobiliare, handle the inquiries, and show the property for you —especially helpful if you’re not nearby. Just know that they typically charge a commission (usually about one month’s rent).
If you’re up for more of a DIY approach, you can post in Facebook groups like Long Term Rentals in Italy. There are plenty of people looking there, so it’s another great way to get some interest.
And here’s the biggie: make sure you’re clear on Italy’s rental laws. They’re pretty renter-friendly, which can get tricky if someone stops paying or doesn’t want to leave. So, take your time picking the right tenant — it’ll save you a lot of stress down the road! Also, let us know the details and we can help spread the word!
*Please send your questions to richard@smartmoveitaly.com.
Location Spotlight📍Vibo Marina, Calabria
The charming Calabrese port town of Vibo Marina is nestled on the Gulf of Saint Euphemia on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It has a history that spans from the third century BCE to the site of a 1943 battle between British and retreating German troops in World War II.
The town has company, too. As Italy Magazine notes, “the Province is an agricultural, commercial and tourist center with [other] major ports located in Tropea, Vibo [Valentia], Nicotera and Pizzo. From these ports, you can watch fishermen returning from the sea and then buy fresh fish directly from their boats, or take mini-cruises to explore the nearby Aeolian Islands.”
Sound good? Well, today, we’re highlighting an apartment with a sea view of it all. Located on the third floor (with an elevator), the 1,350-sq.ft. unit sports a lounge, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and large terraced balconies with those peeks of blue waves off in the distance, as well as a large garage on the ground floor. All that for only €109.000? That sure floats our boat!
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And if you’re thinking about buying a property in Italy, you don’t have to do it alone! Book a free 10-minute property purchase discovery call here.
PerTe è finito for this week. But don’t forget — we always have lots more to share with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto! 👋