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.
Your plastic Tessera Sanitaria is also the EHIC card so you need to carry that with you as proof that you are covered under the Italian system and therefore under the reciprocal European system. As Ram has said, it only covers you for A&E treatment under the same terms as any national of the EU country you are visiting so you do need to take out a travel insurance policy as well to cover any additional expenses not included ie some medication costs may not be covered, ambulances etc etc. So in essence, exactly the same as if you were still in UK.
We also had a rat/s in the shed - and the amount of damage it did was incredible! It nibbled and ruined anything and everything including golf balls, fireworks and candles! We used the blocks of wax impregnated with poison and they worked a treat - and as they were only used inside the shed, no danger of neighbours cats having a nibble too. You do need to get rid of them quickly - a neighbour had one, turned out it had a 'friend' so pretty soon the one became hundreds and a professional 'rat hit man' had to be summoned. The wax blocks were readily available in all the farm supply shops along with many other methods.
We had a Banco Posta account - very easy to operate both in branch and online. One advantage is that branches are open on Sat am, unlike other banks, but dependng upon where you are, may not be open after 1300 which could be a disadvantage to some. Check whether there is an ATM at your local branch. Makes life so much easier if there is one. As for broadband, it very much depends upon where you are. We had to use Telecom Italia as there was no viable option, but in other areas, especially cities, you are spoilt for choice. I would ask around once there and see which company is recommended locally. Good luck with the move, exciting times ahead! Just remember to pack lots of patience - three weeks to deal with Italian bureaucracy may seem a generous amount of time but don't be surprised if even the simple things take longer!
I have never used a ticket agency to buy R'air tickets but I do remember that a couple of years ago they were threatening not to honour any tickets not bought via their website - not sure how or if it was resolved. I would be concerned that if there was a problem ie flight cancellation you would fall between the two and end up with neither assisting. If flights are cancelled you can rebook/request a refund online so not sure how you would get on. Interesting though.
we were told if a structure had a concrete base ( ie a garden shed) it was permanent and for loggias if it had a solid roof it was regarded as permanent. I suppose that could be why you see some with sailcloth type coverings. However, as has been suggested, I suspect it varies from comune to comune and if you want to be legal you need to check locally for their own particular interpretation of the rules.
An Italian friend who had lived in US for many years, left a bar in N Italy leaving the receipt on the counter. GdF were outside and she was fined for not having the receipt with her - no idea whether the bar was fined but she, the custommer, certainly was.
Many thanks for the tip - will certainly keep a look out for the card. At £6 per person per flight, the 'admin' charges soon add up so am always keen to avoid wherever possible.
Here is a useful link to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport giving dates and timings for all proposed transport strikes. With just the 2 listed at present it is the shortest I have ever seen it! http://www.mit.gov.it/mit/site.php?p=scioperi
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Your plastic Tessera Sanitaria is also the EHIC card so you need to carry that with you as proof that you are covered under the Italian system and therefore under the reciprocal European system. As Ram has said, it only covers you for A&E treatment under the same terms as any national of the EU country you are visiting so you do need to take out a travel insurance policy as well to cover any additional expenses not included ie some medication costs may not be covered, ambulances etc etc. So in essence, exactly the same as if you were still in UK.
We also had a rat/s in the shed - and the amount of damage it did was incredible! It nibbled and ruined anything and everything including golf balls, fireworks and candles! We used the blocks of wax impregnated with poison and they worked a treat - and as they were only used inside the shed, no danger of neighbours cats having a nibble too. You do need to get rid of them quickly - a neighbour had one, turned out it had a 'friend' so pretty soon the one became hundreds and a professional 'rat hit man' had to be summoned. The wax blocks were readily available in all the farm supply shops along with many other methods.
We had a Banco Posta account - very easy to operate both in branch and online. One advantage is that branches are open on Sat am, unlike other banks, but dependng upon where you are, may not be open after 1300 which could be a disadvantage to some. Check whether there is an ATM at your local branch. Makes life so much easier if there is one. As for broadband, it very much depends upon where you are. We had to use Telecom Italia as there was no viable option, but in other areas, especially cities, you are spoilt for choice. I would ask around once there and see which company is recommended locally. Good luck with the move, exciting times ahead! Just remember to pack lots of patience - three weeks to deal with Italian bureaucracy may seem a generous amount of time but don't be surprised if even the simple things take longer!
see the article below, looks as if the new R'air prepaid card is not going to be as straightforward as they would have you beleive! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/borrowing/creditcards/8793353/Ryanair-prepaid-card-customers-face-hefty-fees.html Calculators out to see if it is worth it!
I have never used a ticket agency to buy R'air tickets but I do remember that a couple of years ago they were threatening not to honour any tickets not bought via their website - not sure how or if it was resolved. I would be concerned that if there was a problem ie flight cancellation you would fall between the two and end up with neither assisting. If flights are cancelled you can rebook/request a refund online so not sure how you would get on. Interesting though.
we were told if a structure had a concrete base ( ie a garden shed) it was permanent and for loggias if it had a solid roof it was regarded as permanent. I suppose that could be why you see some with sailcloth type coverings. However, as has been suggested, I suspect it varies from comune to comune and if you want to be legal you need to check locally for their own particular interpretation of the rules.
An Italian friend who had lived in US for many years, left a bar in N Italy leaving the receipt on the counter. GdF were outside and she was fined for not having the receipt with her - no idea whether the bar was fined but she, the custommer, certainly was.
Many thanks for the tip - will certainly keep a look out for the card. At £6 per person per flight, the 'admin' charges soon add up so am always keen to avoid wherever possible.
Here is a useful link to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport giving dates and timings for all proposed transport strikes. With just the 2 listed at present it is the shortest I have ever seen it! http://www.mit.gov.it/mit/site.php?p=scioperi
Fillide is correct - Ryanair have already cancelled flights so I imagine easyjet etc have done the same - http://www.ryanair.com/en/notices/gops/110905-trike_it-6sep-en-GB Good luck to anyone who had planned to use public transport today! At least some trains are guaranteed to run. PS: just checked, Easyjet have cancelled flights - http://easyjet.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3970