🇮🇹 One of the Most Coveted Passports in the World
Why does everyone want to be Italian? Plus, a centuries-old horse race in Siena, sweet treats from Sulmona and an Italian island that went from a land of exile to an idyllic seaside retreat.
Everyone Wants to be Italian 🇮🇹
Since you’re a part of our Smart Move Italy famiglia, you already know the lure of Italy. The sheer beauty of the landscapes, the people, the food, the lifestyle…the list goes on and on, and, it just got longer. Henley Global releases an index 4 times a year, ranking the strength of 199 different passports around the world. Their latest index ranks Italy at #2 (behind Singapore), the highest ranking since the index’s inception in 2006.
This index is primarily focused on the most authoritative passport in terms of global mobility (your ability to easily travel around the world) and Italy offers 192 visa-free destinations. France, Germany, Spain, and Japan also sit in second place.
So how do you get your hands on one of the most coveted travel documents in the world? You just may be eligible for citizenship. There are several ways to acquire it but one of the most popular is through Jure Sanguinis (right of blood), which requires an unbroken line of Italian citizenship from an ancestor born in Italy to you. Aren’t sure if you qualify? We’ve developed a short quiz point down👇🏽to give you some clarity.
Smart Move Italy provides a wide range of support services to help you realize your Italian dreams so feel free to schedule a call with us to discuss your quiz results or start moving forward with your citizenship journey. There’s plenty of information on our Citizenship page, including reviews from community members who are now proudly traveling with their Italian passports.
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA)
Send your questions to tiernan@smartmoveitaly.com.
Hi Samantha: We received a speeding ticket in Venice (street camera). The ticket was mailed to us in the United States about 6 months after the violation. We have tried in vain to pay the ticket but the website and phone numbers on the ticket don’t work. Any advice on how to pay this? Could an unpaid traffic ticket affect my husband’s Italian citizenship application?
Dear Mary Beth: Hi Mary Beth, welcome to the club! So many people get speeding, parking, or ZTL tickets when driving in Italy, and in every case, the ticket arrives very late (if ever). The ticket will go to the registered owner of the car, so this is likely the rental company. Before you pay, you should contact your rental car company, as they have likely already paid the ticket, and charged your credit card for it (with fees). If not, and you are not able to log onto the website to pay it (try with a VPN as your IP may be blocked), then there is not a lot you can do. Unpaid fines will not impact his citizenship application, but it may impact you when you go to rent a car again in Italy.
One really good tip to you and anyone else planning on driving in Italy, speed cameras are everywhere and the fines are very high. We have saved a fortune by using the app RadarBot. It is free, and you just turn it on every time you get into the car and it will alert you to the cameras.
Get Ready for Palio di Siena 🐎
In the days leading up to the Palio di Siena, a horse is decorated with colored silks representing one of the 17 contrade (neighborhoods) of Siena. Surrounded by residents of that contrada, the horse is led into the local chapel to receive a blessing (complete with a sprinkling of holy water) and is sent off with the hopes of a community on its back.
This has been the tradition in the walled city of Siena since the Middle Ages.
The Palio is essentially a horse race, but it’s really a chance for neighborhoods to go head-to-head in a unique and passionate contest that is both fiercely competitive and beautifully elaborate. Every 16 August, 60,000 people gather in the Piazza del Campo to watch the contest, but the festivities start way in advance. In the days leading up to the race, a series of traditional events take place including a horse lottery (when the neighbors are paired with their steeds), practice races, celebratory dinners, and parades. Each contrade is represented by its own colors, uniforms, chants, and cheers.
While the actual race is a test of skill, strategy, and strength. While it’s over in just 3 laps (about 75 seconds), the bragging rights that come with a win last much longer. The actual prize is a simple silk banner that is paraded through the streets and treated like a holy relic. Overall, the Palio is not just a race, it’s an experience.
If attending this event is on your bucket list, here are some insider tips:
Plan Ahead: Tickets for the event are highly sought after, so it's wise to book early. If you can’t get a seat in the stands, consider joining the crowds around the square to soak up the atmosphere.
Embrace the Tradition: Pick a contrada to support by wearing their colors and make an effort to participate in the pre-race events (this could be the best part!).
Stay Hydrated and Comfortable: It is HOT during this event, and being one of 60,000 spectators makes it even more important to stay hydrated. The scene is pretty raucous so dress appropriately (comfortably).
Have you experienced the Palio? Share your story on our Facebook page.
Location Spotlight - Rio Marina, Elba Island 🛥️ 🐠
Everyone knows about the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, but Italy has many smaller islands dotting her coastlines. While they may be tiny in stature, they are certainly packed with charm. Take, for example, l’isola d’Elba, just off the Tuscan coast. Napolean may have been exiled here, but perhaps he really didn’t have it all that bad. Elba is a great down-to-earth alternative to glitzier locations (like the Amalfi or Capri) if you’re looking for quaint fishing villages, tranquil beaches, and charming towns.
Speaking of charming towns, in less than an hour on the ferry from Piombino, you could be breathing in the sea air on the shores of Rio Marino. One of Elba’s most enchanting locations, Rio Marino offers an interesting combination or rugged landscapes and lush green hills, all against the backdrop of crystal-clear water. It’s a tad idyllic but doesn’t feel out of reach.
It doesn’t take long to notice a true sense of community here in Rio Marina. Everywhere you look, tradition and an appreciation of culture are evident. Whether you’re picking up fresh produce at the outdoor market, enjoying one of the seasonal festivals, digging into the town’s iron ore mining past or simply passing time at a local cafe, Rio Marina will quickly feel like home.
Think you’d like to launch your new life in Italy from Rio Marino? We don’t blame you, and we may have the perfect starter home to get you motivated. This👇🏽restored, furnished studio apartment is ideally located in the historic center. Priced at € 98,000 it’s close to the port and the beach is just 300 meters from the front door. Check out those beamed ceilings!!
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!
Sulmona’s Sweet Treats
It’s true. Abruzzo has not been as popular with ex-pats and tourists over the years (compared to Tuscany and Liguria, for example), but that seems to be changing a bit. With its picturesque beaches along the Adriatic coasts, welcoming hilltop towns, and majestic mountains, Abruzzo has so much to offer, especially if you have a sweet tooth.
Sulmona, a town of 25,000 people in the L’Aquila, has become the darling of Abruzzo. Its off-the-beaten-path location has actually helped attract people who want a quieter experience while still having access to incredible scenery, amazing food, and plenty of activities (and a train station!).
You may feel like a kid in a candy store while wandering the streets of this quaint town, and you wouldn’t be wrong. The streets are lined with shops displaying Sulmona’s signature treat, confetti! If you’re not familiar with the word, you’ve probably seen the candy at one time or another, especially if you’ve been to an Italian celebration. These sugared nuts, typically almonds but sometimes pistachios or hazelnuts, have been a part of Sulmona’s culture (and economy) since the Roman era.
Traditionally, these sugared treats are gifted at weddings, baptisms, and other occasions — a tangible representation of sweetness and good wishes. You’ll often get a sweet little package of confetti wrapped in small tulle bags with a ribbon as a party favor.
If you love confetti as much as Abruzzesi, don’t miss the Museo dell'Arte Confetteria (Museum of Confectionery Art). Yes, a whole museum dedicated to candy! Can’t think of a sweeter way to spend an afternoon.
Podcast Corner - Don’t Fall for the Fake Stuff 🚫
Did you know that 2 out of every 3 products labeled “Italian” are really imitations? So, how do you know if you’re getting the real deal? It’s not always easy and it sometimes feels like the labels are trying to trick us!
This is a topic near and dear to those of us who truly appreciate the artisanal products that we find in Italy, especially when we see the love and care that goes into creating, for example, a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano or handmade orecchiette. Imitation products can be labeled with terms that truly make consumers believe they come straight from Italy, but once you know what to look for, you’ll be able to recognize legitimate products the next time you go shopping.
In the latest episode of “Stop Italian Sounding: Uncovering Authentic Italian Food,” just one of the many podcast productions of Sentire Media, host Robert Campana delves into the use of common terms that mislead us and explains how companies can get away with their tricky marketing tactics. Want to take a step towards becoming a savvy shopper? Listen now.👇🏽
Have you Snagged This Freebie? 💃 🙌
We’ve already talked about how everyone wants to be Italian, but some of us have to find an alternative route to Italy. Thankfully, there are many visa options but it can be tough to sort through all of the information. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Download Your Guide to Italian Visas point down👇🏽to discover the best legal pathway to your new life in Italy.
That’s it for this week. As always, thanks for being part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!