Thanks for the advice! The things that I saw, that the locals call pappataci, were tiny little transparent bugs that look like a mosquito but much, much smaller. I think those were the little buggers that were eating me alive......I hate bugs, especially biting buggers!!!!!!
I don't get the Marmite thing, why would that work? I am assuming that you eat it and not rub it all over,haha. Now I have to find Marmite in Montreal. I know if I ask around I am going to end-up with a huge pot, not spread (living in French Canada a marmite is a pot). I remember a friend was asking me about where she could find some for some Australian friends that were visiting and wanted it for breakfast. She eventually found it , I just have to find out where. Thanks for the advice, just thinking about those 160 bites all over my arms brings on a panic attack!
Thanks all for your advice! I will look for midge repellent. I had never heard of midges before having seen them in Italy. I probably was bitten by them in the Caribbean but never knew what they were. I guess our Canadian repellants work well enough on Canadian bugs but not so well on their Italian relatives.
I wonder if anyone would know if it is possible to suspend your car insurance in Italy . If we would only need to insure a car when we are using it in Italy, then buying vs. renting would certainly become more interesting.
Thank you! We have rented several times over the past 12 years and I always feel like it is a waste of money. Also, I never really feel secure and always feel that someone has their hand in my pocket, even if we are fully insured . We took my 80 year old uncle for a drive to his home town in Abruzzo and in so doing we went through a limited traffic zone(in and out). We knew what we were doing but my uncle has a handicap permit and we spoke with the traffic police and later sent a copy of his permit to the provincial prefect. Well, two months later we get a notice in the mail from the car rental company saying that an amount of 120 euros was charged to our credit card (the card that we used to rent the car and that they keep on file) and that we would receive a two traffic violations in the mail from the province for approx. 300euros(going into and coming out of a limited traffic zone). We contested the violation with the prefecture and we did not have to pay the violation since we could prove that we had faxed a copy of my uncle's permit and they could tell from the street camera that he was actually in the car but the rental car company still charged us the 120euros for administration fees (admin fees = giving the prefecture our information). Thank you for the information, we have a little homework to do!
Thank you for the information. We have access to a covered parking spot so hopefully that will do. It took me two years to get a carta d'identita' so who knows how long it will take to get all this figured out but it is always interesting. Thanks again!
Hello, I am an Italian-Canadian (dual citizenship, registered on the AIRE in Italy, with a carta d'identita' and paying IMU as prima casa). We recently purchased a home in southern Umbria (a dream come true) that we are currently using as a holiday home for now with the intention of of spending 6 months in Italy when we retire in five years time. We currentlly spend about eight weeks in Italy and we were wondering if if would be worth while to purchase a small used car to get around instead of renting. It is still not clear to me how much it would cost to own a car in Italy (taxes, registration and insurance)and although I read that insurance is expensive I find that to be a relative statement and doesn't really help me. I would apprecaite any light anyone can shed on this very complicated topic.
Comments posted
Thanks for the advice! The things that I saw, that the locals call pappataci, were tiny little transparent bugs that look like a mosquito but much, much smaller. I think those were the little buggers that were eating me alive......I hate bugs, especially biting buggers!!!!!!
Thanks for the advice!
I don't get the Marmite thing, why would that work? I am assuming that you eat it and not rub it all over,haha. Now I have to find Marmite in Montreal. I know if I ask around I am going to end-up with a huge pot, not spread (living in French Canada a marmite is a pot). I remember a friend was asking me about where she could find some for some Australian friends that were visiting and wanted it for breakfast. She eventually found it , I just have to find out where. Thanks for the advice, just thinking about those 160 bites all over my arms brings on a panic attack!
Thanks all for your advice! I will look for midge repellent. I had never heard of midges before having seen them in Italy. I probably was bitten by them in the Caribbean but never knew what they were. I guess our Canadian repellants work well enough on Canadian bugs but not so well on their Italian relatives.
Thank you, that helps a lot. I will look into it.
I wonder if anyone would know if it is possible to suspend your car insurance in Italy . If we would only need to insure a car when we are using it in Italy, then buying vs. renting would certainly become more interesting.
Thank you! We have rented several times over the past 12 years and I always feel like it is a waste of money. Also, I never really feel secure and always feel that someone has their hand in my pocket, even if we are fully insured . We took my 80 year old uncle for a drive to his home town in Abruzzo and in so doing we went through a limited traffic zone(in and out). We knew what we were doing but my uncle has a handicap permit and we spoke with the traffic police and later sent a copy of his permit to the provincial prefect. Well, two months later we get a notice in the mail from the car rental company saying that an amount of 120 euros was charged to our credit card (the card that we used to rent the car and that they keep on file) and that we would receive a two traffic violations in the mail from the province for approx. 300euros(going into and coming out of a limited traffic zone). We contested the violation with the prefecture and we did not have to pay the violation since we could prove that we had faxed a copy of my uncle's permit and they could tell from the street camera that he was actually in the car but the rental car company still charged us the 120euros for administration fees (admin fees = giving the prefecture our information). Thank you for the information, we have a little homework to do!
Thank you for the information. We have access to a covered parking spot so hopefully that will do. It took me two years to get a carta d'identita' so who knows how long it will take to get all this figured out but it is always interesting. Thanks again!
Thank you that helps. I didn't know about classic cars having a flat rate for bollo and insurance. I will see what I can find. Much appreciated!
Hello, I am an Italian-Canadian (dual citizenship, registered on the AIRE in Italy, with a carta d'identita' and paying IMU as prima casa). We recently purchased a home in southern Umbria (a dream come true) that we are currently using as a holiday home for now with the intention of of spending 6 months in Italy when we retire in five years time. We currentlly spend about eight weeks in Italy and we were wondering if if would be worth while to purchase a small used car to get around instead of renting. It is still not clear to me how much it would cost to own a car in Italy (taxes, registration and insurance)and although I read that insurance is expensive I find that to be a relative statement and doesn't really help me. I would apprecaite any light anyone can shed on this very complicated topic.