What is italy like

Italy has a staggering amount to offer travelers…and residents. Romantic cities, timeless hill towns, snowy mountains, idyllic islands, vineyard-covered countryside, and a rivetingly beautiful coastline. Expats in Italy say they love not only the art, culture, impressive architecture, world-renowned food, and easy access to the rest of Europe, but also the slower pace of life and the culture that prioritizes family and friends over work and to-do lists. This is the very definition of the sweet life.

Retirees report that this cultural attitude means the pace of life is slower in Italy, especially outside the main cities. They talk about long coffee breaks with Italian friends and passeggiata strolls through the town in the evening.

One couple says that they no longer have alarm clocks in their home. Another couple adds that happiness just seems more important to the Italians. These same expats report that their simpler lives in Italy come with a lower price tag than they would have expected. Life in Italy sounds pretty nice…so the next question most people have is: can I do it?

Is it legally and logistically possible to make the move? Italy offers a variety of visas for non-Italians who would like to live in the country.

The one most retirees apply for is the elective residence visa, which is designed for retirees and other people who do not need to take a job in Italy. And if you have Italian ancestry, you may be in even better shape. If you have a parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent born in Italy, you may be eligible for dual citizenship. They say there are two sides to every story, and I think the same is true of places to live, as well.

What attracts us may be anathema to someone else. That thought helped us adapt to the lifestyle and culture in a smoother way, through the pros and cons of moving to a foreign land. While many people view Italy as a perpetually sunny and moderate Mediterranean climate, the truth is there are four seasons.

That may be a pro or a con, depending on your viewpoint. Experiencing a change of season helps mark the rhythm of the Italian year. The seas that surround the peninsula help keep the coastal areas moderate, so living close to the Mediterranean, for example, will give you less drastic fluctuations of temperature than the Alps.

Those who like winter sports will rejoice at the many mountain areas in Italy, where snow piles up for skiing and snowshoeing. Temperature averages hover in the 50s F, though night variances drop by about 15 degrees. Cons : In the north, cold, wet, and foggy winters are the norm while summers tend to be hot and humid, especially along the Po River valley. Known for its sunshine, the south can bring hot, dry summers, but many people assume it is warm everywhere and miscalculate the mountainous areas, which are much cooler.

Snow is not uncommon in the Apennines, even in the south. Winter months bring the most rain, especially in November and December. The Adriatic regions can occasionally shiver under blasts from the Baltics. Sheep are held mainly in Southern Italy and the donkeys still help farmers in remote villages to carry heavy loads over steep terrain. The Apennines are another big mountain range which go all along the boot and separate the East and the West of the country.

The highest mountain of Italy can be found in the Alps. It is the Monte Bianco, better known as Mont Blanc, which is 4,m. Italy is easy to recognise on any world map, as the country is shaped like a high-heeled boot. Italy lies in Southern Europe, a flight to Rome take roughly 2. Italy was unified as a nation by Garibaldi in and since then includes the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

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Most of the travellers were Italian, but there were also European visitors, particularly from France, Germany and the UK. The busiest month was August as usual, but there was no comparison with other years as there was hardly any tourism from outside Europe.

Our main cities remained quiet, such as Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence. The off the beaten track areas had more visitors. I only went to visit friends and relatives in the south of Italy, and otherwise stayed in my area where there are beaches and mountains nearby, so there was no need for me to go too far. It was a chance to visit some places in my area that normally I would not have time to go to, since in the summer I would be taking Trafalgar guests on our lovely trips. Most attractions were opened again from June onwards, although now for the next month they will not be.

All of our public buildings, attractions, museums etc. Even when going to the beach, at least where I live, to enter the beach area you had to arrive with a mask, sanitize your hands, then go to your spot on the beach, at 1. I went to a local museum and there the staff made sure that visitors did not get close to each other. I have to say that mostly, Italians are very respectful of social distancing, bearing in mind our gregarious nature! In the supermarket sometimes it was more difficult but the staff were vigilant, which helped.

Even going out for walks and exercising out in the fresh air, people kept their distance. Yes, very much so. Our hotels in the cities were virtually empty, and also our museums and other attractions.