Forgot one: they all drive like they’re driving a Ferrari -VW bug or a trash truck - does not matter. And when I drove throughout Italy for 2 weeks, I never saw one driver getting ticketed. But Damn! What a fabulous country. I go back every chance I get. ❤❤❤
As my friend said when I lamented “Where is their Highway Patrol??? why aren’t these drivers getting tickets???!!” Her response “ Where Would They Start?” We laughed for 50 miles 😂
Italy is on my bucket list. I have ancestors that came from there to the states in the late 1800's. My son has been there twice, and has a trip planned for next fall. He LOVED it!!!!!
Buon Anno Marina, when I was a kid my family went camping all summer, a lot in Italy (1960 and later years) my dad was an architect so I saw (you guessed it), many history everywhere. Loved it even at young age. But my warmest memories where the small family restaurants everywhere. We didn't speak Italian so my dad, who looked as a big cook, was invited into the kitchen and warmly discussed what to eat. Best memories ever, lots of fun. Now in my seventies I still look for those places where the locals eat.
Hello from Texas, Marina. I hope this upcoming year is good to you. I so enjoy your videos--they are so interesting, and calming. Just listening to you talk as you knit--is enjoyable. I appreciate your kind heart toward animals, and wish there were more people like you. But there are a lot of caring people in the world, and I am grateful for them all---just wish there were even more! You are a bright spot in this world, and I wish you all the best in your life. Thank you for sharing your journey with us ♥
Sounds like Spain… we also have the same celebrations for each village and Spaniard live with their parents till forever. In Spain doing papeles is so bad you probably have to go 4 times to get all the documents you need… the only easy thing is to renew the DNI (identity card) because it’s handled by the local police. Italy is beautiful and an amazing country it’s my most visited country for vacation.
I’ve lived and travelled around the world, and at the age of 10 (1969-1972) we lived in Rome. Our parents instilled in us the importance of experiencing the food, culture, religion, architecture, language, shopping, travel everywhere we went. The earliest lesson I remember is when we lived in Rome, American tourists would always seek out the one or two restaurants at which you could get a hamburger, which seemed so pitiful to us as kids. Thanks for this one, Marina. Ciao.
Great idea about shopping trolleys for dogs. There was a band called, Dogs Die In Hot Cars. They were trying to come up with a suitable name. Rather than something flippant and meaningless, they thought it would be a good opportunity to get a worthwhile message across.
Very honest and balanced. I laughed about the trollys and the grocery stores and dogs( I lovvvvveee dogs) but isn't it a bit contradicting when they then ask you to put on a plastic glove to try the produce or products lol. Lol great vlog , a few I knew just from the Italians themselves and how they have experienced the government...buying and selling ect... but many I didn't, I'll keep them in mind when I perhaps visit x
I'm Spanish and some things you say apply to Spain, it might be a Mediterranean thing!! The ones that don't are: Coffee (we definitely go for coffee as a social thing), tap water (we do have it at restaurants), and I think Spanish people have the superiority if they're very patriotic but they look up at the North of Europe or America a lot, and feel that we're behind a bit of because of our history. And we don't allow dogs in grocery shops, but they are now allowed in most shops and coffee shops and more and more restaurants. Loved the video and Italy! :)
Thanks you WSG for your 15 things to know about Italy. I'll never get there but it's good to know there are plenty of decent people there. Best to you and (edit) Happy New Year!
I love the welcome mat for dogs. In my small rown my Chi can go in many places. Inexplicably, the library which used to host kids reading to dogs, has a dog training class and hosts other dog events no longer allows dogs. They also cannot go into resturants or bars but can go on the patios.
Soooooo nice to see you ❤ we just spent 8 days (Christmas week) in Siena! This year I want to spend winter in Sicily 😊 greetings from Austria! Alexandra
I took a cruise from Rome to Barcelona, so I probably spent a total of five days in Italy and I enjoyed myself. The history of the country and the beauty were really great and what was funny is they speak more English than when you get to Spain. It was like maybe one percent of Spain speaks English at the most. The hardest thing about visiting Europe in the peak season is there’s so many tourists that it’s actually hard to see the sites that you want to look at. That’s what you get for having most of the western world history : )
Insightful vid! i'm slowly discovering all this as slowly cycle around the entire country :) i'm a quarter Italian, and learning the language now from my Mum
@@WildSheGoes Thanks! haha it was freezing. I did the north from October-December but had to fly back after 90 days as I'm on a UK passport. Annoying, but i'll be back in March for the south!
After so many years traveling all over Italy, i came to the conclusion that there are many "Italys", and not only one :) but I agree with many things you said
The police thing they do in Belgium as well. But as far as I known it's only when you move to the country. My sister stayed at home for three days, only visiting the store once for food. And of course the policeman arrived during that time so she had to stay even longer at home in order to be there for the second visit.
Hi Marina its lovely to see you and l wish you a happy new year. Loved this video and a wee bit different. Its so interesting to learn about other countries. I guess theres good and not so good in most countries. At least Vongola is made welcome nearly everywhere. He looks so comfy in the lovely bed you made him. I hope we see you in your new jumper next time.....Alioban 💖🐕xx
Oh geesh...That would be hard for me because I like to bundle my errands so I can get them done at one day. I also think those Chamois are reason enough to want to live in Italy!
I loved this video Marina. Firstly, I knit, but I can't knit and talk on a topic at the same time, so kudos to you. 😊 I think 50% of the things you talked about I was aware of. The mail service in Italy will always be my biggest complaint. I feel their reasoning is basically " We will deliver it when we feel like it". I have a friend living in Italy and basically they get my mail probably 3 months after I've sent it. I will say that the first time I visited Finland, about 6 years ago, take away coffee was not heard of.😬 I commend you for making people aware, yet always kind in the process. 😊❤️ HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thank you for your videos.
I agree the postal service is ridiculous. I have so many stories to tell about it, the last one is that two packages sent the same day (one going 2h away from where I shipped it, 1 to Ohio) also arrived the same day 😂
Buon Anno, cara Marina! What a wonderful video! You presented so many valid and intetesting points that I can relate to as a foreigner who has lived here for many years. I wished to edit my comment as I felt it had a rather "heavy" tone. What I would like to point instead is how well you presented both pros and cons of living here - balanced - while knitting at the same time!!! 🧶Wow!! I saw a glimpse of Vongola wearing his lovely red sweater....is he feeling any better? Anyway, great video, Marina. I always cherish each and every one of them. ❤️
Numero 2. Mamma mia... sto vivendo una cosa proprio adesso. Pero lo amo totalmente Italia. Son daccordo con gli altri punti. Thanks for sharing these points and well done on the knitting (I am a knitter)... buone cose e felice anno nuovo!!
What a good format and you got some knitting done too. I enjoyed it Marina, It's always hard to get ride of "bad" government employees most every where I think. Hope your staying warm and have the best new year ever.
Hey Marina, firstly Happy New Year and then on your point of bureaucracy I don't think Italy can beat my country, South Africa. It really sucks here, I am sure they find the most grumpiest people ever to work there, so expecting customer service is like looking for hen's teeth !!
I was going to say, we did have Italian prisoners of war here in South Africa, so maybe they tought our bureaucrats! But we don't have the police come check our house - that would definitely take away far to much KFC time, and they'd have to actually have a working vehicle. We have to get the rates accounts the municipality no longer send, letters from land Lords, etc to prove where you live for banking etc. I always wonder what would happen to someone like Marina was who is living in a van moving about. If I could do it, our country is so spectacular for a nomadic lifestyle, but you wouldn't be able to have a working phone, banking, or car licencing. It's a bit bonkers. And everyone else, even in parastatals are so friendly and usually go out of their way to be helpful. Eish! Our country!
Interesting to know, thanks Marina 👍 No police visits at new addresses in the UK. I think that the only time they visit outside of crime investigations is if you have a gun licence, to check that it's stored securely.
I have very much liked coming to Italy as a tourist, kind of interesting to experience everything- both the positive and the negative! I guess all countries has there own pros and cons, my country too! Watching your videos is always good, there is also a very welcoming feeling here! Thanks!👍
Happy New Year! What a pleasant surprise to see you here! Nice way to start the year. Red tape and jumping through hoops to get stuff done is fairly common in Canada 🇨🇦 too. I found it curious that the UK don’t allow pets in apartments considering their strong stance on animal welfare. The Sagres sound like a lot of fun. My brother visits Italy with the Ottawa Fire Department Band often because the music director is Italian. They get the royal treatment and are well fed and “wined” , especially when they play traditional songs. Italy is on my bucket list.
Landlords can legally refuse pets in the UK and it's a big issue as ~40% of households have dogs. Not allowing pets in an apartment/flat may be a clause in the landlords lease or from the block management association. (Freehold owners lease the property to leasehold tenants for 999 years, who are free to act like owners within that period) A proposed Renter's Rights law will make unreasonable refusal of pets, illegal.
I have lived in Canada, USA, England, France, Italy, India, parts of Africa. I under stood how think. Now I can tell where they are from what they do. Now I live in a village on the west coast of British Columbia in Ladner very small village, I get speak many languages and some times I mix them up. But I all ways tried to watch for 6 months to act the way other people do.
This made me laugh, I love everything about my holidays in Italia, even the grumpy Venetians (I don’t blame them-too many tourists 😅) the (often) long delays at the airport and why why why have they made the Verona opera festival so stuffy?!?…..but….i wouldn’t have it any other way, I love love love it, I hope I’ll be back again this summer ❤❤❤
Evening marina, Nice insight to your home of Italy thank you. It is definitely on the list to visit as you always show great places, beaches, crystal clear waters...and if the look of pleasure whilst your tucking into your meals is anything to go by then its definitely something to look forward to tasting. There many down side to many places where ever you are in the world, but it's expected and just have to go with the flow. Happy New Year to you and Vongola too, looking forward to all the new vids in the future...and the new jumper!!
Hello from Geordieland ( Odieland : ) Went to Florence a few years ago . Was disappointed at the lack of garlic in the food ! Had to find a curryhouse ( RamRaj Tandoori - sadly no longer there ) in order to satisfy my British addiction to garlic and spices . Florence was beautiful tho 🤩
Croatia and all the Balkans are the same as Italy in the case of living with their parents and issues with bureaucracy. Lately, the main problem is overpriced flats, low wages and culturally we were always connected with our families and we want our parents and grandparents to be close to us.
Happy New Year❤ I love this. My favourite place on earth is Rome. We have been 4 times and I would love to get married there but I have heard it is not so easy, for this reason we will marry in the UK ❤ I secretly am sad though😢
Happy New Year Marina. Here in Canada the train rides are Expensive, even within the cities, I've known Canadians who never traveled by train in their entire life, in Europe we love travel by trains its so affordable, but yes as you said with some trains its smelly hot or freezing but there are trains that are very comfy and have wifi and restaurant in it. Bureaucracy is Everywhere! Canadians love forms. Stores are open even on Sundays but then some shops are closed on Mondays. Only some stores allow pets but restaurants not at all maybe only for service dogs but its also rare.
Ok, wow, that was super interesting, thank you. I might want to add that it is absolutely wonderful to travel with small kids in Italy - when my daughters were little we went to Italy quite often (we're your neighbours from Austria), and every restaurant would welcome us, be super sweet to the children, both men and women alike, waiters would even carry them around so we could eat - so so sweet, all of them. ❤❤ As for bureaucracy, Austria, which used to be a nightmare, has much improved, a lot can be done online & super quickly & the people who work there are also usually very friendly & even forthcoming, can you believe it (I even managed the other day via phone to reduce a 250€ car fine to 80€, as the offical at the other end of the phone somehow felt some sympathy with me 🎉🎉) - but taxes are a nightmare here, especially for small businesses... much love from Vienna ❤❤
Marina, you should work as a promoter for the Italian train line: "Obviously we're not really a great service. We're cold in winter, hot in summer, smelly and busy....but we are cheap and accessible!" 😆
Happy New Year Marina! Interesting to hear this list from a travelled Italian perspective. You mentioned cuisine and I wondered how veganism is accommodated in Italy? Oh, the fringe (bangs) were fantastic in some of the montage footage!
Buon anno, Marina. :) Thank you for your video which was super interesting. As a French, I do understand the annoyance with grumpy bureaucrats and the importance of "aperitivo" (l'apéro!). I have only seen bits of Italy (Napoli, Roma, Trieste (which I absolutely fell in love with!!!) and Verona) but am keen to explore more. One thing I noticed while in Napoli was how people didn't queue to buy things in shops. It was very hectic to just buy a coffee or a pastry, you had to fight to make eye contact with the waiter or people would walk past you. It was sup r exhausting, especially with a limited knowledge of Italian.
Very informative and interesting video Marina, wearing those disposable gloves made me laugh if you see the size of my hands no normal gloves fit😂.Those deep fried pizza dough looks yummy. Happy New Year to you both ❤🐶
One other thing I thought of is the ridiculous cost of transferring ownership of a vehicle. Coming from the UK, and now living in Abruzzo, it was quite a shock! On another note Marina, as an ex woodsman, can I just ask that you please, Please, PLEASE get (and wear) proper chainsaw protective gear. I would hate for you to suffer an injury, or worse! Cheers!
Happy new year 🎉 ✨️ beautiful jumper. Isn't it odd how our countries make things so difficult for us, yet make out they want people to live there 😂. Great video .
Really interesting, thank you, Marina. Hope you get across the Atlantic sometime. There is as much variety in cuisine & architecture & accents & landscape in the U.S. as in all of Europe.
Marina, I appreciate your insight and feel it is very valuable. The part about Italians feeling that they are pretty much the greatest, made me chuckle, even though I was born in the USA, but all my grandparent were born in Italy, there must be something genetic about that feeling because I definitely have it. I often refer to the greats in Italian history, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Vivaldi, etc. when I talk about why I think being Italian is great. The other point you made about about Italians complaining but not really doing really struck home with me. Thanks for sharing. Tanti auguri di un felice anno nuovo.
Belle et heureuse année à vous et aux italiennes… et italiens ! D’un vieux québécois qui regarde vos vidéos depuis jolies lurettes … et toujours étonné de vous voir toujours si active, brillante et jolie … que 2025 vous soit douce, créatrice, et toujours aussi généreuse avec vos amis les animaux … les grands mères ou et pères chiens 🐶
You speak the truth Marina, i`m half Italien, my mama was from Apulia, despite all i love Italy ! Happy new year 2025 🎉 dear Marina, love your videos, Thankyou very much !❤i love italian food is healthy and mamas cooking is best😋👍
I worked in Rome as a language teacher in 1981, back then Lira was 2,200 to the £ (2,000 to $1). I was convinced it made people think they were millionaires. I wonder if you noticed a cultural shift when Euros came in. I loved the coffee and pastry shops in the morning, and that anyone who prepared food didn't handle money, there was a separate cashier for that. Gnocchi was always served on Thursdays. Style seemed to matter in how people dressed and presented themselves. But the bureaucracy was a pain, Permission to Stay, Permission to Work were different certificates and it was difficult to get one without the other. The long meals late in the evening were a joy, it was truly la dolce vita.
Ha ha, very useful, and the coffe is not served very hot - you have to ask for it specially, as most Italians gulp and go, they don't have time to wait around for it to cool. LOL
Thanks for your honest review on Italy. Let’s face it every country has it’s own traditions and rules. Take it or leave it! As they say In Rome Do What Romans Do.
Another enjoyable video, Marina. It reminded me of my visit to Italy many, years ago when I traveled by eurail pass. I remember just arriving in Rome, and sitting outside the train station to look at where I was going to go and being bombarded by men who wanted to talk to me. I had read about the possibility of this happening so I was prepared.😂😂😂 Thanks for the memories. ❤
So funny, about the post-office and losing your cool. I can imagine! Its the same in The Netherlands and sooo frustrating. Honestly I should loose my cool a lot more. Seriously, it would help me process it emotionally I think. I think the systems just work very bad and it is logical ppl get upset and also the ppl working there get so cranky just because it is a shitty job that makes everybody upset. And lots off ppl unfortunally stuck themselves into a job they really hate also.
That was fantastic. I only have one question: are you going to stay or move to another country? I follow az American family in Norther Italy "Raising Voyagers" they bought a stone building and doing it up. Ohhh my the obstacles they had to and have to go through is amaising. bureaucracy is in the highest form. ???? Police checking where you move???😅😊 Nobody business except mine. I am so glad I came to Australia. Italy was always my dream but now I am glad I am here. Still love to visit.
I think it's to avoid people using fake adresses but yes it's very intrusive! From what I hear Australia seems to have much straightforward rules, no wonder many Italians move there 😂
Yes that is true. Moved from Sydney to the country side 8 years ago and here was an Italian club😊 yippie but unfortunately closed because of the mega flood we had and they never came back. Still have an Italian "mini village" about 1.5hour drive one day I will visit. Love Italian anything especially Gianni Morandi😊. Growing up in Hungary Italian music was a part of my live. I do miss the music. That why I have several Italian CD's so I don't feel left out😊. HAPPY NEW YEAR Marina. 🎉🎉🧨🍾🥂🍜🍷🦘🐨 Marina come and visit. I have spare bedroom.
For the bureaucracy thing... Take a 'Indian bureaucracy therapy'.. you'll never need meditation again..😂😂 (I too complain about my country .. (some it deserves) but love India.. hope to do more than what I'm doing for it at present) Happy new year 🎊🎊❤❤ I love your content.
Sounds just like Spain. The burocracy hell here is ridiculous as well and most infurating to have to live with. I also lived in the UK for quite a few years like you and the burocracy there was a piece of cake, everything was so simple! Been following you on and off since you lived in your camper van and so did I, then I bought a house in nature and you did exactly the same. So we've kind of lived parallel lives 😊 Love your spirit and your resourcefulness totally amazes me!!! Huge respect ❤
Not true, in general you can do almost everything online now from paying taxes and bills, having prescriptions and getting healthcare documents, to taking medical appointments, getting documents from your town hall, paying fines. This girl was away too much time and does not know things have changed a lot in the last ten years.
@@francescofilippi2824 E nonostante tutti questi miglioramente siamo ancora tanto ma tanto indietro. Ho la partita iva aperta qui da 4 anni direi che sono stata esposta a come funzionano le cose. Detto questo sono contenta che tu ti trovi bene!
Ciao Marina, I am italian from Bologna (my hometown) but I live partially in Berlin since many years. I am resident in Bologna, bought an apartment and renovated it and noone came to check if I live here..🤔 I guess it is because of taxes (prima casa tax free), but it never happened to me. BTW the plastic gloves and bag thing is soo stupid🤣. And I loove to see all the doggos in the shops and cafes.😍 I would take mine wiht me if she would't be so naughty ahah.
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Forgot one: they all drive like they’re driving a Ferrari -VW bug or a trash truck - does not matter. And when I drove throughout Italy for 2 weeks, I never saw one driver getting ticketed. But Damn! What a fabulous country. I go back every chance I get. ❤❤❤
Haha, yes, I remember driving through Toscana more than 20 yrs ago...Speed limit signs? Ah, merely a recommendation! 😂
As my friend said when I lamented “Where is their Highway Patrol??? why aren’t these drivers getting tickets???!!” Her response “ Where Would They Start?” We laughed for 50 miles 😂
Italy is on my bucket list. I have ancestors that came from there to the states in the late 1800's. My son has been there twice, and has a trip planned for next fall. He LOVED it!!!!!
Buon Anno Marina, when I was a kid my family went camping all summer, a lot in Italy (1960 and later years) my dad was an architect so I saw (you guessed it), many history everywhere. Loved it even at young age. But my warmest memories where the small family restaurants everywhere. We didn't speak Italian so my dad, who looked as a big cook, was invited into the kitchen and warmly discussed what to eat. Best memories ever, lots of fun. Now in my seventies I still look for those places where the locals eat.
I visited Rome some years ago in August, when most Italians are away on vacation themselves, and still absolutely loved it.
Hello from Texas, Marina. I hope this upcoming year is good to you. I so enjoy your videos--they are so interesting, and calming. Just listening to you talk as you knit--is enjoyable. I appreciate your kind heart toward animals, and wish there were more people like you. But there are a lot of caring people in the world, and I am grateful for them all---just wish there were even more! You are a bright spot in this world, and I wish you all the best in your life. Thank you for sharing your journey with us ♥
Came here to see Vongola. I’m so sorry. I’m glad he was with you. I can’t believe this.
I spent 3 weeks in and around Tuscany this year and I want to move there. 🥰
Very much the same here in France.I'm English and I'm often shaking my head,but I love living in France
Sounds like Spain… we also have the same celebrations for each village and Spaniard live with their parents till forever.
In Spain doing papeles is so bad you probably have to go 4 times to get all the documents you need… the only easy thing is to renew the DNI (identity card) because it’s handled by the local police.
Italy is beautiful and an amazing country it’s my most visited country for vacation.
I’ve lived and travelled around the world, and at the age of 10 (1969-1972) we lived in Rome. Our parents instilled in us the importance of experiencing the food, culture, religion, architecture, language, shopping, travel everywhere we went. The earliest lesson I remember is when we lived in Rome, American tourists would always seek out the one or two restaurants at which you could get a hamburger, which seemed so pitiful to us as kids. Thanks for this one, Marina. Ciao.
Great idea about shopping trolleys for dogs. There was a band called, Dogs Die In Hot Cars. They were trying to come up with a suitable name. Rather than something flippant and meaningless, they thought it would be a good opportunity to get a worthwhile message across.
Very honest and balanced. I laughed about the trollys and the grocery stores and dogs( I lovvvvveee dogs) but isn't it a bit contradicting when they then ask you to put on a plastic glove to try the produce or products lol. Lol great vlog , a few I knew just from the Italians themselves and how they have experienced the government...buying and selling ect... but many I didn't, I'll keep them in mind when I perhaps visit x
I'm Spanish and some things you say apply to Spain, it might be a Mediterranean thing!! The ones that don't are: Coffee (we definitely go for coffee as a social thing), tap water (we do have it at restaurants), and I think Spanish people have the superiority if they're very patriotic but they look up at the North of Europe or America a lot, and feel that we're behind a bit of because of our history. And we don't allow dogs in grocery shops, but they are now allowed in most shops and coffee shops and more and more restaurants. Loved the video and Italy! :)
Thanks you WSG for your 15 things to know about Italy. I'll never get there but it's good to know there are plenty of decent people there.
Best to you and (edit) Happy New Year!
I love the welcome mat for dogs. In my small rown my Chi can go in many places. Inexplicably, the library which used to host kids reading to dogs, has a dog training class and hosts other dog events no longer allows dogs. They also cannot go into resturants or bars but can go on the patios.
Soooooo nice to see you ❤ we just spent 8 days (Christmas week) in Siena! This year I want to spend winter in Sicily 😊 greetings from Austria! Alexandra
Happy New Year Marina! How is Vongola? Is he doing any better health wise?
He's stable but not improving. I'll film an update soon!
@WildSheGoes Poor baby 😢 Sending you both warm wishes and hope he is feeling better soon xx
I took a cruise from Rome to Barcelona, so I probably spent a total of five days in Italy and I enjoyed myself. The history of the country and the beauty were really great and what was funny is they speak more English than when you get to Spain. It was like maybe one percent of Spain speaks English at the most. The hardest thing about visiting Europe in the peak season is there’s so many tourists that it’s actually hard to see the sites that you want to look at. That’s what you get for having most of the western world history : )
Oh, and good luck with your sweater. It was actually soothing sitting there, listening to you talk as you were working on a project.
Insightful vid! i'm slowly discovering all this as slowly cycle around the entire country :) i'm a quarter Italian, and learning the language now from my Mum
Best of luck with your trip, hope you are cycling down south cause it's freezing in the north!
@@WildSheGoes Thanks! haha it was freezing. I did the north from October-December but had to fly back after 90 days as I'm on a UK passport. Annoying, but i'll be back in March for the south!
After so many years traveling all over Italy, i came to the conclusion that there are many "Italys", and not only one :) but I agree with many things you said
The police thing they do in Belgium as well. But as far as I known it's only when you move to the country. My sister stayed at home for three days, only visiting the store once for food. And of course the policeman arrived during that time so she had to stay even longer at home in order to be there for the second visit.
Hi Marina its lovely to see you and l wish you a happy new year. Loved this video and a wee bit different. Its so interesting to learn about other countries. I guess theres good and not so good in most countries. At least Vongola is made welcome nearly everywhere. He looks so comfy in the lovely bed you made him. I hope we see you in your new jumper next time.....Alioban 💖🐕xx
Hi Marina, I have always had cappuccino in Italy at any time (born and bred in Italy) and my friends too.
My wife is from Italy (North of Milano) and she agreed 100% with everything you said. Thank you so much for sharing, great video!
Alllora😂😂😂😂
That was such an interesting video! ❤
Hi! Ciao Marina! Ottimo video.
Oh geesh...That would be hard for me because I like to bundle my errands so I can get them done at one day. I also think those Chamois are reason enough to want to live in Italy!
I'm sure Italy isn't all mountainous hillside, but where you live and the skinny winding roads gives me vertigo!
I loved this video Marina. Firstly, I knit, but I can't knit and talk on a topic at the same time, so kudos to you. 😊
I think 50% of the things you talked about I was aware of. The mail service in Italy will always be my biggest complaint. I feel their reasoning is basically " We will deliver it when we feel like it".
I have a friend living in Italy and basically they get my mail probably 3 months after I've sent it.
I will say that the first time I visited Finland, about 6 years ago, take away coffee was not heard of.😬
I commend you for making people aware, yet always kind in the process. 😊❤️
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thank you for your videos.
I agree the postal service is ridiculous. I have so many stories to tell about it, the last one is that two packages sent the same day (one going 2h away from where I shipped it, 1 to Ohio) also arrived the same day 😂
@WildSheGoes I guess with your jewelry business, you would experience the " Italian snail mail" more than any of us. 😬😩 My heart goes out to you.
Buon Anno, cara Marina!
What a wonderful video! You presented so many valid and intetesting points that I can relate to as a foreigner who has lived here for many years.
I wished to edit my comment as I felt it had a rather "heavy" tone. What I would like to point instead is how well you presented both pros and cons of living here - balanced - while knitting at the same time!!! 🧶Wow!!
I saw a glimpse of Vongola wearing his lovely red sweater....is he feeling any better?
Anyway, great video, Marina. I always cherish each and every one of them. ❤️
In Palermo there were many different types of food from all over the place mainly take away😂
Numero 2. Mamma mia... sto vivendo una cosa proprio adesso. Pero lo amo totalmente Italia. Son daccordo con gli altri punti. Thanks for sharing these points and well done on the knitting (I am a knitter)... buone cose e felice anno nuovo!!
What a good format and you got some knitting done too.
I enjoyed it Marina, It's always hard to get ride of "bad" government employees most every where I think.
Hope your staying warm and have the best new year ever.
Hey Marina, firstly Happy New Year and then on your point of bureaucracy I don't think Italy can beat my country, South Africa. It really sucks here, I am sure they find the most grumpiest people ever to work there, so expecting customer service is like looking for hen's teeth !!
Ahhh, I'll have to visit and check for myself then 😂🥰
I was going to say, we did have Italian prisoners of war here in South Africa, so maybe they tought our bureaucrats! But we don't have the police come check our house - that would definitely take away far to much KFC time, and they'd have to actually have a working vehicle. We have to get the rates accounts the municipality no longer send, letters from land Lords, etc to prove where you live for banking etc. I always wonder what would happen to someone like Marina was who is living in a van moving about. If I could do it, our country is so spectacular for a nomadic lifestyle, but you wouldn't be able to have a working phone, banking, or car licencing. It's a bit bonkers. And everyone else, even in parastatals are so friendly and usually go out of their way to be helpful. Eish! Our country!
Happy new year!! Wow I did not know if you were describing Italy or Argentina. I guess I know who to blame now jaja. abrazos.
Interesting to know, thanks Marina 👍
No police visits at new addresses in the UK. I think that the only time they visit outside of crime investigations is if you have a gun licence, to check that it's stored securely.
I have very much liked coming to Italy as a tourist, kind of interesting to experience everything- both the positive and the negative! I guess all countries has there own pros and cons, my country too! Watching your videos is always good, there is also a very welcoming feeling here! Thanks!👍
In some countries it's illegal to refuse someone tap water.
Happy New Year! What a pleasant surprise to see you here! Nice way to start the year. Red tape and jumping through hoops to get stuff done is fairly common in Canada 🇨🇦 too. I found it curious that the UK don’t allow pets in apartments considering their strong stance on animal welfare. The Sagres sound like a lot of fun. My brother visits Italy with the Ottawa Fire Department Band often because the music director is Italian. They get the royal treatment and are well fed and “wined” , especially when they play traditional songs. Italy is on my bucket list.
Yeah bureaucracy in Canada is nothing nothing nothing like Italy or France!
Landlords can legally refuse pets in the UK and it's a big issue as ~40% of households have dogs.
Not allowing pets in an apartment/flat may be a clause in the landlords lease or from the block management association. (Freehold owners lease the property to leasehold tenants for 999 years, who are free to act like owners within that period)
A proposed Renter's Rights law will make unreasonable refusal of pets, illegal.
@ good! I think there’s a similar law in Canada but few are aware of it.
I have lived in Canada, USA, England, France, Italy, India, parts of Africa. I under stood how think. Now I can tell where they are from what they do. Now I live in a village on the west coast of British Columbia in Ladner very small village, I get speak many languages and some times I mix them up. But I all ways tried to watch for 6 months to act the way other people do.
This made me laugh, I love everything about my holidays in Italia, even the grumpy Venetians (I don’t blame them-too many tourists 😅) the (often) long delays at the airport and why why why have they made the Verona opera festival so stuffy?!?…..but….i wouldn’t have it any other way, I love love love it, I hope I’ll be back again this summer ❤❤❤
Thank'YOU Marina!😚💋❣️
Evening marina, Nice insight to your home of Italy thank you. It is definitely on the list to visit as you always show great places, beaches, crystal clear waters...and if the look of pleasure whilst your tucking into your meals is anything to go by then its definitely something to look forward to tasting. There many down side to many places where ever you are in the world, but it's expected and just have to go with the flow. Happy New Year to you and Vongola too, looking forward to all the new vids in the future...and the new jumper!!
Hello from Geordieland ( Odieland : )
Went to Florence a few years ago . Was disappointed at the lack of garlic in the food !
Had to find a curryhouse ( RamRaj Tandoori - sadly no longer there ) in order to satisfy my British addiction to garlic and spices .
Florence was beautiful tho
🤩
Per fortuna
Happy New Year
Hi Marina ☕ Italy is beautiful, but I don't understand the traffic rules, every time I get expensive mail home
😂🚙
Croatia and all the Balkans are the same as Italy in the case of living with their parents and issues with bureaucracy. Lately, the main problem is overpriced flats, low wages and culturally we were always connected with our families and we want our parents and grandparents to be close to us.
Happy New Year, Marina and Vongola! This was a nice, relaxing video, thanks for sharing 😊
Happy new year dear friends and followers and of course Marina ✨
Happy New Year❤ I love this. My favourite place on earth is Rome. We have been 4 times and I would love to get married there but I have heard it is not so easy, for this reason we will marry in the UK ❤ I secretly am sad though😢
Happy New Year Marina. Here in Canada the train rides are Expensive, even within the cities, I've known Canadians who never traveled by train in their entire life, in Europe we love travel by trains its so affordable, but yes as you said with some trains its smelly hot or freezing but there are trains that are very comfy and have wifi and restaurant in it. Bureaucracy is Everywhere! Canadians love forms. Stores are open even on Sundays but then some shops are closed on Mondays. Only some stores allow pets but restaurants not at all maybe only for service dogs but its also rare.
What an interesting collection of things about Italy!!!😪whilst knitting hahhah
Happy New Year Marina!
Ok, wow, that was super interesting, thank you. I might want to add that it is absolutely wonderful to travel with small kids in Italy - when my daughters were little we went to Italy quite often (we're your neighbours from Austria), and every restaurant would welcome us, be super sweet to the children, both men and women alike, waiters would even carry them around so we could eat - so so sweet, all of them. ❤❤
As for bureaucracy, Austria, which used to be a nightmare, has much improved, a lot can be done online & super quickly & the people who work there are also usually very friendly & even forthcoming, can you believe it (I even managed the other day via phone to reduce a 250€ car fine to 80€, as the offical at the other end of the phone somehow felt some sympathy with me 🎉🎉) - but taxes are a nightmare here, especially for small businesses... much love from Vienna ❤❤
This was very interesting! Happy New Year!
Marina, you should work as a promoter for the Italian train line: "Obviously we're not really a great service. We're cold in winter, hot in summer, smelly and busy....but we are cheap and accessible!" 😆
😂😂😂
Happy New Year Marina! Interesting to hear this list from a travelled Italian perspective. You mentioned cuisine and I wondered how veganism is accommodated in Italy? Oh, the fringe (bangs) were fantastic in some of the montage footage!
Buon anno, Marina. :) Thank you for your video which was super interesting. As a French, I do understand the annoyance with grumpy bureaucrats and the importance of "aperitivo" (l'apéro!). I have only seen bits of Italy (Napoli, Roma, Trieste (which I absolutely fell in love with!!!) and Verona) but am keen to explore more. One thing I noticed while in Napoli was how people didn't queue to buy things in shops. It was very hectic to just buy a coffee or a pastry, you had to fight to make eye contact with the waiter or people would walk past you. It was sup r exhausting, especially with a limited knowledge of Italian.
Oh boy I haaaate that. I get very pissed at people jumping queues and I'm not afraid to make it known 😬 well done for keeping your cool!
Very informative and interesting video Marina, wearing those disposable gloves made me laugh if you see the size of my hands no normal gloves fit😂.Those deep fried pizza dough looks yummy. Happy New Year to you both ❤🐶
One other thing I thought of is the ridiculous cost of transferring ownership of a vehicle. Coming from the UK, and now living in Abruzzo, it was quite a shock! On another note Marina, as an ex woodsman, can I just ask that you please, Please, PLEASE get (and wear) proper chainsaw protective gear. I would hate for you to suffer an injury, or worse! Cheers!
Nicely done and Very Interesting 🙂
Ciao Marina, hai proprio ragione...io vivo qui ma non ho mai lavorato (prima ero in svizzera), ora in pensione e così tutto sommato si vive bene :)👋
Thanks so much! Always enjoy your vids!🦌💌❤️👍🙏👏👏💕
Happy new year 🎉 ✨️ beautiful jumper.
Isn't it odd how our countries make things so difficult for us, yet make out they want people to live there 😂.
Great video .
Happy 2025 Marina! Excellent useful info, very well presented. Hope to get out to Tuscany again this year.
Thanks, very informative 👍 👍
Ciao! In Spain it is quite similar...
Really interesting, thank you, Marina. Hope you get across the Atlantic sometime. There is as much variety in cuisine & architecture & accents & landscape in the U.S. as in all of Europe.
I loved this!
Marina, I appreciate your insight and feel it is very valuable. The part about Italians feeling that they are pretty much the greatest, made me chuckle, even though I was born in the USA, but all my grandparent were born in Italy, there must be something genetic about that feeling because I definitely have it. I often refer to the greats in Italian history, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Vivaldi, etc. when I talk about why I think being Italian is great. The other point you made about about Italians complaining but not really doing really struck home with me. Thanks for sharing. Tanti auguri di un felice anno nuovo.
Tanti auguri a te Gaetano!
We have a house in small town in Campania and our coffee shop has no problem in making a takeaway coffee. They have cups 😅
That's fab!
happy new year to you and partner hope you all had a lovely xmass 😎
Very interesting video, Marina! Happy new year to you and Vongola!
Same in Portugal😅
😂😂😂 in many points like in 🇩🇪. So moving could be quit easy.😊
Belle et heureuse année à vous et aux italiennes… et italiens ! D’un vieux québécois qui regarde vos vidéos depuis jolies lurettes … et toujours étonné de vous voir toujours si active, brillante et jolie … que 2025 vous soit douce, créatrice, et toujours aussi généreuse avec vos amis les animaux … les grands mères ou et pères chiens 🐶
In Canada we do not have police checking up re: new addresses. Lots to do in any move without police.
This sounds very familiar to me. Spain is pretty much the same😅
You speak the truth Marina, i`m half Italien, my mama was from Apulia, despite all i love Italy ! Happy new year 2025 🎉 dear Marina, love your videos, Thankyou very much !❤i love italian food is healthy and mamas cooking is best😋👍
I worked in Rome as a language teacher in 1981, back then Lira was 2,200 to the £ (2,000 to $1). I was convinced it made people think they were millionaires. I wonder if you noticed a cultural shift when Euros came in. I loved the coffee and pastry shops in the morning, and that anyone who prepared food didn't handle money, there was a separate cashier for that. Gnocchi was always served on Thursdays. Style seemed to matter in how people dressed and presented themselves. But the bureaucracy was a pain, Permission to Stay, Permission to Work were different certificates and it was difficult to get one without the other. The long meals late in the evening were a joy, it was truly la dolce vita.
Love it ,thank you for sharing
I like this format. What else could you talk about whilst knitting?
Ahhh anything! I'm very open to suggestions 😊
Good video, it was fun learning a little more about you....ragazza selvaggia⚘️
Happy New Year 🎆🎈🎊
Ha ha, very useful, and the coffe is not served very hot - you have to ask for it specially, as most Italians gulp and go, they don't have time to wait around for it to cool. LOL
I dislike waiting for drinks to cool - that sounds really civilised.
Thanks for your honest review on Italy. Let’s face it every country has it’s own traditions and rules. Take it or leave it! As they say In Rome Do What Romans Do.
Working in government and the bureaucracy are the same in Croatia.
very interesting .
Happy & healthy 2025 to you xx
Another enjoyable video, Marina. It reminded me of my visit to Italy many, years ago when I traveled by eurail pass. I remember just arriving in Rome, and sitting outside the train station to look at where I was going to go and being bombarded by men who wanted to talk to me. I had read about the possibility of this happening so I was prepared.😂😂😂 Thanks for the memories. ❤
Bravo pour la traduction merci😊
So funny, about the post-office and losing your cool. I can imagine! Its the same in The Netherlands and sooo frustrating. Honestly I should loose my cool a lot more. Seriously, it would help me process it emotionally I think.
I think the systems just work very bad and it is logical ppl get upset and also the ppl working there get so cranky just because it is a shitty job that makes everybody upset. And lots off ppl unfortunally stuck themselves into a job they really hate also.
Happy New Year! I love your videos and I am always wanting more!
That was fantastic. I only have one question: are you going to stay or move to another country? I follow az American family in Norther Italy "Raising Voyagers" they bought a stone building and doing it up. Ohhh my the obstacles they had to and have to go through is amaising. bureaucracy is in the highest form. ???? Police checking where you move???😅😊 Nobody business except mine. I am so glad I came to Australia. Italy was always my dream but now I am glad I am here. Still love to visit.
I think it's to avoid people using fake adresses but yes it's very intrusive! From what I hear Australia seems to have much straightforward rules, no wonder many Italians move there 😂
Yes that is true. Moved from Sydney to the country side 8 years ago and here was an Italian club😊 yippie but unfortunately closed because of the mega flood we had and they never came back. Still have an Italian "mini village" about 1.5hour drive one day I will visit. Love Italian anything especially Gianni Morandi😊. Growing up in Hungary Italian music was a part of my live. I do miss the music. That why I have several Italian CD's so I don't feel left out😊. HAPPY NEW YEAR Marina. 🎉🎉🧨🍾🥂🍜🍷🦘🐨
Marina come and visit. I have spare bedroom.
Housing is a bit of an issue, contracts etc. Especially if you are on low income/ subsidies and have pets.
For the bureaucracy thing... Take a 'Indian bureaucracy therapy'.. you'll never need meditation again..😂😂
(I too complain about my country .. (some it deserves) but love India.. hope to do more than what I'm doing for it at present)
Happy new year 🎊🎊❤❤
I love your content.
Bonjour et merci pour vos commentaires. BISOUS
Sounds just like Spain. The burocracy hell here is ridiculous as well and most infurating to have to live with. I also lived in the UK for quite a few years like you and the burocracy there was a piece of cake, everything was so simple! Been following you on and off since you lived in your camper van and so did I, then I bought a house in nature and you did exactly the same. So we've kind of lived parallel lives 😊 Love your spirit and your resourcefulness totally amazes me!!! Huge respect ❤
❤️❤️❤️
Not true, in general you can do almost everything online now from paying taxes and bills, having prescriptions and getting healthcare documents, to taking medical appointments, getting documents from your town hall, paying fines. This girl was away too much time and does not know things have changed a lot in the last ten years.
@@WildSheGoes You are wrong about burocracy and also in part about why people do not pay taxes...
@@francescofilippi2824 E nonostante tutti questi miglioramente siamo ancora tanto ma tanto indietro. Ho la partita iva aperta qui da 4 anni direi che sono stata esposta a come funzionano le cose. Detto questo sono contenta che tu ti trovi bene!
Ciao Marina, I am italian from Bologna (my hometown) but I live partially in Berlin since many years. I am resident in Bologna, bought an apartment and renovated it and noone came to check if I live here..🤔 I guess it is because of taxes (prima casa tax free), but it never happened to me. BTW the plastic gloves and bag thing is soo stupid🤣. And I loove to see all the doggos in the shops and cafes.😍 I would take mine wiht me if she would't be so naughty ahah.
That's strange! Maybe they are too busy in Bologna? Lovely city BTW. I too love seeing the doggos in the shops!
everything you said sound as if you comment Greeks (except for the coffee) !!! :P Damn we look alike so much! :))