The city of Lucca has always been my favourite. Not only because it is only 25 minutes away from our home and I go there at least two or three times a week, but also because you do not feel like a "tourist" there.
Gala Placidia's activity
Questions Asked
In this icy cold weather, hot drinks and comfort foods are a must. Preparing and consuming them are good ways to spend time when we cannot venture outdoors.
Wed, 02/08/2012 - 06:10
The cold weather is affecting most of Italy and creating difficulties concerning energy supplies. Russia, the most important supplier, has been reducing the provision of gas up to 30% due to increasing demand in their area.
Tue, 02/07/2012 - 02:22
The San Francisco Chronicle publishes today this most interesting article:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/
Sun, 02/05/2012 - 12:45
Whenever we are in Italy, we love to visit antique and vintage markets and fairs, looking for that special piece that we would love to have. Sometimes, we find it...
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 02:47
One of my favourite activities in Italy is to visit those markets that sell antique and vintage items.
Tue, 01/31/2012 - 06:38
Some members may have noticed that I have been fairly quiet for the past month and a half. The reason for this was that we have been visiting our daughters who live in San Francisco (CA).
Fri, 01/20/2012 - 02:59
The new Italian government has been announced and it is obvious that we will have a fight between technocrats and politicians.
Wed, 11/16/2011 - 14:24
A lot has been written about the dangers of overheating Teflon coated cookware. Toxic fumes can be extremely dangerous for our health. Personally, I have never liked that type of cookware and I do not buy it anymore.
Sat, 10/29/2011 - 06:24
In another thread, we were discussing Tuscan herbs and "funghi porcini". Tuscany is a paradise for herb lovers and many varieties, such as rosemary, sage and "nipitella" grow wild.
Thu, 10/27/2011 - 11:23
Comments posted
Toiletries are widely available at chemists, supermarkets and cosmetics shops. You will not have a problem, although Venice may not be the easiest place for shopping. It all depends on the area where you are.there is not such a thing as the equivalent of a drugstore in Italy.
Not an easy question, as July-August is peak season and prices are high. A good location on the Amalfi Coast is Praiano and there are a few hotels there. Also look at holiday apartments. Good luck!
Sorry to hear such a terrible story. Unfortunately, there seems to be quite a few cases like this in many families and in all countries. As the succession has not been contested and it has gone through, there seems to be little left to do to the 40% owners and between your brother and yourself you hold 60%. Having said that, it is obvious that a lot of things can be done by the 40% party to make your life miserable (which is exactly what they are doing). Going to the practical side, any party who is owed monies (and this could include the Condominium, but also Council and other parties can force a sale to claim back due amounts (and since the monies left in your late mother's account are now gone, lots of debts will accumulate). After completing legal procedures, the property may be going to auction. Someone may buy it, the amount will go to pay debts and expenses and whatever is left will be proportionally distributed amongst the owners, including yourself. This may take some time, but meanwhile you will have this permanent burden upon you. Is it worth it? Is there any other way to reach an agreement? In any case, it seems obvious that the pro-indiviso cannot continue. If your brother and yourself are in agreement, it may be advisable to buy that 40%, which is causing all the problems. But you are going to need a lawyer. Perhaps you could sit down with your brother, discuss what can be done and see whether at least the two of you can work out a course of action which will free you from this situation. Perhaps if you both make an offer to the others, they may decide to sell.In any case, good luck and best wishes.
Not knowing the succession details, whether it has been contested or not and whether you all hold the title, it is impossible for anyone to give you any more advice. You will have to think at the real value of your share and whether it is worth the protracted dispute. These family affairs are really toxic. And you will not avoid using a solicitor because it is a highly complicated legal matter. Have the other heirs legally contested the will? It is all most unfortunate and a pity that your late mother signed this will. And the administrator of the Condominium is simply doing the right thing, your family dispute is not his concern. It is up to all of you to sort out your differences in a civilized manner. This type of problems cannot be solved in a forum. Not even a legal one.I can only wish you good luck... sorry!
I agree with robbiemarche, the Arezzo market is great. Another one to keep in mind is the Lucca one, on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of each month. Do a google search using the words "italy antique and vintage markets" and you will get quite a few. Some regions, such as Tuscany, have more than others. In Italy you will find plenty of Interior Design and Decor magazines of a very high quality, which should give you ideas and addresses. Here is a list with some of them http://www.made-in-italy.com/italian-design/magazines
As modicasa says, you can only be held responsible of your share in the expenses; however, because the condominium has given you the responsibility of chasing the other debtors (something you should not have accepted in view of the lack of communication amongst the heirs) my advice would be to write a letter to those heirs stating the current situation, how much is due by each one, instructions for payment and informing them that the Condominium is prepared to take legal action to recover the debt. Also ask them to state what they are prepared to do about it and give them only a couple of weeks to reply in writing. Send it certified mail with acknowledgement of receipt. Inform the Condominium of what you are doing (in writing) and once the deadline given has expired, send the Condominium all copies so that they may decide. Make sure that your share has been duly paid and acknowledged.You are going to need a lawyer to sort out what comes next. It is possible that some of the heirs will decide to sell, so you are going to have to decide about the future of the property with the remaining heirs (possibly buying their share after deducting expenses).A ¨´pro-indiviso´ is a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately it was used quite frequently in the past as a way to keep properties in the hands of the family. It does not work.Good luck!
Bellacasamia, you may be putting yourselves into a lot of trouble. I think that I would call a family meeting to clarify everything or you may be advancing monies in a project that meay become a nightmare. You need to have written documents stating what the other beneficiaries want to do and ALSO, you should not start paying for everything. At the meeting, you should draw a document clarifying the position of all potential heirs and also establishing a fund, to which EVERYONE who wishes to keep their share of the inheritance should contribute proportionally. Also, find out how much is the current value of the property (not the cadastral one) and which would be the costs associated with its restoration. Get THREE quotes, so there is no doubt. A house that has been uninhabited for such a long time may have roof and structural damage. It would be better to spend your money in a lawyer and some technical reports rather than doing all the work yourself and have all sorts of trouble at the end.Keep in mind that many "potential heirs" may decide to renounce to their rights once they see that they have to put money up front. But they have to renounce in writing.Good luck!
Moving furniture is expensive. I would only do it for valuable antique furniture or family heirlooms. Besides, your old furniture may not feel "right" in your new place. As it has been recommended, Mondo Convenienza has interesting offers on kitchens and furniture in general. Some of their solid wood items are very nice. Check their catalogue on www.mondoconvenienza.it We have purchased a few items from them and they have been great. They deliver and assemble. We had a problem with a bed because the mattress and base will not fit through the staircase (we have a 17th century home with uneven staircases). Well, they exchanged the 1.60 m mattress and base for two single 0.80 m and put it all together! So they are very helpful.There is also IKEA, where you can find some interesting things www.ikea.it and their beds are usually large.My advice is not to buy everything at the same shop. Buy some items and mix them with vintage and antique furniture and pieces that you may find at fairs or shops. Doing that, you avoid the "uniform" look. And certainly, it will all depend on the place you are buying....
Kim, I may suggest that renovating a property may not be the cheaper or most convenient solution. Renovating properties in Italy IS expensive and in the current market you may be able to find something habitable which may only require "cosmetic" work. My advice would be to keep away from homes which need major renovation. Also, look at the condition of the roof. Generally, that is the area where trouble starts....
I am a bit surprised, Kim, reading that you want something similar to what you are used to in Tuscany, but you are looking into other regions... Tuscany has two international airports at Pisa and Florence, and excellent services and communication facilities. Some 7 years ago and after a 2 year search, we bought a second home in Bagni di Lucca (LU) and we have not regretted it. Centrally located, we travel to many other places throughout Italy without any problems and within easy reach. We can go skiing to Abetone or to the seaside in an hour... Our children, who live in California, say that it was an excellent choice...In any case, good luck with your search and do not rush. It takes time to find the right place.