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?
Read MoreStarting 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!
Read MoreMy 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.
Read MoreA 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!
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreLuca 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.
Read MoreOne 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreCalifornia girl moves to a small village in Italy to test her strength and endurance and survives!
I'm Susie, an adventurous traveler from California who always had a love for Italy. After 30 years of dreaming, I decided it was time to move to Southern Italy and start a new life. With my two dogs, Mack and Sweetie Pie, I moved to a traditional, Southern Italian village in the Campania region.
