alan h's activity

You don’t say where you are flying from, but assuming the UKWhy not fly to Nice and start from there?  Also – do you really need a car?  You could use trains for much of the trip – and they are much cheaper than in the UK.  For train times, I use http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?newrequest=yes&protocol=http:&NICE - Spend a couple of days there – or more if you want to do Cannes and Antibes.  All can be visited by train, and it goes along the coast, giving great views.  Little need for a carThen catch a train to Levanto [or similar] from Nice – a great days sightseeing on the train. A pleasant day trip along the Ligurian Riviera, before going inland a bit.The Cinque Terre is best ‘done’ by a combination of the local trains and walking the coastal path.  Road access is ‘limited’.  There are 3 paths, the coastal one which is flat [and crowded with Americans “doing the 5 Cities”], a middle one, not too steep, less crowded, and reasonably easy to walk, and the upper path – steep in places, but empty of people, and with great views out to sea .[Once had a week’s walking holiday in the area – marvellous!]Then by train [again] to Naples, and on by local train to Sorrento [total about 7 hrs].  We stayed at Hotel Il Nido, just outside of Sorrento - http://www.hotelilnido.it/index-en.php  Lovely place and great views – try his home made Limoncello!!!!  When we were there [a few years ago now] the owner ran a minibus service for residents, so they could go to/from Sorrento free of charge.The Amalfi coast is well served by buses, and you can also walk the ‘Pathway of the Gods’, an old mule track on the top of the cliffs [hard work getting up to, and down from, it.]  I wouldn’t drive the coast road – you’ll be too busy watching the road and other drivers to appreciate the scenery.  A day trip to Capri is worth it – the pathway around the island is well worth doing That’s probably the best part of 2-3 weeks of your holiday sorted.  Then Naples to Florence is just over 2 hours by train – a car there would be a pain o park etc etc, but you could hire one to explore the countryside thereThen back to Nice by train

For Milan - this may assisthttp://www.cntraveller.com/guides/europe/italy/milan/where-to-shop[Furniture is towards the bottom of page] Also - http://interiordesignshop.net/furniture-shops/top-furniture-and-lighting-stores-in-milan/

Well .........................................................Do you mean 'autonomo' rather than 'autonimo'?If you do, it means an independent CH system, i.e. you control it

Well ........................................Remember that US electrical appliances run on 110V at 60Hz, and European Voltage is 230V at 50Hz - so electrical appliances don't readily 'transfer' to Europe from the USAlso - remember to get European chargers for phones etc as soon as you arrive [if not on-line before] - so you don't find yourself isolated due to flat batteries. 

Well ....................... "................... The English owner has assured us that this man has no rights over the land ..................."Get him to confirm via a lawyer that this is correct - otherwise you could be in trouble later

Well ................................................. The answer is probably Yes.  But it probably varies from Comune to ComuneIf the staircase is out of sight from the road/neighbours, you could probably do it yourself, [but this could create problems when it comes to selling the property in the future]I'd use a local builder and geometra, as they will know how to 'manage the Comune'. Keep the locals happy and most problems disapper

Careful - You Cannot Transfer Car Tax Sally posted;-

• "Car Details: 2006, UK registered, .......... Will have 6months UK tax, .........

Under the new rules, following the ending of Tax Discs, it is no longer possible to sell a car 'with car tax'.  Re-registering the car automatically cancels the Car Tax and a refund is given to the 'seller'. The new owner must pay the DVLA for a new Car Taxsee;-   https://www.gov.uk/notifying-dvla-if-you-sell-your-vehicle 

Talk to a local [and I stress 'local'] Geometra. He will advise on;-

• what can be done
• What the local Comune will, and [more importantly] will not permit 
• what approximate costs will be - so you can decide whether its worth doing - I'd add 20% - 30% for contingencies
• how long it will take to do the work [I'd add 20% for Italian timescales] - NOTE - you will be restricted on what you can do yourselves, as most work will require certiification by a 'competent person', i.e certificated tradesmen such as builders, plumbers, electricians etc etc.

Personally, I'd think long and hard about 'doing up' a place, especially one without water and electric.Now the Euro is weak against the pound, I'd look at something more 'habitable, and make an offer about 30% below asking price  [it worked for me] Good Luck

Well ...................................... Don't know what one would cost, but remember that you cannot buy a car until you are registered as a 'Resident'

Well .................................This may help - http://www.skyeurope.tv/sky-subscription-italy