8963 Just to say hi ........

Hi Lillibet and welcome! Lunigiana is a beautiful region and there are quite a few members in that area. We are a bit further south. Anyway, I wish you all the best with your plans.

hi lillibet,
I have just joined today, and hope to use this forum as often as possible. I bought an apartment near lamezia Terme, and i'm trying to learn the language also.
Joan

Welcome from us two, too. We are full time in Puglia since December 2005

Hi Lillibet, welcome from another Lunigianese (is that the right term?). We live in London but get over to Italy several times a year. There are quite a few more of "us" on the forum. Maybe we will be able to meet up with you sometime.

Buongiorno Lillibet
Welcome! I too have just bought a little place, not far from Villafranca, in Bagnone. Once I have the water and the electricity sorted out I plan to spend as much time as I can out there! Yes, it is a beautiful, clean and safe area after the grime of London - I love it. I, also, am trying to get to grips with the lingo - finding it difficult especially when dealing with workmen and the Commune but everyone is very kind there.
Best wishes from
"Lila"

Hi LilIibet
I'm trying to learn italian, thru phrase books, conversation, and cd, "Italian for Dummies" is my latest challenge.
But the best I found, is an internet course called "before you know it" or BKYI. Its a bit boring because you have to repeat everything untill you get it right and then you have to write down sentences and cant progress any further till you get those correct too.
ps Its free too :)

Try it, its definitely worth the effort.

Joan

"...Its a bit boring because you have to repeat everything..."

That's the basic trick to learning languages. You have to keep doing it over and over until you can do it in your sleep. I'm not sure there's any more magic to it than that in the end.

Hi,
welcome to the region. We've lived 3 1/2 years on the Ligurian side of the Lunigiana, halfway between yourselves and your in-laws. My wife still finds the language difficult, but people are amazingly friendly and helpful. There has been a previous meeting of members in the area, so it may well happen again.

You have certainly picked a very beautiful part of Italy to make your second home. We brought a place near Pontremoli about a year ago and are currently getting it refurbished and like your house it has beautiful views over the mountains. I too am learning the lingo but I am very slow - languages are not one of my strengths! However, as everyone else has mentioned, the locals are very friendly and are very pleased that you are able to at least try out your Italian on them.

We are over there at Easter so if you want to meet up for a glass of vino let us know.

Hi Lillebet

We are in Lunigiana in the hills about Licciana. We too go over as often as we can - managed 4 weeks since Christmas and hopefully another 3 weeks in April. I have spent the afternoon with CDs I have borrowed from the library. Nobody where we are speaks English but I have got by so far but feel I must make the effort if for no aother reason than I miss chatting to people (other than the usual pleasantries). If it gets too hot for you in the summer down in the valley, you must come up into the hills and visit us.

hello Lillibet
I have just joined the site myself. it was recommended and I was very happy to read of folk in my area - Licciana, cos I hadn't come across any Brits here before! We are just down the road from you between Licciana Nardi and Aulla, and I agree it's a lovely area. We also go to Bordighera on occasion as my hubby to be is from there, and we are getting married in Seborga near by. As a second marriage for both of us, it necessitated a lot of officaldom, plus the added complication of marrying in another province. I must admit I've been very lazy with my italian as my othe half is half British and we spend the time mostly conversing in English, or watching the BBC as Italian t.v. isn't all that! But I'm now inspired to learn more Italian as I'd actually like to attempt to do some work of some sorts. Would be interested to know how you're all getting on with the language! Anyway we're all in a great place and I'm very happy to be here :)

[quote=Lillibet;84434][FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=black]Hello, I have very much enjoyed reading other members' accounts and tips regarding their Italian experiences. My husband and I have always dreamed of owning our own home in Italy, especially as my husband's parents are Italian. (They live in Massa together with two daughters and their families). It was just a matter of time really. Anyway, we found our perfect house in a little village next to Villafranca in Lunigiana. We absolutely love it. We have beautiful mountains to look at from the front of the house, and a vineyard in the garden. The wine from last year's vendemmia is great !:yes: We are not there all the time, but gradually spending more and more of our time in Italy. I am learning the language, and [U]desperate[/U] to speak fluently. I would be very interested to know if there are any other forum members in our neck of the woods ........... and what beautiful woods they are too ! [/COLOR][/FONT][/quote]

Not far from Massa and in Prov. di Spezia is our home.And a wonderful place it is!
Rosemary

[quote=Rosemary;86384]Not far from Massa and in Prov. di Spezia is our home.And a wonderful place it is!
Rosemary[/quote]

And us. After 4 years i manage to comminicate in Italian, Susan's still struggling. It doesn't help if you speak English at home all the time...

[quote=Heiko;86388]And us. After 4 years i manage to comminicate in Italian, Susan's still struggling. It doesn't help if you speak English at home all the time...[/quote]

It's natural to speak your native language amongst yourselves and within your home. I accept It can be a struggle learning the lingo and adapting to a different culture and I am glad I have my my brother and sister who live in Italy to keep me updated in situations that would have them scratching their heads many a time too!