WE'RE LEAVING TUSCANY & MY HONEST THOUGHTS ABOUT ITALY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ต.ค. 2022
- So, we've come to the end of our stay in Tuscany, Italy and now it's time to leave and keep going on our adventure. On our last day here, I decided to sit down and share my honest thoughts and opinions about Italy, Italians and about Tuscany.
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WE'RE LEAVING TUSCANY & MY HONEST THOUGHTS ABOUT ITALY
One of my sisters told me before that Italy is a fantastic place to visit... but not really to live there. After 2 weeks in Italy, I must agree with her... 😉
Love the cats! I've visited Italy 4 times but each occasion was only for a few days. I agree with you about the problems in Italy, especially if you stay there for a longer time. Will you be visiting England?
You are totally wrong. Call me next time and you will change your point of view. You are a gorgeus woman anyway. With love from Italy (I live in Milan, where everything is too prefect and perhaps it's better for you)
@@ajs41 Thank you, Andrew! 🥰 And no, I'm not currently planning on coming to England. Maybe next year... 😉💕
@@fulviomiglio4162 How can I be possibly wrong about my own experience with Italy?? 🤔
@@helenanistavlogs Because you went in the middle of the nothing, even if beautiful, and you think that all Italy is the same. Remember that Italy doesn't exist (in fact it's one of the youngest big states in the world): every little town and region are the opposite. For instance in Milan the roads are perfect. And when I went to Australia and I was driving, I was totally scared (it's not easy to change from right to left drive). Italy has a lot of wrong things but not the ones you think. And you should explore Italy going around with an italian man or woman, not like a stupid tourist. If you go to Trentino Alto Adige, they speeak German. And the south part of Switzerland (very rich and expensive) is Italy and they speak Italian. There are so many things you don't know... trust me
Unfortunately 10 days is not much to grasp the culture and way of life here. I’m American, I moved from Los Angeles to Tuscany back in 2017 when I was 29. When we moved when didn’t know the language or anyone, but we knew we wanted to change our lives. It wasn’t easy but we have made amazing lives here. I admit this place lacks Many things but it also gives you soooo much. It depends what you expect from it. Tourist come here and expect similar things to what they have at home but Tuscany is mostly a rural place. For the most part it’s like time has stood still and that is what makes it so very special. I wish you the best and hope you one day return to this very special place.
Thank you for sharing, Robert! And I'm sure that I'll return! 🥰💕
@@ralphalfiehughes Enjoy! I'm sure you'll love it there... 🥰💖
What would you recommend to someone looking to move to Tuscany from the US? I’m from the city (Miami) but have always dreamed of a more peaceful life in the country.
Moving to Tuscany from the US is a dream many share, but it's important to be well-prepared. My wife and I made the leap in 2017, and while it's been filled with beautiful moments, it hasn't been without its challenges. Italy is a wonderful place to live, but it requires an immense amount of determination and passion.
Before making the move, visit and explore different areas of Tuscany to find your perfect fit because each one has its unique charm. Additionally, having a solid income plan is crucial, as finding employment in Italian companies can be challenging due to high unemployment rates. We personally started our creative/marketing studio after moving here, taking a risk but determined to make it work.
Ultimately, Tuscany offers a tranquil and high-quality lifestyle, but it's essential to be ready for both the rewards and the frustrations. It's a unique adventure that requires resilience and adaptability.
We also have a TH-cam Channel @casaardor that we are documenting the renovation of our seaside Tuscan villa and we explain more about our daily lives here. We wish you the best of luck! @@khcarballo
He can't even pronounce San Gimignano, she is just the umptheent annoying tourist from an Anglo country again.
Italy is the most beautiful place on earth. As is the Italian language. I will agree that the narrow roads are frightful. It takes a few months to get used to a new culture. I lived in Italy for 3 and a half years. There is no other place more beautiful.
I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed it! 😃
I found my paradise in Australia and to me, there's no better place to live and call home 😍
@@helenanistavlogs I was born in Italy, but have lived in Australia for over 30 years........yes, it has good points (quite a few) but especially recently, it has become completely unaffordable for the average person, increasingly violent, and overly 'woke'.... it's also way too hot in summer (I'm in WA)....this is not mindless complaining, I'm a realist :) it's just the way the place is....
@@fabianpatrizio2865 I've spent time in different states over the years and Victoria definitely beats the other areas of Australia - for me anyway 😉
More moderate weather, while still a long summer. Great community, a lot of events, great food scene and coffee, wonderful nature, etc., etc. 😍
narrow roads for narrow cars....
So, you want picturesque villages but no narrow roads, quiet and seclusion and in the same time all amenities and services, moving to a foreign country, but wanting that everyone speaks your native language, you want the Italian/Latin charm but want the German organization skills in the same time. It is like wanting to have first class Russian ballet and French Haute Couture in the desert of Arizona or in the Ozarks of Arkansas.
No, I don't. Where did you get that crazy notion from? It looks like you weren't paying attention... 😜
people should stay where they belong and are familiar with.the capacity of changing skies is givent to very few selected people either very rich or poor.judgemental attitude WILL NOT change at all the country you have around you.any way it is scarcely rational to go abroad and search for what you havl left home.
i must say that i do hope italy will miss forever the german organization skill and the swiss either ; they plastified theyr landscapes which look more or less as a collection of model trains and toy villages.....
Prussiani ballett in Arizona?is that so Common
?
Arizona is beautiful and has the Russian ballet and French Couture. Anyway all these things you talk about is branding and brainwashing by advertising. To really love a place for what it is… you have to go there… it is always different than what you think. Oh and I grew in Arizona is why I know haha
@@traciannveno Arizona's Nature is certainly beautiful, but does not have French haute couture, neither Russian Ballet, far from it.... I have lived there. Real culture is not about branding or brainwashing. It is about century-long traditions, customs, language and many subtleties. That kind of culture does not exist in the US.
Same happened to me in Australia, nobody speaks spanish….
Hahaha! Poor you... 😜
YES! AND NOBODY SPEAK MY OWN LANGUAGE , SUBCARPATIC RUTHENIAN....
😂😂😂😂
Haaaahahaaaa 😂😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂
The funny (and fake) idea is that everything outside Italy is a paradise. I had not found a recruiter giving me a job interview for years in UK and NZ despite being ultraqualified (engineer). I ended up working as shelf stocker in supermarkets during the night for desperation. Finally, when I got back in Italy 1 year ago, in a few days I found my dream job. I hope young italians will remain in Italy. The mith of meritocracy outside of Italy most of the times is just a big lie.
Thanks for sharing but I don't think anybody believes any place on Earth to be a paradise. All places have their problems and Italy is no different. Nepotism is strong and so is the aging population and economic slow-down there. Italy really is in trouble and I hope that Italians start electing smarter governments in order to save their beautiful country.
@@helenanistavlogsamen
@@helenanistavlogs Kangaroos, wide streets and very organized 🤡Think about your politics, idiot, don't talk about things you absolutely don't know, you presumptuous one.
Io sn in Francia da quasi 10 anni ma ho troppa voglia di tornare in italia . Ho sempre paura di nn trovare lavoro . 😢
If the state of the roads and slow driving are that important to you why did you go to Italy? I also think evaluating a country after10 days is plain silly
Feeling upset about foreigners sharing their thoughts about your country is even sillier... 😉
100% agree. If that's what you take after visiting Tuscany then you have issues.
She's certainly entitled to share her thoughts and experience. Why shouldn't she? Are all people's reactions to a place supposed to be the same? Says who? It gets boring hearing only happy stories of how wonderful a place is because there's always a downside to a place no matter how lovely. Sharing only how wonderful a place is is not telling the whole story. Then researching it is problematic & misleading. If everything you read online reports how perfect something is, how do you know until you go there?!
@MarkSmith2000-sf6tk Everyone has issues.
But your comment is a complete denial of her experience, which was quite a frustrating one.
Really appreciated her personal & honest report! My SF Bay Area family is there this week for 3 + day Tuscany Wedding!
Cara Helena, I respect your experience and opinion, but modernity and relaxation, idyllic landscapes and state-of-the-art services are usually not compatible. They are places where you seem to go back in time, if a 4-lane highway passed through them, they would no longer be. If they were easy to reach, you would not be able to take pictures without being invaded by a thousand other tourists as is already the case in Venice or Rome. In Italy you can find everything, but not everything in the same place. You speak of "Italy" but it seems from your video that you have only been to S. Giminiano and some other village (for us Italians it is considered countryside / a remote place) even Florence is not one of our main cities, very famous for history, arts but not one of the main. I think it's a bit like saying I thought I visited Australia after only visiting the Outback.
I drove through Northern Italy and Tuscany and I visited Venice, Florence, Pisa and a number of other places 🥰
@@helenanistavlogs I am from Milan, in my opinion the perfect place for you in Italy is Lake Como, a good combination of services, landscapes, business hours, shops, restaurants, highways. Good airport connections, there are 3 airports that serve the city of Milan. Como and Lecco are the main cities of the lake, they are both on a human scale, nothing is missing, they overlook the lake and lie at the foot of the Alps. 40 min. by train from Milan, something less by car. There are efficient bus and train services even every 20 minutes to Milan. Public transport is efficient, so much so that you may even think you don't want to own a car.
Around Lake Como is where I am planning to move. However, I am concerned about the immigration issue. How is the situation right now?@@MrItaliansound
@@MrItaliansound Do you think that Tuscany has not good services?? Do you realize that it has much more tourists that almsot all other regions right??
She is just the usual annoying tourist . Also what is the meaning of advising her with main Italian cities?? Who comes to Italy as tourist to go to Milan ??
then again she searchs for charmimg rural places but wants large highways. She should go to Los Angeles then not in rural Tuscany. 🤦♀🤦♀
Do you know what it takes to keep all those literally millions of homes, buildings that are CENTURIES and sometimes MILLENNIA old in proper shape 24/7/365 with 60 million inhabitants PLUS 60+ million tourist? I just saw a video where they are working on the inside of the Duomo in Florence that is being refurbished and has probably million+ mosaics will take 6 years. Now imagine the entire country where the most works of art and highest amount of World Heritage sites are located in addition to running the country and handling all those tourist, I don't know how they do it, the costs and work involved is overwhelming..
Despite that, Italy manages to be a top 10 economy, military, trading nation, wealthiest citizens in the WORLD, have the #1 history in the WORLD, a list of companies dozens long, world renown in every category from autos, motorbikes, super yachts (Italy produces 40% of the world's) fashion goods, food products (#1 most popular in the world) aerospace, appliances, etc.
Yet your complaints are of roads which are winding all over Italy due to it's mountainous terrain, Australia is FLAT, and closed shops. If your sister visited also neither of you know shops close during the day at certain hours and people there just can't always keep up with all the tourists and endless tours with tourist expecting perfection and service 12 hours a day, 365 a year? I just recently saw a video of a tourist complaining of the same closures in Germany and I highly doubt Australia is immune from that and bad roads given the heat/rain/desert conditions. Seems you're Polish, why not live there? Guess it's because most Poles leave to live a better life elsewhere despite the EU's largest net BENEFACTOR of EU money?
P.S. Italy is the 3rd largest NET CONTRIBUTOR to the EU so their money goes to building Polish, Spanish, Hungarian etc roads and infrastructure.
LOL You're surprised that Italians don't make an effort to accommodate all the tourists? 😅😅😅 I remember speaking to some Italians during the Pandemic and they said basically that they could FINALLY have a chance to have Italy to themselves. One mother told me that there were places they hadn't been because of the tourists all the time. I live in a Scandinavian country and am so glad we don't have millions of tourists descending on us every year. I can't imagine.
You're forgetting that tourism is a very important part of Italian economy. Without all the money flowing in from the foreigners, Italy's economy would struggle a lot more than it does now.
Trust me, this is very much a two-way street, whether Italians love it or not.
In the states you can also do a Google search for a place and find their hours are not accurate either!!!😂
My daughter and I have looked up places several times where this has happened. We will find a restaurant or shop (for example) and drive thirty minutes to the city only to find they are closed and NOT the hours listed on Google! 😮
Yes, that's really disappointing and confusing unfortunately... 😵💫
I am from Tuscany and I think your points are valid but they are just the tip of the iceberg. If you'd move to Italy you would find a diabolical bureaucracy and you would see that generally speaking public services are not the best. Health, judicial system, city councils, tax authorities... pretty bad compared to say most countries in northern Europe. Of course it also depends where in Italy, the North is very different from the South of Italy. If you have been annoyed by the roads, lack of care and Italians often not speaking English, I think that's just scratching the surface and you would be extremely unhappy if you moved to Italy, there are many worse things 😢 but the question is: do the pros outweigh these problems? And that is down to each individual
I've heard some truly scary stories about the bureaucracy, that's true! And you're right, it's all about weighing the pros and cons. Very individual choice indeed 😉💕
Well you got that off your bucket list if nothing else. And the experience as a whole looks fun. Although we did not experience the bad roads in the vlogs. My Sister lives in Mexico. Cancun area to be exact. Some of the roads there can be challenging. For the most part they do speak quite a bit of English in Mexico. It is the only country I have been to out of the United States of America. Anyway, I have enjoyed your vlogs from Italy. And the rich history that you shared was wonderful. So I look forward to seeing your next travel adventure. Safe travels and enjoy your vacation. We your fans look forward to seeing your vlogs.
Awww, thank you so much for your encouraging words!... 🥰🥰🥰
Appreciate your honesty. Going on my 2nd month living in Sicily and had some of the same experience. Definitely a huge adjustment from previously living in San Diego, California. Thanks for posting this!
Thanks so much for sharing! 😃💕
No you might not be happy in Italy - first of all you should speak well italian to get the essence of the real italian soul and way of living. You have to be more relaxed in Italy. Italy is not this sterile super organized country. If you compare everything to Australia then you can forget the whole south of Europe. Such as France Spain Greece etc. Go to Switzerland they are over well organized if its what you are looking for. Anyway there is no perfect country on this planet and overall Italy is one of the very best.
I think that wherever you are, you simply need to be yourself instead of adjusting your personality to the environment around you.
And just because your experience of Italy is amazing, it doesn't mean that it'll be the same for everybody else. 😉
I'm glad that you managed to find there your happy place! 💕
I know this will be a late comment… In most south European countries, like Spain, Italy and Greece, you see this. Poor Organization, neglect,etc. You kind of see the “mañana” (tomorrow) mentality. They just say we’ll take care of it tomorrow 😊
Here in Belgium, in the flemish part, you see more of a “what I can do today, I won’t need to do tomorrow” approach to work and life while in the French speaking part, you see more of a “what I don’t finish today, I can do tomorrow” (so kind of the mañana mentality). Now, both have their merits and I guess somewhere in between would be ideal to live a healthy life.😊
Don’t overwork but, don’t be lazy either. We should work to live and not live to work.
I have colleagues in Australia and I really love their sense of humor and mentality. Great people so, I get why you have fallen in love with that county.
Take care and continue with the great job you are doing in helping us get a better sex life which ultimately will give us a healthier and happier life altogether.❤
Thank you so much for sharing this and for your words of encouragement! 😃💕
UNLESS THERE IS NOTHING TO SEE BECAUSE OF FOG AND RAIN.......
Italy is waiting to be discovered. The observations of this beautiful Australian girl are accurate for the small villages of Tuscany.
Each region is very different from each other.
I would gladly accompany her.
This is the beauty of Italy.
Thank you so much, Adriano! 😃💕
the fact that you were able have a connection with people is the most important thing and should not be taken for granted...not everyone has that level of social ease away from their own homeland
Thank you! That did mean a lot to me 😊💕
Hi Helen, I thank you for your thoughts on an earlier desire to relocate to Italy. Interestingly, I have shared a similar quandary - with mixed emotions on its beautiful, desirable attributes while recognizing the negatives. Coincidently, this video appeared in my feed today as I contemplate a final decision - one with a possible outcome as you opined herein and for similar reasons. Take care, best wishes and cheers to future happiness, health and successes.😊
Oh wow, that's good timing... 😉
Thank you so much for your lovely message and I hope that you find joy and happiness wherever you decide to go! 😃💕
Podoba mi się 🤩
Super! 😍
I've been to the United States several times and you can't imagine how surprised I was to discover that there are very few Americans capable of speaking Italian... Then they explained to me that if I go to another country, I have to speak their language and not they have to speak mine...then I add that you must be a genius since you have understood everything about Italy in just two weeks: congratulations
English is an international language - Italian is not. In touristy places, it's very helpful when locals speak English as opposed to the tourist learning every language on Earth.
I went out of my way and spent 3 months studying Italian with a tutor who also explained to me a lot about your country. I did my homework before coming over so I was well prepared and I understood a lot.
Did you do the same before coming to the US?
BTW, I'm not from the US.
@@helenanistavlogs International language or not, I dispute that you, or others, can claim that a native of another country must necessarily know English. A country may have a tourist appeal because of its intrinsic qualities, but it is not Disneyland. I'm sure I know the U.S. well enough not to confuse Washing-Ton with a Chinese laundy. (🙂) That said, I'm not trying to convince you that Italy is a magnificent country without flaws, but I challenge you to find one, in the whole world, that doesn't have problems of any kind,
@@danioa9414 Why would I ever want to find a country that doesn't have any problems?... That is not possible. And it doesn't mean that I'm not allowed to point out things that I do and DON'T like about a particular place 😉
@@helenanistavlogs Of course you can.. and obviously you don't need my permission to express your opinions, just as I feel free to dispute some of them. 😜
@@helenanistavlogs Looks like Italians don't care much as you noticed to change their relaxing nature or learning English.
And still tourist are flocking to Italy.
Seems like they are Italy as it is.
They Don't care
It’s true, Italians get so fed up with tourists they don’t care much.I lived there many years.I am an Italian citizen and it is frustrating to live there on da6bto day basis.
I see! Thanks for sharing this 😉
To miejsce nad jeziorem było piękne.!
Oj tak!
10 days???
😂
It's not about making an effort or not. We live from the soul not the mind. That is what most people feel and love about Italy :) The soul lives outside time and logic.
The soul is only one part of life. If you don't have the rest, you can never be wholesome.
Zmieniłaś zdjęcie! 😄
A tak, szukalam czegos ladniejszego 🥰
Agree with most of the things you say, certainly is not the most organized place in the world. About the tiny roads, well, you live in Australia, and 1 lane there, is like 2 lanes in Italy or Europe overall lol. Might not have been the best time for you though, imagine living in a place flooded by millions of tourists every day/week/month, is not easy at all, is like you're asked to give your best at all times. Hope you'll have a better experience next time you visit :)
Thanks, Mark! I did love Italy and my time there. I've also been to other European countries and I'm aware of local challenges (I grew up in Europe). In my vlogs, all I share are my insights and experiences. Other people will have other opinions and other experiences and that's fine! I know of many people who absolutely adore Italy and I can see why 🥰
W Toskanii było super! 👍
Niesamowicie! 🥰
Can you contrast Italy with Germany on the issues that you just discussed?
I'd love to but I haven't spent enough time in Germany at this stage to comment on it 😉💕
this forum should not be a competition beetween countries.the word is big choose your preferred place,......and stay there.go alone...you dont need to speak.its simpler.
Please,stay in Australia.
Why? 😉
@@helenanistavlogs There are kangaroos and then.................................🤔🤔🤔.........................wide roads.
@@dandegi2946 I've already returned to Australia from Europe. I missed Australia too much... 😉
@@helenanistavlogs And now your man left and you're depressed. Just admit you won't be happy anywhere.
Toskania to jednak cudny zakątek świata!
Przepiekny!
Widoki to tam były cudne!
😍😍😍
I think you are right about the downsides of living in Italy; if it’s not for you, it’s not for you. I travel now almost exclusively in Italy and, through Covid and beyond, the last fours years, living here. I could write a book about the frustrations and lack of customer service, but there is also something magnetic about a place that is beautiful, albeit broken. I also am familiar with the sterility of places that work so well they seem to lack heart. Being a tourist is not the same as living here, for sure. So your choice is, of course, yours.
Italy is such a beautiful country and I'm sure I'll be back there soon! But settling there long term would be very tricky for me 😉💕
And where do you come from so that we can copmpare how broken Italy is compared to your country? USA? If i had to list all the issues i have had in USA it would take a week, but i'm a traveller not a tourist.
@@alessandrom7181 She told you, Australia, land of deserts, kangaroos, spiders, snakes and nothing else lol
Places closed, maybe during the pandemic?
No, apparently that's just the way things are in Italy... 😉
I did love.....covid!
Bardzo nasłoneczniony ten filmik😀
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So, Helena, where are YOU from? 🤔
I was born in Poland and now I live in beautiful Australia 😊
Hello Elena,
I've seen your video and heard your words, and you don't know how sorry I am for these bad feelings that my country has left you.
I am Italian and I can confirm that unfortunately what you said is true.
I am one of those people who work hard every day, who fight every day (because it has now become an exhausting struggle) to improve Italy.
But unfortunately, there are many other people who either don't notice the bad change that's happening, or don't care much.
And all this, believe me, causes great pain and great stress for those who try to change things.
Ok, we are a great country, we are a beautiful country, but what many of us do not understand is that
we are a beautiful place and a great country for what our "grandfathers and fathers" did, certainly not for what we are doing today.
You said something we often say when things don't go as they should ... "welcome to Italy!"
In Italy you live well if you have a lot of money or if you are a tourist (and from your video I understand that tourists don't always have a good experience)
So what to say. Living in Italy?
Believe me, it's better, but much better in Australia, which I believe is one of the most organized and well managed countries in the world.
However, you also said very nice things and I thank you from my heart for the nice words you have dedicated to us 🙏
To all the tourists who have visited or who will want to visit my country I say, know that you have been and you will be welcome, always!
Thank you so much for sharing this, Maurizio! 😃 It's really wonderful to read that some Italians do care 🥰
And I really did have a good time and a very valuable experience in Italy! I'm glad that I went and explored 😃💕
@@helenanistavlogs I am very pleased to know this 😊Thanks to you Helena for sharing your experience😉
So what is going on actually in italy?
Good question! @@rafalkaminski6389
sir: YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR NATIONALITY.....
Your comments about Italy resonate. I love the warmth and beauty. As someone who is definitely OCD, if you could combine that with Scandinavian efficiency and German driving that would be rather nice! ;-)
I am sorry to learn if something was troubling you, as you alluded to at the beginning of the video.
I didn't know you were thinking about a move to Italy. Have you thought about Belgium? Such an underrated little country but such a great jumping off spot in Europe. Many happy years there until Brexit ...
Oh, I haven't actually thought about Belgium! But I'm planning to spend a month or so in each country and then see how I feel. So I'll definitely make sure to prioritize Belgium. I've never actually been there 😃
germans drive TOO FAST and i do not like that.but i do not go to germany!
Toskania jest piękna!
Cudna! 😍
Kinda sounds like fast paced California. Everyone drives fast and in a rush. Except the roads. They are fine to drive. Italy is nice and lovely but it has it's pros and cons. 😉😁
Yes, definitely! 😉💕
americans not only speak only english but never go by foot. they need a car a plane whatever a prothesis to free them from the law of gravity ...or maybe they could transformthemselves into angel, but after a long diet.
Wow. Thats a great vlog Helena. It's always nostalgic and emotional to leave after having a wonderful time. Italy is a beautiful place and great to see you have a wonderful time there. Happy journey for your coming trip to Switzerland and Netherlands
Thank you so much! 😃💕
I’ve been to Italy 5 times. I love it. There are infrastructure issues, I.e. roads, and there is also a problem with garbage. I don’t believe those problems are because Italians don’t care, I think it has maybe a basis In corruption, and certainly in the fact that Italy’s population is declining and that has a big result in lowered tax revenues available for public works. Just a thought.
Yes, I absolutely hear you! Only some of the things can be changed by individual Italians (like learning English or taking better care with their advertised hours or renovating the holiday properties). Many of the problems need to be addressed by the administration and local councils.
@@helenanistavlogs if Italians need to learn English the same can be said to you learning Italian. In Italy you need to learn another language in school, but English is only one option. People can learn French, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek or German.
You are angry that restaurants don’t respect their hours written online, well in Italy it is used only for “reference” as mostly restaurants are family businesses and they can change their hours if they don’t have you calling them before telling them you are coming to dine.
Problems with roads? Well we have a huge problem to create right big roads because every time we start huge works like these we need to stop them because we find Roman reperts.
No. The problem is very different. For as long as the EU has existed we have been net contributors. We have had to pay for other people's infrastructure, and we can no longer think about our own. Someone had to well pay for roads to Romania, Poland, Spain, Portugal, etc. Moreover, since the Berlin Wall fell, the U.S., which has been the real master of Italy since 1945, has demanded to be able to have full access to our assets. Basically, the system has changed: from mixed (state-public...which made everyone live well...to increasingly strongly private, with a few state strongholds). Before, we had a high public debt, but it was owned entirely by Italian savers. So, it was a revolving game. Instead, by allowing foreigners to be able to invest in Italian government bonds and allowing investors, the owners of the rating companies, to give us the report card on the economy, we gave them the most important assets. That and the fixed exchange rate (which is mistakenly called the "euro") has reduced us to our current state. Corruption (which, then, is the perception of corruption and not the actual corruption) is the tip of the iceberg.
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Croatia is worse for broken ness and poor customer service. But they just rely on their natural beauty. But frustration outweighs the prettiness of the beaches. France is more organised but people not so warm.
I see! I've never been to Croatia but that makes sense. Oh well, the exploration continues! 😉💕
In most of these European Latin countries and regions, inhabitants were taken into slavery for centuries by the "Barbaresques", called today the Arabo/Muslims. Serving others is still, in their genetic memory, seen as subservient and they kind of resent it. So, yes, Croatia, Southern Italy, Sardinia, Corsica, Southern France and more areas offer often poor customer service. Add to this the cultural differences with tourists who make one faux-pas after another. French people are very warm if you say "Bonjour" when entering somewhere, wherever it is. It is considered very rude in France to enter a place and not say Bonjour first, hence the cold reaction and the undeserved reputation of French people to be cold and distant. Europeans also have stronger boundaries that Americans.
I am an organised person too and the way you described Italy I don’t think it would be my cup of tea.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your lovely journey, and when you travel to Amsterdam and need any recommendations, I’ll be happy to recommend some of their attractions, I visited 18 museums in one week. And in Amsterdam they do speak English.
Thank you, that sounds wonderful! 😃💕
Fine, stay away, we will not miss annoying tourists. Yout target should be Disneyland or a Valtour village at most.
IF YOU LIKE TO SWIMM GO AIGAIN ITO AMSTERDAM QUITE A NICE CITY AND FRENDLY.
and have a cup of milk...
Hey Helena ! I'm one of your customer, and I am from Pisa, Italy actually. About Italy, like probably many places, it is better if you visit it with someone from the place, who know where to go shop, rent a room, etc. In Italy maybe more than in other places there is a tourist side, and an inner-citizen side. That said, like someone else said, there is a huge difference between North Italy and South. Tuscany it is in the middle, it is an amazing place, but there is a lot of nature outside main cities, and so yes, also narrow road, etc. Bigger cities like Florence or Venice are super expensive, Pisa is a students city, so it is not that expensive except few places near the Tower, and Pisa it is alive especially during night.
About living here, the problem it is burocracy. Again, if you ever decide to do that it is better if someone from here help you. You can write to me if you decide for Tuscany. Do I suggest you to do so ? The problem with Italy until now was very inadeguate politicians. We had our last political election one months ago, and now it is a woman who will guide the country, hopefully everything will improve because it is also from a different political party.
To end this brief "testimonial", I just add that Government in Italy were not the best in those last 10 years (lot of "technical government" not that good), and two years of pandemic + Europe not so much present killed many amazing places and shop. And yeeees, especially outside main cities people barely know english and internet, so the open/close shop and restaurant could be a problem. We are a country where old people actively obstacolated younger people (in politic and outside it), lot of oldies who want to guide stuff even if they are unable to do so just for power reason, and that didn't help with the english and internet side of the things. But again, you should also know that the government here in Italy during the pandemic worked actively against restaurant and shop, and now with the Ucraina and Russia problem, gas it is super expensive, and so a lot of shop and restaurant open and close only if they are 100% sure about people here, or during peak hours. Especially if outside main cities.
We are in survival mode, hopefully not for so long !
Best Regards Helena, thank you for your hard work on Tantra and on, and if you will ever be back to Pisa send me a message ! I'll definitely improve your experience in here ! Bye !!!!!
Thank you so much for your lovely words and for sharing about Italy! That really makes a lot of sense and explains a lot 🥰 And while I won't be settling in Italy for now, I'll definitely keep coming back to enjoy the weather, food, wine, the nature and the beautiful people there. And I hope that the new government makes a real change and brings Italy forward 😃🌸
I tried to explain her what you mean but she is no logical in her answers. She is so difficult that couldn't find a good ice cream taste for her so she came back to residence, and she wants perfect roads in the middle of mountains and country and she thinks all Italy has bad roads.... She could go back to her Poland or something else where everything is perfect, or in Australia, starting frome the perfect food and government... hahahaha
Fulvio tvb ma non prendiamoci in giro, specialmente dopo questi due anni di pandemia le cose sono andate un po' a scatafascio e c'è da rimettersi un po' in sesto. Per il resto rispetto troppo questa donna per i suoi lavori sul tantra etc. per starci a discutere o darle contro. Ha portato la sua esperienza, e va rispettata in quanto tale. Sicuramente qui siamo più "alla mano" di altri posti. Secondo me è anche un pregio, ma posso capire che se uno ha fame, va ad un ristorante che si dice aperto, ci arriva ed è chiuso, un po' le scatole girano (ed il buzzo anche). Quindi nulla, direi di non polemizzare troppo, prendiamo il feedback, e sicuramente la prossima volta che tornerà andrà meglio ! Ciao !!!!
@@LilianReality ciao cara, sono d'accordo ma la puzza sotto al naso da una polacca che vive in Australia anche no, io sono stato in entrambi i Paesi e tutto o quasi è peggio che qui
@@fulviomiglio4162 well, come to Poland and see, you're welcome :)
I was just in Tuscany for two weeks and driving in France and Corsica is exactly the same. If you’re not tailgating the person in front of you they’ll pass you so that they can. No rules for motorcycles. The most frustrating for me, I have to take driving lessons and pass the test to get my license when I drive more cautiously than 95% of people on the road. And don’t trust navigation, it’ll direct you right into the pedestrian centers, dangerous and mortifying! And yes, often restaurants are closed or not even there anymore. And in my opinion expensive. Easy enough to grab some bread and cheese and wine and make a picnic. In Florence everyone spoke English, which I wasn’t expecting. My dream is to find a small pedestrian city to live and be carless and just get around by bicycle. Safely. I’m thinking Lucca. ❤
I didn't make it to Lucca but I believe that it is really beautiful! I hope that you'll like it there 🥰
And thank you so much for sharing about your experiences, I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone in my feelings 😉💕
Kat, a real nightmare!
One thing that drives French and even more so Corsican drivers, is that tourists do no pull on the right side to let pass locals who like to drive fast on crazy road. If you want to drive slow, great, but let the local drivers who know the roads by heart go their way and do not slow down the whole traffic because you are a tourist. Also, in Europe, do not stay on the left lane if you drive slow, like in the US.
Depends on what you’re looking for. She may need to do more homework on where she should be or live in Italy given her frustrations.
I did a lot of homework, including studying the language, culture and customs in the area.
Trochę cięły komary po południu, ale wieczorami latały nietoperze. Są trochę jak duchy! 😄
Nietoperze sa super!
There are so many beautiful places in the US and you’d be closer to me😊where my telepathy works well
I look forward to visiting the US soon! 😊💕
I cytryny na krzakach a nie na półkach sklepowych😉
Dokladnie! 😃
Toskania chwyta za serce!
Jest cudna!
5 minutes in and all I heard was the roads are bad and people drive crazy. So why not move more North, or to France? It would help if you got to the point and minimized the chit chat. Briefly and succinctly, what are you main reasons, in three sentences?
So you want me to make 3-sentence videos?... 😳🤔
@@helenanistavlogs Strive for 10 sentences. That's enough.
10 days isn’t even enough to really getting to know a neighborhood in your own city if you moved.
And yet I managed to have an experience in Italy that I shared about online.
Of course it takes a lot longer to REALLY get to know the area and customs.
But it doesn't mean that I have no right to an opinion after 2 weeks 😉
Hi Helena, an Italian here 🙂
Firstly, I want to say that I read some comments, and I'm sorry that most didn't understand what you meant. You spoke the truth, and for those criticizing, one thing is "slow-living," and another is a lack of professionalism.
Come on guys!
Yes Helena, you are right, the roads are a disaster in many areas and someone can say that it's "the government's fault".
Ok, no problem, let's suppose it's the "government's fault"
BUT
what's not "the government's fault" is....
> that you go to a restaurant and it's closed;
>that you rent a house and it has holes in its walls;
>the lack of details;
>the fact that 80% of the population (or maybe more) don't speak English in a country that literally lives from tourism (!!!!)
That....that is the people's fault!
Each one of us needs to EDUCATE THEMSELVES.
Because while is not our fault that some roads are in terrible conditions, everything else is our RESPONSIBILITY. As Italians and as Humans.
This is a country where the majority are not interested in working on themselves or in personal improvement. It's not so hard to understand.
Yes, people are nice here (nice as extra characters in a medieval movie could be 😂)
Let me tell you something:
I have my own home in Turin, but I've chosen to live between Tuscany and Umbria (I rented a house to live all the year).
At this very moment, I'm seeking a bigger home, and I could tell you a very LONG list of reasons I haven't been able to EVEN visit ONE house yet.
If you think touristic properties for rent are not good enough, it's because you haven't seen those for Italians! Oh my gosh!
And do we want to talk about the Internet connection?
No, we don't.
Big issue.
The truth is, this is a rural country with RURAL PEOPLE who are not prepared for civilization.
Yes, Italy is fascinating for this reason. Tourists love Italy because visiting this country is LITERALLY like time traveling (in all senses).
I'm sorry to say this, but most Italians are just playing at being 'touristic entrepreneurs' JUST BECAUSE THE ROMANS, THE MEDICI FAMILY, AND OTHERS gave them the beauties they have.
Otherwise, if it wasn't for their heritage, they would have been like whatever poor country.
Come on! Be honest you people in the comment section.
Of course not all places in Italy are as described here,
of course not all Italian are "rural people"
of course a lot of Italians DO WANT to improve themselves
But they are the minority.
Bye Helena, I hope you found your place in Europe.
Thank you so much for your kind message, Veronica! I really enjoyed reading your comment and all the insights and information you shared 😊
I truly loved my holidays in Italy and I'm sure that I'll be back for more.
Next time I'll be better prepared and I'll know what to expect 😉
And in the end I decided to go back to Australia - that's where my heart kept calling me back... 😍💕
You know, the north really finances Italy and things work quite a bit better up there, although far from perfect. And everything south of the river Po is, well, basically southern Italy as they say 😅
I found your video somewhat amusing. I'm just a tourist visiting Italy for 3 times. But listening to your trials and tribulations about trying to travel by car. And not being able to find restaurants open. You should have been aware that you just need to take the train. Don't drive the car. And when you arrive in the town, most places are within walking distance of the train station. It sounds very possible you're not suited for living outside of your home country.
I appreciate your insights but I've lived in different countries throughout my life so "living outside of my home country" is something that I've been doing for the last 20 years... 😜
❤
💕😉
Thanks for sharing your insight. I shall learn some Italian travelling there in future. As for exploring a place to live come to Canada! I am in Calgary, Alberta and gladly show you around ❤🤗
Sounds great! I'd love to one day 🥰
A noi cimportanariccasega!
Yes, it matters to me too.
we love the flaws more than we love the strengths
PS
Tuscany isn't the whole Italy
I'm happy for you! It sounds like living in Italy is working for you 😊
Italy is beautiful but the infrastructure makes it look like a third work country. You guys also graffiti your cities and definitely show a lack of care. When driving around Italy it has a feeling of poverty and even the high end places aren’t always that well kept up. Italy is wonderful but there is room for improvement for sure. Like everywhere. It’s good to talk about these things because if you go to Italy your expectations can ruin the trip unless you understand that Italy is more “rustic” in a lot of ways than what the media shows us. Italy is to be loved but also needs more understanding ;)
Thanks for sharing this! 😊
Rambling !
You were searching things that Italy (especially under the North of Italy)simply can’t offers. For my POV is wrong to consider the bad things of a country you are visiting instead looking for what you don’t have in the place you live. We have A LOT of things you can’t have in Australia and you have a lot of things we can’t have in Italy, but if I go to Australia I won’t surely search warm people, ancient places forgotten in Middle Ages, incredible food and Dolomites…
I think traveling is look for what you can’t have at home. This is my humble opinion.
English is a language that is so far from our language, so is not so easy for us to learn it well. Open your mind.
Last but not least I totally agree with you about lacks, but they’re usually caused by our bad government and crazy burocracy. If you noticed, private properties look a lot more tidy than public ones. Restaurant are closed in the morning and afternoon because we have lunch and dinner at the approx same time everyday. It’s our custom. That’s all. 😊
Thank you for sharing your opinion! But you're wrong about a few things... 😉
I wasn't searching for anything in Italy. I was simply exploring it with a question in mind of "could I live in this country?". At the end my conclusion was no, I couldn't live here. Or rather - I wouldn't choose to live here since I have much better alternatives. I wasn't being close-minded but simply discerning about the good and bad sides of living in Italy.
A new language is hard to learn for anyone, not just Italians. I learned English, French and a bit of Italian, German and Spanish. I found English to be the easiest of all languages. But it still took me an enormous amount of work and determination to perfect my ability to use it.
Just because Italy's problems are not your fault, it doesn't mean that these aren't problems. They still very much are problematic so discarding them by blaming someone else is a very pointless exercise.
And finally, there are PLENTY of warm people and incredible food in Australia. But you will have no idea until you go to visit. At least, I came to your country before expressing my opinion. You never came to mine... 😜
1 a 0 palla al centro
I took a small group of tourists once in Corsica. It went very poorly. They were terrified by the roads, were frustrated that Corsicans did not speak English fluently, that pharmacies were not open 12 hours a day, that the delicious local specialties meals were "so long", that the freshly caught local fish was presented with the head on the platter, and there was grass growing inside old ruins... Sometimes, cultures are so different, it is better to leave each other alone.
You have been in zittale only for 10 days in one place and you think to know Italy?? Sorry to tell you that you are completely wrong. Italy is very different from place to place. If you come in Bolzano we are bilingual Italian and German and the roads are more than perfect. If you go in Veneto you have such beautiful cities and roads are high ways. Etc etc I can not understand how you can judge without. Having seen anything😩
I share an opinion after having seen some things in Italy and I'm clear about that. Do you have a problem with every person sharing about their holiday experiences?... 😉
If you already can't stand how they drive in Tuscany, you should never even consider driving around in Sicily. Haha.
Oh, I see... 😉
And I never said I couldn't stand it. I just found it surprising just how tricky it can be.
@@helenanistavlogs point taken 🙂
Hahaha...Welcome to Italy...I moved to Italy in 2006 and lived there 7yrs, loved every minute of it Helena! Prior to moving there I back packed and hitchhiked all over and then moved there. The problem is the red tape(beaucracy)block the road, look busy, dig half a hole, cover it and walk away and start another one round the corner, it looks good to the locals but nothing actually gets finished until there local elections and then crash, bang wallop all done😅You must return again in the future as it is a great place with beautiful people there that so kind and helpful. I arrived on my own not knowing anybody, no family and didn't speak the lingo! 😁 I stuck at it, taught myself with a phrase book, made a fool of myself in translation - but who cares it was a lot of fun - Next time go to La Spezia in Liguria it is spectacular - yes shops close for lunch or did when I was there - great Pizzeria's, great food in general everywhere, good night life with music everywhere and the Cinque Terre is but a train ride or a ferry ride away, your choice!
Oh wow that sounds awesome! Good on you for making it in Italy! 💕😃
And yes, I'm sure I'll return one day and this time I'll be better prepared... 😉
@@helenanistavlogs Thank you too xx
A do domu prowadziła piękna aleja wysadzana cyprysami! Piękna była dzięki tym cyprysom! 🥰
😍
Maybe manage your expectations - each place has its peculiarities this is what makes the world interesting. You want clockwork, go to Germany and be bored to death there. Better yet, stay in Australia perhaps.
Oh I do manage my expectations. I've travelled enough in my life and I've been to enough countries to know that everywhere is different.
Can you cope with me expressing my honest opinions though?... 🤔
@@helenanistavlogs think what you wish of course. My opinion is that it’s absurd if you are indeed a ‘well travelled person”, to complain about the roads being narrow. You’re in Italy for Pete’s sake, it has a history and a geography that determined architecture and infrastructure. Your comments only denotes entitlement and a good degree of ignorance. PS I lived and worked in 10 countries so far and I keep my opinions in check- try that before you blurt it all out on TH-cam .
If I wasn’t so strong, emotionally, I’d kill myself after watching your vlog.
It's a good thing everybody is sufficiently strong emotionally to hear someone's true thoughts and insights... 😜
Hahahahaha you cannot be serious.
Very serious.
It’s such a shame that you’ve had these lousy experiences not to mention the expense of the trip. At least you are finding out now that Italy isn’t the place for you. I could feel your disappointment. Thank you for sharing. Take care. 🥰
Thank you, Carl! It was still a very valuable experience and I did enjoy myself for the most part! And now I know that I should explore other countries instead of Italy... 😉💕
When searching for a new country I would also take in consideration the politics and rules I would have to abide by.
Great point! 😉
You know the joke: In heaven: your cook is Italian, your house is maintainted by the Dutch, your lover is French and all is organized by the Germans.
Where as in hell: all is organized by the Italians, your........ your....
Aaah hahahaha! 😄😄😄
😂🎉😂🎉🎉😂😂🎉😂 😂that is olddddd
its classical .60 illions tourist come to italy every year andcome frequently. they blame italy not enough organized....t's not tourism but an occupyng army!
but they do not consider that they are too many for us to manage.: they should be less....!
You obviously do not know Italy.
No, I don't. That's why I went there to visit 😉
Pretty presumptuous of you title of your video the truth about italy... You should of called it your impressions of Italy, no?
Anyway... Glad you're gone... Benissimo!
Something isn't untrue simply because you don't like it 😉
Agree so much about the Italian way of life, it's a shock to the system for productive types. We've only visited as tourists and coerced ourselves to go with the flow but I can see how it would be jarring if you plan to move there.
Sorry to hear you are hurting at the moment, if there is anything I or any of your fans can do, let us know. If not, I hope you can work through it
Thank you so much, John! 🥰 And things are much better now! I've had some difficult conversations with different people and I feel that we're productively moving through the challenges 😃💕
You came as a tourist,staying in touristic places but pretend to know what Italy and Italiians are without living there.. LOL. Go to Disneyland next time and tell us that in California they surely are all ducks and mouse. Annoying tourists..
i strongly dislike productive people.
IF YOU ARE OCD MOVE TO THE UNITED STATES USA 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Yes, USA seems a lot more organized... 😉
All judging.
You look really good
Oh thank you! 😃😃
Unfortunately, the Italy government doesn't care. As for Italians do drive crazy.
Yes closing up stores and shops during the day as being a common thing for years.
Italians speak their native tongue as many did learn English yet rather than just speaking Italian
So you've spent some time in Italy too? 🌸
@@helenanistavlogs Yes,
As I mentioned before I do have family in Italy 🇮🇹
Why should we not close shops in summer when it's hot ?? Big companies and restaurants are always open in cities in any case so are bars . Whoever with half a brain avoid to go around at 2 pm searching for small shops. so what ? If you want a 24\24 city go to Las Vegas. 🤦♂🤦♂
that is italy and i hope it remains such.It is an old country which is not supposed to make foreigners and tourists happy.
Typical toscan sayings…..accident a quel briao del prete,cane di dio……
Hello Helina miss you a lot 💯💎💅💅🍓👄🌹🌹🌹🌹❣️❣️😍😍😍💎💅💅💯
Hello 😊
@@helenanistavlogs all the bests and wish you happy moments 💅💎🥰❣️💯💐💐
when I visited Italy the buildings were so beautiful and the food was wonderful but there is a kind of wild culture there that people especially younger adults dont follow the rules. everybody smokes , drinks too much, drives too fast , park illegally, cheats to take advantage with the result the trains are always late, businesses closed when supposed to be open, broken things dont get fixed, and its easy to be victimized if you let your guard down.. alot of people especially women get angry very easily if you get in their way or dont met their expectations... Its kind of simular to spain with the latin based culture.. Nice to visit but could be hard to live there if you dont speak the language... No regrets
Yes, I really enjoyed my time in Italy but I was very glad to leave... 😉
You are not alone... Dont let Italians gaslight you. Tens of thousands of young Italians those with ambition or higher education have left Italy or are leaving if they can. Its broken in so many ways.
That's unfortunately so true... It's a beautiful country but with many problems!
I do not care about your impressions
Moving to a country that you didn't take the time to know before moving? And only 10 days to decide to leave? Are you used to do things without thinking? Let's hope you don't do the same with marriages and having kids. Poor guys and poor kids.
Where did you get that silly idea from? I studied Italy for months with a native Italian tutor - the language, traditions, customs, etc.
You should be the one to consider thinking before making a judgement.
You could have learned how to be a better driver maybe? If you are scared by narrow roads you should pick the US maybe lol
I'm an excellent driver.