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Italy Buying Guide Monthly Newsletter
Christmas 2009
(if you don't already receive a monthly announcement that our Italy newsletter has been published, you can sign up to our list here)
In
This Months Issue You'll Find: 
Christmas Message from Gianna
Interview with an Italophile…
Reader’s Experience: How deciding to leave the UK worked for them
Who is Oliver Spencer and why should you care?
Christmas Special – 25% off any of our Property Buying Guides
Are you protecting your assets in Italy?
What is FSA Regulation and how can it benefit you?
Ciao for now…
Buon natale!
During the last week Italy has suddenly turned Christmassy. Christmas lights have gone up and shoppers are flocking the streets. The Christmas season, at least in my area, starts on the 8th of December, with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Before then, anything Christmassy is really unthinkable, especially as the 1st of November, All Saints Day, and the 2nd, the Day of the Dead, are such important holidays. So none of us are at all bored of seeing trees and shopping and building a presepe, Italy’s traditional nativity scenes, often made with little statuettes, moss found in the woods, bits of rock and wood, often creatively lit. In many Italian homes, the presepe is really a must, and almost every church has its own presepe, some of which are really quite grandiose, complete with running water in miniature streams, starlit skies and moving figurines. Some towns specialise in living nativity scenes, where actors and actresses play Joseph, Mary, the three kings and supporting cast of thousands.
I have just got back from three days in a glitteringly Christmassy Florence. If you haven’t been to Florence for more than a year, you must go and have a walk round, now that the entire town centre has been pedestrianised. It used to be a nightmare trying to cross the road to get to the Duomo, with the terrible traffic, hordes of tourists crushed together by the railings that stopped people from falling off the pavement and getting run over. Now you can casually stroll around the square, enjoying its spectacular beauty without being pushed along in the rush. On the way down to Florence, I was pleasantly surprised when, next to the cash till of the motorway service station bar, I found a Susan Boyle CD for sale! I also saw the first frosts of the year…
Here in the north of Italy, Christmas Eve seems to be celebrated in more or less the same way throughout the region: midnight mass, then hot chocolate and panettone served free of charge afterwards to passersby. In my own little town, hot chocolate, panettone and vin brulee are served by old Alpine troops, complete with their distinctive hats and cheery esprit de corps. They build an enormous bonfire in the main square, and continue to stoke it as the evening goes on. Christmas Day is a large lunch with family, not so different from all the other large lunches we have during the year, though different regions will have their own particular dish. For example, here in the north, a typically Christmassy dish is cotechino, a spicy pork sausage, and lentils. The lentils symbolise wealth in the coming year.
At the risk of repeating myself, what I really love about Christmas in Italy is how uncommercial and old-fashioned it is. The Christmas season is short and I suppose it is less overblown because there are still so many other important festivals in the calendar. Many Italians still celebrate Epiphany as a day for gift giving, rather than Christmas Day itself. On Epiphany, children are visited by la Befana, a type of witch who brings presents to good children and coal to bad ones. This old woman, complete with broom, represents the old year. Traditionally, children hang up a sock in the hope she’ll fill it with presents, and leave a glass of wine and an orange or clementine out for her. Unfortunately, la befana is losing the battle for airspace compared with her Disney-ised nemesis, Santa Claus – another victim of globalised culture.
As always, the Christmas feature is something out of the ordinary. This year, I asked Alessandra Gotuzzo, a 12-year-old girl from California, to write about her new life in Italy. Alessandra’s mother decided to emigrate from California this year, bringing her two children with her. I wondered how a 12 year old would cope with such a drastic change, but I was very impressed with the way Alessandra has met this challenge. The feature was completely written by her without any input from me and I am sure you will find her absolutely delightful.
Merry Christmas, and I hope you all have a wonderful, stress-free, successful new year!
Best wishes,
Gianna
Gianna Williams
Italy Buying Guide
The Overseas Guides Company
Italy@OverseasGuidesCompany.com
Phone 0207 898 0549
Interview with an Italophile…
My name is Alessandra Gotuzzo and I am 12-years old. I was born in Southern California and spent my summers in Italy. My mom decided to make Italy a permanent home. I was in the middle of 6th grade and my school was a block away from the beach. I saw the surfers and dolphins surfing the waves. My class size was normal, 30-35 kids, when I came here to my new school in Ceriana there were only 10 of us in 6th grade. Freaky!!!!!
Ceriana is a small town near SanRemo in the Italian Riviera in the middle of the forest, vineyards and olive groves, which has very good air (especially for people who have asthma, like my sister Sofia). Moving to Italy made me a little nervous because I was going to be the new kid in a tiny town, which means that once you say one little thing, before you know it, it’s all over town. I realized this town thrives on gossip and everyone knows everything about everything and everyBODY, but the good thing was I had all of my friends in the new school since I had met them during summer-camp in July and August. It was really hard for me because I now have 15 different classes every single week, let me list them off: Arithmetic, Geometry, Science, History, Grammar, Literature, Epica (heroic poetry), Religion, Tecnica (draftsman-architecture), Geography, French, English, Art, Music, and don’t forget Physical Education (which getting to my school can kill you physically). In California we only had 6 classes with the same schedule every single day. Italy is very complicated but we get more education. It was really hard for me to cope with all these new classes, new language, new teachers, new way of homework, new way of writing, new way of reading and mostly a new way of life. But in some ways it was also fun, like my friends came over to help me with homework and almost everything, while I helped them with English.
Back in America the cafeteria was a self-service restaurant: hamburgers, burritos, salads, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, chicken, chips, milk, soda, cookies, ice cream, candy, salted nuts and beef jerky, in other words, great yummy junk food. Over here we have a full course healthy meal. Our First plate: pasta or soup with rice or noodles. Second plate, meat or salad or tomatoes or a type of meatball (polpette) or veggies or omelets or green beans. Third plate: normally fruit or fruit in a cup or pudding or a piece of cake. Personally, I like the food over here instead of the American self-service way.
My first day of school in Italy was a nightmare! I only brought with me one notebook and one pen. I didn’t realize I had 7 periods and needed a truck full of school supplies for the day. I always wondered why my friends’ backpacks looked like they’re carrying their whole entire house (family members included), but the next week, I too was carrying my house on my back! I started each day, leaving the house at 7:30am for my trek up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro since the school is located on top of the town.
To get to school I needed to endure a million uneven steep steps, billion-year-old cobblestone roads, all with my heavy house on my back. My legs were screaming in agony and pain and when I finally arrived I dropped dead like a rock. I couldn’t imagine that I would need to endure this for years to come. Back in California, it was all flat roads and I usually rode my skateboard to school with only my notebooks in my backpack, since my school provided a set of books to stay at school and another set to stay at home, this way our poor backs won’t have to suffer. I guess the Italians want us to suffer.
Speaking of suffering, we have summer homework! I have never in my life heard of summer homework for students who have passed their class grade. But, no!!!!! The Italians are all about suffering and I guess they start them young. One day at school, we were into a lesson and my friend Andrea was not paying attention and when we were supposed to be working quietly my teacher took us by surprise… she screamed at the top of her lungs, ANDREA SMETTILA!!! (STOP IT!) I jumped out of my skin and almost out of my chair by her monstrous loud voice, I looked around and everyone didn’t take notice of her outburst. In California, the teachers would be fired for screaming at a kid, instead they punish us with lunch-detention and teachers conduct themselves calmly without emotions. I don’t know which way I prefer better.
The Italian teachers are mean and tough, but they really care about each student personally and the benefits of a good education. In California, they didn’t really care. So far, living in a tiny medieval town is not bad. I guess I’ll hang-out for a while.
Alessandra Gotuzzo
If you are interested in help finding a property … fill out the following property form:
http://www.ItalyBuyingGuide.com/property.htm
Reader’s Experience: How deciding to leave the UK worked for them
This month I have included this excellent ‘Reader’s Experience’. I feel it could apply to anyone, moving to any country. Not only does it demonstrate how dreams can come true, it also shows how the help of a currency exchange specialist was able to save Trevor and Sue a lot of money. This is well worth a read…
A number of reasons influenced Trevor and Sue’s decision to move to Spain, where they have both spent some time in the past.
Trevor takes up the story:
“Sue had lived in Spain for four years before having to return to the UK to deal with family problems. While in Spain she felt vibrant, healthy and full of life.
The weather was never as dull and grey as here in England, even at its worst! The winters were cold but without that 'clinging' damp associated with this country. For those of us with joint problems who get a little 'down' as a result, the climate in Spain has an almost miraculous effect!” enthuses Trevor.
Sue had spent about a year in a typically Spanish town where she was the only English speaker. “You might think that the Spanish people would have 'talked slowly and loudly' to Sue and me as we attempted to learn their language, but the opposite was true!” grins Trevor; “They were very friendly and patient with our attempts at Spanish and helped us learn. I don’t think that too many people in this country would be bothered to take that much time or effort.” Trevor adds that he is horrified how many Brits come to Spain and make no effort at all to fit in at all: “This is their country after all - it’s the least we can do.
“Families are the most important aspect of their lives to the Spanish people” Trevor continues. “They 'work to live', unlike this country where we are inclined to 'live to work'! Provided there is enough food on the table and the bills are paid, the Spanish are very contented people, hence their mañana attitude!”
They have decided to relocate to the Almeria area. It takes its name from its capital city, which lies on the southern coast of the province. The area would have remained unknown if it hadn't been for the film companies who discovered that the area offered ideal film sets for films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Patton. Driving through the area one sees what looks like towns but, on looking back, turn out to be film sets!
Trevor and Sue found that, as the credit crunch took its toll, they were forced to adjust their expectations. They have decided to keep their home in the UK until the property market improves. “This isn’t the time to be selling in the UK” Trevor comments sadly. “We will be renting a home in Spain and letting out our house here in the UK for the time being.”
Moving funds across to Spain became the next priority. By his own admission something of an ‘internet fiend’, it was while doing a bit of research that he came upon a currency company, Smart Currency Exchange. “Believe me, I left no stone unturned and compared them all” laughs Trevor. “I found that some sites were very vague, but this one appeared to have the ‘openness’ and clarity that I required: “I had a good read on their website and so understood how it all worked. Then I had a good chat about how a currency company can help. They were quick to emphasise how a forward contract can help in cases like mine.”
Smart Currency explained that this meant deciding to buy his currency at the current rate in case sterling worsened against the euro, only paying a small percentage upfront to assure him of this rate. At first Trevor was sceptical about locking his currency into a rate in case the euro picked up against sterling and he was stuck with a lower rate. “They explained to me that saving on interest rates will help negate any losses and I would be in a far better position should the market move against me…I liked the idea.” He particularly liked the fact that everything was explained upfront in a realistic and open way – not something he had found with all the people he approached
Trevor and Sue are proof that, if you want it enough, moving countries is possible. “I will be working in Spain and earning a living there” says Trevor. “Fairy tales do come true,” he adds “it’s just a matter of taking a decision and then making it happen. I cannot wait for the time when Sue and I are back where we long to be”.
This is what Mike had to say about his experience with Smart:
Dear Mr Purdy, I have just transferred a large amount of money using your service, and I would like to thank all the staff who helped me not only get a rate that was better than 3 other companies I rang, but also on the service, helpfulness and general smoothness of the transaction. The other item to note was the speed with which the transaction happened, which compared to other companies I have used was extremely fast (in fact the word breathtaking springs to mind).
Please thank all your staff who took such time and trouble to deal with this on my behalf.
One again thanks
Mike
To get an update on the Euro exchange rate, request a quote at Smart:
www.SmartCurrencyExchange.com/quote.aspx
Who is Oliver Spencer and why should you care?
Oliver – or Oli as we all call him – is the Client Services Executive for The Overseas Guides Company (the OGC) and has a somewhat dark, mysterious and handsome way about him. He comes across serious and bit quiet yet when he speaks Oli always has something valuable to say. In a world where everyone wants to talk, Oli is one to practice the art of listening and then responding in a way that makes you feel like he really cares.
Perhaps his excellent ability to listen and add value come from his degree in Communication Studies from the University of Leeds?!
Oli started his working life at an Events Company at university – when pressed he admitted that he loved music and that the company wasn’t so much of a ‘job’ but a real pleasure (I hope he feels the same about the OGC!). He is also a keen sportsman and counts among his talents rugby (played at county level), skiing and snowboarding (in France) and watersports…
Somewhat appropriately for a sport’s fanatic, Oli went from his job during university into the ‘real’ world of Sales and Marketing at Red Bull, the energy drink company. So now we’ve established that he has both energy and communication skills – a winning combination to help OGC readers to fulfil their dreams!
When asked what he liked best about his job, Oli’s reply was immediate:
“I love talking to people about their hopes and ambitions to buy property abroad. I have travelled a fair amount myself and can really identify with wanting to have a home overseas, whether for holidays or indeed to live in permanently.”
Oli added, “the other day, when talking to a reader, they described me as a potential life saver for the information I had provided: no amount of energy drink can give you the ‘high’ that that kind of comment does – it’s really exciting to know that we help people on a daily basis”.
Oli also enjoys the team that he works with – and it shows in his friendly and helpful attitude to both colleagues and OGC readers alike.
To speak to Oli or another member of the OGC team, please ring Mon-Fri, 9am to 6pm on 0207 898 0549. The OGC Resource Centre are available to you – free of charge – to offer recommendations, assistance and at the very least help to point readers in the right direction.
This is what an OGC reader had to say about the OGC Resource Team:
Let me say how happy Philip and I are with your service. You have opened so many doors for us to think about. 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 as and when we need them, 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.
Christmas Special – 25% off any of our Property Buying Guides
Hey – remember that we offered you a very special price on the Property Buying Guides last month? This is just to remind you that the offer ends on 24th December, so there is still time to get your copy, either for yourself or for friends that may be thinking of buying abroad.
The guide is a perfect gift for anyone interested in buying and/or moving abroad. Full of fantastic information and in a format that’s easy to read and nicely packaged your partner/friend/relative will definitely be pleased to receive this unique gift.
And in the true spirit of Christmas, as we mentioned before, the OGC is offering all Guides at the discounted price of £14.98 (digital – you’ll need to print this one out from your printer) or £22.48 for the professionally printed hard copy. We have Guides for: France, Greece, Italy and Cyprus and each guide comes with 2 bonus booklets including worksheets to fill out during the property buying journey and ‘your questions answered.’
To qualify for this very special offer you will need to enter the code XMAS3485 for the discount to apply.
To get more information on each guide on offer, please select the country link below:
http://www.CyprusBuyingGuide.com/guide.htm
http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com/guide.htm
http://www.ItalyBuyingGuide.com/guide.htm
http://www.FranceBuyingGuide.com/guide.htm
Also available to buy soon is the brand new, updated Emigration Guide. Note however we still do have some of our free, first draft, un-polished guides available, but they are rapidly running out. If you would like one, please go to: http://www.emigrationguide.com/thankyou.htm
If you have any questions, give the OGC Resource Centre a ring on 0207 898 0549 and they’ll be happy to assist you.
Here are some lovely words from a guide reader:
Just a few lines to tell you how much my wife and I appreciate your guide. We do look forward to the monthly letter and the in depth information you supply with it too. We hope at some stage to take the plunge and make a move on a place in the sun but there always seams to be a reason to delay the big decision. In the meantime please carry on the excellent service you deliver and accept my very best wishes for the future.
Jim Pryde
Are you protecting your assets in Italy?
In the excitement of Christmas holidays, don’t be tempted to neglect the really important stuff! It is vital that you, as the current or future owner of a holiday home overseas, fully understand the extent and limitations of your insurance policy.
Do you have the cover for legal liability for domestic staff (cleaners, gardeners etc)? Are you covered for floods, earthquakes and so on? What restrictions are in place in letting or if the property is unoccupied?
If you place your overseas property cover through an insurance company abroad it is more than likely that you simply won’t know the answers to these and other really important aspects of your policy.
The answer is to insure with a specialist in second home and overseas property insurance right here in the UK. Intasure will offer you the reassurance of English language documents and UK back-office service and support: a plain English property insurance policy underwritten by some of the world's leading insurers and administered in the UK via helpful and knowledgeable staff.
For more information, click here.
FSA now regulates currency exchange companies
One of my top recommendations to readers is the use of a currency exchange specialist. I explain that by using a specialist, overseas property buyers can sometimes save up to £4000 on every £100,000 transferred.
In the past readers expressed concern about the safety of using an unknown company – and rightly so! Well, now I am pleased to report that a new Payment Services Regulation (PSR) has come into effect that has had an impact on many financial institutions. You may have noticed your bank sending you updated terms and conditions - this is the reason why! The new regulations apply to banks and also non-banking payment service providers such as currency exchange companies.
From now on most currency exchange companies will be regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) under the new Payment Services Regulations 2009. The regulations cover the safeguarding of clients funds and payments made by the currency companies.
If you are dealing with a good currency company, such as Smart Currency Exchange, you may not notice any difference when undertaking a transaction as they may already meet or exceed the new standards that have been set by the FSA. However, the new regulation will bring peace of mind and a greater feeling of security, providing of course that you make sure that you only work with currency specialists that are regulated.
Smart also offers an exceptional free report…
If you haven't yet collected your FREE report from Smart on "Why Overseas Property Buyers Lose Money... and how YOU can avoid it" get it here!
Ciao for now…
I hope the New Year will be a good one for you. I am here at any time if you need my help: just email me or pick up the phone and call 0207 898 0549 and the Resource Centre will happily assist you.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a successful new year!
Best wishes,
Gianna
Gianna Williams
Italy Buying Guide
The Overseas Guides Company
Italy@OverseasGuidesCompany.com
Phone 0207 898 0549
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