Why I Gave up my Italian Residency after 7 Years

Why I Gave up my Italian Residency after 7 Years

Why I gave up my Italian Residency after 7 years. Life in Italy can be a dream but is often overly romanticized. After home renovations, learning a new language, dealing with the infamous Italian bureaucracy, emotional ups and downs, the passing of my dogs, and missing my family terribly, I decided to make a change. Was it Under the Tuscan/Campania Sun?

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Hazelnut Chocolate Pudding - Nutella Time!

Hazelnut Chocolate Pudding - Nutella Time!

This hazelnut chocolate pudding recipe from Sweet Paul is simple and delicious. Nutella, the famous hazelnut spread is a key ingredient. I am not a huge fan of Nutella BUT, I love it with dark chocolate and eating them straight from the tree! Think about all the toppings you could add: whipped creme, coffee beans, white chocolate chips, cinnamon, hot chili pepper. It’s endless.

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Life in Italy as American Expats - A Chat with Ashley Bartner

Life in Italy as American Expats - A Chat with Ashley Bartner

Ashley Bartner of "La Tavola Marche" and Susan Dufresne of "Get Lost in Italy" chat about life as American expats in Italy. We talk about living in a country with different traditions and cultures, learning a new language, gaining residency, citizenship, what we love, and what we miss the most. If you dream of moving to Italy, we hope this video answers many of your questions.

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Life in Italy - Cinzia and I Chat about Living in Italy as an Expat

Life in Italy - Cinzia and I Chat about Living in Italy as an Expat

Starting all over again in Italy definitely has its challenges, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I feel honored to have been interviewed by Cinzia Ferri of Instantly Italy. We talk about living in a small village in Italy after years of working in San Francisco, being away from family and friends, cultural differences, how my life has changed, and what I miss the most since moving to Italy. Hint - it has to do with food - always!

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5 Favorite Things I Love about Living in Italy

5 Favorite Things I Love about Living in Italy

My 5 favorite things about living in Italy. There is so much to love about Italy so I chose the things I look forward to every day: Italian coffee, Italian food and wine, the pausa (or siesta), a strong sense of community, and the beauty and diversity of Italy. Read about my 5 Favorites and some expats and locals who have inspired me.

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A Few Days in Puglia, Italy - Land of the Trulli

A Few Days in Puglia, Italy - Land of the Trulli

A Mini-Vacation to Puglia, Italy. Puglia is a beautiful and unique region of Italy filled with trullis, white cities, and clean beaches on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. After being on lockdown for several months here in Italy, I was more than ready for a road trip. I visited the towns of Martina Franca, Cisternino, Locorotondo, and Alberobello in the province of Bari. A perfect 3-day trip!

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Adelina's No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake - A Perfect Summer Dessert

Adelina's No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake - A Perfect Summer Dessert

Lemons + Local Flavor. Summer is in full swing with the days getting hotter and hotter. If you’re like me, you want something refreshing, delicious, and no oven needed. It’s the perfect time to try this luscious No-Bake Italian Lemon Cheesecake.

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Outdoor Markets in Italy - Much More Than a Farmers' Market

The outdoor markets in Italy are incredible with overflowing seasonal fruits and veggies, homemade sausages, local cheeses and so much more. It’s a real treat to roam the local outdoor markets in search of a cute linen dress, a bright, pink antique chair, or sitting and watching it all over an espresso at a nearby cafe. Find my favorite local markets and things to do.

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Alessandro's Crostata di Marmellata - Tasty Jam Tart

Alessandro's Crostata di Marmellata - Tasty Jam Tart

Alessandro's tasty jam tart or crostata di marmellata is a traditional treat here in Southern Italy. This delicious recipe is easy to make and perfect with a frothy cappuccino while dreaming of visiting Italy. Try it with your favorite homemade jam!

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Day Trip to Pietravairano and a Temple in the Clouds

Day Trip to Pietravairano and a Temple in the Clouds

A Day Trip exploring Pietravairano and the Temple in the Clouds. Teatro Tempio San Nicola was discovered only due to a brush fire in 2001, and the rest is history! Pietravairano is a small town in the Campania region with plenty to do for a lovely day trip. There is a castle, a temple, beautiful churches, a historic neighborhood, and a great restaurant, La Caveja. Well worth the trip!

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My Journey Learning Italian

My desire to learn Italian is a neverending journey with many ups and downs. Here's my story as a Californian, moving my life to Italy while learning a new language and culture. I share my 5 top tips to make learning Italian easier while having fun.

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Best Place to Stay in Abruzzo - Caramanico Terme

Best Place to Stay in Abruzzo - Caramanico Terme

Best Place to Stay in Abruzzo - Caramanico Terme

Located in the Maiella Mountains and only 30 minutes from the Adriatic Coast, Caramanico Terme is a great place for an active weekend getaway or a week-long spa trip. It is known for its natural and healing sulfur waters and active lifestyle with hiking, biking, yoga, and numerous events.

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Traditional Italian Restaurant - Mentelocale Osteria

This little restaurant was truly found by “Getting Lost.” I was with a couple of friends trying to find another restaurant and we got lost! But what a delicious and special little find. Please go check it out and the little town of Fragneto. Beautiful views!

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My move from California to Italy. Why Guardia Sanframondi? Perché Guardia?

The first thing the locals ask you when you tell them you have moved here permanently is “Perche?” “Why?” That’s not always an easy answer for me because I knew nothing about the Campania region or Guardia before my move. I had planned to move to Sicily or the Marche region in the North, but never Campania.

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Italian Lessons with Luca Lupo - Interview - Part 1

Italian Lessons with Luca Lupo - Interview - Part 1

Luca is one of my favorite people.  He’s a great teacher and a very kind person.  After my move to Italy, I started taking online group classes with him.  The classes really helped me to progress and more importantly, to start speaking in a friendly group setting.  Whenever my expat friends ask me how I am learning Italian, I always refer them to Luca.

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Italian Lessons with Luca Lupo - Interview - Part 2

Italian Lessons with Luca Lupo - Interview - Part 2

5. What do you wish language learners would do more often - other than practice? 

One common mistake people do is to translate literally from their native language. Like using long sentences or expressions that don’t mean anything translated into another language. I always suggest not to think this way, but instead make easy, short sentences from scratch.

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Italian Lessons with Luca Lupo - Interview - Part 3

Italian Lessons with Luca Lupo - Interview - Part 3

9. What do you miss most about Italy? What do you love about Sweden? 

This summer was the first time I stayed in Sweden the whole summer. I missed the summer in Italy so much! I especially miss the warm evenings outside until 3 a.m.   I miss being able to use my language and the possibility to visit places dreamed of by people all over the world I miss drinking a well-done cappuccino in the early morning.

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