Moving2Italy2

Info on food and grocery stores (chain) in Abruzzo, Italy

2010-10-06T05:47:00.028+02:00

Here are some links for food and grocery stores (supermarket retail chain operation) in Abruzzo, Italy:

FOOD AND GROCERY STORES (AKA SUPERMERCATI)

LISTS

Supermercati e Centri Commerciali in Abruzzo – In Italian Only – Source: Zio-Web

GROCERY STORES IN ABRUZZO: MEDIUM TO LARGE SCALE RETAIL CHAIN OPERATION – Please note: The physical size of the store ranges from small (store front) to very large either stand-alone building or located in a commercial center (AKA Centri Commerciali)

Auchan – In Italian Only – Source: Group Auchan – In English, French

On the Home Page, on the top right portion of this web page click on the words, "PUNTI VENDITA".
On the next screen, a map of Italy will appear and a drop down menu with the words will appear, "--- Scegli la località ---".
As of this date, there are only 2 stores in the Abruzzo region: PESCARA AEROPORTO and PESCARA MALL
After you have selected either one, another screen will appear with the address, phone number, hours of operation, any special messages and various symbols for available services

Billa – In Italian Only – Source: web site

On the Home Page, click on the words, "Punto Vendita" on the left side of the page or click on the words, "cerca i nostri PUNTI VENDITA" in the middle of the page
Then a map of Italy will appear where there are Billa Supermercati located in Italy. Please position your cursor over the Abruzzo region.
Then a list of towns/cities where Billa Supermercati are in Abruzzo will appear. Click on the nearest Billa Supermercati to wherever you may live in Abruzzo
Once you click on the town/city, a box will appear with the address, phone number, hours of operation and what departments and services are available in that specific store.

Carrefour of gruppocarrefour ITALIA – besides Carrefour stores, you will now see "Carrefour Express" stores which were formerly di per di stores – In Italian Only – Source: Carrefour – In English, French

On the Home Page, click on the words, "Punti Vendita"
Then a map of Italy will appear along with a search box with the words, "Provincia, città, CAP" in it.
Enter the word "ABRUZZO" in the search box and press , "Cerca".
Then a new screen will appear where there are either Supermercato Carrefour Express or Supermercato Carrefour Market located in the region of Abruzzo, along with a google map.
Once you click on the town/city of the Carrefour facility, a new screen will appear with the address along with specific information about this facility.

COAL – In Italian Only – Source: web site

On the Home Page, click on the words, "Punti Vendita"
Then a new screen will appear with the words, "Punti Vendita" at the top of this web page

From the pull-down menu for "Comune", please select the comune in which you live and then

From the pull-down menu for "Insegna" (type of store), please select one from this list: ''BuongiornoCoal, SuperCoal, SupermercatoCoal, MaxiCoal or Discount" and then press "cerca"
You will be presented with a new web page, with a list of the "Insegna" (type of store) selected along with its business name, address, phone and fax numbers and the option to click on the words, "Vedi in dettaglio" for further information about this store or click on the words, "Guarda la mappa" for a google map of this specific store's location.

Conad – In Italian Only – Source: web site

On the Home Page, please go to the section labeled "Trova il tuo Conad" and from the drop down menu, "Scegli la tua provincia", you choose your province for the following stores:

supermercati Conad
Margherita
ipermercati E.Leclerc Conad

coop, ipercoop (Coop Adriatica) or coop, ipercoop (Coop Centro Italia) – In Italian Only

On the main page for either coop organization, please click on "cerca il punto vendita"

A separate window will open with a map of Italy on it, then click on the small red circle by Pescara
A small box will appear with the number of stores in the Abruzzo region
Click on the words, "Avvicina la mappa" and the ipercoop's or coop supermercato's will appear on a map of the Abruzzo region in the center of the screeen along with a list of stores
When you click on the location of a specific store, a box will appear with the store's name, its address and phone number and whether it's a coop that is part of Coop Centro Italia or Coop Adriatica.
Note: You pay a one time fee for each coop's loyalty card. Please be aware that the loyalty card from Coop Centro Italia is not honored in a coop store operated by Coop Adriatica or Coop Liguria or Coop Lombardia or Unicoop Firenze, etc. and vice versa. If you are coming in from the USA, it makes no sense. The Coop loyalty cards all look the same but they are NOT interchangeable between the various coops throughout Italy.

dico DISCOUNT ITALIANO – In Italian Only – Source: web site

Includes DIX stores
On the Home Page, please click on "NEGOZI". a map of Italy will appear. Select the "Abruzzo" region or whatever region you live in for a list of cities and towns that have stores located in them with a Google map reference. Then, click on the store closest to where you live, a separate window will open with the address, store hours along with other store information that may be available in that specific store.

DIMEGLIO – In Italian Only – Source: web site

On the main page under "Trova il supermercato più vicino", please enter your "Comune, località..." and press "Trove" (find)
In the event it doesn't find your location, another screen will appear with the words "TROVA IL SUPERMERCATO DIMEGLIO PIU VINCINO A CASA TUA" on it and a map of regions where DIMEGLIO has stores located. Please enter your "Regione" (region), "Provincia" (province) and "Località" (locality) OR "Comune/Località" and press "Cerca" (ENTER/RETURN on your keyboard).

di per di – part of gruppocarrefour ITALIA Please note: di per di's are becoming "Carrefour Express" stores – In Italian Only – Source: Carrefour – In English, French

On the Home Page, click on the words, "DOVE SIAMO" (where we are). or under the words, "Trova il tuo punto vendita", click on the word "Continua"
Then a new screen will appear with the words, "Punti Vendita" at the top of this web page
From the pull-down menu for "Seleziona Provincia", please select the province in which you live and then
From the pull-down menu for "Seleziona Comune", please select the comune in which you live and then press "Vai"

EuroSpin Group – "is the largest Italian group in the discount food channel." – Source: web site

On the Home Page, please click on on the words, "DOVE SIAMO" (where we are). On the next screen, position your cursor over the map for the "Abruzzo" region and click once. Please position your cursor over the city on the "Abruzzo" region map and click once for the address, hours of operation, map location, driving directions, etc. of the store in that city.

Gruppo Gabrielli – In Italian Only – Source: web site

Punti Vendita for Dis Discount, ipermercati Oasi – "PREZZI BASSI, SEMPRE" tigre & maxi tigre and Centri Commerciali

iper – In Italian Only – Source: web site

On the Home Page, please click on the pull down menu with the words, "Scegli il tuo iper, La grande i di:" on it
On the next screen, click on any town under Abruzzo
On the next screen, the store's name will appear along with the address, phone and fax numbers, an email address, hours this store is open and other information about this specific store

LIDL – In Italian Only – discount supermarket chain, originated in Germany – Source: web site

For stores close to where you live, please click on "Lidl più vicino" on the lower right-side of the Home Page and enter your city and/or your C.A.P. (AKA postal code or zipcode)

Pam – In Italian Only – includes Superal – Source: web site and is part of Gruppo PAM S.p.A – In English, Italian

On the Home Page, please click on the words, "Punti vendita" (points of sale)
You will be presented with a new web page with the words "Trova il tuo punto vendita" (Find your store) on it.
From the pull-down menus for "Regione", "Provincia" and "Città", please enter your region, province and city and press "cerca"

You will be presented with a new web page with the name of the store.
Please click on the store name and you will be presented with another web page with the business name of this store, its phone number, its address, hours of operations, a google map of its location, etc.

Penny Market – In Italian Only – discount supermarket chain, originated in Germany

On the main page, on the top right portion of this web page by the words, "CERCA PUNTO VENDITA", enter your "CAP (zip code) o città (city)" and press ENTER, you will be presented on a new page, a list of Penny Market stores that meet the criteria or entered information for CAP or città.
OR click on words, "CHI SIAMO" which appears on the left side of the main page. When the screen changes, click on the words, "Punti vendita". Then, a map of Italy will appear. Click on the "ABRUZZO" region and you will be presented on a new page, a list of Penny Market stores in the "ABRUZZO" region.

SIMPLY MARKET/Sma S.p.A. – In Italian Only – which is part of Group Auchan – In English, French

On the main page, under the words, "Trova il tuo Simply" enter, "Indirizzo (address)", "Cap (zip code)" and "città (city)" or some combination and press "cerca". Then, a google map will appear listing the following stores that meet the criteria or entered information for "Indirizzo", "CAP" or "città":

Sma
SimplySma
Cityper
IperSimply

Sidis - MaxiSidis - IperSidis – In Italian Only – Source: TBS

SISA (Ce.Di. Sisa Centro Nord S.R.L.) – In Italian Only – Source: web site

On the Home Page, please click on the word "Supermercati" which is located in the top center position on this Home Page.

You will be presented with a new page with the words, "Punti Vendita" appearing on the top of this web page
On the left-side of the web page, you will see the word, "PROVINCIA", with a pull down menu of the various provinces in Italy that Ce.Di. Sisa Centro Nord S.R.L. has various size and types of stores: SISA, SISASUPERSTORE (largest), ISSIMO (smaller), etc. that are located in a selected province under its jurisdiction and control.

Select the Abruzzo province that you live in: L'Aquila, Chieti, Pescara or Teramo and then press the word, "Conferma"

You will be presented with a new page with listing of the various types (INSEGNA) of stores that are located in the province that you had selected with the address and name of the comune of the store.
By clicking on the words "Vai a Scheda", you will be presented with a new page with the contact information for this specific store: the business name of this store, its phone and fax numbers, email address, etc.

etruria Sma – In Italian Only – includes Superstore Sma, Sma, Punto, LaBottega – Source: web site

On the Home Page, please click on the words "PUNTI VENDITA", then the words, "SUPERSTORE SMA, SUPERMERCATI SMA, PUNTO SMA, BOTTEGA SMA and EUROPA DISCOUNT" will appear on this web page
Unfortunately, you will need to search for the store closest to you manually by selecting each type of store individually

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on food and grocery stores (chain) in Tuscany/Toscana *, dated Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Info on Food Stores (Chains) in Italy *, dated Monday, November 21, 2005

Info on motorcycle and scooter rentals in Italy

2010-09-29T05:53:00.007+02:00

Here are some links on motorcycle and scooter rentals in Italy:

MOTORCYCLE AND SCOOTER RENTALS

BIANCOBLU – Source: web site – In English, German, Italian
C.I.M.T. (central italy motorcycle tours) – Source: web site
Motorcycle Hire in Italy, Sicily & Sardinia – Source: 2wheeltravel – "Worldwide motorcycle tour and rental specialists since 1998"
Motorcycle rental – Source: Mototouring – In English, Italian
onRoad – "SCOOTER AND BIKE RENTAL" – Source: web site – In English, Italian
Rent a Dream – Source: web site – In English, Italian
Rentals – Source: REDBIKE TOURS – "The original and best DUCATITOURS company"
RIDER'S NOLO – motorcycle and scooter rentals – Source: web site – In English, Italian, Spanish
Tuscany Motorcycles Rental – Source: web site
VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES – Source: NOLEGGIO MOTO TOSCANA – In English, Italian

LISTS

Motorcycle Rental Italy – Source: MOTO-CITY

Motorcycle Rentals – Source: webBikeWorld®
Rental Companies: Europe – Source: Motorcycleguide.net – "Internet's Motorcycle Directory"

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info for maps of Roma/Rome, Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info on motorcycle tours in Italy *, dated Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Info on Distance Calculators (How Far Is It?) for Italy *, dated Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Info about Driving in Italy *, dated Friday, March 17, 2006
Info on On-Line Route Planning and Maps of Italy *, dated Thursday, November 17, 2005

Info about, for or on formaggi (cheeses) in Italy

2010-09-22T05:49:00.009+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 6 October 2010)

Here are some links about, for or on formaggi (cheeses) in Italy:

FORMAGGI (CHEESES)

INFORMATION

Cheese by countries: Italy – Source: www.cheese.com – "Welcome to the #1 resource for cheese!" – "It's all about cheese!"
Cheese in Italy – Source: Rustico cooking
Cheeses – Source: lifeinitaly.com

A Guide to Some of Italy's Greatest Cheeses – Italian Cheeses Part I – By Melissa A. Tyson – Additions *** By Paolo Nascimbeni
A Passion Called "Cheese" – Italian Cheeses Part II – "Many Different Italian Cheeses and the Production of Fine Cheeses" – Jackelin J.Jarvis
The World of Fresh Cheeses – Italian Cheeses Part III – "More Types of Cheeses from Italian Regions" – Jackelin J.Jarvis
Parmigiano Reggiano – "The King of Italian Cheeses"

SOME POPULAR ITALIAN CHEESES – Source: e-rcps

TYPES/VARIETIES OF FORMAGGI (CHEESES)

Cheeses – Source: ItalianMade.com – "The ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION presents the official web site of THE FOODS AND WINES OF ITALY..."
Italian Regional Cheese! – "I hope you enjoy this web site and tell your friends about the many italian recipes it includes all available for free and information on all the regions in Italy." – Source: italiancook.ca
List of Italian cheeses – Source: Wikipedia – "the free encyclopedia" – In multiple languages
Types of Italian Cheese – "Formaggi (Cheese)" – Source: The Garrubbo Guide® (La Guida Garrubbo) – "the art & science of italian cooking™"

MANUFACTURERS/PRODUCERS – JUST A FEW

MIXED

Casearia Taberna s.r.l. – Source: web site – In English, Italian
Centro Latte Stasi – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

MOZZARELLA

PARMIGIANO REGGIANO

Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Consortium) – Source: web site – In English, Italian

Greci Gaione Group – Source: web site – In English, Italian

MENUS

Typical Italian Cheese Menus – " Italian Food Menus - Formaggi" – "From the Italian Restaurant Menus Collection Maremma, Italy" – Source: Maremma, Tuscany Travel Guide – "Maremma's beauty will capture your heart, Her wildernesses touch your soul."

MUSEUMS/MUSEI

The Museum – Source: Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Consortium) – In English, Italian

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info about, for or on pasta in Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Info on food blogs in Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Info on some of the food delicacies/specialties from the region of Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Monday, March 08, 2010
Info on Olive Oil in Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Info on Food Products of Italy *, dated Tuesday, January 31, 2006

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 6 October 2010)

© Benjamin H. Licodo, 2005 - 2010, All Rights Reserved.

Info about housesitting / apartment sitting / pet sitting in Italy and elsewhere in the world

2010-09-15T05:37:00.014+02:00

Here are some links about housesitting / apartment sitting/ pet sitting in Italy and elsewhere in the world:

INFORMATION

Guide to House Sitting – Source: HouseCarers.com – “Homeowners Secure your home with a housesitter."
Helpful Links – "<<>>" – Source: Housesitworld.com – "House sitters care for your home and pets while you're away. In return, Housesitters gain free accommodation. Benefits everyone !" – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
How to Find Caretaker Jobs – By Matt G. – Source: eHow™ – "How to do just about everything"
So You Want to be a Housesitter? – "Here's how (and you won't be paid a cent for your efforts)" – By Susan Holtham – Source: FrugalFun.com – "Have More Fun, Spend Less Money"

ARTICLES

Housesitting and Petsitting - Two Unique Travel Concepts – CherylK – Source: Squidoo – "is home to millions of pages of the best content, advise and recommendations online."
Housesit on Your Next Vacation – by Margaret Garcia-Couoh on 13 January 2010 – Source: found under Travel in the Frugal Living section of Wisebread – "LIVING LARGE ON A SMALL BUDGET"
House Sitters and Pet Sitters Improve Security – "Home Security is Helped by Live in House Minders" – Mar 24, 2010 – Terence Morris – Source: suite101.com – "Insightful writers. Informed readers"
House Sitting and Pet Minding Pros and Cons – "Housecarers Positives and Negatives for Housesitting and Dog Minding" – Feb 23, 2009 – James Parsons – Source: suite101.com – "Insightful writers. Informed readers"

How to Write Winning House Sitter Applications – "Advice to Applicants for Pet Minding and House Sitting Positions" – Feb 24, 2009
What Do Home Owners Look For in a House Sitter? – "Advice for Housesitting Applicants Who Want to Impress Homeowners" – Feb 24, 2009
What is House Sitting and Pet Sitting? – "Understanding What Housesitting Websites Do For the Homeowner" – Feb 23, 2009

Make yourself at home with a spot of house-sitting – "Are you broke post-Christmas? Then try house-sitting and you could find yourself staying in the lap of luxury – for free" – Jo Caird – Saturday 9 January 2010 – Source: Travel section of The Guardian
Property Caretaking: How To Get The Job & Make The Most Of It – by Ramkitten – Source: Squidoo – "is home to millions of pages of the best content, advise and recommendations online."
Retirees Find House Sitting Opens the Door to a New World – By Ian White – Copyright © 2005, Ian White – Source: Ezine@rticles® – "303,138 [a/o July 26, 2010] Expert Authors Sharing Their Best EzineArticles"
Sitting House: How to Get House Sitting Jobs Abroad – By Sarah Amandolare, LG Entertainment Editor –"Working Abroad — By Sarah A on August 4, 2010 at 12:00 pm" – Source: The Lost Girls – "Travel Inspiration Discovery Adventure"

BLOG/BLOG ENTRIES

The Caretaker Gazette – Gary Dunn, Publisher – Source: web site

This blog and the newsletter below have the same name.

Make and Save Money House Sitting – Monday, June 14, 2010 – Buck Weber – Source: The Buck List – "Frugal Tips and Money Making Ideas"
Using Your Network to Housesit Around the World – Sherry Ott – April 01, 2010 – Source: Otts World – "Travel and Life Experiences of a Corporate American Runaway"

NEWSLETTER

The Caretaker Gazette – "is a unique newsletter containing property caretaking and house sitting jobs, advice, and information for property caretakers, housesitters, and landowners. Published since 1983, it's the only publication in the world dedicated to the property caretaking field." – Gary & Thea Dunn, Publisher & Editor – Source: web site – "THE #1 SOURCE FOR CARETAKER OPPORTUNITIES"

SAMPLE HOUSE SITTING LISTINGS

Long term house sitter needed for over summer – posted by travelbug – on: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:18 pm – Source: Expat Focus – "Essential information and advice for a successful move abroad"
Samples – Source: Housesitter.us – "A Helping Hand for Housesitters and Homeowners"
Sample Listings – Source: The Caretaker Gazette – "THE #1 SOURCE FOR CARETAKER OPPORTUNITIES"
Services Offered > House Sitting Italy – Source: franglo*italy – "travel + expat classifieds" – registration required – section of franglo*classifieds – "The web classifieds network for travel, expats and internationals" – "Join now for free!"

SERVICES

HouseCarers – "provides the most comprehensive information available on house sitting. We guide you through the process of successfully matching homeowner with sitters. Housesitters list their preferences through a simple registration process. Homeowners communicate with sitters through our confidential message system to preserve privacy and security. Whether you’re a house sitter or a homeowner, HouseCarers brings peace of mind closer to home." – Source: web site – “Homeowners Secure your home with a housesitter."
House sitters for House sitting Europe – "Find a house sitter or register for house sitting in Europe" – Source: Housesitworld.com – "House sitters care for your home and pets while you're away. In return, Housesitters gain free accommodation. Benefits everyone !" – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Italy – "Select a city from in Italy for home exchange, house swap, house for rent, house sitting or to find a tenant" – Source: Sabbatical Homes – "We make great sabbaticals happen." – "The academic community’s resource for home exchanges and home rentals worldwide since 2000"
MindMyHouse – "a global house sitting matching service. We provide all the online tools for home owners and house sitters to find each other from around the globe (or around the corner). And it works! Our house sitters provide their pet and house sitting services for free in exchange for the privilege of accommodation in the owner's home. Learn more about this service." – Source: web site – "Bringing home owners and house sitters together"

FORUMS/DISCUSSION GROUPS

Category Listing – Source: HouseCarers.com – “Homeowners Secure your home with a housesitter."

HouseSittersAmerica.com – "connecting home owners and house sitters throughout America." – Source: web site

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

* = Blog entry has been updated.

For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

The above links as of this date are/were current. If anyone has any suggestions for any other additional web sites and/or links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry.

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request any further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

NOTE: If you want to leave a comment, please leave it in ENGLISH.

Broken links: Since November, 2005, I have written over 300+ blog entries with 1,000's of corresponding links/URLs for Moving2Italy2, covering a varied and wide range of topics. In the event if you come across a broken link or a non-functioning link/URL, please post a comment and report the non-functional link. I wish to thank you in advance for assisting me in the ongoing maintenance and the updating of this successful and informative blog.

Please note: I do NOT represent or endorse any of these links nor do I receive payment for listing them in my blog.

In December, 2009 and January, 2010, my wife and I had the opportunity to cat-sit, dog-sit and apartment sit in Rome, Italy. We reply to a posting on the web site, Expats in Italy, from a couple from Australia. They were going to South Africa to visit her parents for the Christmas holidays and wanted someone to care for their pets: a dog and a cat. We were there for just over 3 weeks and the large and comfortable apartment was in the Testaccio section of Rome and close to the Trasavere section. There were several excellent transportation options: walking distance to the Piramide station on the Rome Metro (Metropolitana di Roma), Stazione di Roma Ostiense (train station) along with several choices of atac bus routes.

I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed out time in Rome and that three weeks is not enough time to explore all the places and sights that you can possibly see and do. There was an added bonus for my wife. Her cousin, Bonnie, who lives in Ocean City, New Jersey and her husband , Pete, came to Rome for four days and three nights while were were there. He had enough frequent flyer miles to get them on a flight from Philadelphia to Rome via US Airways and a hotel room at the Westin Excelsior. On their last night in Rome, Bonnie and Pete treated us to the best dinner we have ever had in Italy.

Whether or not, your house/apartment sitting experience will be as fantastic, memorable and spectacular as ours was I cannot say. But if you don't give it a try, who knows what will happen.

That's it for Wednesday, 15 September 2010: mercoledì, 15 settembre 2010

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Mia moglie ha sempre ragione."
"My wife is always right."

When you have a free moment or two, please read my wife's interesting and entertaining blog about our life in Italy with photographs:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info about, for or on museums (musei) in Italy

2010-09-08T08:17:00.000+02:00

Here are some links about, for or on museums (musei) in Italy:

MUSEUMS/MUSEI

INFORMATION

Italian Museums – Source: italianculture.net – "IL POERALE DELL'ITALIA CULTURALE" – In English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish

TYPES

ARCHEOLOGICAL

Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (National Archeological Museum in Naples) – Source: web site – In English, Italian

Art Museums in Italy – "Museums with fine art collections and an online presence" – Source: ARTCYCLOPEDIA – "is the guide to great art on the Internet"

CATHOLIC

Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

CERAMICS

Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche (International Museum of Ceramics) – Location: Faenza (RA) – Source: web site – In Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
Museo Montelupo (The Museum of Montelupo Ceramics) – Location: Montelupo Fiorentino (FI) – Source: web site – In English, Italian

ETRUSCAN

Etruscan Archaeological Museum of Artimino – Location: Artimino, località of Carmignano (PO) – Source: turismo.intoscana.it – In Chinese, English, Italian
Museo Archeologico Comunale – In Italian Only – Location: Artimino, località of Carmignano (PO) – Source: Comune di Carmignano
Museo Archeologico Nazionale – Location: Chiusi (SI) – Source: web site – In English, Italian – NOTE: The Italian version contains more information and details.

MAEC (Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca) – Location: Cortona (AR) – Source: web site – In English, Italian

FOOD

CHEESE/FORMAGGIO

Museo del Parmigiano-Reggiano (Museum of Parmesan Cheese) – Location: Soragna, Italy – Source: Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano – In English, Italian

PASTA

Museo Nazionale delle Paste Alimentari (National Museum of Pasta Foods) – Location: Rome, Italy – Source: web site c

Food Museums of the Parma Province – Source: web site – In English, Italian

JEWISH/EBRAICO

Jewish Museum of Livorno – In English – Source: JewishItaly.org – "Your guide to Jewish Italy"
Synagogue and Museum – Source: jewish florence – "The Jewish Community of Florence" – In English, Italian – section of moked – "il portale dell'ebraismo italiano" – In Italian Only

POSTAL

Museo Postale e Telegrafico della Mitteleuropa (Postal Museum) – In Italian Only – Location: Trieste – Source: Trieste.com – "Portale di Trieste"

PUPPETS/PUPI

Museo Internazionale delle Marionette (International Puppet Museum) – In Italian Only – Location: Palermo – Source: web site

SPIRITS

GRAPPA

The Berta Museum – "Museum of the ancient art of distillation" – Location: Frazione Casalotto, Mombaruzzo (Asti) – Source: Berta Distillerie – "The Sheer Charm off the Finer Things" – In English, German, Italian

Poli – Location: Bassano del Grappa (Vicenza) – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

WINE (VINO)

Museo del Vino Lungarotti – Location: Torgiano (Perugia) – Source: Bella Umbria – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Museo del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano – Terry Sullivan – Location: San Gimignano (Siena) – Source: Wine Trail Traveler – "Winery and Vineyard Virtual Visitor Center"
South Tyrolean Wine Museum – Location: Kaltern (Bolzano-Bozen) – Source: South Tyrolean Wine Road – In English, German, Italian
Wine Museum – Location: Bardolino (Verona) – Source: ZENI – In English, German, Italian

LISTS

Gastronomic Museums in Italy – Source: Italian Government Tourist Board - North America
Italian Museums – "Italian Museums region by region" – Source: WelcomeToItaly.com – In English, German, Italian
List of museums in Italy by city – Source: Wikipedia – "the free encyclopedia"

Museums in Italy – Category

Specialty Museums – Source: In Italy™ ONLINE
Top Museums in Italy – By Martha Bakerjian – Source: Italy Travel section of About.com
world guides – "City Guides and Travel Information" – Source: web site

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info about the Etruscans in Tuscany , dated Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Info on museums in Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Info on maps for Abruzzo, Italy

2010-09-01T13:12:00.001+02:00

Here are some links on maps of Abruzzo, Italy:

MAPS OF ABRUZZO

CITIES OF ABRUZZO

L'AQUILA

Map of L'Aquila – Source: Comuni-Italiani.it – "Italian Cities and Towns. Information and statistics on Italian Regions, Provinces and Municipalities. All Cities, Towns and Villages in Italy. Official site, zip codes, phone prefix, population, useful links." – In English, Italian

GIULIANOVA

Giulianova – TBS – coming soon
Giulianova Lido – In Italian Only – Enter the words, "Giulianova Lido" in the search box and then press, "Cerca sulle mappe" – Source: GOOGLE maps italia

PESCARA

Pescara (PE) – In Italian Only – Source: VIRGILIO MAPPE section of VIRGILIO – "LO PENSI, LO FAI."

TERAMO

Teramo Street Map and Satellites View – Source: Abruzzo Holidays section of The Globe Holidays Project – In English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

PROVINCES OF ABRUZZO

L'AQUILA

province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy – In English, Italian – Source: Abruzzo2000 – In English, German, Italian, Spanish

CHIETI

Map of Chieti – "Interactive Map of Chieti" – Source: Italy Magazine – "The No. 1 Magazine for lovers of all things Italian"

PESCARA

Pescara Province Map – Source: Italiansrus.com – "Your guide to Italy & Italian Culture on the Web. Enjoy as you learn more about the traditions, heritage and way of life that make Italians who they are."

TERAMO

Teramo – click on the first letter of a town's name for a map of a town within this province – Source: Multimap from bing

REGIONAL

Abruzzo – "Map Abruzzo" – Source: ViaMichelin – In multiple languages – country specific web sites
Map of Abruzzo – Source: Italy Magazine – "The No. 1 Magazine for lovers of all things Italian"
Map of Abruzzo – Source: knowital – "For villas and apartments, we've got Italy covered."
Map of Abruzzo – "This is a map of Abruzzo, Italy." – Source: tourizm maps – www.big-italy-map.co.uk

LISTS

Category: Maps of Abruzzo – "This category has the following 6 subcategories, out of 6 total." – Source: Wikimedia Commons – "a database of 7,234,988 freely usable media files to which anyone can contribute."

AIRPORT

Aeroporto D'abruzzo Maps – Source: mapsof.net – "maps of the world"
Pescara Airport Map – Source: Italy Google Satellite Map section of maplandia.com – "provides the searchable world gazetteer based on Google Maps, the most comprehensive online satellite imagery ever available."

AUTOSTRADA

Real-time Traffic – "Select a stretch to get information on slowing downs and traffic jams." – Source: autostrada per l'italia – "travels with you " – In English, Italian

GOOGLE MAP/GPS COORDINATES

GOOGLE MAPS

Abruzzo – Source: Maps section of Google

WEATHER

Abruzzo, Italy - today's weather in Italy – Source: italy-weather-and-maps.com – "home to maps of Italy, current Italian weather conditions, and six day weather forecasts for every Italian region and province." – Source: web site
Wind & weather forecast map Italy Abruzzo – Source: WINDFINDER.com – "addicted to the wind" – In multiple languages

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info for maps of Roma/Rome, Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info on webcams in Abruzzo, Italy *, Wednesday, dated August 04, 2010
Info on or about the beaches (spiagge) of the Abruzzo region of Italy *, Wednesday, dated July 07, 2010
Info on.travel guides and travel information for Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Info about suggested itineraries for the Abruzzo region of Italy *, dated Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Info on articles about, for or on Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Info on some of the food delicacies/specialties from the region of Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Monday, March 08, 2010
Info on On-Line Route Planning and Maps of Italy *, dated Thursday, November 17, 2005

Info about scenic drives in Italy

2010-08-25T05:19:00.004+02:00

Here are some links about scenic drives in Italy:

SCENIC DRIVES

The Abruzzo - Beauty and Nature in Italy's Backcountry – "Important Roman Archaeology, Scenic Drives, Loads of Parkland, Great Cuisine" – by James Martin – Source: Europe Travel section of About.com
The Amalfi Coast Sorrento Peninsula, Italy – Amalfi Coast Drive – Written by Tim Jepson – Source: TRAVEL section of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC – "Inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888"
Cypress Lined Roads – Pauline Kenny – Source: Travel Notes portion within the Italy section of slow travel
Dolomite Road Italy – "One of the World's Best Scenic Drives" – Source: Soft Adventure Tourism – "Tips for the Out of the Ordinary Vacation"
Italy's most scenic drives – Posted by Marta at 7/13/2010 – Source: A Travel Around the World – In English, Italian
Italy's Three Most Scenic Drives – July 15, 2007 – Source: Travel Blog section of Foder's – "FOR CHOICE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES"
Scenic Drive on the Amalfi Coast – by Melanie Renzulli on 12. Aug, 2010 in "Amalfi Coast, Driving Tours" – Source: Italofile
Southern Tuscany Drive – Stu Dudley – Source: Travel Notes portion within the Italy section of slow travel
Tuscany Scenic Drive Recommendation – Source: photo.net – "Welcome to Photo.net: A Community of Photographers"

BOOKS

25 Great Drives in Italy – Author: Paul Duncan – Source: Frommer's
25 Great Drives in Northern Italy – Author: Sally Roy – Source: Frommer's
25 Great Drives in Tuscany and Umbria – Author: Michael Buttler – Source: Frommer's
Back Roads Italy – Author: DK Publishing – Source: dk.com
The Essential Driving Guide for Italy – Author: Orv Strandoo – Source: Book Publishers Network
Italy, AA Best Drives – Source: AA (Automobile Association) – "For the road ahead"]

VIDEOS

Amalfi Drive – Source: concierge.com – "inspired travel starts here"
Scenic Drive - Passo di Giau in Italy – Source: You Tube – "Broadcast Yourself™"

SCENIC DRIVES IN EUROPE

9 of the Most Scenic Drives in Europe – By Cristina Dima | May 20th, 2009 – Source: BootsnAll – "ONE-STOP INDIE TRAVEL GUIDE"
Europe's Most Scenic Drives – "Whether it's racing through the Alps or ambling along the Adriatic, Europe offers picturesque views from the road." – Vidya Ram, 08.21.09, 04:00 PM EDT – Source: Forbes.com – "Home Page for the World's Business Leaders"
Europe's Top 10 Drives – Italy listed 3 times – Source: reidsguides.com – "travel beyond vacations™"
Vrooms with a view: Europe's most scenic drives – "Ten stunning journeys on the open road" – Simon Heptinstall – The Guardian, Saturday 6 February 2010 – Source: found in the Travel section of the guardian.co.uk

Italy's Hilltowns – By Dave Hoerlein – Source: Italy portion of Best Destinations section of Rick Steves' EUROPE – "Europe Through the Back Door"
List of Attractions in Italy – Source: Karen Brown's World of Travel

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info for maps of Roma/Rome, Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info on maps for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Friday, September 05, 2008
Info about the Autostrade per l'Italia *, dated Friday, February 15, 2008
Info on Distance Calculators (How Far Is It?) for Italy *, dated Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Info about Driving in Italy *, dated Friday, March 17, 2006
Info on On-Line Route Planning and Maps of Italy *, dated Thursday, November 17, 2005

* = Blog entry has been updated.

For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

The above links as of this date are/were current. If anyone has any suggestions for any other additional web sites and/or links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry.

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request any further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

NOTE: If you want to leave a comment, please leave it in ENGLISH.

Broken links: Since November, 2005, I have written over 300+ blog entries with 1,000's of corresponding links/URLs for Moving2Italy2, covering a varied and wide range of topics. In the event if you come across a broken link or a non-functioning link/URL, please post a comment and report the non-functional link. I wish to thank you in advance for assisting me in the ongoing maintenance and the updating of this successful and informative blog.

Please note: I do NOT represent or endorse any of these links nor do I receive payment for listing them in my blog.

SUGGESTION #1: you do not need to bring whatever book or magazine that you found a scenic drive or drives that you are interested in driving in Italy or Europe. You just photocopy the selected pages from whatever book or magazine and bring these selected pages with you to Italy. You do not want or need the added weight, bulk and inconvenience of carrying books and/or magazines when traveling around Italy.

SUGGESTION #2: Use your public library and check out a specific book about scenic drives in Italy. If you want to buy it later, please feel free to do so.

SUGGESTION #3: When driving in Italy, enjoy the drive and drive safely. You are not in a race to see and do everything, just take your time. If someone behind you is tailgating you, pull over at a safe place and let them pass you. My wife and I have seen cars, trucks and motorcycles pass on blind curves and across solid white/yellow lines. This summer, we witnessed an accident where one automobile rear-ended another small automobile with serious injuries. This accident occurred on a divided 4-lane road, on dry pavement and with sunny skies.

SUGGESTION #4: You do not need a full size map of Italy. If you are in a car and trying to unfold it to find out where you are at the moment and where you want to go, while you are driving, it can be very frustrating.

Maps for Italy come in all shapes and sizes. Just buy a map(s) or pick up a "free" tourist map or maps for the area of Italy that you will be traveling in. There are area maps of Italy: northern, central and southern. There are maps of just the regions of Italy and there are 2o regions. There are maps of the various provinces within the a region. There are city and town maps. And then, there are all sorts and combinations of on-line maps and GPS maps.

SUGGESTION #5: For those individuals that use GPS units or software (S/W) on a cell phone or laptop. There are subtle differences and I am going to mention just one or two. For instance, our mailing address is Gargonza 81, 52048 Monte San Savino (AR). If you enter our mailing address into a GPS unit, it will show you the town of Monte San Savino in the province of Arezzo and the location of Gargonza along the SS73 but NOT where we actually live unless you have our specific GPS coordinates. Unless the location is a "POI" (point of interest), just having an address may not get you there. It is critical to have the complete name of the street address.

Please note: there are few if any directional aids on street/road signs. Unless you know in which direction a specific town/village/city is north of your current location when you are driving around or east or west or south, it may take you a while to find the town/village/city you are trying to find.

We have met and know people in Italy that swears by their respective GPS units and we know people that have been "LOST" even with a GPS unit.

That's it for Wednesday, 25 August 2010: mercoledì, 25 agosto 2010

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.
"Lavora con la testa, non le mani."
"Work with your head, not with your hands."

When you have a free moment or two, please read my wife's interesting and entertaining blog about our life in Italy with photographs:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

Info on classified ads for Expats, for other newcomers and those individuals living or planning to live in Italy

2010-08-18T05:13:00.011+02:00

Here are some links for on-line classified ads for Expats, for newcomers and those individuals living or planning to live in Italy:

CLASSIFIED/WANT ADS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF CATEGORIES

ON-LINE

AngloINFO Italy – "Everything you need for life in another country!"

Classifieds section of AngloINFO Liguria – "Life on the Italian Riviera, in English!"
Classifieds section of AngloINFO Milan – "Life in Lombardy, in English!"
Classifieds section of AngloINFO Rome – "Life in Rome, in English!"
Classifieds section of AngloInfo Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"
Classifieds section of AngloINFO Umbria – "Life in Umbria, in English!"

Classifieds section of The Florentine – Firenze/Florence
Classifieds section of Hello Milano – "On-line guide to Milan" – Milano/Milan
Free Classifieds – Source: RomeMama.com – "for mothers and mothers-to-be in rome, italy"
place a classified ad in easy milano – "The # 1 biweekly publication for the English-speaking community of Milan" – Milano/Milan – In English, Italian
Rome Classifieds of Live in Rome & Italy – "Travel Resources, City Guide, Classified Ads for Rome and Italy"
Classifieds section of Wanted in Rome – "Everything you need to know about living in Rome."

ON-LINE: IN ENGLISH OR ITALIAN

craigslist > italy – "provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, personals, services, local community, and events.". The listings in Italy may be in English or Italian.

bologna

florence / tuscany

genoa

milan

napoli / campania

perugia

rome

sardinia

sicilia

torino

venice / veneto

EasyStanza – "The Web's No.1 Flatshare & House Share website" – Source: web site – For various cities in Italy and in other countries and available in multiple languages
Italyclassifieds.net – "Free Classifieds in Italy"

Classified ads may be in English or Italian

Please check web site for list of cities

Italy Expat Classifieds Marketplace – registration – Source: Allo' Expat Italy – "Connecting Expats in Italy"

ON-LINE: IN ITALIAN ONLY – JUST A SAMPLE

AAannunci.it – " ... il mondo degli annunci gratuiti" – Source: web site
"Gli Affari" On-line – Source: web site
Annunci.net – "La comunità degli annunci gratuiti online" – "Tutta Italia" – Source: web site
Annuncia® [Annuncia] – "Annunci gratuiti economici e inserzioni personali gratis" – Source: web site
Bakeca.it – "Annunci Gratuiti Online" – Source: web site

You can select: "Cosa stai cercando?" (What you are looking for?) and "In che città?" (In which city?)

bakecannunci.com – italia – Source: web site

Available in other countries and languages

Fastannuncio.net – "è il sito gratuito di inserzioni e annunci on line" – Source: web site
kijiji™ (ebay® classifieds) – Source: web site

You can select: "Dove?" (Where?) and "In Quale Categoria?" (In which category?)

Porta Portese – In Italian Only – "è annunci gratuiti per Roma e Lazio, annunci e inserzioni gratuite immobiliari, annunci gratuiti di vendita e affitto appartamenti, annunci di lavoro, annunci di compravendita moto e auto usate.".

GROUPS OR WEB SITES THAT HAVE FORUMS. MESSAGE BOARDS, ETC.:

Expats in Italy – "for those who dream and those who live the dream" – Source: web site – registration required
friends in rome – "Old city znd New friends... Live the real Rome!" – "socialize and network with international and local people while discovering everything that Rome has to offer and enjoy great food and wine" – Source: web site – registration required
Milan – Source: easyexpat.com – In multiple languages
Milan Community – Source: expatriates.com – "Hello and welcome to expatriates.com - the community web site created for and by expatriates and internationally minded people everywhere."
Rome – Source: easyexpat.com – In multiple languages
RomeMama.com – "for mothers and mothers-to-be in rome, italy" – Source: web site
VCN-Rome – "Volunteer and Consultant Network, Rome" – registration required – Source: Yahoo!® Groups – registration required

RESOURCES

franglo*italy – "travel + expat classifieds" – registration required – Source: franglo*classifieds – "The web classifieds network for travel, expats and internationals" – "Join now for free!"
free classified ads sell and buy sale and purchase – "Italy - Travel" – Source: Classifieds1000 – registration required
Resources for English Speakers in Italy – Source: American Business Group – "The premiere networking circle for English-speaking professionals that do business in and around Milan and Northern Italy"

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on expat web sites for Italy and elsewhere *, dated Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Info about finding rental accommodations in Italy *, dated Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Info on blogs about, for or on Rome/Roma, Italy

2010-08-11T05:08:00.010+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 15 August 2010)

Here are some links on blogs about, for or on Rome/Roma, Italy:

BLOGS: ABOUT, FOR OR ON ROME/ROMA

GENERAL

Browsing Rome – "BLOGGING ABOUT ROME, ITALY AND BEYOND" – Source: web site
Experience Rome like a local – "Rome tips by locals – always up to date!" – Source: Spotted by Locals – "Experience cities like a local"

BUSINESS RELATED/COMMERICAL

BeAtRome.com Blog – "1000 + 1 reasons to book hotels in Rome" – Source: web site
vino roma – Hande Leimer – Source: web site

CHILDREN/KIDS

Rome City Guide for Kids – "the children's key to the eternal city" – Lola – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site

COOKING/FOOD

2 friends 4 cooking – "Italian cooking lessons in Rome, recipes and more" – Source: web site
Food in Rome – "Reviews of restaurants and guide to eating out in Rome, Italy." – Rob and Petulia – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site
Parla Food – "Travel writer Katie Parla chases down the best food in Italy and elsewhere." – Katie Parla – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site

Rome & Lazio Archive

EXPATS

AGLIO, OLIO & PEPERONCINO – "Personal thoughts on all things tasty" – Eleonora – Location: Rome, Lazio – Source: web site
Marina's Bloggariffic – "Diary of a Singaporean in Rome" – rinaz – Location: Rome, Lazio – Source: web site
MOSCERINA – moscerina – Location: Rome, Lazio – Source: web site
Mr. Southern goes to Rome – "It's like Ernest Goes to Camp, except... uh... less "Campy." And... I'm not "Ernest."" – – Location: Rome, Lazio – Source: web site
Roam to Rome – Martha – Location: Rome, Lazio – Source: web site
Rome City Guide for Kids – "the children's key to the eternal city" – Lola – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site
Rome Life – Claire – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site
The Rome Report – Paul and – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site
Rome the Second Time – "15 Itineraries That Don't Go to the Coliseum" – Dianne Bennett and William Graebner – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site and book
ROME SECRET – Superali – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site
ROMESECRET – by Ali Filmer – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site
ROME - ROME - ROME – "Stories of Life an Death in the Eternal City" – Lawrie Taylor – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site
Ron in Rome! – "Assistance, Advice, Thoughts on Visiting & Living in Rome!" – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site
Soliloquy In An International Cloister – BroLo – Location: Rome, Lazio – Source: web site

INACTIVE

An American Girl in Italy – "How does the blue mold get in Gorgonzola? Have you ever heard the rocks at Castiglioncello sing and why do writers always seek solace in Italy? Time for me to find the answers to these and see, if in doing so, I also find my home." – Sparrow (Lynda) – Location: Rome, Lazio
Another Am erican in Rome – "July 10 I'm flying to Rome and starting a new phase. I've got my trusty Italian passport (yeah dual citizenship!), I just need to find a job and a place to live.....let's see how easy that is!" – Jessica – Location: Rome, Lazio
Emelie in Rome – Emelie Healy – Location: Rome, Lazio

LISTS OF EXPAT BLOGS

Blog Italy, expat Italy – "Would you like to work, live, move to Italy? Or just to find out how is life in Italy? We've got much better than travel brochures, read blogs written by expatriates living in Italy!" – Source: Living in Italy section of expat blog – "Share your expat experience!" – "The living abroad website, by expats, for expats" – In English, French, Spanish
Blog Rome – "expat Rome" – Source: Living in Rome within Living in Italy section of expat blog – "Share your expat experience!"

Comprehensive list of current expat blogs on Italy – "All blogs were current as at the beginning of 2009." – Source: italytutto - "Italy blogs, forums, reviews" – "the best of expat views on life in Italy"

Expat Blogs in Italy – Source: Ms. Adventures in Italy – Sara Rosso – Location: Milan, Lombardia (Lombardy)

MIXED: PHOTOS/ADS/POSTERS, ETC. WITH WORDS

EternallyCool.net – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site

PHOTO BLOGS

Daily Rome – "A fresh picture from Rome everyday"
romedailyphoto – © 2006-2010, Giovanni De Angelis – Location: Rome Lazio – Source: web site
Rome Photo Blog – Jessica Stewart – Location: Rome, Lazio – Source: web site

TRAVEL

BLOG ENTRIES

Celebrating the Season: Rome – By Susan O'Keefe on December 4, 2008 4:15 PM – Source: From intelligent travel blog within the TRAVEL section of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC – "Inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888"

LISTS

Rome – Source: Travel Blog – "is a collection of travel journals, diaries and photos from around the world."
Travel Blogs about Rome, Italy – Source: TravelPost – "Hotel reviews and information"

BLOG ENTRIES

How to Eat Like a Local in Rome – August 09, 2010 | Posted in Best of the Best | Fodor's Editors – Source: Travel Blog section of Foder's – "FOR CHOICE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES"
Rome – Alex Roe – Source: BLOG FROM ITALY – "Life in the Living Museum"

10 Great Blogs for Exploring Italy – by James Martin who writes the Wandering Italy Blog and edits the Europe Travel section of About.com – Source: blogs.com– "the best in blogs"
Blogs about Italy - Italian Travel Blogs – By Martha Bakerjian – Source: Italy Travel section of About.com
Blog Italy, expat Italy – Source: expat blog – "Share your expat experience!" – "The living abroad website, by expats, for expats" – In English, French, Spanish
italytutto – the blog about the blogs and bloggers in italy – "keeping track of the bloggers in italy" – Source: web site
Top 10 Secret Italy Blogs – by Ali Filmer who writes ROMESECRET – Source: blogs.com– "the best in blogs"
Top 100 Italy blogs – "Italy Blogs: The ultimate rank" – a/o this date, Moving2Italy2 is ranked #33 – Source: blogrank – "The top blogs in one place"
NOT A BLOG

MOTHERS AND MOTHERS TO BE

RomeMama.com – "for mothers and mothers-to-be in rome, italy" – Source: web site

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info for maps of Roma/Rome, Italy , dated Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Info on guides for Rome/Roma, Italy *, dated Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Info on three day or suggested itineraries for Rome/Roma, Italy *, dated Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Info on web sites about, for or on Rome/Roma, Italy *, dated Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Info on the Best of/Top 10 of Rome/Roma, Italy *, dated Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Info About, For or On Rome, Italy *, dated Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 15 August 2010)

Info on webcams in Abruzzo, Italy

2010-08-04T07:12:00.001+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 2 September 2010)

Here are some links for webcams in Abruzzo, Italy:

WEBCAMS IN ABRUZZO

PROVINCES OF THE REGION

L'AQUILA

L Aquila Centro Webcam in L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy – Source: baysider.com
Campo Felice webcam – Source: Campo Felice Tourist Office – In English, Italian

CHIETI

Chieti Alta – In Italian Only – Source: AQ Caput frigoris
Ortona a Mare – In Italian Only – [coastal town and municipality of the Province of Chieti] – Source: ortonaamare.it
Scerni – In Italian Only – province of Chieti – Source: ARSSA (Agenzia Regionale per i Servizi di Sviluppo Agricol)
Webcam Chieti (CH) – In Italian Only – Source: meteo in diretta – "webcam e previsioni del tempo"
Webcam, immagini in tempo reale di Chieti – In Italian Only – Source: Goturismo – "Benvenuto nel portale del Turismo a Chieti"

PESCARA

Pescara, Lungomare – Source: Webcams.travel – "Webcams Worldwide" – "Touristic webcams worldwide"
Webcam Pescara – In Italian Only – Source: 3BMeteo – "Meteo e previsioni del tempo"
Webcam più vicine a Pescara – Montesilvano (PE) – In Italian Only – Source: meteo in diretta – "webcam e previsioni del tempo"

TERAMO

Abruzzo Webcams – "Alba Adriatica – La Pineta beach" – Source: Italy Webcams – "Live monuments, traffic and weather cams from Rome, Venice, and all Italy"
Giulianova Webcams – "Webcams in Giulianova, Abruzzo" – Source: baysider.com
Silvi Marina – "Travel webcam Europe Garden Village Beach" – Source: Webcams.travel – "Webcams Worldwide"

LISTS OF WEBCAMS ACROSS THE REGION OF ABRUZZO

Abruzzo – "A collection of the most interesting webcams in Abruzzo, Italy - Watch Abruzzo in Italy live: A perfect way to prepare your trip or holidays in Abruzzo or Italy." – Source: Webcam Galore – In English, German, Italian
Webcams Abruzzo – In Italian Only – Source: Viagginrete – "il portale dei tuoi viaggi"
Webcams in Abruzzen – In German Only – Source: italien.de – In German, Italian

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on maps for Abruzzo, Italy *, Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Info on or about the beaches (spiagge) of the Abruzzo region of Italy *, Wednesday, dated July 07, 2010
Info on.travel guides and travel information for Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Info about suggested itineraries for the Abruzzo region of Italy *, dated Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Info on articles about, for or on Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Info on some of the food delicacies/specialties from the region of Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Monday, March 08, 2010

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 2 September 2010)

Info about, for or on pasta in Italy

2010-07-28T05:00:00.013+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 6 October 2010)

Here are some links about, for or on pasta in Italy:

PASTA

INFORMATION

ABOUT PASTA – Source: e-rcps

Pasta FAQ

History of pasta – "Italian Pasta Through the Ages" – Contributor: Justin Demetri – Source: lifeinitaly.com
The History Of Pasta – "Pasta History: It Traveled From China To Arabia To Italy" – Source: THE NIBBLE™ – "Great Food Finds™"
The History of Pasta – "It's not what you think!" – Source: Pasta Recipes by Italians

The Origins of Pasta! – Source: italiancook.ca – "I hope you enjoy this web site and tell your friends about the many italian recipes it includes all available for free and information on all the regions in Italy."

Pasta – July 1986 – ATLANTIC MAGAZINE – By Corby Kummer – Source: the atlantic
Pasta – Source: Mahalo – "is the fun & easy way to share knowledge"
PASTA - ITALY'S GIFT TO THE WORLD – "Article contributed by Hrayr Berberoglu, a Professor Emeritus of Hospitality and Tourism Management specializing in Food and Beverage" – Source: Articles & Features Section of FoodReference.com – "is an information website - all about food."
So You Think You Know Pasta – By RACHEL DONADIO – Published: October 13, 2009 – "Francesca Gilberti contributed reporting." – Source: found under Dining & Wine within the Fashion & Style section of The New York Times

BLOGS/BLOG ENTRIES

BLOGS

PastaQueen – "You'll laugh your ass off. (I did.)" – Source: web site
Pasta Recipes Made Easy – "Delicious Italian pasta, step by step" – Source: web site

BLOG ENTRIES

Italian Pasta Names: Way Beyond Spaghetti – by Jessica | September 22nd, 2008 – Source: Food & Drink category within the Italy section of WhyGo

LISTS OF BLOGS/BLOG ENTRIES

Blogs about: Pasta – Source: WordPress.com – "Express yourself. Start a blog."
Pasta – Source: blogtoplist
Pasta Blogs – Source: ifood.tv – "Your Food Networks!"
Pasta Blogs – Source: blogtopsites – "The center of the blogosphere"

MUSEUM/MUSEO

National Museum of Pasta Foods - Rome - Italy (Museo Nazionale delle Paste Alimentari) – Source: web site – In English, Italian

PASTA DICTIONARIES/GLOSSARIES

Basic dictionary of pasta shapes – Source: World Food & Wine
ITALIAN PASTA SHAPES – "The Official Online Dictionary: Descriptions, history, and cooking instructions" – Source: HONESTFOOD.com™
pasta – Source: Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary Online – "the dictionary with a new point of view"
Pasta Glossary – "Our Glossary of Pasta Terms From A (Agnolotti) to Z (Zitone) Reveals A Vast World Beyond Linguine" – Source: THE NIBBLE™ – "Great Food Finds™"
A Visual Guide to Pasta – "Get to know your noodles" – Text by Esther Sung; photos by Chris Astley – Source: epicurious – "for people who love to eat"

PASTA MANUFACTURERS (ITALIAN) – JUST A FEW OF THE 300 ITALIAN PASTA MANUFACTURERS

Antico Pastificio Morelli – Source: web site – country specific – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Barilla – "The choice of Italy" – Source: web site – country specific and in multiple languages

La Campofilone s.r.l. – Source: web site – In English, Italian
De Cecco – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
F. Divella S.p.A. – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian
Pasta Paone – "The good mediterranean pasta in the world" – Source: web site – In English, Italian
Pasta Riscossa – "" – Source: web site – In English, Italian
pasta ZARA®– Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
Pastificio Barbieri s.r.l. – "" – Source: web site – In English, French, Italian
Pastificio Lucio Garofalo S.p.A. – Source: web site – country specific and in multiple languages
Pastificio NERONI – "An Italian story of tradition and taste" – Source: web site – In English, Italian

PASTA MANUFACTURERS (HEADQUARTERS IN USA)

Fasolino's – Source: web site

LISTS OF PASTA MANUFACTURERS (ITALIAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES)

Pasta – Source: dmoz – "open directory project"

RECIPES

Authentic Italian Pasta Recipes – "Italian Pasta Recipes for Italian Food Lovers Straight From Italy" – Source: web site
Explore Our Recipes – Source: Barilla – country specific and in multiple languages
How to Cook Pasta – Source: Anna Maria Volpi A Passion for Cooking
Looking for delicious Italian pasta recipes anyone can cook? – Source: Pasta Recipes Made Easy – "Delicious Italian pasta, step by step"
Pasta recipes – "From spicy chicken pasta to a delicious pasta salad, you will find a pasta recipe for every occasion here" – Source: Good Food Channel – [UK based TV channel]
pasta recipes – Source: The Italian Chef
LISTS

Authentic Italian Homemade Pasta: View Recipes – "Submitted by:" various individuals – Source: allrecipes.com®
Pasta Recipes and Sauces – Kyle Phillips – Source: Italian Food section of About.com

TYPES OF PASTA

Different types of pasta: an A-Z guide – Source: Pasta Recipes Made Easy – "Delicious Italian pasta, step by step"
The Origins of Pasta! – Source: italiancook.ca – "I hope you enjoy this web site and tell your friends about the many italian recipes it includes all available for free and information on all the regions in Italy."
Pasta – Source: ItalianMade.com – "The ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION presents the official web site of THE FOODS AND WINES OF ITALY..."

ORGANIZATIONS

ITALY

UN.I.P.I. (L'Unione degli Industriali Pastai Italiani) – In Italian Only – Source: web site

NATIONAL PASTA ASSOCIATION – Source: web site

NPA Members

All About Pasta – Source: NATIONAL PASTA ASSOCIATION

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info about, for or on formaggi (cheeses) in Italy *, dated Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Info on food blogs in Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Info on some of the food delicacies/specialties from the region of Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Monday, March 08, 2010
Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info about chocolate in Italy *, dated Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Info on Olive Oil in Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Info on Food Products of Italy *, dated Tuesday, January 31, 2006

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 6 October 2010)

© Benjamin H. Licodo, 2005 - 2010, All Rights Reserved.

Info about the Etruscans in Tuscany

2010-07-21T05:29:00.005+02:00

Here are some links about the Etruscans in Toscana/Tuscany:

INFORMATION

The Best Etruscan Sights – Source: Destinations section of Frommer's
Etruria – Source: Wikipedia – "The free encyclopedia" – In multiple languages
The Etruscan Civilization in Italy – Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 – Source: lifeinitaly.com
The Etruscan Foundation – "is dedicated to the study and understanding of the cultural and material history and heritage of the Etruscans, their neighbors and ancestors, by supporting research, education, conservation, and publication." – Source: web site
Mysterious Etruscans – Source: Kids Europe – "Adventures in Italy for children and their families."
L'OMBRA DELLA SERA – "Etruscan Splendors from Volterra in Tuscany" – "A Two-THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD INQUIRY: ETRURIA" – Source: The Sidney Mishkin Gallery of Baruch College

ARTICLES

Etruscan Fiesole – "A Hill Town of the Etruscans in Tuscany, Italy" – dated: Nov 3, 2009 – Natasha Sheldon – Source: Archaeology section of suite101.com – "Insightful writers. Informed readers"
Etruscan Pathways near Pitigliano – Pauline Kenny – Source: slow travel italy section of slow travel
Etruscan Treasures From Tuscany – dated: MARCH 31, 2009 – By WILLARD SPIEGELMAN – Source: Arts & Entertainment within the Life & Style section of European Edition of The Wall Street Journal
Tuscan Hills Are Alive With Amateur Archaeologists – By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO – Published: August 21, 2007 – Source: Arts section of The New York Times

BLOG ENTRIES

Etruscan Tracks – Source: Experience Tuscany – "Travel to Tuscany without leaving your home…blog!"
Get to know the Etruscans in Tuscany’s top 5 Etruscan Museums – posted on: Feb 10, 2010 – Source: Tuscany Arts – "See beyond the visual" – "The official blog network of Tuscany"
Intact Etruscan home found in Tuscany – "... posted on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at 10:51 PM ... " – Source: The History Blog © 2010 All Rights Reserved.

MUSEUMS

LOCATIONS

Artimino, località of Carmignano (PO)

Etruscan Archaeological Museum of Artimino – Source: turismo.intoscana.it – In Chinese, English, Italian
Museo Archeologico Comunale – In Italian Only – Source: Comune di Carmignano

Chiusi (SI)

Museo Archeologico Nazionale – Source: web site – In English, Italian – NOTE: The Italian version contains more information and details.

Cortona (AR)

MAEC (Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca) – Source: web site – In English, Italian

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Info on what to bring to Italy if you are an Expat or a student

2010-07-14T05:17:00.016+02:00

Here is some information on what to bring to Italy if you are a student or an Expat coming in from the USA:

NOTE: ASSUMPTIONS MADE

An Expat may be an individual, a couple or a family: that is on an international assignment (usually defined in an Expat Agreement or contract for months or years) from an USA company or corporation or international company or international agency OR have relocated legally from another country or the USA with an Elective Residence visa OR have relocated legally from another country or the USA as a dual citizen (Italian and whatever nationality).
A Student is legally attending with a student visa: a study abroad program or a degree program from a college or university based in the USA OR has qualified to attend an Italian university OR attending an accredited Italian language program.
I am NOT addressing what is or is not available to US Military or US government or US defense/civilian contractor personnel and their dependents stationed or assigned in Italy or elsewhere around the world. These individuals have their own procedures, facilities, etc. available to them and their guests.

CAVEAT: WARNINGS

Most medications sold in the USA cannot be shipped via FEDEX, UPS, DHL, etc. or mailed via USPS to Italian addresses in Italy.
Even though, an electronic device may state it is dual voltage (110V - 220/240V), not all electronic devices or adapters are auto-sensing for voltage may it be 110V - 220/240V. Please check that there is not a switch that you manually have to move or to select the correct voltage setting first before the device is being plug into the electrical outlet wherever you may be located at the time.
If you are planning to have something shipped via Fedex, UPS, DHL, etc. or mailed to you via USPS, please be AWARE that you may have to pay a hefty customs duty (fee) on the item(s) that had been shipped or mailed to you. Not only have I have heard stories from other Expats or read about them but it has happened to me. In 2007, when I moved to Italy, I had a box of used clothing sent to me via USPS. It was stated on a customs declaration form "used clothing" and zero value ($0.00) attached to the box. However, I was still charged €26 ($34+) by Italian customs. I had already paid $50.00 plus dollars in postage to send the box from the States.

ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

Once you get to Italy, plan on buying surge protectors or UPS's (Universal Power Supply with built-in surge protection) for your electronics. For what you may pay for a quality and adequate surge protector, you would only pay €3 or €5 more for a UPS or the same price for a surge protector, if it's on sale. I have (5) UPS's for laptops computers, TV and DVD player, stereo equipment, cordless phone and medical equipment and for the refrigerator in our rental house because I know that we have dirty power where we live and have occasional brown outs.
Whenever we have someone visit us from the States (even, a friend of a friend), I will usually ask them to bring something(s) over for me in their luggage. I will have the specific item(s) shipped to their state-side address and/or ask them to buy various items, e.g., an unlocked GSM, quad-band cell phone, OTC medications, vitamins, various items for my laptop, men, women and children's clothing items, carbon monoxide detector, books, paperbacks, magazines, disposable contact lenses, solutions for contact lenses, etc.
In the same vein, it you ever travel back to the State on business or pleasure, bringing or buying another suitcase there and fill it up with the items that you want or need here in Italy. Last year, my wife packed a second bag inside a suitcase with minimal clothing she was taking to the States with her. On the return trip to Italy, she filled up both suitcase with her various purchases and items that she had bought or received from various friends and family members. Even with today's fees for checking luggage, it is still cheaper and safer than having these items sent or shipped to her in Italy. Something to think about and to consider for trips back to the States in the future.

CHECKLISTS

EXPATS

Expatriate Relocation Overseas – Please scroll down to "Moving Overseas Checklist" – By BaliMermaid – Source: HubPages – "Publish easily, Attract readers, & Earn rewards"
International Moving Checklist – "Advice and Tips for Moving Overseas" – " Moving abroad doesn't have to be complicated or stressful. Use this list to plan ahead and organize packing, documents and other details of an international move." – Christine Benlafquih – Jul 8, 2008 – Source: suite101.com – "Insightful writers. Informed readers"
Tips & Checklists – by various contributors and authors – Source: Expat Women – "Helping Women Living Overseas"

STUDENTS

Center for International Experience Pre-departure Checklist – "Before You Go..." – Source: Center for International Experience of Yale University
Pre-Departure Checklists – Source: UC San Diego International Center
Pre-Departure General Checklist for Students Going Abroad – Source: indobase
NOTE: Please check with the organization, institution, college or university for their respective copy of a pre-departure checklist's or guide lines for study abroad or degree programs in whatever country you are traveling to or for Italy.

EXPATS AND STUDENTS

Pre-Departure Checklist for Living Abroad – "Vital Items Every Traveler Should Remember to Bring Overseas" – "Getting ready to travel abroad for work or study? Time to make sure all of the following essential items are packed and ready to go!" – Suzanne Swartz – Oct 17, 2009 – Source: suite101.com – "Insightful writers. Informed readers"
Check out this previous blog entry: Info about Checklists for Moving or Relocating to Italy *, dated Friday, April 7, 2006

GENERAL – EXPATS AND STUDENTS

APPLIANCES (ELECTRIC)

Kitchen appliances (small): blenders/mixers, bread makers, coffee grinders, coffee makers, cookers: induction, rice or slow cookers, cupcake makers, deep fryers, food dehydrators, egg cookers, indoor grills, griddles, food savers, juicers, knife sharpeners, microwaves, panini/sandwich makers, pop corn makers, toasters, waffle irons, warming drawers/trays, etc.

Most small kitchen appliance sold in the USA are 110V and 60 Hz and will NOT work in Italy unless used with a step down voltage transformer or 110 - 220/240 voltage converter.
If the kitchen appliance has a motor or heating element, it will not be as efficient as it was in the States and MUST be used with a voltage transformer or voltage converter.
For Expats, this is why you request a small appliance allowance in your Expat Agreement and/or relocation package. This is something to consider when you move to Italy or anywhere abroad, the replacement costs for all the small kitchen appliances that you currently own or use.

Kitchen appliances (large), e.g., freezers, refrigerators, etc.:

Most large kitchen appliance sold in the USA are 110V and 60 Hz and will NOT work in Italy unless used with a step down voltage transformer or 110 - 220/240 voltage converter.
These appliance have a motor and they may not run or be as efficient as they were in the States.
Suggestion: Unless this is a long tern international assignment or you are planning on living in Italy year round, consider LEAVING it in the States.

Other appliances (large): washing machine, clothes dryer, etc.

These appliances have a motor and it may not be as efficient as it was in the States.
There are differences between USA and Italian/European washing machines.

There is NO separate tap for washing machine.
These appliance have a motor and it may not be as efficient as it was in the States.

There are differences between USA and Italian/European clothes dryers: gas and electric:

how it is vented
the difference in connections: electrical and gas
These appliance have a motor and it may not be as efficient as it was in the States.

Suggestion: Unless this is a long tern international assignment or you are planning on living in Italy year round, consider LEAVING it in the States.

COMPUTER RELATED ITEMS

There are no bargains for computer related items in Italy. DVDs, various cables, desktop/laptop accessories are more expensive in Italy and there are fewer choices.
External disk drives, CD/DVD drives, routers, switches, hubs, etc. MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)

ELECTRONICS

A/C adapters or chargers for GPS devices, MP3 players, iPad, iPod, battery chargers, etc.

MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
You must use an electrical plug adapter that has either 3 or 2 male plugs and either be 10A or 16A.

Cell phones

MUST be GSM! – or a “world phone”

Unlocked

Ideally, Tri or quad band for better cellular service
A/C adapter for cell phone or iPhone charger MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)

Desktop/Laptop computers

Power supply for desktop MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
A/C adapter for laptop MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)

Hair dryers/curling irons and other hair care products

Power supply for these items MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
If your current device is NOT dual voltage, leave it in the States and replace it with one in Italy.

Monitors: Analog, LCD including widescreen, etc.

Power supply for these items MUST be 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)
If your current device is NOT dual voltage, leave it in the States and replace it with one in Italy.

Stereo Equipment/Home Theater System

Dual voltage items are OK
There is a label on the back of or somewhere on the device, e.g., compact disk, DVD and Blu-ray players, DVD recorder, stereo receiver, turn table, that should state 100 – 240V and 50 – 60 Hz (dual voltage)

TV including LCD HDTV, LED LCD, PLASMA

Most TVs sold in the USA has a tuner that will recognize only the NTSC encoding/transmission standard. In Italy and most of Europe, you have PAL except for France and a few other countries. There is SECAM in France, Russia and the former countries that made up the USSR and a few other countries.

CLOTHING

CHILDREN

You will not find the variety and choices that you have in the States, plan on bringing extra children clothing items in various sizes over to Italy.
Suggestion: Buying an item on-line in the States and follow the advice in Item #2 mentioned above in ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

If you are a 2X or larger, plan on bringing extra items of clothing with you.
I personally have found that in the shops and men's stores that I have visited that 2X or larger is not only very hard to find but if you do find a clothing item labeled 2X, it is usually too small or does not fit properly.
Suggestion: Buying an item on-line in the States and follow the advice in Item #2 mentioned above in ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

WOMEN

bras

If you are size that is difficult to find in the States, plan on bringing extra bras over to Italy.
If there is a specific brand that you prefer, plan on bringing extra bras over to Italy.

plus sizes

Finding any item that you may like or wear in Italy, may be difficult. So, plan on bringing extra items of clothing with you.

Suggestion: Buying an item on-line in the States and follow the advice in Item #2 mentioned above in ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

EYEGLASSES AND CONTACTS

Have a copy of your latest eyeglass/contact prescription.
Be sure to have an extra pair of your eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.
If you wear contacts, please be aware of the following:

Disposable contacts lenses are very expensive in Italy, please plan on bringing extra pairs from the States with you.
If you use a specific solution for your contact lenses, please plan on bringing extra supplies from the States with you.
Suggestion: Consider buying disposable contacts and/or contact lenses solution on-line in the States and follow the advice in Item #2 mentioned above in ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

LAMPS

You can use most electric lamps or light fixtures bought in the States in Italy.

You will need to changeout and replace the existing 110V bulb or halogen in the light fixture for a 220V one and either use a 10A/16A plug adapter or cut off and replace the USA electrical plug with the right size Italian electrical plug.

MEDICATIONS – CAVEAT: MOST MEDICATIONS SOLD IN THE USA CANNOT BE SHOPPED VIA FEDEX, UPS, DHL, ETC. OR MAILED VIA USPS TO ITALY.

NAME BRAND

Not all name brand medications that you have in the USA are available in Italy.

When coming to Italy, be sure to know the standard drug name and its generic name.

Needless to say, if you can find it here in Italy, it will cost MORE!

OVER THE COUNTER (OTC)

You do not have the choice or selection that you have in the States.

For example, in the farmacia (pharmacy), aspirin are usually sold individually. The costs can be as much as €1 a piece and you can only get so many at a time.

PRESCRIPTIONS

You will need to go to an Italian doctor and have a new Italian prescription written for the current USA prescription that you are taking.
You will receive a fixed number of pills or tablets from the farmacia (pharmacy). There is no 30 or 60 or 90 day supply.
So you'll need to see an Italian doctor several times a year to get your Italian prescription written again for a refill.

ALLERGIES INCLUDING FOOD AND DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

You exercise the same care and due diligence that you do in the States but you MUST be more alert because of language differences, etc.
If you are in a restaurant, be insistent and be very clear that the wait person (waiter/waitress) understands your request for no X being either in the food that you order or used in the preparation of your meal.
Check out these blog entries:

Info on dietary/food allergy translation cards for Italy *, dated Friday, August 10, 2007
Info on being gluten-free in Italy *, dated Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Info about traveling with allergies to Italy *, dated Friday, January 26, 2007
Info on Vegetarian Eating in Italy *, dated Friday, November 8, 2006
Info about Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions in Italy *, dated Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Info on Travelers' Health in Italy and Europe *, dated Thursday, December 01, 2005

HANDICAPPED/DISABLED

You exercise the same care and due diligence that you do in the States but you MUST be more alert because of language differences, drivers of all types of motor vehicles including motorcycles, scooters, etc.
NOTE: My wife and I have had this experience several times when driving in various sized towns and cities in Italy. My wife or myself would stop at a cross walk or an intersection with or without a stoplight to let an elderly individual or visually impaired person or an individual in a wheelchair or a person using a cane or crutches cross the street in front of us. However, the driver of whatever vehicle behind our car would attempt to pass us and nearly miss hitting the person crossing the street. Fortunately, we have not witnessed anyone being hit but there have been several close calls.
Check out these blog entries:

Info for Handicapped and Disabled Travelers going to Italy *, dated Friday, May 18, 2007
Info for Disabled/Handicapped, Hearing Impaired and/or Vision/Sight Individuals in Italy *, dated Friday, March 3, 2006

RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS

Certified copies of birth and/or marriage certificates
Make at least 2 copies each of the front and back of your driver’s license, credit cards, ATM cards, student identification cards; passport photograph page; professional certifications, a copy of your latest eyeglass/contact prescription, etc. and keep them in separate locations if possible.
For Expats, a copy of your last Federal and if applicable, State, tax returns.

AND EVERYTHING ELSE

Power of Attorney
Medic Alert & Food Allergy/Medical Condition Cards
Obtain an updated copy of your glasses or contacts prescription(s)
Notifying Bank & Credit Card Companies that you will be abroad and in which countries and for how long
Make photocopies of the photograph page of your passport, international health insurance card, student identification card, the front and back of all debit and credit cards, your drivers license, VISA application, etc.

EXPAT

FOOD ITEMS

ETHNIC FOODS

You will not find the variety and choices that you have in the USA for the ethnic foods that you may prefer. Please plan on bringing and packing enough ethnic foods items with your household goods shipment.

ETHNIC SPICES/INGREDIENTS

While you may find oriental/Indian and other ethnic markets and shops in Italy, the items that you find are more expensive than what you are used to paying in the States. Depending on where you end up living, ethnic markets and shops are found in the larger cities, e.g., Rome, Firenze, Milano but may be non-existent in smaller cities and towns of Italy.

OTHER FOOD ITEMS

You will not find your favorite USA snacks in Italy.
You will not find certain food items in Italy, e.g., yellow cheddar cheese, velveeta cheese, cream of mushroom soup and other varieties, etc.

Check out these blog entries:

Info on dietary/food allergy translation cards for Italy *, dated Friday, August 10, 2007
Info on being gluten-free in Italy *, dated Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Info on Vegetarian Eating in Italy *, dated Friday, November 8, 2006

STUDENT

See above

REFERENCE

EXPAT

Becoming an Expat – By Jessica Spiegel | June 9th, 2008 – Source: BootsnAll – "ONE-STOP INDIE TRAVEL GUIDE"
Culture Shock in Italy – Source: Expat to Italy section of Expat Arrivals – "local info for global expats"
Source: Expat Intelligence – In multiple languages

Living in Italy – Source: Expatify.com – "Inspiring Expatriatism"

STUDENT

Basic Packing List for Study Abroad – Posted by Michelle on Tuesday, 22 July 2008 – Source: Culture Shock · Tips, Travels and Tribulations of a Study Abroad Junkie Turned Photographer
The Center for Global Education – "An International Resource Center"

Packing – Italy section of the Study Abroad Student Handbook – "How to Get There . . . and Back"
SAFETI (Safety Abroad First - Educational Travel Information) Clearinghouse – "was initiated in 1998 to create and disseminate resources to support study abroad program development and implementation, emphasizing health and safety issues and resources for U.S. colleges and universities supporting study abroad."
Study Abroad Student Handbook – "How to Get There . . . and Back"

Less is More! – "Key Packing Tips" – Source: CIMBA – "Consortium of Universities for International Studies"
Pack It Up: What to Bring to College – Note: This article is oriented for students going to college/university in the States – By Roxana Hadad – Source: Student Life section of fastweb® – "Paying for school just got easier"
Packing List – Source: International Programs section of the University of Wisconsin
Ready to Go to Italy – "What to Pack" – Source: Arcadia University – "The College of Global Studies"
What to bring – Source: Study in Italy – "Italian Higher Education for International Studies"

EXPATS AND STUDENTS

Living in Italy – "Key Expatriate Websites and Resources" – Source: Transitions Abroad – "WORK STUDY TRAVEL LIVING"
Packing for Long Stays in Italy What to Bring to Italy when Working or Studying for Several Months – Sep 4, 2009 – Suzy Guese – Source: suite101.com – "Insightful writers. Informed readers"

BLOGS

Expats in Italy – "Here We Interview People Living And Working In Italy" – Source: Expat Interviews – "Interviews with people (expats) living overseas and abroad!"
LISTS

Blog Italy, expat Italy – "Would you like to work, live, move to Italy? Or just to find out how is life in Italy? We've got much better than travel brochures, read blogs written by expatriates living in Italy!" – Source: Living in Italy section of expat blog – "Share your expat experience!" – "The living abroad website, by expats, for expats"
Comprehensive list of current expat blogs on Italy – "All blogs were current as at the beginning of 2009." – Source: italytutto - "Italy blogs, forums, reviews" – "the best of expat views on life in Italy"
Expat Blogs in Italy – Source: Ms. Adventures in Italy – Sara Rosso – Location: Milan, Lombardia (Lombardy)

BLOG ENTRIES/FORUM DISCUSSIONS

7 Habits of Highly Effective Expats in Italy – Posted 20 October 2009 – by guest blogger: Cherrye Moore of My Bella Vita! – Source: bleeding espresso – "in which an American finds love, her roots, and a coffee addiction in southern Italy"
Adjusting to Expat Life in Italy – Posted 23 June 2009 – by Michelle Fabio – Source: bleeding espresso – "in which an American finds love, her roots, and a coffee addiction in southern Italy"
American to Italian Kitchen – By Barb, August 2006 – Source: Expats in Italy – "for those who dream and those who live the dream"
What to Bring – Posted Sat, 10/03/2009 - 14:58 – by Anonymous – Source: Expats in Italy – "for those who dream and those who live the dream"

ARTICLES

MOVING – Source: lifeinitaly.com

Moving to Italy – "Moving to Italy and Accommodations"
Italian Red Tape
What It Was Like Moving from the UK to Italy – "Episode One: An Amazing Woman, Bikes and Babies Names; Little Pieces of a Huge Jigsaw." – Fay Henson – Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on expat web sites for Italy and elsewhere , dated Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Info about Expat agreements for an international assignment to Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Info on the usage of ATM, debit and credit cards in Italy and Europe *, dated Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Info on money/currency transfer to Italy *, dated Friday, August 03, 2007
Info on traveling with your laptop to Italy and abroad *, dated Friday, July 20, 2007
Info about electrical plug adapters, power strips and voltage converters for Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Info on blogs about Italy written by Expats living in Italy *, dated Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Info about Mail Forwarding for Italy *, dated Saturday, July 08, 2006
Info about ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) in Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Info about Moving Pets to Italy *, dated Friday, April 14, 2006
Info about Checklists for Moving or Relocating to Italy *, dated Friday, April 7, 2006
Info on Relocation and Moving to Italy *, dated Monday, January 30, 2006
Info on EXPATS: Primarily in Italy *, dated Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Info on or about the beaches (spiagge) of the Abruzzo region of Italy

2010-07-07T06:18:00.013+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 2 September 2010)

Here are some links on or about the beaches (spiagge) of the Abruzzo region of Italy:

ABRUZZO

Abruzzo Blue Flag Beaches – Source: Life in Abruzzo – "Abruzzo Cherry-Picked; the Holiday & Lifestyle Guide to Italy's Rocky Heart"
Abruzzo's Coastal Treasures: Abruzzo Beaches and Seafood – Source: DREAM OF ITALY – "Travel Newsletter and Online Store"
Beaches in Abruzzo, Italy – Source: uptake – "We search 5,000 travel sites so you don't have to"
Giulianova-lungomare Beaches, Abruzzo, Italy – Source: 3 Best Beaches – "The Best Beaches of the World"
Italy’s Top 10 Beaches – Please scroll down to "Vasto (Abruzzo)" – Source: Ciao! Italy & Carrani Tours
Map Guide to Italy's Blue Flag Beaches 2009 – Please scroll down to "Abruzzo" – Published: Aug 07th, 2009 – Source: Italy Magazine – "The No. 1 Magazine for lovers of all things Italian"
The short Guide to Abruzzo Seaside resources – "Abruzzo Beaches" – Source: House Abruzzo
Vasto Marina Beach, Abruzzo, Italy – "Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 at 9:17 pm" – Source: The Best Beaches of the World – "The best beaches in the World. Reviews of sand conditions and accessibility."

PHOTOGRAPHS

Alba Adriatica - Abruzzo - Italy (Spiaggia D'Argento) – Uploaded by: gionata_IT – Album created: May 2, 2006 – Source: webshots®

How to Travel to & Around Abruzzo by Plane, Train, Bus & Car – Source: Life in Abruzzo – "Abruzzo Cherry-Picked; the Holiday & Lifestyle Guide to Italy's Rocky Heart"
Italian Beaches – Source: Destinations section of Destination360 – "Online travel guides of destinations around the world"
Italy’s Best Beaches: 2009’s Blue Flag Beaches in Italy – by Jessica | May 20th, 2009 – Source: Italy section of WhyGo
Region – Source: Only in Abruzzo – "Experience the real Italy!" – In English, Italian

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on maps for Abruzzo, Italy *, Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Info on webcams in Abruzzo, Italy *, Wednesday, dated August 04, 2010
Info on.travel guides and travel information for Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Info about suggested itineraries for the Abruzzo region of Italy *, dated Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Info on articles about, for or on Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Info on some of the food delicacies/specialties from the region of Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Monday, March 08, 2010

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 2 September 2010)

Info on food blogs in Italy

2010-06-30T05:49:00.003+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 16 July 2010)

Here are some links on food blogs (and it not always about Italian food) in Italy:

ITALIAN FOOD BLOGS

italian food forever – blogger: Deborah Mele – Source: web site
Juls' Kitchen – "Passionate Moments of Randomly Cooking" – blogger: Giulia Scarpaleggia – Source: web site – In English, Italian
Kyle's Italian Food Blog – blogger: Kyle Phillips – Source: Italian Food section of About.com
ITALIAN FOOD LOVERS – "The Academia Barilla blog about Italian gourmet food, culture and tradition" – Source: Academia Barilla – In English, Italian
Lucullian Delights - An Italian Experience – blogger: Ilva Beretta – Source: web site
OVER A TUSCAN STOVE – "EVERYONE SHOULD TRY BEING TUSCAN AT LEAST ONCE A DAY!" – blogger: Diva AKA Judy Witts Francini – Source: web site
Volevo fare lo chef – "Racconti & immagini dal diario di una gourmet per caso" – blogger: Alessandra Lunetta – Source: web site – In Italian with an English version

LISTS OF ITALIAN FOOD BLOGS

Italian Food Blogs – "Italian Food and Cuisine" – Source: finding Dulcinea – "Librarian of the Internet"
Top 10 Exquisite Italian Food Blogs – by Ilva Beretta top blogs on food and wine from italy blogs.com – "the best in blogs
top blogs on food and wine from italy – "For your blog to qualify for this listing, you must be semi or permanently resident in Italy, and your blog should be current as at the beginning of November 2009." – Source: italytutto

BLOG ENTRIES

New! Italian Food Blogs – April 05, 2005 – blogger has moved to Scotland – Source: Il Forno – "Eating, Drinking, Baking ... mostly side effect free"
LISTS

Italian – "Search Posts By Keyword: Italian" – Source: foodblogs™ – "discover . learn . share ."

IT'S NOT ALWAYS ITALIAN – FOOD BLOGS AND ENTRIES

food scribbles – "notes on food (and stuff) at home and elsewher" – blogger: Indah – Source: web site
Parla Food – "Travel writer Katie Parla chases down the best food in Italy and elsewhere." – blogger: Katie Parla – Source: web site

Where (And Where Not) to Eat Ethnic Food in Rome – Wed June 23rd, 2010

Simple Italy – "Feeding Your Inner Italian ... Body and Soul" – bloggers: Sharon and Walter Sanders – Source: web site
Parla Food – "Travel writer Katie Parla chases down the best food in Italy and elsewhere." – blogger: Katie Parla – Source: web site

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of the food delicacies/specialties from the region of Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Monday, March 08, 2010
Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info on Olive Oil in Italy *, dated Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Info on Food Products of Italy *, dated Tuesday, January 31, 2006

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 2 July 2010)

Info for maps of Roma/Rome, Italy

2010-06-23T05:52:00.002+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 21 August 2010)

Here are some links for maps of Roma/Rome, Italy:

ROMA/ROME

Interactive map of Rome – Source: ITALYGuides.it – "A SIGHTSEEING REVOLUTION" – In English, Italian
Map of Rome – "View the destination guide & interactive map" – Source: Lonely Planet
Rome Map – Source: a view on cities – "Sights & Attractions in some of the world's greatest cities"
Rome Map – Source: TRAVEL section of The New York Times
Rome map – "street map of Rome" – Source: ROME.INFO – "YOUR TRAVEL GUIDE TO ROME" – In English, French, Italian
Rome Map – Source: Sacred Destinations – "Discover religious and cultural destinations around the world." – "Explore sacred sites, ancient wonders and religious places of the world."
Rome Travel Map and Essential Resources – From James Martin – Source: Europe Travel section of About.com

TRANSPORTATION

BUS AND SUBWAY

route planner – "getting around rome" – Source: atac – In English, Italian – Please note: More detailed information of the public transportation system in Rome may be available on the Italian version of this web site.
Rome Centro Transportation Map – Source: mappery – "Explore thousands of maps from around the world"

METRO (SUBWAY/TUBE/UNDERGROUND)

Rome metro map – Source: ROME.INFO – "YOUR TRAVEL GUIDE TO ROME" – In English, French, Italian
Rome Metro Underground Trains – "How To Use The Metro Railway In Rome" – Source: A Travellers Toolkit For Rome, Other Toolkit Sites: The London Toolkit and A Travellers Toolkit For Paris

TRAINS

Trains In Rome – "Rome's Urban Railways, Metro and Airport Trains" – Source: A Travellers Toolkit For Rome, Other Toolkit Sites: The London Toolkit and A Travellers Toolkit For Paris

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on blogs about, for or on Rome/Roma, Italy *, dated Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Info on guides for Rome/Roma, Italy *, dated Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Info on three day or suggested itineraries for Rome/Roma, Italy *, dated Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Info on web sites about, for or on Rome/Roma, Italy *, dated Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Info on the Best of/Top 10 of Rome/Roma, Italy *, dated Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Info About, For or On Rome, Italy *, dated Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 21 August 2010)

Info on expat web sites for Italy and elsewhere

2010-06-16T06:33:00.003+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 13 August 2010)

Here are some links for expat web sites for Italy and elsewhere:

EXPAT WEB SITES FOR ITALY

AngloINFO Italy – "Everything you need for life in another country!"

AngloINFO Liguria – "Life on the Italian Riviera, in English!"
AngloINFO Milan – "Life in Lombardy, in English!"
AngloINFO Rome – "Life in Rome, in English!"
AngloInfo Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"
AngloINFO Umbria – "Life in Umbria, in English!"

Expats in Italy – "for those who dream and those who live the dream" – Source: web site
Italy – Source: Expat Focus – "EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START A NEW LIFE ABROAD - WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?"
Italy – Source: Expat Women – "Helping Women Living Overseas"

OTHER WEB SITES FOR ITALY

The American – " . . . is an independent general interest online monthly magazine produced in Rome." – Source: web site
The Florentine – "Bi-weekly free newspaper printed in english covering italian news, events, culture, tuscany travel and food, in and around the Florence area." – Source: web site
ITALIA! – " . . . website for everyone who loves Italy." – Source: web site
ITALY Magazine – "THE NO.1 MAGAZINE FOR LOVERS OF ALL THINGS ITALIAN" – " . . . is published monthly and is available in newsagents throughout the UK or through subscription for worldwide delivery."
www.hellomilano.it AKA Hello Milan – "On-line guide to Milan" – Source: web site
The Informer – "The Online Gide to Living in Italy" – Source: web site
The Little Blue What-To-Do: The Stranger’s Guide to Perugia – Source: published by Green Door Publishing – In English, Italian
UmbriaOnline® – "Tour Umbria with Umbria OnLine - Tourist information, hotels, restaurants, farmhouse, residences, homes for sale or for rent. Updated news and events." – Source: web site – In English, Italian
Wanted in Rome – "Everything you need to know about living in Rome." – Source: web site

WEB SITES FOR EXPATS

Allo' Expat – "Connecting Expats Worldwide - Expatriates Resources" – Source: web site
EasyExpat.com – "Guide for expatriates" – Source: web site – In multiple languages
Expat Arrivals – "local info for global expats"
The Expat Directory – "The Expat Directory" – Source: web site
ExpatExchange – "A World of Friends Abroad" – Source: web site
Expat Expert – Robin Pascoe – Source: web site
ExpatForum.com – Choice of multiple countries – Source: web site
Expat Women – "Helping Women Living Overseas" – Source: web site
ExpatClic,com - Women’s Expatrication – "Main goal of the website is to assist women from all countries and nationalities in the daily management of their expat lives as well as to facilitate their move and relocation in a new foreign country (when not in their own country of origin)." – Source: web site – In multiple languages
EXPATICA.COM – "NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY" – Source: web site
EXPATS.ORG.UK – "is a free source of information for British expatriates, contracting or living overseas, almost a UK expats yellow pages, also with an overseas recruiter database, country information with links relevant to British expats (and any other English speaking ex-pats)" – Source: web site
Expats Reunite – "Reuniting friends and families all over the world" – Source: web site
Expatriates.com – "... the community web site created for and by expatriates and internationally minded people everywhere." – Source: web site
Expatify.com – "Inspiring Expatriatism" – Source: web site
Milan Expat – "Online guide to living, working, studying and tourism in Milan," – Source: web site
Newcomer's Guide – "Private Tours, Neighborhood Scouting and Coaching for Newcomers" – Alan Epstein – Source: As the Romans Do – "Private Tours . Photo Excursions . Photography / Creative Retreats in Italy. Italian Cooking Courses "
A Portable Identity – "Essential Guidebook and Coaching Services for Accompanying Spouses" – Source: web site
LISTS

EXPAT WEBSITES – Source: EXPATS.ORG.UK – Source: web site
EXPAT WEBSITES AND RESOURCES – Source: Expat Offshore – "OFFSHORE SERVICE FOR EXPATS"
ExpatGuide.net - Expat Guide – "Links to the best Expat websites" – Source: web site
Expatriate Websites – Source: Transitions Abroad – "WORK STUDY TRAVEL LIVING"
Links – "... to website and articles for expatriates" – Source: Expat Expert

WEB SITES FOR EXPAT SERVICES

Clements International – "... is the leading provider of insurance solutions for expatriates and international organizations. Founded in 1947, Clements offers worldwide auto, property, health, life and commercial insurance with superior customer service and claims response to customers in more than 170 countries." – Source: web site
Expat Financial – "We Offer Global Health Insurance Plans Which Can Cover You While Traveling or Living Abroad" – Source: web site – "Global Financial Security"
Expat Offshore – "OFFSHORE SERVICE FOR EXPATS" – Source: web site

craigslist > italy – "provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, personals, services, local community, and events.". The listings in Italy may be in English or Italian.

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info about Expat agreements for an international assignment to Italy *, dated Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Info on the usage of ATM, debit and credit cards in Italy and Europe *, dated Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Info on money/currency transfer to Italy *, dated Friday, August 03, 2007
Info on blogs about Italy written by Expats living in Italy *, dated Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Info for Newcomers to Italy *, dated Friday, September 8, 2006
Info about Mail Forwarding for Italy *, dated Saturday, July 08, 2006
Info about ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) in Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Info for On-Line Magazines and Publications for Italy and Europe *, dated Friday, November 11, 2005
Info on EXPATS: Primarily in Italy *, dated Wednesday, November 09, 2005

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 13 August 2010)

Info about Expat agreements for an international assignment to Italy

2010-06-09T09:47:00.009+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 29 June 2010)

Here are some links and information to consider for Expat agreements for an international assignment (e.g., company/corporate/international agency) to Italy from the USA:

NOTE: While it is nice to be considered for an international assignment, you should be aware of the consequences of taking an international assignment. Yes, it is or maybe a step up the corporate ladder for possible promotions or career development, however you do not want to come up short financially or having the international assignment adversely affect your relationship with your spouse/companion or family.

EXPAT/EXPATRIATE AGREEMENTS

The Expat Checklist – "The Practical and Simple Guide to Developing a Successful Expatriate Agreement" – copyright © Richard Balderrama – Source: web site
Expatriate Checklist – "Global HR Hot Topic" – April 2008 – Donald C. Dowling, Jr., International Employment Counsel, New York – Source: White & Case LLP – "International law firm, global law practice"
The Expatriate Checklist – Good Information for Your Expat Agreement – by Carrie Thompson | July 30th, 2007 – Source: WhyGo
SAMPLE AGREEMENTS /CONTRACTS

EXPATRIATE AGREEMENT – Source: onecle

ARTICLES

Truth About Overseas Assignments & Expat Relocation Packages – "If you’re being asked to work abroad by your employer how much can you expect from an expatriate relocation package?" – Mon, May 07, 2007 - 2:58 pm EET – Source: Shelter Offshore
The Ultimate (Forum) Shopping Trip: Choice-of-Law and the Expatriate Employee – May 2007 – "This article was published in slightly different format in the Spring 2007 issue of the New York State Bar Association's Labor and Employment Section L&E Newsletter." – Source: White & Case LLP – "International law firm, global law practice"

BLOG ENTRIES/FORUM DISCUSSIONS

Blog – Robin Pascoe – Source: Expat Expert
Help! How Do I Live and Work in Italy? – September 5th, 2007 – Sara Rosso – Source: Ms. Adventures IN ITALY – "MY STOMACH, THE WORLD"
The Expatriate Agreement – Yes or No? – August 31, 2009 – Author: Chuck Csizmar – CMC Compensation Group – Source: International HR Forum

EXPAT WEB SITES FOR ITALY

AngloINFO Italy – "Everything you need for life in another country!"

AngloINFO Liguria – "Life on the Italian Riviera, in English!"
AngloINFO Milan – "Life in Lombardy, in English!"
AngloINFO Rome – "Life in Rome, in English!"
AngloInfo Tuscany – "Life in Tuscany, in English!"
AngloINFO Umbria – "Life in Umbria, in English!"

Expats in Italy – "for those who dream and those who live the dream" – Source: web site
Italy – Source: Expat Focus – "EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START A NEW LIFE ABROAD - WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?"
Italy – Source: Expat Women – "Helping Women Living Overseas"
Italy – "Living, working or studying in Italy?" – Source: Just Landed – "Expatriate guides" – In multiple languages

WEB SITES FOR EXPATS

EasyExpat.com – "Guide for expatriates" – Source: web site – In multiple languages
Expat Arrivals – "local info for global expats"
The Expat Directory – "The Expat Directory" – Source: web site
ExpatExchange – "A World of Friends Abroad" – Source: web site
Expat Expert – Robin Pascoe – Source: web site
Expat Women – "Helping Women Living Overseas" – Source: web site
Expat Intelligence – In multiple languages – Source: web site
EXPATS.ORG.UK – "is a free source of information for British expatriates, contracting or living overseas, almost a UK expats yellow pages, also with an overseas recruiter database, country information with links relevant to British expats (and any other English speaking ex-pats)" – Source: web site
Expatriates.com – "... the community web site created for and by expatriates and internationally minded people everywhere." – Source: web site
Expatify.com – "Inspiring Expatriatism" – Source: web site
Just Landed – "Expatriate guides" – choose "Country" from drop down menu – Source: web site – In multiple languages
A Portable Identity – "Essential Guidebook and Coaching Services for Accompanying Spouses" – Source: web site
LISTS

EXPAT WEBSITES – Source: EXPATS.ORG.UK – Source: web site
ExpatGuide.net - Expat Guide – "Links to the best Expat websites" – Source: web site
Expatriate Websites – Source: Transitions Abroad – "WORK STUDY TRAVEL LIVING"
Links – "... to website and articles for expatriates" – Source: Expat Expert

COMPENSATION PACKAGE – "CHAPTER 7" – John W. Adams – Source: U.S. Expatriate Handbook – "Guide to Living & Working Abroad"
Expat Expert – Robin Pascoe

Expat Expert Reading Room

Expat Resources – "For Corporate, Foreign Service, Military, and Missionary Spouses Overseas" – Source: A Portable Identity – "Essential Guidebook and Coaching Services for Accompanying Spouses"
Moving to and Living in Italy – "Here is information for people planning to move to Italy and expats who already live there." – By Martha Bakerjian – Source: Italy Travel section of About.com
Relocating to Italy – Source: expatfinder.com – "Makin life abroad easier"
TAXES

Tax Advice – By Tim Lenneman, CPA – First Published: Jul 15, 2002 – Source: ExpatExchange – "A World of Friends Abroad"
Tax Equalization on Expatriate Assignments – "Understand the International Assignment Policy & Expat Tax" – Sep 18, 2009 – Joseph Leung – Source: suite101.com – "Insightful writers. Informed readers"
Tax planning for expatriates – Source: The Free Library BY FARLEX
Tax Strategies for International Assignments – "Minimizing Worldwide Costs for U.S. Expatriates" – by Ann Truett – Source: Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Taxes in Italy – Source: keyitaly

Totalization Agreements – Source: USA-INTERNATIONAL-OFFSHORE-EXPATRIATE-TAX.COM – "United States Expatriates Tax Site"

RELOCATION PACKAGE – SOME PRACTICAL COMPONENTS TO BE CONSIDER FOR THE EXPAT/EXPATRIATE AGREEMENT

Housing allowance: temporary and for the length of your international assignment
New electrical appliances allowance – including washing machine and clothes dryer
Language lessons for you and your family
Payment of real estate agent/realtor fees for house/apartment hunting
Payment for yearly tax preparation by an individual or a company knowledgeable and experienced in preparation and filing of taxes for expatriates
Car allowance including insurance – usually only 1 car
Payment of all moving expenses to and from your international assignment location including storage of any and all items left in your home city of record
Payment of any local taxes including tax equalization and/or "hypothetical taxes" if offered or is in your package. Please read Totalization Agreements and review section labeled "TAXES" above.
Payment for annual trip to home city for all family members
Payment of local school expenses for dependent children living with you
Medical coverage for you and your family members
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) especially if you are moving to a high cost city or area than where you worked and lived in the States
Termination and contingencies clauses due to mergers, being laid off, downsizing, early return, civil unrest, evacuations due to rioting, weather, terrorism, etc. – what will happen next to you, your family and your possessions
Assistance in setting up utilities – gas, electric, internet access, cable, etc., local bank account, driver's license, visas, work permits, residence permits, identity documents, etc.
Payment of local dues/fees for social or professional organizations in the country of your international assignment

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on expat web sites for Italy and elsewhere , dated Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Info about finding rental accommodations in Italy *, dated Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Info on the usage of ATM, debit and credit cards in Italy and Europe *, dated Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Info on money/currency transfer to Italy *, dated Friday, August 03, 2007
Info about Mail Forwarding for Italy *, dated Saturday, July 08, 2006
Info about ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) in Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Info about Moving Pets to Italy *, dated Friday, April 14, 2006
Info about Checklists for Moving or Relocating to Italy *, dated Friday, April 7, 2006
Info on Relocation and Moving to Italy *, dated Monday, January 30, 2006

* = Blog entry has been updated.

For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

The above links as of this date are/were current. If anyone has any suggestions for any other additional web sites and/or links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry.

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request any further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

NOTE: If you want to leave a comment, please leave it in ENGLISH.

Broken links: Since November, 2005, I have written over 300+ blog entries with 1,000's of corresponding links/URLs for Moving2Italy2, covering a varied and wide range of topics. In the event if you come across a broken link or a non-functioning link/URL, please post a comment and report the non-functional link. I wish to thank you in advance for assisting me in the ongoing maintenance and the updating of this successful and informative blog.

Please note: I do NOT represent or endorse any of these links nor do I receive payment for listing them in my blog.

I have been very fortunate in my career. I have had two international assignments: one in Germany as an employee and the second as an IT consultant in Kuwait plus other short term assignments in the States or in Brazil. Other individuals or Expats from other countries that I have met in my travels have not been as fortunate. Some companies are very well organized and prepared to support their employees on an international assignment. Other companies are not as knowledgeable. It is imperative for the employee going on an international assignment to become as knowledgeable as possible before accepting the assignment and to be aware of the consequences of his or her decision to go abroad.

There is much to be said about an international assignment. After your work day/week, you can travel around the country or to other countries, go sightseeing, eat exotic or different foods, take in various cultural/social events and pretty much enjoy whatever life has to offer.

I look back on my State-side and foreign travels with fond memories of people, places and various cuisines and foods that I had eaten or tasted. I have wonderful experiences and memories of places that I have visited and of meeting people that I would not of met if I had stayed in the USA or in just one place. It has been and continues to be a wonderful experience for me since I now live and reside in Italy with my wife, Martha.

Yes, and you know that there's a "but" coming – it not for everyone! I can tell you of people that I met that have gone on an international assignment and hated every single moment of their time in the foreign country that they resided in at the time. I am not going to dwell on those individuals or situations.

I am writing this blog posting to assist individuals that look at their international assignment as a new chapter in their respective life and are open to challenges, new places and things to see and do. For a majority of those individuals that have been on an international assignment with ot without dependents with their company or an international agency, most of these individuals enjoyed their time in whatever country they were located in. For the most part, they benefited from the experience. I am not saying that they enjoyed everyday or there were times they wished they were back in the States with family, friends and loved ones.

Anyway, I hope that I provided enough links and information for individuals to make an intelligent decision about their international assignment. It is very important to have the right components in an Expatriate Agreement for you and your family and to have them included in their respective international assignment relocation package.

If anyone has any suggestions for anything else, please let me know and leave a comment or two.

That's it for Wednesday, 23 June 2010: mercoledì, 23 giugno 2010

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.

"Chi vuol vivere senza pene, prenda il mondo come viene."
"He who wants to live without pain, accepts the world as it comes."

Please read my wife's blog about our life in Italy with photographs:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 29 June 2010)

Info on.travel guides and travel information for Abruzzo, Italy

2010-06-02T04:59:00.012+02:00

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 2 September 2010)

Here are some links for travel guides and travel information for Abruzzo, Italy:

TRAVEL GUIDES

Abruzzo – Source: Web TV Italy – "Italy Travel Guide and International Tourism Resource"
Abruzzo Travel Guide – Source: Italy Travel Guide section of virtualtourist – "The people behind the places™"
Abruzzo Travel Guide – "The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see" – Source: World66 – "THE TRAVEL GUIDE YOU WRITE"

Abruzzo National Park Travel Guide

Introduction to Abruzzo – "Abruzzo Travel Guide" – Source: iGuide – "Interactive Travel Guide" – "Europe • Asia • North America • Africa • South America • Oceania"
Travel Guide & Information of Abruzzo Italy – "This description of Abruzzo will guide you planning your trip to Italy and find useful travel information about this Region of Italy." – Source: trips2italy.com

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Abruzzo – Source: TravelPod® – "The web's original travel blog"
Abruzzo – Source: Wikitravel – "is a project to create a free, complete, up-to-date, and reliable worldwide travel guide." – Available in "Other languages"
Abruzzo – "Travel Information on the Abruzzo Region of Italy" – Source: Italy Travel section of About.com
Abruzzo Travel Information – Source: Travel-Abruzzo.com

Abruzzo Tourist Information – Source: You • travel – "The Travel Site You Help Build"
Abruzzo Travel Essentials - Where to Go in Italy's Abruzzo Region – By Martha Bakerjian – Source: Italy Travel section of About.com
Welcome to Abruzzo! – "This portal is the foreign language version of the site www.abruzzoturismo.it - site promoting tourism in the Abruzzo Region, edited by the Company of Tourist Promotion Regional." – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on maps for Abruzzo, Italy *, Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Info on webcams in Abruzzo, Italy *, Wednesday, dated August 04, 2010
Info on or about the beaches (spiagge) of the Abruzzo region of Italy *, Wednesday, dated July 07, 2010
Info about suggested itineraries for the Abruzzo region of Italy *, dated Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Info on articles about, for or on Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Info on some of the food delicacies/specialties from the region of Abruzzo, Italy *, dated Monday, March 08, 2010

Info for "online" web sites about, for or on Italy in Italy

2010-05-26T05:44:00.008+02:00

Here are some links about "online" web sites about, for or on Italy in Italy:

WEB SITES IN ITALY

CITIES/TOWNS/VILLAGES BY REGION

ABRUZZO

Abruzzo2000 – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish`

CAMPANIA

napolionline.org – In Italian Only – "...ma napoli non è una catolia" – Source: web site`

LAZIO

Living In Rome.com – "Web guide for visiting Italy by internet" – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Rome eguide™ – "the official eguide to Rome" – Source: web site
ROME GUIDE ONLINE – Source: web site
Sabina Online – Source: web site – In English, Italian

LOMBARDIA/LOMBARDY

www.hellomilano.it – "On-line guide to Milan" – Source: web site
milanoStyle.com – ",,, is an online lifestyle magazine in English for young professionals living and working in Milan," – Source: web site

TOSCANA/TUSCANY

Florence Online – Source: www.firenze-online.com – "Your guide about Florence" – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Lucca Online – Source: web site – In Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish
Pisa ONLINE – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Siena Online® – "tourist guide to the city of Siena" – Source: web site – In English, Italian

UMBRIA

ASSISSI Online™ – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Perugia Online® – "tourist guide to the city of Perugia" – Source: web site – In English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

LODGING/ACCOMMODATIONS

ROMA ONLINE – Source: web site – In English, Italian

MIXED

In Italy™ Online – "No one knows Italy like we do! We were the Internet's first site about Italy, and with over 4000 pages of information about where to go and what to see, we're also the biggest. Our Italy experts will help you plot the best itinerary, find the lodgings best suited to you, and make sure you get the room you want. And we provide local back-up assistance." – Source: web site
Made*In*Italy*On*Line – "... was created for the web in February, 1995 for viewers around the world who love Italian style in fashion, food, wine, shopping, and travel. It was created by an American journalist who has lived in Italy for more than 30 years." – Source: web site – In English, Italian
tricolore.net – AKA "Italy Online" – Source: web site

WEB SITES OUTSIDE OF ITALY

MIXED

Italy Online™ (IOL®) – "is your portal to quality Italian products, food, services, news, culture and the arts. We are a dedicated website to all things Italian within Australia." – Source: italy online™ – "Connecting you to The Sweet Life" or "Connecting you to La Dolce Vita™]"

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Info on pickpocketing in Italy

2010-05-19T06:36:00.008+02:00

Here are some links on and about pickpocketing in Italy and anywhere else:

PICKPOCKETING IN ITALY

ARTICLES/TRAVEL NOTES

How to Avoid Being Pickpocketed – Published May 24, 2007 – by: L. Vincent Poupard – Source: associatedcontent – "The people's media company™"
Pickpockets in Italy – Phyllis from NY – Source: Italy Travel Notes within slow travel talk Italy section of slow travel
Pickpocket Prevention – by Sarah Beck (issue no. 24/2006 / January 12, 2006) – Source: The Florentine
Pickpockets – "A traveler's guide to dealing with pickpockets in Italy: how to foil them, and where to avoid them" – Source: reidsitaly.com – "travel beyond vacations™" – "The ultimate Italy travel guide"

The Kings of Thieves: Gypsies – "A traveler's guide to spotting and foiling gypsies and their pickpocketing children in Europe"
Train Safety in Italy – "Sleeping on overnights trains in Italy is a relatively safe endeavor, but take a few sensible precautions to avoid pickpockets and thieves and sleep more soundly"

A Pickpocket's Tricks – "How to Avoid Getting Robbed While on Vacation in Italy" – By Lisa – Monday, March 29th, 2010 – Source: Travel section of lifeinitaly.com
TRIPADVISOR POINTS OUT TOP 10 PLACES WORLDWIDE TO BEWARE PICKPOCKETS – September 10, 2009 – NOTE: Italy and Spain are mentioned 2 times each – Source: tripadvisor® – "get the truth. then go.®"

BLOGS/BLOG ENTRIES/FORUM DISCUSSIONS

How to Avoid a Pickpocket – "Think you’re savvy enough to avoid being pickpocketed??" – Blogger: Sara Rosso – Posted on: July 9th, 2007 – Source: Ms. Adventures IN ITALY – "MY STOMACH, THE WORLD"
Pickpockets, Florence – Source: Italy Travel Guide section of virtualtourist – "The people behind the places™"

Pickpockets and Purse-Snatchers, Rome

Pickpocket Warning for Roma Termini – Posted by: 2italy2, on: 10 May 2010 01:54 AM – Source: slow travel talk Italy section of slow travel
Thiefhunters in Paradise – "or, High and Dry on the Streets of Elsewhere" – Bloggers: Bambi Vincent and Bob Arno – Source: web site

The Dreaded Money Belt – "A moneybelt for keeping your spare cash, traveler's checks, passport, and credit cards safe is the one indispensable accessory every traveler loves to hate." – Source: reidsitaly.com – "travel beyond vacations™" – "The ultimate Italy travel guide"
How to Avoid Becoming Pickpocket Prey – By Tania Valdemoro – Source: The Abroad View Foundation – "expand your horizons"
Personal security (safety) in Rome – Please scroll down to section, "Pickpockets" – by Mauro Abate – Source: ROMAN Homes – "WHEN IN ROME, STAY IN HOMES AS THE ROMANS DO!"
Safety Tips – Source: Corporate Travel Safety™ – "... is your destination for unique travel safety and security products." – "Worry Free Travel Gear ... for Your Peace of Mind!™"

Beside these "Safety Tips", please scroll down to section labeled, "Pickpockets"

Things You Should Know About Rome – by Jessica | August 24th, 2009 – Source: Italy section of WhyGo

MISCELLANEOUS

SEE ALSO:

Info on some of my blog entries (URLs) for Tuscany/Toscana, Italy *, dated Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Info on Scams and Ripoffs in Italy *, dated Friday, May 26, 2006
Info on Personal Safety in Italy *, dated Wednesday, November 30, 2005