🇮🇹 Italy is the Perfect Place for 'New Beginnings'
This week's podcast features blogger Georgette... A wine named after cheese (or is it the other way around?)... How & where to vacation ✈️ from Italy ➕ more!
Podcast Corner:🎙️ Georgette Shares Her Insights
This week’s “A New Life in Italy” podcast features a truly special guest — Georgette, the creator of the popular blog “Girl in Florence.” If you’ve ever dreamed of moving to Italy, not just for the beautiful views and pasta, but maybe to start a family and raise children here, then THIS episode is for you.
Georgette is an American who’s been living in Italy for over 15 years, and she’s built an amazing life there with her French husband and their daughter, Annabelle. But here’s the twist — Georgette’s journey didn’t end when she made the move to Florence. In fact, she’s now navigating a whole new chapter: raising a child in Italy.
What does it really take to raise a family in a foreign country? How different is parenting in Italy compared to the U.S. or even Switzerland, where Georgette and her family lived for three years? And what is it like to raise a child in a city as historic and vibrant as Florence?
You also won’t want to miss the insights Georgette has to share about juggling motherhood, cultural adaptation, and finding community in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
It’s an episode packed with honest, real-life experiences and tips that might just inspire your next move.
You do NOT want to miss it👇🏽!
You’ve Heard of Pecorino 🧀 But Not Like This!
Here’s a wine that’s a bit of a pecora nera (black sheep) among its peers. Because it’s made from a grape called pecorino. Now, we all know and love pecorino cheese — and not just in Italy but around the globe (especially in North America). It’s a staple.
Pecorino wine takes you a bit more off the beaten path from the usual suspects you often see on menus — your sauvignon blancs, vermentinos and trebbianos. It’s grown mainly in central eastern Italy, notably in the regions of Marche and Abruzzo.
There are two theories out there as to how it got its name: 1. It grows in mountains where sheep graze or 2. It’s a grape shepherds used to nibble on while tending their flock, and paid the vintners in cheese! (That seems more fun, let’s go with that!) In 2022, Forbes called it “the next great Italian white wine,” noting its fruity aromas and good acidity, and ability to pair well with seafood, poultry, and lighter game. Or just have it with some of its namesake cheese, which, yes, it also pairs well with!
Hungry now? Sorry about that! Quench your thirst for more food and wine talk by checking out Giulia Scarpaleggia’s Eat Well series. Salute!
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA): Jet-setting? 🛫
Hi Samantha: I just moved to Italy (yay!) and once I settle in, I hope to travel all over Europe. What are some of the best regional airlines to explore — and are there any I should avoid? Any tips on an underrated spot to visit?
Hello Paula: Great question! One of the reasons I moved to Italy was that I would be under 2 hours from so many incredible countries and cultures. I am a traveler, and if I had my way, I would be on a plane somewhere every week. Living close to an airport in Italy (and there are many) makes a quick weekend getaway super easy and cheap!
There are many low cost airlines that are very good, clean, organized, and safe that jump all around Europe. For example, as I’m answering this question I’m sitting on a plane waiting to depart for Sardegna. For €20 (sometimes as low as €9) we can be on the sea in 40 minutes.
Prague, Paris, London, Berlin… anywhere you like, there is a low-cost airline to take you there and for less than the price of a Starbucks!
My favorite right now is Volotea Air, but others are Vueling, EasyJet, Ryan Air, ITA, Wizz. Use Skyscanner to search for the best flights.
Happy travels!
*Please send your questions to richard@smartmoveitaly.com.
Does Italian DNA 🧬 Qualify Me For Citizenship?
If only! It’s a question we see a lot though. Italian DNA certainly helps create a connection to a culture that is celebrated worldwide for its food, customs, and la dolce vita. But legally, DNA alone does not net you citizenship.
There are many factors involved, but it basically all comes down to your unique lineage and, most importantly, your connection to the last relative born in Italy. Dates are also extremely important, especially dates of naturalization and the birth date of the next ancestor in line. There are lots of moving parts, but we can help you figure it all out. The best place to start is with a citizenship quiz.
The bottom line is, Italian DNA is something to be proud of, but it doesn’t mean citizenship is a sure thing. But if you want to feel more connected to Italian culture, join our “A New Life in Italy” community of Italophiles!
Location Spotlight📍Limone Piemonte, Piedmont
We’ve just entered autunno, but that means we’re already talking ski season in the Alps. Looking for a place that toes the line between mountain views yet easy access to the French and Italian Riverias? Look no further than Limone Piemonte in the province of Cuneo. Less than 15km from the French border, Limone is one of the oldest ski resorts in Italy, but also offers amazing hiking and biking.
A few minutes from the town center and ski slopes, there's a prestigious complex with a sleek unit available for €320k. It boasts wood and stone finishes, 24-hour reception, spa-like amenities — and check out that view!
Want to see all the details? 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!
And with that, PerTe è finito for this week. As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!