Welcome back to another episode of "A New Life in Italy." I'm your host, Samantha Wilson, and today we're taking a special journey to Venice. But we're not talking about the Venice you're used to seeing on social media or in travel brochures; we're exploring the authentic Venice, the one that locals call home. I'm thrilled to have my friend Monica Cesarato join us. She's a Venetian local, and a renowned tour guide, and you might know her from her Instagram, her books, or her podcast "Venice Talks" on Sentire Media. Monica is here to give us the insider scoop on the real Venice, from the best q ..read more

Welcome back to A New Life in Italy. In today's episode, we tackled the often challenging task of finding a rental property in Italy, a crucial step for those planning to move here, whether for visa applications, citizenship, or residency due to marriage to an Italian or European. Renting in Italy is a common and socially accepted practice, offering flexibility and a lower cost compared to buying. However, it's not without its difficulties, especially for foreigners without an Italian income, which can be a significant hurdle. Here are some key takeaways from the episode: Start Early: Securin ..read more

Welcome back, dreamers and doers, to another episode of "A New Life in Italy." I'm your host, Samantha Wilson, the Chief Dream Maker at SmartMoveItaly.com. Today, we're diving into the exciting world of Italian citizenship, specifically the fast track process of applying directly in Italy. Italian citizenship is not just about connecting with your heritage; it's a gateway to European living, granting you the freedom to live, work, or study in any EU country. However, the journey to citizenship can be long and complex, with some applicants facing years-long waits at local consulates or even hav ..read more

Welcome back to another episode of "A New Life in Italy." I'm your host, Samantha Wilson, and today we're diving into a topic that's crucial for anyone considering a move to Italy—healthcare. Moving to Italy offers a plethora of delights, from the weather to the food, but it also comes with the need to understand the practicalities of living here, such as healthcare. As we age or encounter unexpected health issues, understanding the healthcare system becomes vital. In Italy, healthcare is a fundamental human right, and the system here is known as the Sistema Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). It's acc ..read more

Ciao, friends! In today's episode, I am tackling the intricacies of the Elective Residency Visa (ERV), a topic that's both my specialty and a common source of confusion for many aspiring expats. The ERV is Italy's invitation to those who can support themselves without working in the country. It's perfect for retirees or anyone with a steady stream of passive income. However, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it's certainly not for those looking to work or start a business in Italy. I focus on two major qualifications for the ERV: securing a residential address in Italy and meeting the ..read more

Have you ever felt like a complete idiot when you try to speak Italian? Made a mistake and were quickly (or aggressively) corrected, causing you to feel like you will never succeed? Learning a new language is difficult and there are common struggles learners face, such as feeling like an outsider, embarrassment, and the feeling of defeat. But making errors is a natural part of the language learning process and it's important to keep speaking and moving forward despite them. My special guest, Margherita Berti, from Italian Matters, an Italian language teacher with a PhD in languages, joins us t ..read more

In our latest episode of "A New Life in Italy," we dove into the mesmerizing world of Sicily and explored the phenomenon known as Stendhal syndrome, which is considered only found in Florence - but my episode happened in Sicily! What is the Stendhal syndrome? It's the euphoric feeling that can make your heart race and knees weak when faced with profound beauty. I remember my own experience in Sicily, where the stunning Piazza Duomo in Ortigia left me speechless and teary-eyed, a moment that sparked my deep fascination with the island. As we ventured further into the Sicilian charm, I invited m ..read more

Hey there, dreamers and foodies! It's your host, Samantha Wilson, back with another episode of "A New Life in Italy." This week, we're diving into a topic that's close to my heart (and stomach) – living with dietary restrictions in Italy. As a reluctant vegetarian myself, I get the struggle of drooling over dishes you can't indulge in. But fear not, my fellow food-sensitive friends, Italy's culinary scene has got us covered! In this episode, I share my personal journey of giving up meat due to health issues and how I navigate the tantalizing trattorias of Tuscany. I reminisce about the mouthwa ..read more

Hey there, dreamers! It's Samantha Wilson here and I've just wrapped up another episode of our podcast, "A New Life in Italy." This week, we took a deep dive into the emotional rollercoaster that comes with relocating to the sunny climes of Italy. In this episode, I shared a bit about my own journey, from the dreary days in Vancouver that led me to seek out the Italian sun, to the mental health challenges that can arise when you're settling into a new culture. It's a topic close to my heart, and I wanted to bring it to the forefront because, let's face it, moving countries is no small feat! I ..read more

Hey there, dreamers and doers! It's your go-to guide for all things Italian,we are back with another episode of "A New Life in Italy." This week, we dove deep into the golden opportunity that is the Italian Investor Visa. If you've been fantasizing about sipping espresso in a quaint piazza or exploring the rolling hills of Tuscany, but you're not quite ready to retire or don't have that sweet passive income that you need for an ERV, then perk up your ears because this episode is for you! The Italian version of the Investor Visa, also known as the Golden Visa, is Italy's best-kept secret for th ..read more