8804 (How Not to Buy) A Place In Italy

This week, I've taken a half-hour out from work around lunch time on a couple of occasions to watch the Channel 4 programme 'A Place In Italy'. I didn't see the original broadcasts, so I'm glad to catch these repeats.

I think. I have to say that some of the people involved are a bit irritating, and the obvious staging of some of the "situations" is annoying as well. Still, at least there's a good amount of footage of the locations in Italy.

If you haven't seen it, the programme is following a London couple intending to buy in Italy (first Le Marche and then Abruzzo); and a family who are planning to move from their failing hotel/restaurant in rural Le Marche to a better location near the coast with more business potential.

Actually, the biggest effect on me was from the commercials at the beginning and end. The programme has sponsorship from Bertolli olive spread, but the sight of an alfresco lunch gave me a real craving for bruschetta and pomodori con mozarella!

Category
Circolo di Conversazione

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 08:43

Obviously time to don the dark glasses and go into hibernation again! No, I'm not complaining but hell if I had realised I looked that bad, I would have spent longer in makeup. The programme is hysterical if you are not involved with it and our cleaning lady is exactly as she was portrayed. It was really good for business for us, so we haven't moved, still here and hanging on and really enjoying life in Le Marche.

You are right about some of the 'staged' situations, am will happily tell all in a private message. Have fun watching and let me know when its finished, so I can come out again.....

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 09:11

Aha! I'm glad it was a benefit to your business. I thought your place was gorgeous, and it was a real pity that you were thinking of giving it up.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 10:17

All that you see, may not necessarily be true, and 1.4 million viewers every day for 10 days -who would turn that down???

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 10:22

By any chance do you know if this series is to be repeated??? I knew about the programmes but still managed to miss them.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 10:30

Just call up Tiger Aspect and they should be able to tell you. Its already been on in Australia, the US, Netherlands and constantly on discovery channels on sky, so there is a good chance, we always know when its on and where as we get a batch of emails asking if we are still here, which of course we are. Hope this helps

warm regards

Pam

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/16/2008 - 11:52

They've just finished showing this series on HGTV here in Canada, but one thing puzzles me. How many episodes are there in fact? Over here it ended rather abruptly after 10 episodes. I gather there's between 5 and 8 more?
For example Pam, you and your family were considering a restaurant business in Ancona when the series finished here. I guess you didn't buy it in the end then?
If there are more episodes, it would be great if someone could fill me in on what happened to everyone :winki:

Gerry

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/17/2008 - 13:25

Hi Gerry, there were only 10 episodes for the Italy story. However A Place in France, Spain and I think Greece (Crete) were taken on to a second series. Not sure why the Italian one didn't continue, maybe not enough dramas!!

We are still here, and enjoying life at Villa Sibillini - check out web site for updated photos and info of what we have been up to. Maybe Tiger Aspect will do something - you never know!

Our colourful cleaning lady, Sheryl is also still here, although just recently changed her car - going from the flintstones Ape to one that looks more like Postman Pat's.

Hope its kept you amused.....

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/17/2008 - 13:55

[quote=villa sibillini;82773]if I had realised I looked that bad, I would have spent longer in makeup. .[/quote]

Hi David.

Don't worry about the make-up buddy, I hope you can now cook an omellette..:laughs:

#1

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/18/2008 - 12:24

It's me Pam that needs the make up and I can cook an omelette!!! David has now perfected the art, and gone on to other more complicated dishes. Lucky for me as I have to taste everything!! Come to think of it, maybe a strict diet would be of more use than make-up just in case the film crew come again.....

Check out our menu on the web site, worryingly there's still a lot of dishes involving eggs. Incidentally where are you numero uno, you could always come over for lunch to see for yourself if David's technique has improved.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/18/2008 - 13:23

[quote=villa sibillini;82994]It's me Pam that needs the make up and I can cook an omelette!!! David has now perfected the art, and gone on to other more complicated dishes. Lucky for me as I have to taste everything!! Come to think of it, maybe a strict diet would be of more use than make-up just in case the film crew come again.....

Check out our menu on the web site, worryingly there's still a lot of dishes involving eggs. Incidentally where are you numero uno, you could always come over for lunch to see for yourself if David's technique has improved.[/quote]

Hi Pam.

You have to taste David's culnary experiments? :eek:.....only joking.

We are in Loreto Aprutino, haven't made the full move yet. We'll try to come over next time, time permitting. You know how it is, the geometra, the builders, the plumbers, need I say any more?

BTW, did Paul and Rima buy the ruin in the end or not?

#1

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/18/2008 - 14:48

Thanks for the update Pam:smile: I hate that it ended without tying up the loose ends.....

...did Paul and Rima end up with 2 properties?
...did that other English guy buy the old farmhouse?

So glad to hear that Cheryl stayed with you guys and got a real car :laughs:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/18/2008 - 16:16

[QUOTE=villa sibillini;82932].........Place in France, Spain and I think Greece (Crete) were taken on to a second series. Not sure why the Italian one didn't continue, maybe not enough dramas!!........QUOTE]

Place in Greece [Part 2] is on Channel 4 this week

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 12:40

Who really knows, but in the series Paul and Rima's budget came down dramatically to 30 thousand euro for a ruin in Abruzzo!! lucky Abruzzo.

Pete didn't buy the farmhouse but still has his place in San Ginesio and we prefer to leave omellete off the menu!!

As for the place in Greece (crete) we have some great Irish guests that have bought here, who also have a place close to the guys who feature in the crete programme, so we have all the dirt on that as well - not very interesting though.

We are trying to persuade Sheryl to write a book about her adventures (misadventures it should be) and exploits - it would be hysterical!

Look forward to welcoming any forum member who would like to try our restaurant with 5% discount.....

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/08/2008 - 03:55

Pam, It must be quite frustrating for you every time the subject of your supposed move to the coast due to a failed business comes up! So well done for turning around the poetic licence of the TV series to your advantage. For once I think you really are a TV success story and not a flop!