This blog was once entitled, Orvieto or Bust: One Woman’s Quest to Live in Italy. In November 2012, the quest ended and I’m now living the life I’ve been planning since 2006. What’s next for me? Who knows. I’m working as a writer (dabbling in producing), causing trouble, and making waves. I switched to decaffeinated caffe lattes, but still insist on drinking them after 11:00 am. I guess you can take the American out of the U.S., but you can’t make her drink coffee without milk.
“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!
Hi Toni. We met sept 2016 while I had just dropped from the small fonicolare and I was wondering how to get to my B&B. You were so gentle giving me directions and while we travelled in the small shuttle to city center you kept giving me city tips and suggestions… thnaks so much. We should have had that glass of wine we though about! I spent 3 full days and nights at Orvieto and made even some friends. . My son followed my steps and was there for 4 days last april during the beer festival ( it sounded strange to me! ) when he had an amazing time wandering around this marvelous place. Just like me. Hope to see you next time. It will certainly have a next tine.
Hi there. Yes, I remember that day. I have trouble containing my enthusiasm and will bang on about Orvieto at any chance I get. 🙂 So happy to hear you had a lovely time, as did you son. Keep me posted the next time you are here and we’ll definitely have that glass of wine. xxo. Toni
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
Well, I think it was fate that I watched House Hunters International today and there you where telling “me” about another beautiful city in Italy. I too have been obsessed with wanting to see Italy and haven’t had the chance yet. I hope to follow your blog and dream of all the wonderful things that I will see once I am there. Maybe we could meet and have one of your favorite lattes!! (will need you to speak Italian and order me one!!).
Hi Mari Jo. I am so happy that seeing my HHI episode may have inspired you to come visit us in Orvieto. We can definitely have a coffee together – keep me informed of your travel plans. In the meantime, a quick Italian lesson: If you order a “latte” in a bar you will get a glass of milk. What you want to say is “caffe latte”. 🙂 Hugs. 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 […]
Just wanted to say hello…I found your lovely blog from the Italian Notebook. I just returned from my first trip to Italy…a trip I dreamed of for a lifetime. I also would love to find a way to live there, at least a few months out of the year. I’ve been back for 4 weeks and I can already feel more soul yearning for more. I did not get to Orvieto, but fell in love with Umbria (stayed 6 days in Spoleto). I need to get back to blogging about my love of Italy and my trip. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thauna, What a nice note to send. Thank you so much for saying I have inspired you. Well, you’ve never been to Orvieto and I’ve never been to Spoleto….we’re even. It was a long, torturous process getting here, but it was worth the heartache. Keep blogging and visiting and fulfilling that hole that only Italy can fill. hugs. Toni
Toni,
I am a faithful follower of your blog. I was thrilled to see your episode on House Hunters Intl. My husband and I have visited Orvieto in the past on a day trip and will be staying for a week in Sept. We loved your apartment search. So tell us, are you using the patio? We thought you could keep a coffee maker in the indoor space up there and carry snacks and Prosecco up in a basket. As another commented, we would love to rent one of your rejects for a few months!
Nina in Michigan
Hi Nina,
How wonderful of you to write! What a great idea about the basket…maybe I can tie a rope to it and pull it up the stairs? :). Keep in touch, would love to meet you when you are here and actually, both apartments on the show are available for rent (long or short term) so let me know if you need a place in September, I would be happy to help. Hugs. Toni
You are an inspiration. My wife and I loved your journey on House Hunters International! Do you have any recommendations for Americans near your age, who want to live in Europe? I read that you started your planning in 2006. Thank you SO much in advance. Grazie!!!!
Chuck,
Thanks you so much for you lovely note and great compliment. Do I have any recommendations for you? Just do it. I see that you are a voice coach and that certainly means you could teach people to sing in any language? I don’t know your particular circumstances but if you are not sure how to go about moving abroad, maybe you could plan on 3 months somewhere first? I basically would come back and forth to Orvieto – staying about 3 months twice a year and it got to the point that when I was in Orvieto I didn’t want to return SF. When I was in SF I wanted to be in Orvieto. I finally decided to make it happen, but because I spent so much time here, had so many friends and felt part of the community, my move in November wasn’t like moving to a new place, it was more like coming home. Does that make sense? If you have any more questions, please feel free to write again. Thanks and buon viaggio! Toni
Loved your House Hunters International show! A friend and I stayed in Orvieto about 10 years ago. Started out in the nun’s hotel and quickly switched when they told us they locked the doors at 10 pm. Found a great hotel and also fell in love with Orvieto — thanks to Rick Steves. Congrats on following your dream and raising such a well-mannered son. Ciao!
Hi Linda,
Thanks so much for writing and the compliment about raising my son. I wish I could take all the credit for him being such a nice young man, but I honestly don’t know where he gets it. 🙂 I hear that the convent B&Bs had to start letting people come home as they wished – it was cutting into their business. I mean, restaurants don’t even start serving dinner until 8pm! Ha! Speaking of Rick Steves…Did you see our most recent episode of the Food Police: The Rick Steves episode? If you like Rick, you’ll like this, I think.
Hugs. Toni
Hi Toni,
I was so happy to see an episode of HHI in my favorite Italian town which then led me to your blog. I had a travel blog for several years and just loved reading yours.
Would you happen to have met any English speaking realtors serving Orvieto or the general area. I’ve been saving my nickels and dimes and would love to speak to a realtor about my wishes but I know it would be easier with one who speaks English. Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and keep writing about my favorite town!
Hi Monica,
Thank you so much for dropping by my blog. Orvieto also thanks you! I am in NYC this week but will be back in Italy on Wednesday. I will be happy to send you a few names of realtors who speak English when I get back. If you wouldn’t mind, please send me a note to remind me next week via my email at t_debella@yahoo.com. Hugs. toni
I can do that! Thanks so much and have fun in NYC!
Hello,
My name is Robert and I was wondering if I could ask you a question? I was born and raised in the USA and have an Italian mother and African American father. I am curious about your view on racism in Italy, especially Orvieto. I hear it’s a great place. I will hopefully be getting my Italian citizenship next year (through my great grandparents) and am looking to move to Europe. Orvieto could be an option for us but I want somewhere that is safe for my family. My wife is white and my children are mixed. I know you may not feel comfortable commenting on such a sensitive subject but it is hard to find answers on this. You will not offend me with your answers. I am looking for truth so we can make the best decision for us. Your blog is great. Live life to the fullest. Thank you , Robert
Hi Robert. First, thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy you like the blog! I thought about writing you back via your email, but then I reconsidered. I mean, you wrote me in a public comment and so I think my answer should be public too. It could be of interest to other readers, right? So, here’s what I will say about racism in Italy and more specifically, Orvieto. I’ve heard many people claim that Italians are racist. Yes, of course there are racists in Italy and some may not be comfortable with a bi-racial family. There are racists in America too. However, Orvieto’s residents are educated and quite sophisticated and although there isn’t a large black population here, there is a big expat and gay community (Italian, Finnish and American). For instance, my 3 best friends are outwardly gay and to my knowledge they’ve never encountered negative attitudes or discrimination. I do notice that when I am on the train to Rome, sometimes conductors ask “brown” people for their documents and don’t hassle me. That bothers me. But racial profiling goes on in the US too. I think Orvieto is a very safe place to live – especially for families and children. I’ve actually noticed that Italians are very respectful to gypsies who ask for money or North Africans who sell socks, kleenex, etc. on the street. Whatever an Italian’s personal prejudices might be, they would not be unkind or outwardly disrespectful. Of course, I couldn’t guarantee that you wouldn’t come across problems,but if push came to shove, I’d have to say that your family would be very welcomed here. I hope that helps address your question. Please keep in touch and let me know if there is anything else you’d like to know. Hugs. See you in Orvieto soon, I hope. Toni
I’m so happy to have found your blog. I have watched your episode of HH International a few times (because I love Italy). My heart is in Umbria — Assisi to be exact! I have been there a few times and convinced my husband to spend part of our honeymoon there, and he has fallen in love too. We hope to return. Many blessings on your journey! I can’t wait to read your posts!
Thank you so much for your sweet note! Assisi is one of my favorite spots in Umbria too (after Orvieto, of course.):) Please keep in touch and if when you move to Italy, be sure to come and see me in Orvieto! Hugs. Toni
I also am happy to have found your blog. I have been in Orvieto, on my culinary internship, since the beginning of November, leaving at the end of Jan. I am currently living with other culinary students, who are from Puerto Rico, so trying to learn Italian, while here has been a challenge, because I am exposed more to Spanish than Italian. And knowing that there is an American here, walking the streets is rather comforting. I’ve been a bit hesitant to wander alone, although I do, because I’m still very curious about Orvieto. It’s such a charming place, I’d hate to not get a chance to know about it.
Thank you for your writing!
Hi Sean, You are so fantastic to write and let me know you are in town (and that you are enjoying my blog – thanks). I’m out of town at the moment, but I’ll be back on the 17th. If you happen to recognize me on the street, please stop and introduce yourself!! And speaking of streets..go out and roam them, introduce yourself to locals and “soak it all in”. Just recently a woman named Maggie came to Orvieto on her own for 3 months. By the end of her stay it seemed she knew absolutely everyone in town and SHE DIDN’T SPEAK A WORD OF ITALIAN! Get out there and explore – you’ll be happy you did! See you soon. Hugs. toni
Thank you so much for the words of encouragement Toni! I guess since I’ve come this far, I may as well take another leap and do exactly as you said. I will certainly keep my eyes out for you. Otherwise, if you are looking for dining options, I’ll be at Ristorante Zeppelin, working with Chef Lorenzo Polegri.
So lovely meeting you!! Reading you now! My “real” email is news@davidperry.com but that gets an autoresponder until March 1 when I’m back in SF.
David, Looking forward to more Orvieto moments in the next 2 months! The stories I could tell you….! Hugs. t
Hi Toni, just saw your episode of house hunters on netflix. So happy you were able to follow your dream. Very inspiring.
Hi Patricia! Wow, so nice of you to write and tell me you caught the show. I’m very happy to “meet” you here – perhaps someday you will come to visit Orvieto and we can meet for a glass of wine. In the meantime, I want to wish you a Buon Anno! Happy 2015 to you and yours. Hugs. t
Hi Toni, caught your house hunters a couple of months ago. Did you take any pets with you to Italy? I do not speak Italian but am planning on spending a good portion of this coming yr abroad if I can devise the plan a bit more. I am thinking in terms of house sitting and short (few months) rentals if I can find them. I loved that you found such a great place on a budget. Mine will be the same. I do not want to leave my little 10 pd dog behind however. I have read about the requirements in Italy, France and a few other countries regarding pets. I have lived in the US for most of my life yet still hold a British passport (Scotland) so I am still considered a member of the EU I gather. Thanks for your inspiration.
April
Hi April! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and writing to tell me about your upcoming adventures. Congrats! Funny you should ask about pets. No, I don’t have any, but my good friend takes her cats back and forth between NYC and Italy twice a year. I wrote about it in ExCatriates, here on my blog. (In fact, I’m leaving soon for a trip to SF and on the way back, I’m stopping in NYC to pick up cats to bring back to Orvieto). Their intercontinental! I also know another woman in town who has a small dog that she brought with her from the US. Italy’s requirements are a little more tedious than the US’, I think. All the shots have to be listed on the their “passports” (yes, they have their own passports), and within a few days of traveling out of Italy, you must take your animal to the vet and they sign off that the pet is healthy enough to travel. Also, you must book your animal many months ahead of time with your airline, because they only a certain number of animals per cabin. Good luck and thanks again for writing. hugs. toni
Thanks Toni.. I do know about the passport (rather funny) I did find the information regarding Italy. I now need to check about extended stays and if I continue on to say France what that would mean for my little Valentina (dog) in terms of her paperwork. I have traveled cross country with her here in the states both in a car and flying. 75-125 dollars depending on the airline just to store her under the seat and then they consider her doggy carrier to be one of your two carry ones. Makes me crazy but she is my travel companion. Thanks for such a wonderful blog and advice. Maybe you will see me zooming by with Valentina riding the handle bars in a little basket.
Hi Tony, we are reading your blog today. Our little family is exploring Italy and staying in Orvieto for the next 10 days. We would love to meet you and hear more about your experiences. Is there an email we can reach you at?
Hi Luke, Karen and Katie. Would love to meet your family! I just got home from a trip to the US yesterday…great timing! See you soon. Toni
Toni, I’m delighted to find your blog. Your friend Nancy is trying to put us in touch with each other. I’m afraid that correspondence through the VRBO site blocks email addresses, so I will try to reach you this way. I believe you will have access to my email when I post this comment, but if not, could you contact me through my website, http://www.teresajordan.com? I will be immensely grateful! Yours, Teresa
[…] by Toni DeBella […]
OMG. I just found you blog and am loving it! My partner and I are planning on moving to Orvieto later this year. We visited for the first time last fall and fell in love with it. Am anxious to dive deeper into your blog and read about your experiences. Would also love to connect sometime once we are there if you are willing to give a little advice in person.
Hi jim! I’m writing you from a bumpy train, so excuse the brevity. Glad to hear from you, and if you have any questions (use my email) before arrival, let me know. Look forward to meeting you in person! T
Hi Toni, love your blog! We’re an Australian couple who moved to Umbria last year. We now visit Orvieto a couple of times a week, would love to meet up with you if you have time?
Hi Sarah and Simon! Good to hear from you. I would love to meet up when you’re in the “O”. Just give me a heads up when you’re planning to be here. Look forward to meeting you. Toni
Ciao Toni
I am picking up the dual citizenship application process again after a 1 year lapse. I have two main questions for you if you have time to respond:
1) what was your delay with Homeland Security?
**I have not contacted them for anything, but I’ve had one preliminary meeting already with the DC Consulate and am not missing any documents; but some need to be amended. Which leads me to:
2) were you informed that it was necessary to resolve every single inconsistency in family names? (ie, misspelled names, or Americanization of Italian names (Giuseppe / Joe; Maria / Marie?). I have no less than 5 documents rejected because of this.
I’ve hit some major stumbling blocks and am considering moving to Italy to do the application. Apparently it is more efficient than the Consulate, but the economic and political atmosphere in Italy may have rendered public offices short staffed for this kind of work. Thoughts?
Hi Rachel.
I thought I replied to this but WordPress didn’t seem to save it. I apologize if I’m repeating myself.
1) I did my citizenship many years ago and with the current administration’s Homeland Security Department I can’t really tell you what to expect. 2) Yes, I explained all the consistencies in my documents.You should follow your consolate’s instructions. I will put a link below to a screen shot to a Facebook group that might be able to help you get your citizenshiop in Italy (they claim you only need to stay a few months). Check them out. I’m not sure what you mean by the political and economic climate in Italy. I live in a town and a region, so I don’t know what the staffing situation is in other places in Italy. You should figure out where you might be apply and contact someone who lives in that town. Hope this helps. Toni https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-12/18109727_10158680548755422_2089641165_n.jpg?oh=10672a3634354b034aebfaadc47aa340&oe=5997B915.
Dear Toni… I hope I am doing the right thing by posting a request for your advice here…
I live in Rome at the moment and after reading many blogs and websites (including listening to podcasts where you are featured), I’ve set my heart on moving to Orvieto.
With the pandemic and working from home, I suddenly realised (took a while for the penny to drop) that I can use this time to live somewhere green and calm and add another chapter to my Italian story.
I think things will change in the future too. It’s easy to commute to Rome and now that we are all used to remote working, this should be able to continue after we have all been vaccinated and the catastrophe is over.
I need a home for me and my cat. My Italian is not quite where it should be to be able to easily communicate with the estate agents, but I am trying. With little or no success. Do you have any advice? Thank you for being an inspiration! Dalene
Hi Dalene. Nice to hear from you. Why don’t you email me at t_debella@yahoo.com. I’m sure I can help you. I know of a few places available off-hand, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to connect. Yes, green space is important, especially now. t
Hello,
Ciao from Montreal… have you found a place yet? wishing you well and I hope you meet the kindest people on your journey…