Italy's Great Loves
Italy's deep-rooted love for children, family, truffles, clean food, and adventure.
Ciao a tutti! And welcome to another issue of Italy Per Te. This is truly an exciting time at Smart Move Italy and we’re so honored to have you join us on the adventure. Between this weekly newsletter, the re-launch of our podcast, our vibrant Facebook communities, and our brand new YouTube series, there is no shortage of incredible content to satisfy your appetite for all things Italy...and there’s plenty more on the horizon.
This week, we’re touching on some really interesting topics related to your new life in Italy, including moving with kids. Before we dive in, it’s important to understand that children here may have a different experience than in other parts of the world. Italy is a country rooted in family and relationships, and children play a very important role in that dynamic.
Here, children are not relegated to a “kids’ table” or given abbreviated menus at a restaurant. They share in our experiences and are a part of an extended community. Strangers will frequently engage them in conversation by asking how they are and wishing them well. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll probably find that it’s just a bit different here. Even if your own kids are not a part of your new life in Italy, you’ll surely be around them once you move so understanding this nuance may help in your transition.
And with that, let’s dive in. Iniziamo!
Podcast Corner - Moving to Italy with Kids 🧸
The process of moving to Italy has a lot of moving parts. When children are in the mix, there are some unique factors to consider such as education, community, language learning, resources, etc… Moving with your kids will require an adjustment period, but the benefits far outweight the problems.
In a recent podcast episode, our Chief Dream Maker, Samantha Wilson, explores this topic and provides some valuable insights to help make your path a little smoother. She also sits down with the founder of The Cultured Kid, Shannon Kelly, to learn practical tips and effective ways to help your kids thrive linguistically and socially in Italy.
There is a very clear difference between raising children in Italy and raising them in North America. If I knew then what I know now, I would have packed up my children and moved here decades ago. I can tell you this, if you have an opportunity to gift a year or move of a new life in Italy to your children, I urge you to do it and I promise you will not regret it.
-Sam Wilson
If you want to give your kid(s) a taste of life abroad, don’t miss this👇 episode!
Community Success - The Tumarkin Family’s Italian Adventure Canada 🇨🇦 →🇮🇹
Sometimes life gives you a little nudge to follow your heart…and the opportunity to follow through. For Sivan Tumarkin, a lawyer from Canada, Covid did just that. When his Canadian law firm went fully remote, he and his wife saw a chance to do something a little out of the ordinary: move to Italy with their two kids.
At first, it was just an idea but that idea quickly gained steam once Sivan and Samantha Wilson crossed paths. ”We started doing our research and we are very thorough,” he says. “We went to visit a Canadian school in Florence and a lady there mentioned Smart Move Italy. That’s how I found Sam.”
At that point, Sivan had already contacted various professionals including several tax accountants and lawyers, and had already picked a visa to pursue, but he scheduled a call with Sam just to cover his bases. “We set up a call and when I mentioned the particular visa I decided to pursue, I could tell that Sam didn’t think it was a good idea,” he says. “She got quiet. I asked for her full, unabashed criticism, advice, etc… and she told us, plainly, that it wouldn’t work. She immediately recommended the investor visa because the others carried too much risk.”
Given the fact that his kids were enrolled in school, Sivan knew he couldn’t risk rejection, so he changed course and decided to pursue an investor visa, with Sam’s help. Sivan was paired with Smart Move Italy’s visa Attorney Avv. Gulia (Julie) Romanelli, to complete the application.
“It’s a really good thing that we had someone like Julie who guided us through the whole thing,” he says. “The amount of back-and-forth was a mess. You really need people who know what they’re doing to navigate the system.”
Looking back on his journey, Sivan realizes that attempting to DIY the visa process would have been disastrous. “We could have had that consultation and not have hired SMI but we would have failed,” he says. “It was not simple or easy, and you just don’t get straight answers from the government. Had we not had someone like Julie and Samantha, we would not have been able to do it.”
Because of his relationship with SMI and his ability to qualify for an investor visa, Sivan and his family have enjoyed life in one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, Florence.“Adjusting has been good,” he says. “I would move here if we could. We travel as much as we can. We love the markets. We just love the life here.”
The biggest takeaway from Sivan’s experience pursuing a visa is the importance of finding support because you cannot overestimate the amount of bureaucracy you’ll encounter along the way. “It’s a mistake to think you can do it all yourself,” he advises. “If you want it done right, you need help. Lots of people dream but very few do.”
If you are one of the many people dreaming about a life in Italy but aren’t sure how to navigate the journey, we’d love to help you find clarity. Download our free guide to Italian visas here and then schedule a call👇 with our team for personalized advice.
🌟 New Content Alert! 🌟
Here at Smart Move Italy, we are constantly striving to provide our community members with the information they need to make life in Italy a reality. While the tips and tricks provided by our experts are invaluable, sometimes we all need a little inspiration to keep our dreams alive…especially when faced with the inevitable obstacles, long waiting periods, and even unexpected rejections.
We’ve recently introduced a YouTube series that is the ultimate inspiration. The first episode of A New Life in Italy - Tuscany Stories is now live! Join us as we explore the life-changing stories of 5 North Americans who dared to make Tuscany their new home. Find out how living in Italy compares with living in the countries they left, how they’ve adjusted to life in their new Italian towns, and what it’s really like to live as an ex-pat in this amazing country. Their stories will surely ignite (or re-ignite) your passion for Italy!
One of the pressing questions you all have is, can life in Italy be cheaper than in North America? In this clip👇, we ask Sara, from Calgary, Canada, to share her thoughts. Be sure to tune in to the full episode to see her amazing home and take a peak into her daily life in Pitigliano, Tuscany.
Our first episode focused on Tuscany, but there’s so much more to share from all the other magical regions of Italy! Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see the rest of the series, as well as more in-depth stories from the community members you’ve met in the premiere.
Planning Your Fall Truffle Hunting Getaway 🍂
Last week, we shared some recommendations for memorable Italian getaways including an ultimate truffle hunting holiday. Fall is a very popular time to visit Italy and spots at popular Agriturismos typically fill up fast so now is the perfect time to plan.
Truffles are prized throughout the world for their deep, earthy flavor and, even more so, for their scarcity. They are seasonal, hard to find, and very difficult to cultivate (some are only found in the wild). The only way to find them is to hunt for them. One of the best places to do so is in, you guessed it, Italy — more specifically, in the regions of Umbria, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Le Marche.
La Tavola Marche is a farm, inn and cooking school that offers visitors a wide range of activities including market tours, whole hog butchering workshops and truffle hunting getaways. When you book one of these special holidays, you’ll enjoy more than just a walk in the woods. In fact, this might be one of the most well-rounded vacations you’ll ever experience. From an exquisite five-course welcome dinner with paired locals wines, to a guided tour of the local markets, cooking classes, and apertivi, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.
“If you would like to experience a true off the beaten path Italian experience that only happens during a short window each year - a hunt for white truffles with locals is one of the best way and most memorable experience you will have,” says Ashely Bartner, owner and co-founder of La Tavola. There are two opportunities to hunt for the truffles and, hopefully, enjoy the fruits of your labor. Of course, there’s no guarantee you’ll find one of these elusive culinary gems, but, either way, you’ll have fun in the process.
Take a look at this clip👇for an inside peak at a La Tavola Marche truffle hunt:
“This type of holiday connects our guests with the locals on a deeper level, getting their hands dirty and experience what it takes to find truffles and why they are so expensive - plus it's an opportunity to feel like a local,” says Ashley. “The culmination of the four night experience is the National Fair of White Truffles in our nearby village of Acaualagna. With the smell of tartufi thick in the air, we’ll wander the streets sampling truffles in all forms!”
If you’re passionate (or curious) about Italian traditions, appreciate artisanal culinary experiences, love the outdoors and don’t mind doing a bit of work, then a truffle hunt just may be the perfect addition to your next visit to Italy.
🏆 The DNV 4 Have Been Selected! 🎉
After receiving over 150 applicants for our free Digital Nomad Visa service, we are excited to announce that we have selected the DNV 4! They are: Gregory Stucky (Oregon, USA), Jessica Glover (Newcastle, United Kingdom), Reid Gustavson (Vancouver, Canada); and Nancy DiPiano (Massachusetts, USA).
We will be sharing their stories, journey, and adventure toward their new Digital Nomad live in Italy in the coming weeks. Follow us on IG and here to learn more about this new, and exciting visa for Italy.
Thank you to everyone who applied. If you need help with your DNV, please visit us here for more information.
Location Spotlight - Bolzano, Alto Adige 🏔️
Beautiful Bolzano (Bozen, in German). Tucked away in the mighty Dolomites, this is where Northern and Southern Europe meet and melt into a unique, multilingual culture. Three languages are spoken here: Italian, German, and Ladin. This area has only been a part of Italy since World War I so you’ll definitely notice some cultural influences from all over Northern Europe, but especially Austria and Germany.
The stunning architecture here is full of soft, welcoming colors, which are set against the striking vibrance of the natural surroundings. This is the perfect place for outdoor lovers to indulge in world class skiing, cycling, and hiking opportunities. Grab a cable car from the city center and escape to the peaceful Renon High Plateau or to the mountain hamlet of Colle for a true alpine experience. It doesn’t take long to understand why the quality of life in Bolzano is hard to beat.
Bolzano has become a very popular destination for visitors from all over the world and the active tourist board actively shares all of the activities available throughout the year including concerts, festivals, exhibitions and sporting events.
Considering Bolzano as a starting point for your new life in Italy? Wise choice. Check out this👆ground floor apartment. It has two terraces and room for a garden, priced at €420.000. 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!
Parking in Italy 🚗 🚙
Parking, like driving, in Italy can be quite an adventure. Italians just have their own way of doing things, and parking habits vary depending on where you are in Italy. True to form, when you’re in the North, you can expect more structure, more enforcement, and more organization. On the other hand, in the South you’ll find a bit of chaos and a make-the-rules-up-as-you-go mentality. Such is life in Italy.
A lot of cities have allocated parking spaces designated by a big P sign. Once you find your spot, locate the ticket machine (most accept cash) and read about the parking limitations. There is always an English translation that will tell you the times and days you need to pay (sometimes there is free parking on a holiday). It’s always a good idea to buy a little bit over the time you expect to stay if possible, especially in the North or in bigger cities as enforcement can be swift.
Speaking of enforcement, parking tickets aren’t always physical. They may just take a photo and send you a bill. Surprise!
In the South, double parking is common but is often done “politely,” as in, a note will be left either letting you know where you can find the owner of the car blocking you, or a phone number on their dashboard. 😂
⚠️ TIP - If you see a sign that looks like this👇, that area is designated at limited parking for a set amount of time (listed on the sign). Use a disco orario, or parking disc, to indicate when you arrived and place it on the dashboard. Some cars have a little disco orario attached to the windshield. If you're renting a car, it may be in the glove compartment. You can also buy them at petrol stations and Tabacchi shops.
Eat Clean in Italy 🥖 🍎 🥩 🥕
When you make the move to Italy, you set yourself up to live longer, spend less, smile more…and eat clean. We all know that this incredible country is well known for its delicious culinary tradition, but good food goes way beyond taste. In Italy, the food is also much “cleaner” than in many parts of the world.
Take, for example, some of the differences between food standards in Italy verses those in the US:
Italy’s approach to food is more in line with its role as sustenance and less about shelf-life or using chemicals to alter taste, texture, and appearance. This means, when you start your new life in Italy, you’ll probably notice a marked difference in the quality of the food you eat. It also helps that we only eat what’s in season so don’t expect to find strawberries in December or asparagus in October.
💄💅 Here, you’ll also find that cosmetics and skincare have far fewer toxic ingredients. In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group, the “EU and other countries have banned or limited more than 1,600 chemicals from personal care products. But regulators at the Food and Drug Administration prohibit just nine for safety reasons.”
You already knew there would be many benefits to moving to Italy. Perhaps a cleaner lifestyle is the cherry on top. 🍒
Ask Samantha Anything
Dear Sam: We aren’t going to apply for our ERVs for another year or so but can we begin getting documents translated, notarized, and apostilled now?
Dear Ann: Yes, you can start to collect some of the documents, but for the ERV, current information is vital. I recommend that you start the process about six months from when you hope to apply. For the ERV, you do not normally need translations and apostille, except under certain circumstances. For example, if you are married and sharing income, then you need to connect the couple through marriage. Therefore, the marriage license must be supplied and this document must be translated and apostille (legalized). If you have minor kids, then their birth records will also need to be translated and apostille. But otherwise, you don’t need to translate anything.
FBI and criminal record checks are not usually required (except for San Francisco) but they do not need to be translated or apostille. Overall, it is best to wait until six months before you are ready to apply to start assembling your application.
A One-Stop-Shop 🇮🇹 🏠
If you’ve been in our community for any length of time, you know we are passionate about helping people realize their dreams of moving to Italy. What sets us apart is our full-service approach. From evaluation to visa applications to property and the arrival and settling-in process, you have one point of contact who knows you, what you need, and how to help.
One of the trickiest parts of making the move is finding a property to rent or purchase. That’s why one of our areas of specialization is finding properties. Whether you need to secure a rental for an ERV application or you’re looking for a forever home, we can help bridge the gap between dreaming and getting the keys to your new place.
Your first step is to visit our property page to learn how we can support you.
As always, we’re so glad you’ve decided to spend time with us this week. Until next time, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!