“Hi Toni, I just read your blog and I loved it. I could feel myself walking through the small winding streets of Italy, tasting the regional foods, admiring the ancient architecture, the people, and the picturesque scenes. What impressed me the most about your blog was not only the descriptive prose but the emotion, the feeling in your words and descriptions, in short, your love affair with Italy. It was beautiful”. – Clark
“Fa molto piacere che negli Stati Uniti, ci sia una persona che parla di Orvieto e delle sue tradizioni con tanta passione, proprio come uno di noi… Grazie Toni!!!” – Giorgio
Italia o morte indeed Toni !! I am obsessed with Italia! My first trip to Italy was with my dad in 1978 wen he showed me his birth place near Naples (he came to America when he was 14). It was a long time to return but have been there 3 times since 2005 and found many family members in my Dads hometown.
We go again this September with a 6 month stay in a few years-cannot wait!
Looking forward to your future posts!
Denise!
Thank you for reading my VERY first blog!! I made it last night and I am happy you found me. I have been writing emails to friends about my experiences and needed a place to write them down and share. I am happy to meet another “obsessed” person who understands the strange pull that this place has…I would love to know more about your experiences as well.
Buona giornata!
Toni
Great job Toni! I know you will make your obsession a reality…and this blog is a wonderful beginning to your success! Congrats – and I look forward to following you on your journey. Love, Janet
Janet!!!! Thanks for joining my blog. Hey, I am a “blogger”! I never thought I would say those words out loud. How are you?
big kiss
t
I am impressed Toni. Great blogsite. And when you move to Orvieto, we can all share in the realization of your dream!!
Toni, you never cease to amaze me! You are absolutely a renaissance woman. You do it all. I know you will get to Orvieto one day. Good job.
Paula
Toni,
I have just discovered your wonderful little blog. Your stories are a sweet inspiration. I hope someday soon to visit Orvieto — it’s magic.
Christine,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, Orvieto is the most special place in the world (for me, at least) and I know for a lot of people. You must put it on your “bucket list” for sure. I also enjoyed seeing your site: like me, you are writing about “your favorite things” and that is really what it is all about. I started my blog as a place to pour my feelings and passion about my life in Italy – it was created just for me, but of course, it is always satisfying if someone comes upon it and enjoys reading it. Thank you so much again, have a lovely weekend. Toni
Hi Toni – I just read your recent contribution to Italian Notebook and a bit of your blog and it got me even more excited for our upcoming move. We lived in Rome for 10 years before moving to Bali and are now heading back to Italy and are actually moving to…..Orvieto! My husband and I own a small hotel in Rome and after Bali, we thought the quality of life for our children would be better in a small town after 10 years of fighting an uphill battle in Rome, but we needed to be well-connected to Rome and our business. Where are you now? It would be wonderful to connect the next time you are in Italy.
Linda,
I am in San Francisco at the moment, but hope to be in Orvieto in early to late fall. I love hearing about people who live so internationally and are adventurous as your family must be. Of course you already know how much I love Orvieto…I think you will be very happy there. I am sure you are well connected having lived in Rome for so long. I love Rome, but I agree its not an easy life with a growing family. I would love to meet you when I am back in Italy. Lets keep in touch. Thank you so much for contacting me and reading my blog. Since I can’t be there full time right now, writing has given me an outlet to express myself and feel closer to this place I love and those friends who are there. toni
Hi Antonella, Toni,
Have just read your article on the Anello della Rupe, I am a Brit ex pat, that has been living in Bolsena, for 6 years now and have been to Orvieto, No spend most of my time there, I adore the place, but have only recently found this treasure path around the rock, as you say it is like being in another world. I would also like to wish you well in your quest to re locate to Orvieto, and maybe when you do, you could take in the Infurata, Corpus Domini in Bolsena, this to is pretty spectacular,as Bolsena is itself, having the magnificent lake, the largest lake of volcanic origin in Europe, well worth a visit to those in the area who have never been and of course St Christina the centre for the origin of Corpus Domini. although St Christina was deemed an insignificant outpost, so the wonderfull Duomo of Orvieto was built, as you have said to house the blood staind alter cloth.
keep on writing these wonderful informative articles.
Brian.
Brian, So nice to “meet” you and you are absolutely right, Bolsena is a lovely place with a magnificant lake. You are lucky to live in such a treasure. I love spending the day just taking in the view and listening to the lapping of water on the lake’s shore. I will be back in Orvieto in the fall. I suspect that we might have a few “amici in comune”, so perhaps I will see you one day soon on the Corso. Toni
Toni.
I love your article on watching Italian Television.
We too became obsessed with Italy following our first month long trip there in 2002 with our – then young – children. We went back and back and then made the plunge and, in 2008, bought an old Italian farmhouse in the hills of Bella LeMarche.
The kids are older now and I have been able to spend 6 weeks each summer living and loving our house our wonderful neighbors and our beautiful vibrant towns – Sarnano and San Ginesio. The house needs a TON of work but – piano piano – it will get done and within the next few years we hope to be spending 2 to 3 months a year in Italy and within 10 years, speriamo, to make a permanent move to Italy.
Like you, I have fallen in love with the Italian language. I have recently discovered “Yabla”, an Ianguage website that teaches through the use of video that can be stopped, slowed down or used with or without subtitles.
Thanks for your awesome blog. I’ll be a reader from now on. And good luck with your quest to make a permanent home in Italy!
Alyssa
So here you are! Lovely Orvieto! Not to tell of the wonderful surroundings…very specials places for a writer to get inspiration…I wrote two poems admiring Bolsena lake (I was in Capodimonte, which has a fantastic long lake path).
So enjoy your staying, Alfonso
ps my email: year62@virgilio.it
Alfonso,
Tu sei un poeta anche! Sei un uomo con tanti talenti!!!! ti scrivero’ della esperienze presto.
toni
Hello Toni, I found your blog via @LazioExplorer on Twitter. Just wanted to write a quick comment to say how great I think it is, so nicely and honestly written! Loved your posts on TV and expats…and congrats on the citizenship! Would love to see you on Twitter?!! Ciao
Emily
Hi Emily! Thank you so much for writing and for your lovely words. Don’t laugh, but I don’t have a Twitter account (I am technically challenged).
I went to your website and have to say it is really gorgeous and the business that you and Paolo formed is a wonderful story. I will be back in Orvieto at the end of November – you are not so far from Orvieto. Perhaps one day we can meet and share stories of our journeys to Italy. Thank you again for reaching out. Un abbraccio. Toni
Hi Toni, thanks for your own kind words! That sounds great, feel free to get in touch when you are back in Orvieto. I have never been there myself but I think Umbria is lovely! Ciao, Emily
Emily. I will contact you when I get to town. hugs.t
Great blog site.
It is a great thing to find a blog site which is dedicated to one country. In Your case Italy. I have been there few times in Milan, Rome, Capri, Vesuvius, Pompeii and Sorrento. Sorrento is my favorite place as Pompeii. I have few photos from these places in my About Me page.
My blog is presenting my country Finland. Finland is quite unknown and many have been surprised to find there thing that they never knew, like World’s biggest Snow Castle, World’s biggest wooden church and plenty of art, especially carved art.
That is enough from y country.
Happy blogging and Buon Lunedi!
Hi,
How nice to receive your email and better yet to see your wonderful photographs. They really are beautiful and I enjoyed seeing Finland from your perspective. What was particularly amazing about receiving your letter was the fact that just that afternoon I was introduced to a man named Igor who is a textile restorer living here in italy. He was the first person from Finland I’ve ever met, and then just 12 hours later you wrote to me, which makes you the second Finlander I’d met in a 24 hour period. It is one of the most amazing coincidences….I mean, what are the chances?
Again, thank you for writing and giving me encouragement to continue to blog about the place that I love. Italia.
Warm regards,
Toni
Toni, I am an expat living in Umbria..originally from Boston..moved here March 2002. A friend from Bolsena just sent me your blog and I just finished reading it and so enjoyed and also related a lot to most of it. Would love to stay in touch and possibly meet some day ..Orvieto is one of my favorite villages. Please email me..
thank you and congrats on receiving your citizenship
Margaret. Would that friend be Brian, by chance?? He wrote me some days back “introducing” you and I am happy to meet, as he puts it, another “countrywoman”. I will email you shortly. Your photographs are breathtaking. Congratulations. Ciao. toni
Ahhhhh, Margaret and Toni, I do love it, when a plan comes together.
Happy 2012 Toni!
Suzee forwards me your blog periodically but I’d love to be on your subscribers email list. I really love reading about your passion for Italy and admire you for following your dream.
All the best,
Lori
Hi Toni, Buon anno from one Umbria obsessive to another!! Lisa from Renovating Italy put me on to your blog. It’s lovely. It reminds me so much of my own story, right down to the Sicilian background! Just swap Perugia for Orvieto. I started blogging about my grand passion for Italy in October, just to try and make sense of it all really….. Keep telling your story! I’m looking forward to seeing what 2012 has in store for you. Janine
Janine. Buon Anno a te! I just went to your blog…you know, I could feel the longing and pain in your words that I feel when I write about my life in (and out) of Italy. We have a lot in common. The difference is my son is 23 and living on his own, so now I have the freedom to spend more time there. Are you in Perugia now? I will be in Orvieto mid February through mid April. It would be great to meet up and share a coffee and some stories…thank you so much for writing. Toni
Toni, che dire….It makes it easier somehow knowing there ARE others out there living this same sort of life. You have inspired me already this morning with your kind words. Thank you. I would love to meet up. I am in Melbourne at the moment, hoping to get over to PG for a lightning visit sometime in March-April. It would be too lovely to have a chance to meet up. In any case I will be following you. And thanks for popping over to my blog too! Un abbraccio, Janine
Toni, My husband and I are considering moving to Italy with our kids for a year. Just found your blog and am enjoying reading it (Brian Jones sent me to it he said you are very knowledgeable about it
) Trying to find a place we want to live and figuring out VISA stuff is overwhelming but we are excited to do it!
Vanessa
Thanks Vanessa for writing. Congratulations on deciding to go on an adventure with your family. As far as knowledgeable…that can be debated. Visa stuff…humm. I am assuming you are American…? It can be overwhelming, but oh, so worth it. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. Buon viaggio! toni
I know the feeling.. Can you imagine never being in a country and feeling in your heart that THAT country is yours.. for me it is France.. that’s why I’m waiting.. I know the day I step foot on that land.. I’m not coming back.. ; ) Thinking of Traveling to Italy, Spain & France for 3-4 months when I get my US passport .. Your spirit is so beautiful and pure and your writing is honest .. It’s not always that you come across an honest writer.. who pours his/her soul into words.. Thank you.
namaste,
el
http://mselenalevontraveling.com
El, It’s interesting, but the other day I was thinking that I know so many people who feel the way you do about France or that I do about Italy. These two countries have a culture and lifestyle that draws us to them. People often ask me why I want to live in Italy so much and I can’t really give them a satisfactory answer because the answer is not logical or reasonable. It comes from a feeling, an emotion…I just feel happier when I am there. It makes sense to me and although I am an American and always will be, I would like to finish my life in the country of my choice. It’s simple and complicated, but you understand. Thanks for your kind words. It means a lot to me to know that my words reach into another’s soul. toni
Hi Toni
)
Found you via David Beatty. Hope to meet you in Orvieto or the Bay area.
I should be in italy by end of April.
Please do stay in touch. Love to talk with you about Orvieto. Was there in 2010 and thought about moving there. I have a few ideas!
warmly
Penny Sadler
pennysadler@gmail.com
Hi Penny. Yes David mentioned that he had been in touch with you and I might expect a message from you. So glad you made contact. I am here, as of right now, until 16 Aprile, but depending on how the work situation develops I am hoping to extend my stay through May. Let’s definitely keep in touch. I would love to hear your ideas and support you in your dream…it’s a dream that has gotten much closer for me as it will for you. Look forward to meeting you soon. Toni
Hi Toni,
)
I don’t have the wordpress ready just yet. I’m transferring a blog. In the meantime you can view my blog at http://www.adventures-in-italy.blogspot.com
Soon to be on wordpress.
Best way to reach me until then is my gmail.
ciao
Love your blog.
I just started reading a some. I love Italy and strongly felt that it was always my country because of my roots, from the very first visit. I feel such a connection & so emotional with everytihing Italian Im surrounded by: family, music, culture, food & television.
Thank you for your stoies.
Maria. Thank you. Yes, so many of us feel that way about Italy because it is a place that makes one feel connected to humanity in a way not many other cultures can. It’s a flawed, but beautiful life. toni
Buona Pasqua Toni!
Oops.. Sorry Penny! Buona Pasqua a te (Spero).
toni
No worries. See you soon!?
Good morning! What a lovely find! I came to you from Renovating Italy. In that list of blogs she posted, my interest was piqued by the “or Bust” in your title! Excellent!
I too have been obsessed with Italy for ages. No Italian heritage, though we did live in Taranto when I was a wee thing in 1960. I have tried for a very long time to explain my obsession, but your statement to El above–it’s simple and complicated–is perfect. The painful longing ….
Last Feb I was to leave on my long-awaited month-long solo trip to Northern Italy, but I landed in hospital 9 days before departure and have been recovering ever since. How rude! Will reschedule because I MUST.
So pleased to have stumbled upon another person who also has within the magnetic pull to Italy. Makes me feel less insane! >:-D
Laurel
Laurel! Well if you are crazy then there are million of we lunatics roaming the earth! I am sorry you aren’t well and I hope your recovery means that you’ll be visiting the motherland soon! I am so happy you bumped into me. I hope you have rescheduled your trip to Italy and will here soon. Thank you for your kind words and I hope we meet one day when you are in Umbria. Hugs. toni
Toni–Nice to meet you! OK then! I’m in good company!
Love “motherland”! Excellent.
I had hoped to go in October, but I’m not strong enough yet, and you can imagine that I want to be ALL THERE for this amazing trip I will take. Thank you for your well wishes. I’m gettin’ there! >:-D
[...] enjoying an aperitivo on Orvieto’s Corso the other night, I ran into my friend Toni DeBella, who was chatting with some visiting Americans—a very cool couple, Benjamin Orbach and Ashley [...]