Welcome to the Overseas Guides Italy newsletter, on a cool and wet October morning. Yes, for once I will not be gloating about how much better the weather is here, though only a week ago we were sitting on the beach and swimming in the sea. Everyone is now huddled around their wood-burning stoves, roasting chestnuts gathered in local woods. The peaks of the Alps have already had their first dusting of snow.
This year, Italy has had a hard time of it in the press. There has been plenty of bad news: the earthquake in Abruzzo, the landslides in Messina, our own politicians who are generally the very embodiment of Bad News, and finally the Mafia’s dumping of radioactive waste in the Mediterranean. A particularly impressive feat when you consider that there are no nuclear power stations in Italy, and therefore I personally would like to know what countries have been selling their nuclear waste to the Mafia?
The bad news is always particularly depressing for people like me who believe that Italy is just about the most wonderful country in the world, warts and all. From the natural beauty of snow-capped Alps, to the historic beauty of a Florentine cobbled street, the truly fabulous food and wine wherever you go and the convivial camaraderie of Italians themselves.
Speaking of wine, this year’s new wine is merrily maturing in barrels in cellars hidden here and there – you get a pleasant whiff of them while walking through the cobbled streets – and when the moon is right, it will be filtered for the nth time. Yes, the moon is still very important in many Italian agricultural areas, and it surprises me that English gardening and horticultural books never seem to mention the moon. My Italian neighbours were always horrified by my lack of consideration for the phase of the moon in which I was planting, harvesting and pruning, and therefore in the interests of international harmony and the pursuit of knowledge, I offer you my potted guide to lunar agriculture:
Waning moon: the right time for pruning all deciduous plants, sowing seeds, cutting chestnut trees for making vineyard poles (as you do), filtering wine, bottling wine you wish to keep for more than a year, transplanting small plants and harvesting potatoes
Waxing moon: the right time to prune evergreen plants, such as olive trees, and – incidentally - the right time to cut your hair (grows back quicker)
A full moon is the right time to bottle wine if you want it to be sparkling rather than still
There are also other interesting horticultural rules that the British are perhaps unaware of: for example, that you have to have your onions planted by Ash Wednesday, or that your beans have to be planted by St John (24th of June).
And speaking of country life, an interesting conundrum has come up as regards buying rusticos. Often as not, rusticos are just a pile of stones in desperate need of rebuilding and don’t have any planning permission for a renovation. That is left to the new owner, as the old owner is probably elderly, probably has a few of these heaps of stones scattered about and certainly has no interest in hiring architects to draw up planning projects for them. That is why rusticos don’t cost much to buy and are such an interesting deal in times of economic crisis, like now. However, a buyer is always worried just in case he or she buys a rustico only to discover that planning permission won’t be agreed. There are obvious parameters that can easily be checked beforehand to see if planning will be allowed, but council planning commissions can be fickle.
Recently a British couple wanted to go ahead and pay an architect to draw up plans for a rustico and only after planning permission was granted, go ahead with the purchase of the rustico. This despite the fact that the council authorities had assured the buyer that planning for that rustico would certainly be granted, as long as the architect’s drawing took account of the area’s building regulations. In the end, the sale fell through. Firstly, because the couple selling – another British couple – were unhappy about waiting for what would probably be a year before getting the money from the sale, and secondly because it transpired that the buyer would incur much higher taxes on the purchase of a rustico with planning permission than the same rustico without. In addition, the economic situation in Italy is not as disastrous as elsewhere, so few people are desperate to sell on any terms. Worth keeping in mind when making offers on properties in Italy.
For more interesting information on buying in Italy, read on! I tell you a bit about the law in Italy and I show you a really lovely property that will make you want to move here instantly! Then there are words of wisdom on the currency front, a look at what’s on in Italy in November, a few suggestions as to how the OGC Resource Team can help you and a guide to the process of moving all your possessions abroad before signing off for another week.
If there is anything you need help with in the property purchase line please do not hesitate to contact the OGC Resource Team at 0207 898 0549 – they are only too willing to help and would love to chat about Italy.
The average Italian’s approach to the Law has always been a matter for, well, amusement if not despair. As my own, very respectable, mother has often said: ‘If I agree with the law, I’ll obey it.’ Italian ways of getting round bureaucratic and legal obstacles are almost a matter of national pride. There is also a kind of noble free-spiritedness about this attitude, where human need is considered more important than the letter of the law. ‘You need a job? That employer owes me a favour – I’ll sort you out.’ The art of arrangiarsi – ‘doing what you can to get by’ is but a loose translation – is a national trait that has been learnt the hard way, over centuries of foreign occupation, conflict and abuse of power. It is a habit that Italians are finding hard to kick… There I was yesterday enjoying the sight of moonshine grappa being made with a homemade still. The ‘distillers’ assured me that it is legal to distil your own grappa if it is for your own personal use, and I chose to believe them.
But I digress.
The oddest kind of legalistic approach has been adopted over the past year by many Italian towns and cities, ever since the national government awarded local authorities greater powers to pass bylaws, bylaws that affect tourists and visitors as much as they affect Italian residents.
Any Italian tourist town will be recognisable in summer for certain characteristics: crowded beaches spilling over with sunburnt, bikini-clad foreigners, tired tourists in shorts and baseball caps sitting on the steps of monuments. Little do they know that they may actually be breaking the law and risking a heavy fine by doing so.
This summer, in my own nearby town of Sanremo, the new mayor passed a series of what were called ‘security measures’. The new bylaws include a 500 euro fine for walking round town without a shirt on, jumping in public fountains, drinking a beer in the street and sitting on steps or on the edge of fountains (unless you are under 12 or over 60). All public benches were removed (making sitting on steps and on the edge of fountains inevitable). In three of the city’s main squares, it has been made illegal to hang out your washing or beat carpets. All this has been done to make the town look, well, tidier. When I was down there last week, on a hot Monday morning, I noticed a fair number of people sitting in Sanremo’s main square on steps and on the edge of fountains, though I did not stop to ask them their age. Of course, for towns that rely on tourism, it doesn’t seem to be the most logical way of going about attracting visitors.
Sanremo isn’t the only Italian city in need of a reality check. Pisa has applied a bylaw whereby it is now illegal not to put candles in your window during the festival of San Ranieri, its patron saint. Failure to do so will incur a fine of between 200 and 500 euros. In Capri and Positano it is illegal to walk around in clogs (too noisy).
Beach etiquette has been a particular focus of the new wave of sanctions. It is illegal to walk around town in a bikini or bare-chested in plenty of Italian seaside towns: Forte dei Marmi (where it is also illegal to use a lawnmower during the weekend and in the afternoons), Viareggio (where it is also illegal to wash yourself with soap in a public fountain, or sit on the back of a park bench with your feet on the seat), Marina di Grosseto and Lerici to name but a few.
On the beach in Eraclea (Venice) children are not allowed to play with buckets and spades as the holes they dig and the sandcastles they build ‘dangerously modify the surface for walkers’. In Eraclea, it is also illegal to collect shells or sand (you risk a fine of up to a whopping 1,032 euros).
In Voghera it is illegal for more than 3 people to sit on a park bench together after 11pm.
In Rome it is illegal to eat while standing in front of the Trevi Fountain, and in Venice it is illegal to sit on the steps of public monuments. Picnics on the beach or on the street are illegal in Positano, Ravello, Venice, Capri and Florence. In Lucca, feeding pigeons will earn you a 500 euro fine, the same fine they give in Eboli for kissing in a car.
In contrast, Vicenza has removed one of its bylaws. In August 2008, a man lying on the grass reading a book was fined 50 euros. The council pardoned him and decided to allow citizens to ‘lie on the grass: something that happens naturally in all the most beautiful parks in the world’.
I think the most entertaining is Bologna’s new bylaw, making the piercing of ‘parts of the body whose functions could be damaged’ illegal. The fine has yet to be decided.
For more information on the wonderful country of Italy, buy the Greece Property Buying Guide (if you haven’t done so already!). Click the link to order today:
Creating a strategy to minimise loses on your future international payments is VERY important. After all, who wants to lose £1,000 or £5,000 or £10,000 or more unnecessarily?
This year has been a particularly bad one for sterling – every newspaper stand and TV programme harps on about it over and over. But actually how bad has it really been? Here are some figures that may really shock you. Let’s consider the best and worse case scenario for 2009:
Based on buying £100,000 GBP in 2009, the euro rate against sterling was:
BEST for the year: 1.19
WORST for the year: 1.03
A difference of €16,000.
Put another way, you would get €16,000 less for your £100,000 had you bought at the worst rather than at the best rate.
So – the key question is how to create a strategy to buy closer to the best time rather than the worst!? What the Smart Team will do for you is to discuss your requirements, determine how much time you have and offer various options that will allow for ways to reduce risks and ultimately save money.
You can buy currency today and pay for it later or request an ‘Order to Buy’ where your Smart Trader will buy currency on your behalf once the rate hits the budgeted amount you desire (if possible). And no matter what option you decided, the rates offered by Smart are better than those quoted by the high street banks! There are many options available and the more time you give yourself to use those options, the better!
It’s often the people that wait until the last minute that are forced into buying at the worst times – don’t let that be you. Request a quote from Smart Currency Exchange below or call today to discuss your options!
This 'village-within-a-village' concept has been designed according to what the medieval centre might once have looked like, with alleyways, stone arches and little towers. The layout of the buildings, streets and small access alleys accurately recreate the original character of medieval structures. Proof of this can be found in the characteristic village of Vertine, only a few hundred metres away, which served as inspiration for the architect. This allows the entire development to become a natural extension of Gaiole in Chianti.
There are one-and two-bedroom apartments available, within walking distance to the charming village of Gaiole in Chianti which is, according to Forbes magazine, Europe’s best place in which to live.This is a community of 1500 inhabitants just 25 minutes from Siena and 50 minutes from Firenze. The nearest airports are Florence 1¼ hours away or Pisa at 2 hours. The beautiful Tuscan seaside is just 1¼ hours away and the development has panoramic view over the ancient village and the surrounding countryside.
All the apartments – each one quite unique - have been built using high quality materials and come with typically Tuscan wooden beams and a fitted kitchen. Particular attention to detail and the choice of local materials, starting with the original “pietra serena” stone characterise this exceptional development. Hand-cut stone, skillfully rendered wrought iron trellis work, terracotta floors and wooden beam ceilings are used throughout the Borgo.
There are also swimming pools, a gym for residents, relaxation areas and covered car parking. Apartments are available at both key-ready and off-plan stages, making this project a great investment.
If you are interested in this property, call the OGC Resource Team and they’ll put you in touch with the vendor (0207 898 0549) or if you’d like help locating an agent…again the OGC Team can help you out. Give them a ring or fill out the following property form: http://www.ItalyBuyingGuide.com/property.htm
What’s on in November 2009
Just a few events that may tweak your fancy:
November 13 -21, 2009 The world renowned international metropolitan Torino Festival showcases feature films, documentaries, shorts and a space dedicated to artists from Piedmont . Go to: www.torinofilmfest.org
Until December 31, 2009 Dante's Inferno in the Caves in Pertosa - Salerno Grotte dell'Angelo in the Cilento National Park are a charming stage for Dante's Inferno. Every weekend Dante leads the audience through tunnels in the mountain, going from cave to cave, to meet Paolo and Francesca, Ulysses, Minos, Count Ugolino, and many others. This is an extraordinary show, with unpublished music and new installations that stretches for a kilometer through the Grottedi Pertosa and Dante's imaginary world
15 November 2009 Diane Krall at the Auditorium Parco Della Musica in Rome. Jazz vocalist Diana Krall will be performing classic numbers in concert in Rome as part of her Quiet Nights World Tour 2009
9 December 2009 La Scala Milan: Plácido Domingo celebrates 40 years at La Scala
Well…we have tonnes of feedback from people who have already used our services, so I’ll let them explain:
“…Let me say how happy Philip and I are with your [OGC Resource Centre] service. You have opened so many doors for us….I like to take things one step at a time, to fully take on board every situation, but I could never have been prepared for the multitude of options that you have presented us with. …You can be sure that we will be using your recommendations because we are gaining more and more confidence in your company and that is all down to the interest you take and the advice you give.”
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"Hi, Having found the forum, subscribed to the free newsletters & purchased the Guide to purchasing property, it was amazingly easy using the tips & suggestions, to define my requirements & establish my strategy for what I really wanted.
Then once introduced to the Guides Company's network of friendly, helpful associates, everything fell into place. And this despite some very attractive, but potentially risky, alternatives which I could have easily tempted into. However, I had a plan to keep me on track & knowledgeable friends to draw advice from. I have now successfully purchased a unique property, which I believe I will enjoy during my future retirement in a friendly to you, your colleagues & all your kind associates & their unique way of working. Best regards, Brian Dorey."
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Just pick up the phone at 0207 898 0549 and the OGC Resource Team will be happy to help you. The team is available Mon-Fri from 9am to 6pm. You are under no obligation to use any of the recommendations and this service is absolutely free, so give them a ring today!
A Guide to Removals and Shipping
You may or may not have found your new home abroad yet. However, once the decision has been made to move to your home in the sun, the fun really begins! We all know that moving house can be fraught with problems; well, moving abroad can be a minefield if you don’t plan properly and use the professionals.
Ok, so where do you begin? Well, first of all, let’s hope you have plenty of time to organise your move. When I moved abroad we only had 11 weeks from start to finish moving lock, stock and barrel - hectic to say the least - but it can be done!
The first thing you need to do is find your removal company.
How do I choose a reputable removal company?
First and foremost, make sure you employ a professional removal company. Beware of the cowboys, because they are out there - and they disguise themselves very well!
What should you look for? Well, be very careful when you are obtaining remover’s details from the Internet as a great deal of these are not bona fide movers. A website that looks good doesn’t necessarily mean you will be working with companies who have a high professional standing. Some of these companies even ask for deposits online before they have even visited you!
Your safety net is to look for bona fide professional memberships, which you can check out yourself.
BAR (British Association of Removers) have a Code of Practice, which is the only code in the moving industry that’s approved and monitored by the Office of Fair Trading under its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.
All members abide by the Code that dictates the standard of service you will receive, the quality of the materials used, the standards of vehicles and warehouses, staff training requirements and best of all – what will happen if something goes wrong!
Most importantly, the Code requires BAR moving companies to deal with you in a courteous and sympathetic way at all times. You also have financial protection, which I will talk about later under the insurance section.
The other memberships to look for are FIDI, a network of International Quality Removers. Most BAR members are members of FIDI, and often also members of FAIM (part of the FIDI group), HHGFAA (Household Goods Forwarders Association of America), EURA (European Relocation Association) and ARP (Association of Relocation Professionals).
OK, so I’ve found quite a few professional companies, what do I do now?
Don’t wait until your house is sold before telephoning - this is a big mistake and can cause unnecessary delays. Contacting your removal company early is particularly important when moving abroad. They will need to book your container (which will hold all your possessions) and also the ship that will carry it. If you can give as much notice as possible, then the chances are you will have a choice of sailings.
It’s always best to telephone quite a few reputable removal companies and ask them to visit your home. They will come along and conduct a survey. These surveys are always free. If you are asked to pay for a survey, then walk away from the company concerned because that’s your first alarm bell ringing. It’s a really good idea to obtain several quotations as they do vary quite a bit for more or less the same service.
A comprehensive survey of all your household possessions – including any buried in the garage and the loft – will be conducted. An accurate cost will then be sent to you along with advice on all aspects of your move, including packing, wrapping and dealing with precious or delicate items.
Always ask the representative when the quotation will be received. If, after a reasonable time, you have not received your quotation and you have to chase the company, perhaps this is the first indication that they are not as efficient as they could be and this may help you in the decision making process for choosing your removal firm.
I have masses more information for you in order to ensure that your experience with Removals companies is a safe and happy one. I am going to outline a few points here that I discuss in some considerable detail - if you want my full report discussing the whole process from start to finish, all you need do is email me at: Italy@overseasguidescompany.com, put A Guide to Removals and Shipping in the subject line and I will email you the full document.
The subjects discussed are many and varied: here are a few examples:
There are usually several different options for your move overseas:
Deep-sea shipping
Groupage
Full containers
Airfreight
I discuss these in some detail. I also talk about:
What are my goods shipped in?
Where is my container being loaded – at my home or somewhere else?
How do I know my possessions are safe in the container?
How long does it take to pack and load the container?
What about packing and unpacking?
How many staff will come to pack and load?
Who is responsible for the necessary paperwork?
What about security?
Do I really need insurance?
What are the benefits of using an FSA authorised removal company?
Are there any other reasons why I should have marine insurance?
I answer a lot of questions that I have been frequently asked by people moving abroad:
I’m renting a property before I buy, so I want my possessions to be put into storage first, can I do this?
What do I do if I want to take my car?
What should I be doing 3 months before the move? Here UI give you a comprehensive list of what you should be looking at.
What should I be doing 1 month before the move?
What should I be doing 2 weeks before the move?
What should I be doing during the last week?
What do I do on the day?
When and where do my goods arrive?
What about customs
What happens when my container is delivered?
Which handling company is used?
What if I ever need to move back?
As you can see, this is a very comprehensive look at the whole Removal process and I would be delighted to share all the knowledge that I picked up the hard way. I am sure it will save you much valuable time, so just drop me that email and I will be delighted to help with YOUR move. That’s what it’s all about – sharing what we have learnt to help others. Any information you have that you think could be of help please just email us or phone the OGC Resource Team and I can perhaps include it in my next newsletter.
I really enjoy writing to you each month about the country we love, but I just want to make sure that, in doing so, I am really being of assistance to you.
Would you mind taking just a second to let me know your thoughts on my monthly newsletters? Which are the things that you find the most interesting or the most helpful? What would you like to see more of, what do you think could be improved, is there anything you would like added?
Would you mind taking just a second to let me know your thoughts on my monthly newsletters? Which are the things that you find the most interesting or the most helpful? What would you like to see more of, what do you think could be improved, is there anything you would like added?
