If like me, one of the few things you miss in Italy is a decent department store, in particular John Lewis, you may be interested to know that they now offer international delivery for £7-50.
Does anyone have a phone number for Telecom Italia that can be used from UK? We started trying to cancel our landline/ADSL contract with them last October - following their instructions to the letter.
After 10 years in Italy, the last 7 of which have been in Le Marche (Macerata province) for family reasons we now have to return to UK for at least a year.
We often used to come across porcupines (aka istrice) but unfortunately we saw more dead at the side of the road than alive. We saw them singly, in pairs and in groups of 3 or 4, presumably a family. On one occasion we startled a couple as they were crossing a road and their spines were instantly raised - neither made to charge, they both held their ground, but the transformation was incredible making them look twice the size, and you certainly got the impression they were not to be approached unless you wanted to end up like a pincushion! I think they do raid the veggy patch and I seem to remember someone on the forum had a problem with them making off with dogs' toys left in the garden! We were in Le Marche, how extensively they are to be found I don't know but they were certainly a regular feature of the childrens' Italian textbooks when in primary school.
There certainly are regional differences as to what is offered in the state Italian Health System, not sure this extends to medication but differences do exist. Each individual ASUR should be able to advise if your particular needs are covered. In all these discussions, it is also worth pointing out that even once you are entitled to treatment under the Italian state system you become entitled to receive the same treatment that an Italian would receive, it does not entitle you to receive a UK style treatment in Italy! It may seem obvious, but we have come across folk with pre-existing medical conditions who were covered for all their needs in the UK but who found that in Italy some aspects of their treatment were only covered privately. As they had registered with the Italian system, they were no longer eligible to receive treatment under the UK system, which needless to say caused them several headaches and much stress. So check before you make an ongoing committment! On a related issue, in the 'old' forum there was also a longish post which highlighted the difference between the 2 countries in the case of social/personal care needs if illness causes a loss of independance. Families are expected to take on the role of carer in Italy or to pay for private care- this could be a problem if you have no family around and/or limited income.
Maralyn, you mention Newcastle-Naples: according to the Newcastle Airport website you can fly from there to Naples with Airtours, Thomas Cook and Thomson. Although they are usually associated with package holidays it is often possible to book flight only with them so may be worth investigating. Good luck.
What about flying from Edinburgh? Depending on where you are it may be easier to head up there rather than an English airport. Ryanair have now got routes from Edinburgh to Rome, Bologna, Pisa and Turin.
Whilst not understanding the system may be a part of it, I do feel that an inability to speak the language is a far larger part. How can you possibly expect to understand what is going on around you if you can't speak Italian? Therefore these non Italian speakers often 'seek sanctuary' with an English or English speaking agent and make the, sometimes, erroneous assumption that just because someone speaks the same language and you can communicate then that 'agent' is 100% honest and above board. In addition, some of these agents advertise in reputable magazines and newspapers - there is another assumption that this again means that the agency is reputable. Word of mouth is the best and I'm sure that whilst not fool proof, any reputable agent would not mind providing evidence of satisfied clients. There is alot of information out there, perhaps too much, therefore many skim rather than absorb it making it easy for them to be misled and to come unstuck. As ever, buyer beware!
Our current policy is with ITALsure but as it is due to expire shortly we got a quote from INTAsure - the latter have quoted a cheaper premium, by about £50, but with greater coverage. Have never made a claim, so cannot comment further other than to say Italsure have been slow to respond, unlike Intasure.
Comments posted
We often used to come across porcupines (aka istrice) but unfortunately we saw more dead at the side of the road than alive. We saw them singly, in pairs and in groups of 3 or 4, presumably a family. On one occasion we startled a couple as they were crossing a road and their spines were instantly raised - neither made to charge, they both held their ground, but the transformation was incredible making them look twice the size, and you certainly got the impression they were not to be approached unless you wanted to end up like a pincushion! I think they do raid the veggy patch and I seem to remember someone on the forum had a problem with them making off with dogs' toys left in the garden! We were in Le Marche, how extensively they are to be found I don't know but they were certainly a regular feature of the childrens' Italian textbooks when in primary school.
There certainly are regional differences as to what is offered in the state Italian Health System, not sure this extends to medication but differences do exist. Each individual ASUR should be able to advise if your particular needs are covered. In all these discussions, it is also worth pointing out that even once you are entitled to treatment under the Italian state system you become entitled to receive the same treatment that an Italian would receive, it does not entitle you to receive a UK style treatment in Italy! It may seem obvious, but we have come across folk with pre-existing medical conditions who were covered for all their needs in the UK but who found that in Italy some aspects of their treatment were only covered privately. As they had registered with the Italian system, they were no longer eligible to receive treatment under the UK system, which needless to say caused them several headaches and much stress. So check before you make an ongoing committment! On a related issue, in the 'old' forum there was also a longish post which highlighted the difference between the 2 countries in the case of social/personal care needs if illness causes a loss of independance. Families are expected to take on the role of carer in Italy or to pay for private care- this could be a problem if you have no family around and/or limited income.
This book, available from Amazon might help:"Italy's Sibillini National Park: Walking and Trekking Guide" by Gillian Price http://www.amazon.co.uk/Italys-Sibillini-National-Park-Trekking/dp/185284535X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297877496&sr=8-1 I don't have a copy but it has been recommended.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_4022086 According to this link you should be able to renew it online, this licence then lasts a further 3 years. At this stage it is only if you need a 'special' licence to cover certain categories that you need a medical examination.
According to the Thomson site there is a weekly flight (maybe not ideal but perhaps better than nothing) on a Friday, Newcastle -Naples-Newcastle from 6 May to Oct 28. Unless they have changed their minds but not the online timetable! http://flights.thomson.co.uk/thomson/en-GB/timetable/findbyroute?departure=NCL&destination=NAP
Maralyn, you mention Newcastle-Naples: according to the Newcastle Airport website you can fly from there to Naples with Airtours, Thomas Cook and Thomson. Although they are usually associated with package holidays it is often possible to book flight only with them so may be worth investigating. Good luck.
What about flying from Edinburgh? Depending on where you are it may be easier to head up there rather than an English airport. Ryanair have now got routes from Edinburgh to Rome, Bologna, Pisa and Turin.
Italians traditionally put up their decorations on 8th December (Immacolata) which is also a public holiday.
Whilst not understanding the system may be a part of it, I do feel that an inability to speak the language is a far larger part. How can you possibly expect to understand what is going on around you if you can't speak Italian? Therefore these non Italian speakers often 'seek sanctuary' with an English or English speaking agent and make the, sometimes, erroneous assumption that just because someone speaks the same language and you can communicate then that 'agent' is 100% honest and above board. In addition, some of these agents advertise in reputable magazines and newspapers - there is another assumption that this again means that the agency is reputable. Word of mouth is the best and I'm sure that whilst not fool proof, any reputable agent would not mind providing evidence of satisfied clients. There is alot of information out there, perhaps too much, therefore many skim rather than absorb it making it easy for them to be misled and to come unstuck. As ever, buyer beware!
Our current policy is with ITALsure but as it is due to expire shortly we got a quote from INTAsure - the latter have quoted a cheaper premium, by about £50, but with greater coverage. Have never made a claim, so cannot comment further other than to say Italsure have been slow to respond, unlike Intasure.