My Italian Ex-Pat adventure is ***Officially*** in progress 2025-2026 edition! (3 Viewers)

[Chemical X]

offer signed! waiting on my €1.000 deposit.

 

[Chemical X]

so, i just did my next long term lease, which will start end of June. i moved over to a renault clio and knocked 1200$ off the price we were paying for the citroen c4. using auto-tt.

 

[The Z Machine]

I've been mostly happy with the 2014 VW Touran we purchased. Gas is pricey but it gets decent mpg. We have gotten 4 speeding tickets in 8 months here...

 

[Navin Johnson]

I've been mostly happy with the 2014 VW Touran we purchased. Gas is pricey but it gets decent mpg. We have gotten 4 speeding tickets in 8 months here...

Waze is great here. Enough users to identify virtually all of the speed cameras

 

[Navin Johnson]

Are you guys able to watch American television?

 

[Ilov80s]

some things i’ve learned;

-car vs pedestrian, car always has right of way. they will never stop or yield.
-when you drive, look once, twice and three times. then recheck. italians do not yield!! if you are backing out of a spot, they will not stop, just merely try to go behind you while you are moving.
-do not leave belongings in vehicles. if you rent a car from the airport, do not stop along the way for food or leave the car unattended. thieves are becoming more prevalent.
-do not pay extra for a hotel breakfast. if it’s included, that’s one thing. worst thing to do is have a hotel breakfast. breakfast is one the most culturally interesting things here and in europe. so diverse from the states. i say this because you can walk outside any hotel and find a bar with coffee and croissants and pastries for €5 total. but the sounds and energy remain fascinating.

If this is Europe then Switzerland isn't in Europe. People slam on their brakes for pedestrians (in crosswalks), bagels and Starbucks beans can be had, and petty theft is pretty rare. I left skis, boots, snowboard, etc in my car overnight in a private, uncovered and easily accessible lot. But 5€ for any meal is unheard of. A cortado will run 5€ pretty easily in most cafes.

Italian culture, driving, etc. is very diferent from Swiss or German despite their proximity. Basel traffic was extremely respectful of walkers and crosswalks and I saw a lot of people not even locking up their bikes. It was very safe and clean. Walking around in Rome you needed to be super cognizant of traffic because it was a jungle on those roads.

Cologne, Germany I had to laugh. My wife and I were out and about early Sunday monring, there was hardly a soul around. We would go a block or two without seeing another person or a car. Yet when we did see a German pedestrian and the street sign said do not walk, they did not walk. They stopped and waited for the green light despite there not being a single car on the road. We waited too because it seemed like what the locals did. Then when on the other side of the Rhine in France, people didn't give a **** about the walk/don't walk sign and just walked like they owned the streets. We hired a brief little personal tour guide around Strasbourgand and when we told him, he laughed and said they hear stories about German police hiding in bushes to give tickets to walkers who don't follow the law.

 

[Orange&Blue]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

We (2 kids, wife and I) leave a week from today for 2 nights in Milan, 4 nights in Venice, 4 nights in Rome. I’ve never been less prepared for an international trip. Will be back to this thread in the morning.

 

[Chemical X]

Are you guys able to watch American television?

yes. i use YTTV and nord vpn. Was a bit tricky with the sign up at first, but i have no issues now. it’s a god send. i set it up to think i live in NYC and i get NYC local channels, so during football sadly i get to watch all the NYJ games for free.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Daughter and boyfriend are headed to Italy in June. I’m excited for them.

 

[Chemical X]

We (2 kids, wife and I) leave a week from today for 2 nights in Milan, 4 nights in Venice, 4 nights in Rome. I’ve never been less prepared for an international trip. Will be back to this thread in the morning.

i’d like to see the itinerary. that way i can avoid you and put on my canadian hat.

 

[Chemical X]

Daughter and boyfriend are headed to Italy in June. I’m excited for them.

tourists galore all over already. jubilee and an ailing pope make people itchy to visit.

rome hotels are getting crazy expensive and they are not even full service. nights starting at €300 already.

speaking of which, my usuals priced me out in may and we are trying the Hotel Cecil. great location and “reasonably” priced. i will report back.

 

[Chemical X]

We (2 kids, wife and I) leave a week from today for 2 nights in Milan, 4 nights in Venice, 4 nights in Rome. I’ve never been less prepared for an international trip. Will be back to this thread in the morning.

the weather is starting change here in Umbria. we’ve had mid 60s during the day and we just our clocks ahead, so it’s light until around 7.30p now. us and some friends are hitting rome early may for caravaggio exhibit and we are doing a golf cart tour of rome for kicks.

i highly recommend you check out katie parla’s culinary guide at her website. totally free and guaranteed to add an american 10lbs to your waist!

Culinary City Guides | Katie Parla

Travel with Katie! Her culinary guides are based on personal experience eating and drinking her way across the globe.

katieparla.com

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Daughter and boyfriend are headed to Italy in June. I’m excited for them.

tourists galore all over already. jubilee and an ailing pope make people itchy to visit.

rome hotels are getting crazy expensive and they are not even full service. nights starting at €300 already.

speaking of which, my usuals priced me out in may and we are trying the Hotel Cecil. great location and “reasonably” priced. i will report back.

I’ll keep you in the loop. They’re coming right at the beginning of June. Doing Rome first and then heading south. Boyfriend has an aunt in Sicily.

 

[Chemical X]

if any of you guys go beer, i highly recommend Ichnusa, Non Filtrata. From Sardinia. It’s sold all over, especially in the pizzerias.

 

[Chemical X]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i have a few, but i’m taking a pausa caffè adesso. give me a few.

 

[The Z Machine]

Things are going ok for us here in Geneva although the craziness of the international ngo and aid situation is taking its toll on lots of people. My wife is funded at WHO through the end of 2026 and honestly I have no desire to move back to the US as it stands.

My company's stock price is at a 12 year low, as we are pretty affected by tariffs. I hope that doesn't trickle down to layoffs as I'm vulnerable being remote like this. In other news we sent over $20k to the IRS for our tax bill. Hopefully the UN repays us soon...

We are meeting another family in Istanbul the week after Easter. That's during the kids' 2 week spring break. Never been so I'm looking forward to eating and seeing the sights and maybe taking in a Superlig game.

Weather has warmed up consider this week. Nearly 70F and sunshine. The fall and winter are pretty cloudy so I can see how some people get seasonal depression.

We finalized our summer travel schedule. I'll be in the US for 2 weeks and my wife and kids for 4. Kids will go to sleep away camp for 2 weeks. We'll all spend 5 or 6 days at my brother's beach house in OCNJ. Then back to GVA for August. Some friends from Austin will visit us for 5 days.

So lots of travel and fun to be had in the next 4 months. My kids are getting much better in French and while they don't speak much, they absolutely understand like 3x what I do. Assuming we stay for 3 more years minimum, they'll be good enough in Frenxch to hold conversations in 3 languages. I don't think they'll learn any significant amount of German, but that's not a super helpful language worldwide. Better to learn Mandarin it seems...

 

[The Z Machine]

And now I'm going to go for a 2 hour bike ride.

 

[Chemical X]

And now I'm going to go for a 2 hour bike ride.

make sure you put on the full bike guy outfit. maybe we can sponsor you…..

 

[The Z Machine]

Oh I go spandex and all when I ride. Even for a 45 min ride.

 

[Navin Johnson]

We finalized our summer travel schedule. I'll be in the US for 2 weeks and my wife and kids for 4. Kids will go to sleep away camp for 2 weeks. We'll all spend 5 or 6 days at my brother's beach house in OCNJ. Then back to GVA for August. Some friends from Austin will visit us for 5 days.

We'll going back for three weeks this summer. Going to be deleting all non necessary apps from our phones when we go thru customs

 

[Beef Ravioli Part 2]

We finalized our summer travel schedule. I'll be in the US for 2 weeks and my wife and kids for 4. Kids will go to sleep away camp for 2 weeks. We'll all spend 5 or 6 days at my brother's beach house in OCNJ. Then back to GVA for August. Some friends from Austin will visit us for 5 days.

We'll going back for three weeks this summer. Going to be deleting all non necessary apps from our phones when we go thru customs

What is the concern about the phone apps and customs?

 

[The Z Machine]

We finalized our summer travel schedule. I'll be in the US for 2 weeks and my wife and kids for 4. Kids will go to sleep away camp for 2 weeks. We'll all spend 5 or 6 days at my brother's beach house in OCNJ. Then back to GVA for August. Some friends from Austin will visit us for 5 days.

We'll going back for three weeks this summer. Going to be deleting all non necessary apps from our phones when we go thru customs

ICE has the right to search your phone and social media and can deny your entrance to the USA if you are a visa holder and possibly GC too. I am considering it even as a citizen and global entry holder.

 

[The Z Machine]

Oh I go spandex and all when I ride. Even for a 45 min ride.

Ride fail. Lost one of my Bluetooth ear buds. I only put them in when outside the city, and when I went to get them out of my shirt pocket, only one was there. Pretty pissed at myself.

 

[The Z Machine]

Spent 45 mins riding very slowly, retracing my path and trying to get my phone to connect. No luck.

 

[gianmarco]

Well, my son is going to be starting at a business school in Barcelona this fall for the next 3 years (and likely plans to stay in Europe beyond).

Trying to find a place to live and start the student visa process sucks. Will also need to look into health insurance.

Hoping we can do all of it from here but perhaps a trip over might be needed.

 

[Chemical X]

definition of slow rolling

 

[The Z Machine]

definition of slow rolling

It was terrible. I would have walked but walking in road cycling shoes is worse than riding very slowly one handed while the other keeps hitting "Connect" on the phone's bluetooth.

 

[Orange&Blue]

Well, my son is going to be starting at a business school in Barcelona this fall for the next 3 years (and likely plans to stay in Europe beyond).

Trying to find a place to live and start the student visa process sucks. Will also need to look into health insurance.

Hoping we can do all of it from here but perhaps a trip over might be needed.

does he speak spanish?

 

[Orange&Blue]

Things are going ok for us here in Geneva although the craziness of the international ngo and aid situation is taking its toll on lots of people. My wife is funded at WHO through the end of 2026 and honestly I have no desire to move back to the US as it stands.

My company's stock price is at a 12 year low, as we are pretty affected by tariffs. I hope that doesn't trickle down to layoffs as I'm vulnerable being remote like this. In other news we sent over $20k to the IRS for our tax bill. Hopefully the UN repays us soon...

We are meeting another family in Istanbul the week after Easter. That's during the kids' 2 week spring break. Never been so I'm looking forward to eating and seeing the sights and maybe taking in a Superlig game.

Weather has warmed up consider this week. Nearly 70F and sunshine. The fall and winter are pretty cloudy so I can see how some people get seasonal depression.

We finalized our summer travel schedule. I'll be in the US for 2 weeks and my wife and kids for 4. Kids will go to sleep away camp for 2 weeks. We'll all spend 5 or 6 days at my brother's beach house in OCNJ. Then back to GVA for August. Some friends from Austin will visit us for 5 days.

So lots of travel and fun to be had in the next 4 months. My kids are getting much better in French and while they don't speak much, they absolutely understand like 3x what I do. Assuming we stay for 3 more years minimum, they'll be good enough in Frenxch to hold conversations in 3 languages. I don't think they'll learn any significant amount of German, but that's not a super helpful language worldwide. Better to learn Mandarin it seems...

it's been 20 years, man time flies, but wife and i spent 4 days in the historic Istanbul area. it still ranks as my top 1 or 2 cities and I've traveled a fair amount. I'm a architecture and history snob so it hit every button for me and more.

 

[Chemical X]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i am on the record as saying i am not a big fan of venice. its a city of tourists wandering around IMO. i mean, other cities feel like people live there and work there and have a daily energy, venice to me exists just for tours. if you stay the naples-milan route you can fast train between cities on the high speed line. not sure if you’re getting a car. we discovered bologna recently and it was freaking awesome. oldest university i think and the anatomical theater was crazy awesome. the portico di san luca seems overlooked to me, heck, we overlooked it. so many awesome side trips like assisi and siena.

 

[gianmarco]

Well, my son is going to be starting at a business school in Barcelona this fall for the next 3 years (and likely plans to stay in Europe beyond).

Trying to find a place to live and start the student visa process sucks. Will also need to look into health insurance.

Hoping we can do all of it from here but perhaps a trip over might be needed.

does he speak spanish?

Just what he learned in high school. He should learn while he's there after all that time.

 

[Orange&Blue]

Well, my son is going to be starting at a business school in Barcelona this fall for the next 3 years (and likely plans to stay in Europe beyond).

Trying to find a place to live and start the student visa process sucks. Will also need to look into health insurance.

Hoping we can do all of it from here but perhaps a trip over might be needed.

does he speak spanish?

Just what he learned in high school. He should learn while he's there after all that time.

interesting. not in a bad way, just curious as to how he decided/managed to do that.

 

[Chemical X]

Forgot to mention, OG italian vacation apartment closing is scheduled for 4/24.
Because you guys have wrecked the economy and exchange rate, it’s worth even more in US dollars! If I had a reason to use US money, i’d be really excited.

 

[Orange&Blue]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i am on the record as saying i am not a big fan of venice. its a city of tourists wandering around IMO. i mean, other cities feel like people live there and work there and have a daily energy, venice to me exists just for tours. if you stay the naples-milan route you can fast train between cities on the high speed line. not sure if you’re getting a car. we discovered bologna recently and it was freaking awesome. oldest university i think and the anatomical theater was crazy awesome. the portico di san luca seems overlooked to me, heck, we overlooked it. so many awesome side trips like assisi and siena.

I'm not a fan of venice (been there before) but i was told we need to go for at least 1 day.

i don't intend to get a car...at least for rome.

hadn't considered bologna

 

[Orange&Blue]

Forgot to mention, OG italian vacation apartment closing is scheduled for 4/24.
Because you guys have wrecked the economy and exchange rate, it’s worth even more in US dollars! If I had a reason to use US money, i’d be really excited.

where is this located?

 

[Chemical X]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i am on the record as saying i am not a big fan of venice. its a city of tourists wandering around IMO. i mean, other cities feel like people live there and work there and have a daily energy, venice to me exists just for tours. if you stay the naples-milan route you can fast train between cities on the high speed line. not sure if you’re getting a car. we discovered bologna recently and it was freaking awesome. oldest university i think and the anatomical theater was crazy awesome. the portico di san luca seems overlooked to me, heck, we overlooked it. so many awesome side trips like assisi and siena.

I'm not a fan of venice (been there before) but i was told we need to go for at least 1 day.

i don't intend to get a car...at least for rome.

hadn't considered bologna

you don’t need to go to venice, especially for 1 day and especially since it is kind of out of the way on the east coast. my .02.

 

[Chemical X]

Forgot to mention, OG italian vacation apartment closing is scheduled for 4/24.
Because you guys have wrecked the economy and exchange rate, it’s worth even more in US dollars! If I had a reason to use US money, i’d be really excited.

where is this located?

just outside a city called castiglione del lago in umbria.

 

[The Z Machine]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i am on the record as saying i am not a big fan of venice. its a city of tourists wandering around IMO. i mean, other cities feel like people live there and work there and have a daily energy, venice to me exists just for tours. if you stay the naples-milan route you can fast train between cities on the high speed line. not sure if you’re getting a car. we discovered bologna recently and it was freaking awesome. oldest university i think and the anatomical theater was crazy awesome. the portico di san luca seems overlooked to me, heck, we overlooked it. so many awesome side trips like assisi and siena.

Bologna is an awesome town. Some of the best food and drink I've ever had.

 

[The Z Machine]

Not sure exactly what the exchange rate will do, but I'm happy that both my wife and I are paid in CHF.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i am on the record as saying i am not a big fan of venice. its a city of tourists wandering around IMO. i mean, other cities feel like people live there and work there and have a daily energy, venice to me exists just for tours. if you stay the naples-milan route you can fast train between cities on the high speed line. not sure if you’re getting a car. we discovered bologna recently and it was freaking awesome. oldest university i think and the anatomical theater was crazy awesome. the portico di san luca seems overlooked to me, heck, we overlooked it. so many awesome side trips like assisi and siena.

We fly into Milan for 2 nights (i have business) then we go to Venice for 4 nights and then Rome for 4 nights. My wife did a semester in Venice so is anxious to show the kids.

 

[Chemical X]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i am on the record as saying i am not a big fan of venice. its a city of tourists wandering around IMO. i mean, other cities feel like people live there and work there and have a daily energy, venice to me exists just for tours. if you stay the naples-milan route you can fast train between cities on the high speed line. not sure if you’re getting a car. we discovered bologna recently and it was freaking awesome. oldest university i think and the anatomical theater was crazy awesome. the portico di san luca seems overlooked to me, heck, we overlooked it. so many awesome side trips like assisi and siena.

We fly into Milan for 2 nights (i have business) then we go to Venice for 4 nights and then Rome for 4 nights. My wife did a semester in Venice so is anxious to show the kids.

how are her language skills?

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i am on the record as saying i am not a big fan of venice. its a city of tourists wandering around IMO. i mean, other cities feel like people live there and work there and have a daily energy, venice to me exists just for tours. if you stay the naples-milan route you can fast train between cities on the high speed line. not sure if you’re getting a car. we discovered bologna recently and it was freaking awesome. oldest university i think and the anatomical theater was crazy awesome. the portico di san luca seems overlooked to me, heck, we overlooked it. so many awesome side trips like assisi and siena.

We fly into Milan for 2 nights (i have business) then we go to Venice for 4 nights and then Rome for 4 nights. My wife did a semester in Venice so is anxious to show the kids.

how are her language skills?

She can barely speak English, but never shuts up. Hot though.

 

[Chemical X]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i am on the record as saying i am not a big fan of venice. its a city of tourists wandering around IMO. i mean, other cities feel like people live there and work there and have a daily energy, venice to me exists just for tours. if you stay the naples-milan route you can fast train between cities on the high speed line. not sure if you’re getting a car. we discovered bologna recently and it was freaking awesome. oldest university i think and the anatomical theater was crazy awesome. the portico di san luca seems overlooked to me, heck, we overlooked it. so many awesome side trips like assisi and siena.

We fly into Milan for 2 nights (i have business) then we go to Venice for 4 nights and then Rome for 4 nights. My wife did a semester in Venice so is anxious to show the kids.

how are her language skills?

She can barely speak English, but never shuts up. Hot though.

true FBG wife

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Got back from france and kids (will be 17, 11, and 11) want to go to italy next spring break. so I'm starting to plan things out.

I'm going to assume we will do Florence and Rome. Might do Milan or Venice, but probably not both as i don't think that is a good idea as we will be limited to 9-10 days.

Also thinking about Pompeii and wife probably wants to do Cinque terre.

Thoughts or suggestions.

i am on the record as saying i am not a big fan of venice. its a city of tourists wandering around IMO. i mean, other cities feel like people live there and work there and have a daily energy, venice to me exists just for tours. if you stay the naples-milan route you can fast train between cities on the high speed line. not sure if you’re getting a car. we discovered bologna recently and it was freaking awesome. oldest university i think and the anatomical theater was crazy awesome. the portico di san luca seems overlooked to me, heck, we overlooked it. so many awesome side trips like assisi and siena.

We fly into Milan for 2 nights (i have business) then we go to Venice for 4 nights and then Rome for 4 nights. My wife did a semester in Venice so is anxious to show the kids.

how are her language skills?

She can barely speak English, but never shuts up. Hot though.

 

[Navin Johnson]

Not sure exactly what the exchange rate will do, but I'm happy that both my wife and I are paid in CHF.

What do you bring back from the states when you go?

 

[AAABatteries]

Oh I go spandex and all when I ride. Even for a 45 min ride.

 

[The Z Machine]

Not sure exactly what the exchange rate will do, but I'm happy that both my wife and I are paid in CHF.

What do you bring back from the states when you go?

Brown sugar, lol. Like 20 lbs. of it.

I also prefer US deodorant. And US rye whiskey.

 

[The Z Machine]

Not sure exactly what the exchange rate will do, but I'm happy that both my wife and I are paid in CHF.

What do you bring back from the states when you go?

Brown sugar, lol. Like 20 lbs. of it.

I also prefer US deodorant. And US rye whiskey.

And you, @Navin Johnson?

 

[Navin Johnson]

Not sure exactly what the exchange rate will do, but I'm happy that both my wife and I are paid in CHF.

What do you bring back from the states when you go?

Brown sugar, lol. Like 20 lbs. of it.

I also prefer US deodorant. And US rye whiskey.

You might be able to get brown sugar on Amazon. Not exactly the same as stateside, but softer than anything you find in the stores and will do in a pinch. We usually bring back a couple loaves of french bread, som Jalapeno jack, tapatio/crystal, hot tamales, thc gummies. Used to bring back peanut butter but I have been getting the natural stuff from MyProtein the past few years