Yeah, I know, I’ve been in a lot of film and video lately. Fifty-six years of relative obscurity and then, all of sudden, a rash of media exposure.
House Hunters International came calling in January to film this segment shortly after my move to Italy. The episode airs this Tuesday, July 9 at 10:30 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on HGTV.
The best moments filming the show …
Appearing with my son, Andrew Todd.
Working with the fabulous U.K. crew: Director Ben, Cameraman Gordon and Soundman Martin.
…and the wrap party that followed.
The Irony….
I can’t watch it from Europe.
What I hope for…
Good editing.
Sincere and special thanks to…
The City of Orvieto, Italy
Mayor Toni Concina & Riccardo Caracciolo Di Forino
David Tordi and The Bartenders
Textile Conservator, Igor Honkanen
Painters, Massimo Chioccia & Olga Tsarkova
Marbled paper artist, Lamberto Bernardini
Bar Clandestino
Steve Brenner, Linda Martinez, Giulia, Paloma, Viola & Goji Martinez-Brenner
Daniela Tordi, Darya Tordi & Federica Romagnoli
Giulia Donato & Nick Magliulo
Consular General, Italian Consulate of San Francisco & Jeffrey Capaccio, Esq.
Biordi Imports, San Francisco
Ristorante Ideale, San Francisco
Manuela Calvet, Maya & Anais Bette
Marisa Huber, Carol Carol Solfanelli, Suzee and Volker Ackermann & Dionne Garcia
by Toni DeBella
How exciting for you !! Lots of luck – have they not given you PRE-SCREENING COPY?
No, I get a “post-airing” DVD in about a month. Ha! xxo. t
I’ll be watching tomorrow night! Have it on the calendar! Already privy to the fact they make you say goofy stuff, so I’ll just let you know if they got your good side! Very exciting! Can’t wait to be in your shoes ne day.
We will be staying in Montepulcianio in early October, hoping to get to Orvieto for a day trip. Love to meet up if you can!
That sounds great. Keep me posted when you are closer to coming. See you on the small screen tomorrow. toni
Look forward to seeing the episode. Great news.
Thanks Cicily! xxo. t
I must get your autograph! Am in London now. Must get you to paciano soon. Be hm the 15th. Hope to see you at my photo exhibit opening or after
Sent from my iPad http://www.margaretleon.com
London. Fun! Autograph! That’s a funny one! toni
I’ll let you know how it is; looking forward to your debut on HouseHunters and maybe, mine, too, if I’m not cut out.:)
Carol, how can they cut you….it was my “going away party” and you were there…twice! xxo t
Toni! How glam to have your very own reality show episode! You are such a one for hiding your light under a bushel but your days in the shadows are numbered. Meglio tardi che mai……. e non e’ mai troppo tardi! Un abbraccio enorme! xoxo
Super excited for you Toni! I watch that show all the time, so I will be sure to DVR it tomorrow night – cool!
You are living the dream girlfriend!
Ciao ciao, Dominique
Hi Dominique! Nerve-racking! hugs. t
Have my reminder set to watch tomorrow night!!!
Thanks Sherry! toni
Looks like Italy is working for you.
Hi Penny. Yes, I believe it is. Super happy here. Thanks for writing. t
Just watched your episode! Was headed to bed and sat in the dark living room just to find out which one you picked! Such restraint! I would have buckled for the duomo view! But you decorated it beautifully! And you’re probably in great shape with those stairs! My husband and I toured northern Italy a few years back. Would love to do what you’re doing. All the best to you in you’re adventure!
Thank you so much, Melissa, for your lovely note. If there is one thing I get around Orvieto is a lot of exercise walking! If you get anything from my experience, let it be that anything is possible if you want it. Believe me, if I can manage it – anyone can. Please keep in touch and come and visit Orvieto on your next trip. It really is a very special place. Thanks again for writing. Hugs. toni
I just saw the episode. No need to worry about the editing. Both you and your son appear to be warm and intelligent people. I will now follow your blog with great interest. My husband & I plan to visit Italy for the first time once he retires in 2015. As a result of this show, we are adding Orvieto to the itinerary. I wish you great success!
Hi Nicole! We seemed warm and intelligent? Boy, I need to send the editor and director a case of Orvieto Classico! But seriously, I am very happy to know that as a result of seeing the show, you will visit Orvieto. This was my intention. I often call myself the “unofficial” ambassador of Orvieto, Italy. The show allowed me to share this wonderful place with a lot of people and for that I am grateful. Please keep in touch and remember to let me know when you are in town. Thank you again for your encouragement and well wishes. See you in Italy! Hugs toni
What a surprise to see one of The Italian Notebook contributors on HGTV!! I recognized your name and remembered your blog name, so here I am. I wanted you to know that I think it is so great what you have done. I will live my dream through you.
Thank you Angela for writing. It’s so nice to hear from you. Just one thing I want to say: Don’t live your dream through me, live it yourself. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can. As the Nike slogan says, Just do it! Hugs. Toni
Toni
I just watched the HouseHunters show and loved it!! I went to Orvieto 2 years ago on a 3 month solo travel trip to Italy. Loved Orvieto! Best wishes to you. Your apt looks lovely with your artistic touches !!
Margie. Thank you so much for your sweet email. 3 month solo trip. You are quite an adventurer too. Please let me know the next time you are in Orvieto and thanks again for writing. hugs. toni
Toni! Brava! I loved watching your story, I’m actually in the process of moving although only locally and when I saw your story and then looked around I realized how little I really need. I thought I had purged and let go but now I know there’s another huge layer left to really realize my dreams. Un abbraccio, Victoria
Ciao & meow from my iPhone!
Hi there. Yes, I got your email. Thank you so much for being so sweet and supportive. Yes, purge. It’s completely amazing how little you actually need. Maybe it has something to do with not needing to fill a void in your heart when you are happy inside? Hugs. toni
Hi Toni! I was so excited to hear about you and your life-long dream when watching House Hunters International tonight. You are certainly a Why Not Girl!, the type of woman that I celebrate on my website http://www.whynotgirl.com. My mission is to empower women to try something new, expand their horizons and live life as an adventure. I would love to honor you as our Why Not Girl! of the Week next Wednesday. Would you be able to participate in an interview via email or Skype? Please check out the website and let me know your thoughts by emailing me at lauren (at) whynotgirl (dot) com. Thanks!! Lauren
Hi Lauren! Thank you so much for writing and I would be thrilled to be honored by WhyNOtGirl. It’s funny, when someone asks me why would I pick up and move abroad on a wing and a prayer, I always so, why not? I will send you an email in a few minutes. Thank you again. Hugs. Toni
Loved the episode and seeing you and your son together. Since Orvieto is one of my favorite places in the Universe I was filled with envy! Told my husband I wanted to rent on of the ones you didn’t take!
Hi Margaret. How sweet you are to write and tell me you enjoyed the show. By the way, both of those apartments that I didn’t take are for rent – long term or short. 🙂 See you in Orvieto! Toni
Saw the episode last night and enjoyed it immensely! I’ve never traveled anywhere practically so it’s only a pipe dream for me to drop everything and move abroad although I’ve dreamed of living in London. But oh, how it stirred a lot of feelings as a fellow SF Bay Area mom wanting to break free sometimes, but alas, I could never as I have too many hurdles here. Your tenacity and determination to go for it is inspiring! (Your son seemed sweet but a little doubtful of your capability, like mine does to me, so I say gently remind him you are an adult and at least you have him there in Italy!) Meanwhile, many Europeans wish is to live in The SF Bay Area so it’s all relative I suppose! Good luck to you!
Thank you Kathy. You know what I did is not for everyone, but I do not regret it for a second. As for Andrew, I haven’t seen the show yet, so I don’t know what he said that made you think he doesn’t think I am capable, but perhaps that was a bit of the show not wanting him to be too upbeat to keep people guessing and interested? He is very proud of me, I think. Unfortunately he finished his studies abroad last month and went back to San Francisco to find a job and finish university. I miss him terribly but he has a life and we have Skype! Thanks for writing. Hugs. toni
It was a beautiful episode, one of my favorite actually. You looked lovely, and your son seems to be such a gentleman. I would love to follow your adventure through your blog and Facebook page. Bonne chance ! Corine.
Corine. Thank you so much for your lovely note. I can’t get over how many people have reached out to me and found my story inspirational. One of your favorite episodes? That is the highest of compliments given that I have been obsessed with the show for years and feel so fortunate to have been included in their “HHI” family. As for Andrew, I know I am his mother and therefore not completely unbiased, but I can honestly say he has grown into a very nice man and I am proud of him. Thank you again. Big hugs. Toni
Just to let you know you can watch tv on the net! There are many sites but one of particular interest is VIPbox check it out. It’s mainly for sports but you can also get UK and US television stations but don’t know about HGTV.
Hi Kathy. Thanks. Yes, I use some of those services here but you can’t watch HGTV online from outside the country and I haven’t bought an US IP address so I won’t be tempted to watch too much TV (at least in English) – it’s bad for improving my Italian. Toni
Hi Toni,
I saw the HHI episode last night and googled this morning to find your blog. To echo what others have said, you are living my dream. I long to live in a French village, and yet I don’t speak French, aside from polite salutations and simple questions. I also love rural Italy (but haven’t been to Orvieto yet). I will be visiting France again in September, all the while keeping my eyes wide open to that possibility. I just retired from high school teaching and have a guaranteed pension, so I don’t need to be concerned about earning money, wherever I live. Thanks for the inspiration!
Susan, Thanks so much for you note. Wow, a guaranteed pension…I want one of those! I Love France – it’s a beautiful culture – in some ways it’s like Italy. If you find yourself in Orvieto, let me know and we will have a cappuccino together. Congrats and happy traveling! Toni.
Thanks, Toni. Would love to grab a cappuccino sometime.
Ok!!!! toni
Hi Toni!
Congratulations on realizing your dream! We watched with great interest as Orvieto is one of our all time favorite hill towns. Loved the episode last night. We too believe you showed great restraint not choosing the Duomo view! But, as you know, village life is lived in the streets in Italy and your location looks great! Hope our paths cross sometime (we’re in Umbria about 5 months a year, spring and fall) 10 km south of Perugia) …
Congratulations!
Marty and Terri
P.S. Have you met Giovanni and Vera in the little alimentari on the street joining the Duomo to the Bell tower? They are lovely … we met them about 15 years ago on our first visit to Orvieto and stop in to see them every spring and fall …
Hi Marty and Terri. Thanks so much for you lovely note. I am so happy you enjoyed the episode. Did you write me a couple of months ago or are you the second person who has asked me about Giovanni and Vera? I guess I’d better get over there and introduce myself. Please keep me informed and when you are in town, let’s meet. (You can introduce me to Giovanni and Vera). Ci vediamo presto. toni
I am a fan of your blog and was really surprised and pleased to see you on House Huners Intl. We have been to Orvieto twice, but only on day trips. We have rented an apartment there for a week in September and are really looking forward to it. We would love to take one of your rejects for six months!! Congratulations on your new life in Italy. We wish you well!
David and Nina in Michigan
Loved the HHI show! What an adventure and I love your sense of humor (Romeo…). My wife and I love to travel, especially in Europe. I think being a travel writer would be my perfect job if only I could write well. I have sent you a friend request on FB, but I realize you are probably overwhelmed with rquests now.
Larry Jenkins
McKinney, TX
Hi Larry, Thank you so much for writing and I’m very happy that you liked the show. It was a great experience and it was extra-special doing it with my son. He is back in San Francisco now and I miss him a lot. Please keep in touch and I hope the next time you travel to Europe you and your wife will put Orvieto on your itinerary. See you on FB! Toni
Hi Toni: We enjoyed watching your episode. Best wishes to you. Margaret and Bill Radford in Colorado Springs, CO
Margaret and Bill,
Thank you so much for your note letting me know you enjoyed the show. It means a lot to me that you would take the time to write. I hope if you are ever visiting Italy you will come to Orvieto and say hello. Toni
Just watched your episode – Orvieto is so pretty! My husband and I just took our first trip abroad a few weeks ago for our 25th anniversary. Went to London and Paris. I would love to back and visit French and Italian countryside areas. Orvieto, I think, must go on the list. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!
Hi Tonja,
Thanks so much for writing to tell me you enjoyed the show. Yes, put Orvieto on your list – you won’t be disappointed. Please keep in touch and let me know if you plan a trip so we can meet for a coffee. Thanks again. Toni
Hi Toni!
What a wonderful surprise to discover your blog! It’s great. Like you, I’ve always dreamed of living in Italy and that dream became a reality when I was offered a job with an American company. I was based in Verona and worked the Triveneto region for three years. The rug was pulled from underneath in 2010 when the company restructured and I decided to return to the U.S. in order to not forfeit the relocation obligation and package, but also to straighten out some professional things (like taking a certification exam for my profession).
The change was so abrupt, and I was so furious with the “system” that I never thought I’d look forward to living in Italy again (this was the final straw to all the inconveniences I had experienced). But I missed it so much (my friends, the lifestyle, my contacts, etc) and still do! I’ve restarted my business and have found a way to work it on a bi-continental basis. This time I will not be sponsored by a company and will instead commute every 3 months. I am looking at buying an apartment in Padova (as much as I love small towns, I need the stimulation from a big city – I totally understood your description of “l’americana”!! as I was always good subject for town gossip 🙂
I’ve a million dollar question for you: What’s your perspective of the Euro crisis? Of “la crisi”? Two years ago I was wishing for another permanent move, but now I think I prefer a part-time arrangement. From a fiscal perspective, Italy’s business climate is simply not hospitable. Why do you not touch on this topic? There’s an exodus happening among Italians. Many of my Italian friends are looking for ways to get out. . . I’ve met many Italian expats in Houston and they don’t plan on returning as the cost of living is much better. Any thoughts? (but the lifestyle here is dreadful)
This blog is inspiring. I just finished creating a dream board with the apartments I like.
Thank you in advance,
Vlynna
Hi Vlynna,
Thank you so much for writing and letting me know you are out there. In answer to the question about the crisis I will say that although I haven’t touched on it, we are all concerned about it and you’re right, the brain drain from young, talented people is seriously bad for this country. I have friends who have owned a business in Rome for 15 years and they are always disturbed by the fact that Italy doesn’t reward small business owners – the backbone of this country – they punish them. It’s a problem. When I first came to live here in 2008 I didn’t have my citizenship and finding work was impossible. I realized that there was not enough work for Italians and so I came back to the US determined to 1) get my Italian passport and 2) find a way to work remotely, working for myself in $. I’ve done both. I have noticed that many of the expats who live here and in Rome have a lot in common. They are retired and don’t need to work, are English teachers or are writers. I am the latter. It is the reason I am able to live here.
As for your experience with having to leave and the disillusion that followed, I understand completely. However, what you are missing here is what many Italians who left and thought they’d never come back experience in the end. For instance, I have a good friend who is Ligurian, a Phd., married with three American children. He would scoff at the fact that I wanted to live here. Last year he took a position in Pavia at the University, moved his family there and tells me the life they have is better than in California. There is a quality of life in Italy that doesn’t have anything to do with economy, money or reason. You know what I mean. Thanks again and I hope that you will find a way to come back if that’s your dream. I support it. Please keep in touch. Hugs. Toni
Bummer. We can’t watch it in Australia either 🙂
Kay, The blocking for zones is starting to get on my nerves! hugs. toni
Toni,
Thank you soooo much for the prompt and honest reply. This makes sense. I’ve bookmarked your blog and will certainly keep track of it. I’m traveling to Italy in Oct to check out the apartments, visit my business partners in Ferrara and visit friends in Verona and la mia madrina a San Benedetto del Tronto. (Ho fatto la cresima in Italia e avevo scelto una donna meravigliosa per essere la mia madrina.) 🙂
And yes, I’ll stay in touch!
In appreciation,
Violeta
have you been able to watch it yet? I wounder if I can find on youtube..would be very interesting. We are only renting but oh so scared of the day we decide to buy in about a years time …
Just watched the episode and enjoyed it. My wife and I lived in Ireland for a few years but then the crisis hit and we had to return to NY – for several reasons but primarily the economy. I have a pension but the euro cuts deep into that. However the quality of life here sucks in general, and I love Italy and the language, so I would love to live over there (my Irish wife hasn’t been there but I think she’d like it). I teach yoga and write and could perhaps make some living there, and if you are really living with such space for $800 US dollars then it seems feasible (we know HHI isn’t always truthful). But one question — you had problems getting a residence permit and overcame that with your citizenship, but we wouldn’t have that. Could you perhaps address how difficult it is to stay in the country without such citizenship and how friendly the state is to expats? Thank you so much!
Hi Ivan,
Thanks so much for writing. HHI IS telling the truth about the price of rent. Of course if I lived in Rome, it would be much more expensive, but Orvieto is a smaller town and there are a lot of reasonably priced places. I live very well on less money here than in SF. You said your wife is Irish. Does she have a EU passport? To tell you the truth I have a lot of friends who have residency but most are retired, don’t need a work permit and own property or have funds in the bank. There is an issue apparently about taxes, but I am not versed in that. There is a website a friend of mine told me about that is very informative about living as an expat. I will ask him to send me the link and I will forward it to you. In general, however I would say that I have felt nothing but welcomed by this country but again, I have a different perspective since I don’t have the bureaucratic hurdles to climb that others without EU citizenship face. I will send you that as soon as I get the link. Toni
[…] immediately googled her name and was so happy to find her blog Orvieto or Bust. I commented on her post about filming the episode and told her that I wanted to feature her here on Why Not Girl! And in true Why Not Girl! form, […]
How do you go about finding a long term rental in Orvieto at a reasonable rate ? I want to spend three months there beginning next September to celebrate my 70th birthday. You inspired me .I have been to Orvieto many times and have loved this city. I am part Italian and think this place would be ideal to immerse myself in the culture.
Hi Maggie,
I don’t think you will have too much trouble finding a short term rental. I know lots of people that have apartments that they may want to rent to you, so when you have your fixed dates, give send me your budget and I will certainly try to help you find a place. Just let me know. I agree, you couldn’t find a better place to spend your time in Italy, but that’s just my humble opinion. Toni
Toni , thank you so much for responding to my email. You have no idea how much I enjoyed the program about your looking for a place in Orvieto. I want to stay for at least 3 months beginning next September. I want to find a place with reasonable rent like what you found . I must stay under 1000 US dollars a month. If I could find a place with rent I can afford, I may extend my time for another month. Thanks again for responding. Maggie Hagan
Toni, I am not certain you received my second email-said mail pendind
Toni, I was wondering what exactly was the picture that gentleman painted for you it didn’t really lot of info on what he was doing but the art was beautiful. Was that Lamberto Bernardini Bar Clandestino? What was the name of the shop you visited him in just incase I visit someday ?
Toni, I was wondering what exactly was the mixture (oil paints) that the gentleman dipped the paper into for you, after he was running the stick into. It didn’t really give a lot of info in the segment on what he was doing but the art was beautiful. Was that Lamberto Bernardini Bar Clandestino? What was the name of the shop you visited him in just incase I visit someday ?
Hi Marianne,
The technique that Lamberto Bernardini was practicing is called “Carta Marmorizzata” or marbled paper. He has a studio in the center where you can actually take a workshop called Stamperia. It’s located at del Giglio d’Oro, Vicolo dei Dolci, 6, 05018 Orvieto (TR), Tel. +39 0763 343147. Here is a link to “The Story of Paper” – a video we made together last year. Bar Clandestino is a coffee bar in town – totally unrelated.
Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8it9EtHWpk8
Enjoy the video. It also explains a little more about the process.
Thanks for writing.
Toni
How did you manage to get Italian citizenship?! We can’t even get Irish citizenship and my husbands great grandpa is Irish!
Well Abi, different countries have different agreements with one another. My grandparents were both Italian and never naturalized as American citizens. Thanks to Nonno e Nonna, I am Italian by blood! Thanks for stopping by and writing. Hugs. Toni
“The Irony….I can’t watch it from Europe.” Cracked me up 😀 I found out about your site from The Bittersweet Life podcast, and I’m so glad I did! Love your style of writing. All the best! -Dana
Me again. Thanks so much Dana for the nice words about my writing. It means a lot to me that you enjoy reading it. Hugs to you! t
[…] — House Hunters International: Mother Knows Best in Orvieto, Italy […]