Hi,
We are a family of 5 who love Italy and after several years visiting for a week at a time and trying to learn the language whilst there followed by study at home we've decided to take the plunge and move to sicily for 8 months by house-swapping with another family. Our kids will go to their kids' schools and vice-versa - all a bit scary but it will be an expereince for us all. Any advice on settling in, opening bank accounts, sending stuff eg clothing to last 8 months would be appreciated. Also we're not sure how to book our flights so far ahead - do we book return and try and change the dates later, once the timetables are out ? Anyone know how easy it is to get from Palermo to near Catania by taxi and what cost ?
Looking forward to hearing from anyone !
Buon Anno,
Jasmine
Category
Introduce Yourself - Piacere Conoscerti
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/01/2006 - 16:21
Hi
Firstly, fly to Catania it's much easier, and Easyjet will probably be flying again this year. Id book just one way. If you must fly to palermo hire an avis car one way to Catania airport, there's no extra charge for the one way hire and it will cost less than a taxi.
Bank account... for 8 months have you thought about opening a NAtionwide Flex account and taking your atm card with you instead? The withdrawals are free and you get business not tourist rate. Ive lived here for 3 years and would never be without my Flexaccount visa card, even though i have two Italian bank accounts. Dont open an account with Banca di Sicilia... they are terrible.
I use a courier to send stuff that exceeds baggage allowance, they are much cheaper adn more reliable usually. I found a good one in Kent (try international removals/couriers on Google) that charged 400 quid for 2 cubic metres of stuff (no weight problems).. and it took 5 days to arrive door to door. Unfortuantely for 8 months up a mountain you're going to need the full range of clothes... from swimming trunks to salopets, but if you're not fussy about labels its probably cheaper to buy in Italy, especially if you go to the Chinese clothes shops. hope this helps
Hi
Firstly, fly to Catania it's much easier, and Easyjet will probably be flying again this year. Id book just one way. If you must fly to palermo hire an avis car one way to Catania airport, there's no extra charge for the one way hire and it will cost less than a taxi.
Bank account... for 8 months have you thought about opening a NAtionwide Flex account and taking your atm card with you instead? The withdrawals are free and you get business not tourist rate. Ive lived here for 3 years and would never be without my Flexaccount visa card, even though i have two Italian bank accounts. Dont open an account with Banca di Sicilia... they are terrible.
I use a courier to send stuff that exceeds baggage allowance, they are much cheaper adn more reliable usually. I found a good one in Kent (try international removals/couriers on Google) that charged 400 quid for 2 cubic metres of stuff (no weight problems).. and it took 5 days to arrive door to door. Unfortuantely for 8 months up a mountain you're going to need the full range of clothes... from swimming trunks to salopets, but if you're not fussy about labels its probably cheaper to buy in Italy, especially if you go to the Chinese clothes shops. hope this helps