My Italian Ex-Pat adventure is ***Officially*** in progress 2025-2026 edition! (1 Viewer)

[waiver wire]

crazy *** weekend. hit lucca as part of the summer music series and we saw nile rodgers and chic, don’t freak out. the crowd stood the entire show, 1.5 hours. then went to pisa for a tacqueria, oh and the tower. i say that because pisa is a dump and dumpster fire. the city is poor, it’s kinda dirty and it’s just filled with tourists and kiosks with dudes selling street crap, like everywhere. all the same crap. just tent after tent of junk. the tower campus is nice, but it’s a zillion degrees and no way i’m going up the tower. on the drive home we stopped at around 3 autogrills along the autostrada to compare. if you haven’t stopped, please do. they are really the essence of italy. these rest stops, including chef express, blow the US away. kind of maybe what buc-ee’s must be like. we even stopped at the pisa airport to validate some tax refund shopping we did. i lied that i was flying to get the customs stamp lol. made up a flight. heck, it’s italy. if you spend over €70 and the store is in the program, remember to do this. always carry a passport copy with you. i leave my passport at home or in the hotel safe. the refund is 12% of the 22% vat tax.

We skipped Pisa on our trip and stayed a night in Lucca. No concert that night but it’s an awesome town. Highly recommended.

I went to pisa to see the tower and cathedral on the way to Lucca, Lucca is a great town for a couple of nights

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Saw the tower in 85. I’m good

 

[Chemical X]

crazy *** weekend. hit lucca as part of the summer music series and we saw nile rodgers and chic, don’t freak out. the crowd stood the entire show, 1.5 hours. then went to pisa for a tacqueria, oh and the tower. i say that because pisa is a dump and dumpster fire. the city is poor, it’s kinda dirty and it’s just filled with tourists and kiosks with dudes selling street crap, like everywhere. all the same crap. just tent after tent of junk. the tower campus is nice, but it’s a zillion degrees and no way i’m going up the tower. on the drive home we stopped at around 3 autogrills along the autostrada to compare. if you haven’t stopped, please do. they are really the essence of italy. these rest stops, including chef express, blow the US away. kind of maybe what buc-ee’s must be like. we even stopped at the pisa airport to validate some tax refund shopping we did. i lied that i was flying to get the customs stamp lol. made up a flight. heck, it’s italy. if you spend over €70 and the store is in the program, remember to do this. always carry a passport copy with you. i leave my passport at home or in the hotel safe. the refund is 12% of the 22% vat tax.

We skipped Pisa on our trip and stayed a night in Lucca. No concert that night but it’s an awesome town. Highly recommended.

I went to pisa to see the tower and cathedral on the way to Lucca, Lucca is a great town for a couple of nights

lucca had some nice shopping, the kind you find in the bigger cities. we don’t have that in orvieto, but the thing is, lucca is quite narrow in the walls and it was just a sea of tourists. the wall and city being flat is appealing, no massive hills to trudge. but with all the tourists, it loses a little charm IMO. that’s the balance…..we miss some decent shopping here, but if we had that, orvieto would turn into venice light. i am glad we can just travel a bit if we really want to hit some stores.

 

[Chemical X]

so, our bathroom renovation started May 30 and we are nearing the end of our journey. our tub arrived today. we have all the products on hand to complete the job except for the floor tiles and wall tiles that will be above the tub. amazingly, we went to the shop where they are hand made. they are just taking clay, molding, cooking and coloring. pretty inexpensive compared to the states. labor here is cheap and the savings are passed along. i will post again when i can fully explain the depth of this project. nothing short of amazing. man, having sheetrock in the US makes things a lot easier.

 

[gianmarco]

Thought I'd ask in here:

My son moved to Barcelona and will be there for the next 3 years for study. What is the best way to ship anything to him from the US?

1) Have a pair of glasses and contacts he ordered that weren't ready in time before he left. Can ship that in a very small box.
2) Have a couple clothing items he would like (sweatshirts), not a priority, but if we wanted to ship?
3) Anything else in the future.

Ideas on best method, cost (and how to save), things to be aware of?

 

[Chemical X]

not sure why this bumped……but it’s been an interesting summer, lots of travel and cities: genoa, manarola, portofino, la spezia, messina, naples, brindisi, ravenna, bologna, parma and modena. croatia and montenegro mixed in. that said, i’m really ready to come home for multiple reasons, but not so sure the mrs. is on board fully. when i get the chance i will provide a better update. i can always answer travel questions if needed.

 

[The Z Machine]

Thought I'd ask in here:

My son moved to Barcelona and will be there for the next 3 years for study. What is the best way to ship anything to him from the US?

1) Have a pair of glasses and contacts he ordered that weren't ready in time before he left. Can ship that in a very small box.
2) Have a couple clothing items he would like (sweatshirts), not a priority, but if we wanted to ship?
3) Anything else in the future.

Ideas on best method, cost (and how to save), things to be aware of?

Shipping can be really expensive. Like more than the cost of the item sometimes. If you have a corporate UPS account and can use it, that can cut costs in half or more.

If he can wait until he returns to the US, or if someone is going to visit him, just hand carry in luggage. That's the best (but not fastest) way to get the items to him.

 

[The Z Machine]

i’m really ready to come home for multiple reasons

Wha???

 

[ConstruxBoy]

i’m really ready to come home for multiple reasons

Wha???

Yeah, we need more info from ChemX because as the political violence ramps up here, moving to another country sounds better and better.

 

[Chemical X]

sitting in a hair salon in Milan.

AMA!!! lol

 

[Chemical X]

first of all, how are you?

 

[Harry Manback]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

 

[Chemical X]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

What was your most unexpected challenge about picking up and moving to Italy?

 

[Harry Manback]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

How is the food? Is it as varied as the US or more aligned with the culture of the country?

 

[El Floppo]

sitting in a hair salon in Milan.

AMA!!! lol

ciao bello!

ask for an Enzo.
they'll know what it means.

 

[urbanhack]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

You renting your space out when you come back to the US?

 

[Chemical X]

What was your most unexpected challenge about picking up and moving to Italy?

trying to renovate a bathroom with solid stone walls.

 

[Chemical X]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

How is the food? Is it as varied as the US or more aligned with the culture of the country?

our area, orvieto, has zero diversity. a sushi joint and a middling chinese place. in fact, as we pass back home tonite thru florence, we are eating at our favorite indian place, taj palace, near the arno.

 

[Chemical X]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

You renting your space out when you come back to the US?

never, only back in the us 3 weeks.

 

[Chemical X]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

How is the food? Is it as varied as the US or more aligned with the culture of the country?

our area, orvieto, has zero diversity. a sushi joint and a middling chinese place. in fact, as we pass back home tonite thru florence, we are eating at our favorite indian place, taj palace, near the arno.

stopped at an asian market in milan and found some red curry paste!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

How much for a perm that would make you look like Jon Bon Jovi in the 80s?

 

[Chemical X]

How much for a perm that would make you look like Jon Bon Jovi in the 80s?

they only offer the mike brady for €45.

 

[Psychopav]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

How is the food? Is it as varied as the US or more aligned with the culture of the country?

our area, orvieto, has zero diversity. a sushi joint and a middling chinese place. in fact, as we pass back home tonite thru florence, we are eating at our favorite indian place, taj palace, near the arno.

Alora, I was just in Orvieto!

Have you been to the duomo?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

How is the food? Is it as varied as the US or more aligned with the culture of the country?

our area, orvieto, has zero diversity. a sushi joint and a middling chinese place. in fact, as we pass back home tonite thru florence, we are eating at our favorite indian place, taj palace, near the arno.

Alora, I was just in Orvieto!

Have you been to the duomo?

We loved it. The stripes on the side are very cool.

 

[Yambag]

Hey Chem, curious about your comment from back in September when you said you really wanted to come home. I just got Spanish citizenship and have future plans to get a place abroad and split time between there and here.

 

[Chemical X]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

How is the food? Is it as varied as the US or more aligned with the culture of the country?

our area, orvieto, has zero diversity. a sushi joint and a middling chinese place. in fact, as we pass back home tonite thru florence, we are eating at our favorite indian place, taj palace, near the arno.

Alora, I was just in Orvieto!

Have you been to the duomo?

wait, you were here and never said anything for a long distance cornholio?

 

[Psychopav]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

How is the food? Is it as varied as the US or more aligned with the culture of the country?

our area, orvieto, has zero diversity. a sushi joint and a middling chinese place. in fact, as we pass back home tonite thru florence, we are eating at our favorite indian place, taj palace, near the arno.

Alora, I was just in Orvieto!

Have you been to the duomo?

wait, you were here and never said anything for a long distance cornholio?

I was being rushed from one basilica to the next in a cannonball run-esque pilgrimage over 850 miles of Italian countryside.

Otherwise, I would have been happy to have sat and sipped limoncello with you on your (porch? veranda? what do they have over there to sit on and drink limoncello, anyway?)

 

[Chemical X]

Hey Chem, curious about your comment from back in September when you said you really wanted to come home. I just got Spanish citizenship and have future plans to get a place abroad and split time between there and here.

you know, it may have been a bit of frustration on my part but, i miss not working, the bathroom renovation is now going on month 6 and daily life in a foreign country is much different from hopping in and out. the red tape here is crazy and simple tasks turn into chaos. they just operate so differently from us as a couple and americans as a whole.

i find the italians to be cordial, but not friendly. we have very little in common with them and essentially all europeans as a whole. i don’t think we will really become friends with any italians, though we have become friendly with some dutch and british. even the brits are a bit wackadoodle.

 

[Chemical X]

Do you ever miss home?

How often (if ever) do you return to the states?

Do you find traveling between countries is easy? Cost? Are the trains the best way to do it?

well, we call this home, but our place at the beach is still home home. i miss the simplicity of the language and how usa culture operates, for sure.

we are heading back a week before christmas, just for ourselves, not really any family reason and to put eyes on the condo. first time back since 12/24.

amazingly, we haven’t hit another country yet on its own, though we did cruise to croatia and montenegro. the train system here and ease of travel is one thing that far exceeds the states.

How is the food? Is it as varied as the US or more aligned with the culture of the country?

our area, orvieto, has zero diversity. a sushi joint and a middling chinese place. in fact, as we pass back home tonite thru florence, we are eating at our favorite indian place, taj palace, near the arno.

Alora, I was just in Orvieto!

Have you been to the duomo?

wait, you were here and never said anything for a long distance cornholio?

I was being rushed from one basilica to the next in a cannonball run-esque pilgrimage over 850 miles of Italian countryside.

Otherwise, I would have been happy to have sat and sipped limoncello with you on your (porch? veranda? what do they have over there to sit on and drink limoncello, anyway?)

we have chairs here to sit on.

 

[Yambag]

Hey Chem, curious about your comment from back in September when you said you really wanted to come home. I just got Spanish citizenship and have future plans to get a place abroad and split time between there and here.

you know, it may have been a bit of frustration on my part but, i miss not working, the bathroom renovation is now going on month 6 and daily life in a foreign country is much different from hopping in and out. the red tape here is crazy and simple tasks turn into chaos. they just operate so differently from us as a couple and americans as a whole.

i find the italians to be cordial, but not friendly. we have very little in common with them and essentially all europeans as a whole. i don’t think we will really become friends with any italians, though we have become friendly with some dutch and british. even the brits are a bit wackadoodle.

Very insightful, I have read a lot about the frustrations with regards to red tape but was not sure it if was overblown or not. I get the sense it is very much a challenge.