463 Introduction

My husband [I]was[/I] exactly the same, he loved the holidays and the way of life for 2 weeks, but that was enough. Now however his thinking has changed and we plan to relocate, probably in 2006, but maybe early 2007 and he can't wait. He speaks no Italian to speak of, but has realised the way of life is just so much better than in England.

Jan :)

:eek: Get a new husband?

My wife and I fell in love with Italy years ago when I started to work for a Swiss/Italian company and spent a few years working in and around Milan and Rome. Unfortunately at that time I used to work in several other countries across Europe as well and the syringes left in the doorway to my office in Milan used to putme off the place. I'm not a city boy anyway and I really couldn't warm to the place (it would be like living in Manchester). So we forgot about Italy for a few years. However chance took us to the rural Apennines and within a few days we had biought a house and changed our lives (for the better).

So cheer up, it may not be Italy itself but the part of Italy that you are visiting that puts your husband off. I would suggest trying places like Tarquinia, Viterbo, Norcia, Castelli Romana. If he can't fall in love with those places he has a hard heart indeed. :)

Thank you both for your replies. It is good to know someone has had the same problem and it has come right in the end - I will keep my fingers crossed that the same happens for me. As for where we go, we have tended to go the main tourist areas so I will take your advice and start trying some places more off the beaten track. My husband is a big fisherman so if I could find somewhere where he could do that it might help! Lake Trasimeno perhaps?

As suggested in a previous reply, come a little further south to the Lago di Bolsena and Lago di Vico. Viterbo, Tarquinia etc. Beautiful unspoilt undiscovered to a large extent and certainly cheaper than Trasimeno!

I agree try further south. Although Trasimeno is a fisherman's delight and well worth a visit. I remember reading that the world's largest pike was caught at Trasimeno. The lakes on the flanks of the Apennines in Lazio and Umbria are also worth visiting and handily placed if visiting Trasimeno.

If you are "doing" that corner of the world I suggest trying Assisi, Perugia, Deruta - for the pottery, but bring a very large cheque book. There are some examples of Deruta pottery on my website (gisberto.co.uk) listed in the .sig.

From there it's easy to get to Viterbo - visit Uno Piu while you are in that area, garden furniture of staggering quality - and Bomarzo and the "Park of Monsters" which was covered in a recent edition of Italy magazine. It's a great place for a day out, and the restaurant at the park is halfway decent as well.

Travelling south from there is the road to Terni and on to Rieti with (IMO) the best lake in the area at Piediluco. There are numerous national parks, Parco Fluviale del Nera, Parco Nazionale Monte Lucretili, Parco Natural Monti Simbruini (with Trevi and the Villa Adriana) etc.

Oh, I can't wait to get back.

[QUOTE=lotaresco]I agree try further south. Although Trasimeno is a fisherman's delight and well worth a visit. I remember reading that the world's largest pike was caught at Trasimeno. The lakes on the flanks of the Apennines in Lazio and Umbria are also worth visiting and handily placed if visiting Trasimeno.

If you are "doing" that corner of the world I suggest trying Assisi, Perugia, Deruta - for the pottery, but bring a very large cheque book. There are some examples of Deruta pottery on my website (gisberto.co.uk) listed in the .sig.

From there it's easy to get to Viterbo - visit Uno Piu while you are in that area, garden furniture of staggering quality - and Bomarzo and the "Park of Monsters" which was covered in a recent edition of Italy magazine. It's a great place for a day out, and the restaurant at the park is halfway decent as well.

Travelling south from there is the road to Terni and on to Rieti with (IMO) the best lake in the area at Piediluco. There are numerous national parks, Parco Fluviale del Nera, Parco Nazionale Monte Lucretili, Parco Natural Monti Simbruini (with Trevi and the Villa Adriana) etc.

Oh, I can't wait to get back.[/QUOTE]
Two questions please Steve. 1. The address of Uno Piu? 2. Which number of Italy magazine mentioned Bomarzo, page number aswell maybe
Thanks alot both these things are of useful interest.

[QUOTE=DavidandLinda]Two questions please Steve. 1. The address of Uno Piu? 2. Which number of Italy magazine mentioned Bomarzo, page number aswell maybe
Thanks alot both these things are of useful interest.[/QUOTE]

1. Address near Viterbo for Uno Piu

[url]http://www.unopiu.it/esposizioni.asp?nazione=1&citta=15[/url]

There are links to the on-line catalogue from that page.

2. Sorry I can't remember the edition of the magazine, it was published slightly before September 2003, because I went to the park after reading the article. And all the photos are timestamped 9/9/03 My, how time flies.

More details here

[url]http://www.bomarzo.net/[/url]

[QUOTE=DavidandLinda]As suggested in a previous reply, come a little further south to the Lago di Bolsena and Lago di Vico. Viterbo, Tarquinia etc. Beautiful unspoilt undiscovered to a large extent and certainly cheaper than Trasimeno![/QUOTE]

Sudden decision to visit the lakes North of Rome tomorrow so primarily this message is for David and Linda but anyone with any tips for things to see /places to have lunch (particularly overlooking a lake) would be much appreciated. Bolsena is too far but anything round Lago di Vico or Bracciano at a push Viterbo

cheers
Fiona

[QUOTE=Jane Keightley]My love affair with Italy started 5 years ago when I won a competition to spend 2 weeks in Florence studying art history at the British Institute. Since then I have been back to Tuscany every year and would dearly love to live there. Slight problem however is that although my husband enjoys his holidays he really would not want to live there.Also my Italian is still not brilliant but I am working on it.[/QUOTE]

Hi Jane, Welcome!!! Is that competition still being held and of so who do I contact??? Cheers!!!

Hi Turtle,

It was wonderful to win that competition and it has changed my life!! I shall always be grateful to Woman and Home magazine for giving me that opportunity - they were great and I got an article about it in the magazine as well!! Jane

hi my first time here ! buying a house in pontremoli massa carara in september2006
hope to speak to like minded people.will watch this space.
could do with some help on getting a scooter or motorbike to poss rent or maybe to buy one in this area.
ciao 4 now

[QUOTE=rudolph]hi my first time here ! buying a house in pontremoli massa carara in september2006
hope to speak to like minded people.will watch this space.
could do with some help on getting a scooter or motorbike to poss rent or maybe to buy one in this area.
ciao 4 now[/QUOTE]

Hi Rudolh, Best to start a new thread for your questions.

When you arrive in massa carara you must also visit Lucca and Porto Venere........and bring a very healthy apetite!

For the motorbike thing. Italians with a licence before 1986 can ride any motorbike they like. Without this its a 125cc until you have passed your test. But check with the Embassy to see what rules apply to expats.