casa del campanile's activity

Questions Asked

Anyone have any familiarity with the innards of an Italian toilet, as in how to stop a tiny leak after the tank has filled. Have cleaned around the bottom flange, however cannot see how to remove the rubber flange and replace with a new one?

Sat, 07/06/2013 - 14:40

We have recently encountered some difficulty in making contact with SKY.IT.Their website only allows us to reach a point where we can actually describe our problem and then just goes to sleep.

Sat, 06/15/2013 - 16:22

Since most of the language "spoken" on this forum has a definitive accent, thought this research report from Boston, an area of the USA that also speaks with a discernible accent, would be appropriate.

Sun, 05/05/2013 - 15:40

Anyone know if the SKY TV UK FTA is still at 28.2E. Also, the direction for SKY.IT satellite.Thanks,

Sun, 04/21/2013 - 18:30

While harvesting grapes wife was bitten/stung on the arm by an unknown insect. Actually nipped  a bit of flesh away.

Thu, 09/30/2010 - 16:40

We send a fair amount of mail to the US from two different post offices here in Lunigiana. In the past three months, three letters to the US containing checks have not arrived. One of our neighbors has had a similar experience mailing to GB.

Tue, 09/28/2010 - 20:07

Seeking advice regarding building a garage; build from bottom up, buy a prefab, wooden or metal or??? Thanks, Fred

Mon, 06/21/2010 - 16:42

We have a very small vineyard and produce wine for our own consumption. We would like to improve our wine by introducing some cabernet into the mix. Does anyone know where one might obtain some cabernet vines, either dry root or in containers.

Thu, 04/22/2010 - 15:20

We have acquaintences, two couples, wishing to attend an Italian cooking school, preferably in the general Tuscany area. Any suggestions, recommendations welcome. Thanks, Fred

Thu, 04/08/2010 - 16:03

It has been suggested that perhaps some directions would be helpful, DUH!Varano is about 10 minutes beyond Licciana Nardi on the road to Tavernelle. There is a parking area just below the church.

Fri, 09/04/2009 - 17:22

Comments posted

Fri, 06/17/2016 - 04:18

Sheri, for Non-EU citizens check out http://www.renault-eurodrive.com/en/  for car lease up to six months.Also, be advised we (US citizens) are limited to 90 day stays in the EU without getting a three month extension from an EU Consulate in the US. After 90 days we are required to exit the EU for 90 days before returning. You can apply for residency if it suits your aims and want to stay at least 183 days at a time.Fred

Fri, 03/25/2016 - 22:13

As we have answered similar inquiries, we offer this:As a non-EU citizen you are restricted to 90 day stays in the EU unless you get an extension from the Italian Consulate in the US for an additional 90 days. The regulation is that after a 90 day stay in the EU you must leave the EU for a period of at least 90 days before you can return. Past enforcement in various countries has been relatively lax, however, given the increase in terrorism in Europe, would expect a tightening in enforcement. If you plan to have longer stays in Italy you can apply for a form of residency. A number of non-EU folks on this Forum have opted for this process and can give you more precise information.There are several “flight paths” from the US to Pisa via Munich, Paris,  Rome, or London via various carriers. We travel annually from LAX to Pisa via Munich.You might have a look at Fivizzano and environs in Lunigiana. It is 30-40 minutes from the autostrada at Aulla on a well maintained “highway.”  About 1.5 hour drive from Pisa airport. It is a fortress city, historical, good medical facilities including a hospital, etc., a train depot in another village a few miles away, good bus service, a number of restaurants, bars, including Elvetica which hosts the English book library, Oxfam English library and store, active Expat community, small “supermarket,” gas station, a pharmacy, bank, and a number of small shops. An ideal location for someone who wants to be out of the tourist traffic, yet not too far from "civilization."  Had we been able to find a suitable property when we were looking, we would have bought in Fivizzano. They also have an extensive market in the square every Tuesday, I think.  There is a wide range of properties; from city apts. to town houses, to detached houses with small land areas just outside town, and some estate type properties with vineyards, boscos, etc. in the general area.  Check out properties at Lunigiana2000.comIt is just below the mountain range that has a fairly good ski resort. Not sure of winter snowfall ,in town, if any, or temps. Maybe someone from there might weigh in on that subject.Good luck,Fred 

Thu, 12/24/2015 - 20:58

Here is a start for you. Good luck. http://www.italiancitizenshipforamericans.com/https://www.myitalianfamily.com/italian-citizenship/learn-if-you-qualifyhttp://www.conslosangeles.esteri.it/Consolato_LosAngeles/en/http://www.conslosangeles.esteri.it/consolato_losangeles/en/i_servizi/per-i-cittadini/cittadinanza

Thu, 08/13/2015 - 07:30

Thanks again for your responses. The site you referred to was actually a website (Sea Ranch Village.com) I managed from 1996 and the ad for the Austrian condo was our vacation residence before we came to Italy in 2005. It can be a jungle online; one has to be alert all the time.

Thu, 08/13/2015 - 05:59

Thanks for the response. One tip received from another forum was to not use the @ symbol when "publishing" one's e-mail address which BOTs will ignore?? Have had the same address for almost 20 years with annual password changes, however was advised hacking occurs in spite of passwords by getting into the server's "innards" and getting all the info they want.Thanks again for your input,Fred

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 03:43

AngelaS,check out "Shipside" in Amsterdam. Fred

Tue, 04/28/2015 - 13:37

Chris, safety first, use a notaio. There is a procedure whereby registered farmers adjoining  ag land, have a "right of first refusal" that can be initiated up to one year from your purchase, so should that situation exist, you would want to secure waivers of rights from any such possible claimants.We encountered such a situation several years ago where the adjoining "farmer" would not execute a waiver so we could make a clean purchase of the property. Research developed that the adjoining "farmer," was not properly registered as such so we were able to complete the purchase unimpeded.Believe there are a few forum participants who have experienced this in a negative way who might want to "chime in."

Wed, 01/07/2015 - 00:31

If you haven't already try: https://www.homeexchange.com/en/

Sun, 11/09/2014 - 12:43

Seems to be standard practice;Had another “experience” with Hertz in Pisa. Returning a one day rental went through the scratch search routine and the “scrounger” found a “discrepancy” under the front of the car. We went into the office and scoured their computer pix of the car and found that the “discrepancy” was pre-existent, however not noted on their form. Returning to the US, spoke with a relative new-hire with Hertz who told me that “agents are paid minimum wage and are encouraged to earn bonuses by finding “discrepancies” on returned rentals. He actually said he felt uncomfortable with the training from his manager and personally felt it bordered on the unethical. Seems to be an unavoidable situation and the advice given previously about taking your own pix is probably the best defense. 

Tue, 11/04/2014 - 13:51

Would recommend consulting legal advice. Check out an annual lease that automatically expires unless you agree to extend it for another year. Technically, agricultural land cannot have dwellings erected, however "temporary" farm related buildings can be built in some circumstances. This may not be favorable to you.Fred