Where Italian Dreams Are Made
Providing resources, tips, and tricks to help you create A New Life in Italy.
Welcome to another week of Italy Per Te. Lots of great information to share with you this week, including a resource for gluten-free eating in the land of pizzaaa and pasta, a rugged yet refined location spotlight, a guide to the Italian post office, and some fun landmark trivia.
What are you doing this week to get yourself closer to your Italian dream (Let us know in the comments)? Whatever it is, Smart Move Italy is here to support you. There’s been a lot of interest in the Investor Visa lately, so check out our IV page if you’re in that camp.
With that, let’s get started. Andiamo!
🎧The Podcast Corner - Enjoying Italy with Food Sensitivities 🍝
Everyone has their own reasons for loving Italy, but there is a common thread among most Italophiles: the food! Here, food is more than just sustenance, it’s the foundation of relationships and an important part of culture. If you are one of the many people with food sensitivities (whether it be to gluten, meat, lactose, or another culprit), how do you navigate the endless, and seemingly irresistible, options in Italy? Can you still enjoy Italy to the fullest while adhering to your food restrictions? That’s a great question…and a legitimate one given Italy’s deep-rooted culinary tradition.
In a new episode of A New Life in Italy podcast, our Chief Dream Maker (and relocation expert), Samantha Wilson, explores this topic from a first-hand perspective. As a “reluctant vegetarian” and foodie, Sam shares her personal journey and provides tips for safely navigating the tantalizing trattorias of Tuscany and beyond. She then goes in-depth with Catalin Varela (also known as The Celiac in Italy), a gluten-free travel consultant who plans adventures and culinary tours for fellow celiacs.
You may be surprised to learn that Italy is quite advanced when it comes to celiac awareness. In fact, in some of the bigger cities, you can find grocery stores dedicated to gluten-free products, and in smaller locations gluten-free food sections are common. The Italian Celiac Association has created a certification program that ensures restaurants are preparing and serving gluten-free options (Look for this symbol👇 in the restaurant’s window!).
Whether you have food sensitivities or not, you don’t want to miss this episode because the overall message applies to everyone: Italy is the best place in the world for food. 💕
Location Spotlight - Monterosso, Liguria
Our location spotlights are typically one of the most popular sections of the Per Te newsletter — and for good reason. We love introducing you to little-known Italian towns as well as sharing insights into more popular areas of this beautiful country. This week, we’ll focus on an area of Italy that is extremely popular with visitors, but still maintains its quaint charm and xx roots. Welcome to Monterosso, Liguria.
Nestled along the Italian Riviera, Monterosso is part of the famous Cinque Terre, along with Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. These seaside towns are linked by hiking trails and trains, making it easy to explore their unique landscapes and cultures.
Monterosso is known for its rugged coastline, stunning beaches, terraced gardens dotted with lemon trees, and traditional seafood dishes that include freshly caught anchovies and octopus. Spend the afternoon sunbathing at the world-renowned Fegina Beach, then head into the historic center to marvel at medieval architecture, narrow alleyways, and picturesque piazzas. This is where Italian dreams are made.
Life in Monterosso is a sweet combination of unbelievable scenery and a tight-knit community sprinkled with a bit of international flavor, thanks to the many visitors who flock to this popular destination. If you love nature and outdoor activities, there is plenty to explore by bike, on foot, or via boat. Even though Monterosso is not a large town, you’ll constantly find new nooks and crannies to explore.
Real estate is in high demand in this popular area of Liguria and inventory is often low. That being said, expect to pay a premium, but just think of all the benefits of living in such an idyllic location. Check out this incredible property featured in the latest issue of Vendita. It’s a 2-unit property 150 meters from the beach.
Want to see 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! Have you visited Monterosso or the Cinque Terre? Let me know in the comments.
Poste Italiane - The Many Faces of an Italian Post Office 📨
For most people throughout the world, running into the post office is a common occurrence. The whole concept is pretty straightforward. If you need to send or receive mail and maybe buy some stamps, your local post office is the logical stop. It may not be known for efficiency, and often falls short in the customer service department, but this government office serves an important purpose.
In Italy, the post office is a whole different animal. For a country (in)famous for its bureaucracy, you wouldn’t expect a government office to multi-task but that’s exactly what you’ll find at the poste italiane. Yes, you can send and receive mail and parcels here but you can also explore a whole list of additional services. It’s not quite a one-stop-shop but it’s close.
Here are some of the things you can do at the poste italiane:
Open a savings account.
Pay utility bills.
Add minutes to your cellular plan.
Manage investment accounts.
Withdraw money.
Pay taxes.
Receive pension payments.
Apply for a permesso di soggiorno.
Buy an insurance policy.
A trip to the poste italiane is rarely quick and lines are basically non-existent so it can be a bit confusing at first. When you walk in, find the check-in machine (it should be near the entrance). Here, you’ll select the service you need and print out a number. Then, wait (and wait some more) for your number to be called.
This experience requires a delicate balance between patience and attentiveness. The boredom may cause you to drift off but you also need to pay attention. The postal employees will not come find you if you miss your number. 🤨
Have you had an experience with the poste italiane (good or bad)? Share it in the comments!
The World’s First Mailbox…is in Italy 📬
Just south of Rome, you’ll find a charming little mountain town called Città di Castel Gandolfo. The town itself may not be big, but it is packed with beauty and plenty of interesting landmarks. If the stunning views of Lake Albano aren’t enough to warrant a visit, perhaps a tour of the Papal Palace (historically, a summer residence for the Pope) and the meticulously manicured Barberini Garden will do the trick.
Right in the heart of Città di Castel Gandolfo, you’ll find a hidden treasure in Piazza della Libertà. Marked with a brass placard proclaiming the existence of this gem, you’ll find a humble mail slot on a slab of marble. According to the locals, and the historical marker, this is “the first mailbox in the world for sending letters.”
Installed on 23 November, 1820, this mail slot symbolizes more than just a way to communicate through letters. It’s a testament to the pride Italians have for their innovative countrymen…because in 1820, it was a genius idea to consolidate the sending of messages. Leave it to the Italians to celebrate the mail! 🎉
Can we ask a favor? 🙏 💬
We know that you all have a million questions about starting a new life in Italy. You send them to us through Facebook, Instagram, and email, but we’d love it if you’d also record your question so that we can feature it in an upcoming podcast episode. Not only could you get a direct answer from Samantha on the podcast, but you’ll also be helping your fellow SMI community members, who could have the same question. Send them in today (be sure to make a new recording for each question)! 👇
As always, thanks for being here and for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!