Gala Placidia's activity

Renting until you manage to sell some of the property currently tied up seems a more sensible option. It will also help you to know better the area (which is beautiful) before deciding what and where to buy.

Villatua is an English-speaking real estate agent based in Lucca. I am sure that they will be able to help http://www.villatua.com/rental_home.htm

If you are buying olive oil in bulk, it's storage is most important. The oil's biggest enemies to are: light, air and heat. To start with, NEVER use plastic whenever you are handling it. Glass or stainless steel are your best allies.Always store the oil in tinted glass containers, whether dark green or amber. The old demijohns with wicker covers are ideal... If you can find them. They have become precious antiques.Store the oil in a dark, cool place. A cantina is ideal.in any case, there are serious scientific studies that state that olive oil looses all of its vitamin E content after 12 months, in that respect it is not like wine which generally improves if you keep it for a few years... So the best advice is to use it 

Top quality organically grown first cold pressed extra virgin olive oil ( i think i have not forgotten a single characteristic) is healthy and delicious regardless of its country of origin. Most Mediterranean countries are produces and Italy occupies a prominent position in exports. The problem is that they export and sell more than they can produce and not all of this oil can be truthfully called extra virgin olive oil.Yes, it is true that some of that oil may come from Spain -the largest producer of olive oil in the world - but this olive oil that they use for the blends is not extra virgin or top quality, which is directly sold by the Spaniards. It is a well known fraud, that Italian authorities are fighting, but it is not an easy task. Here is an interesting article about these practices  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/11988947/Italian-companies-investigated-for-passing-off-ordinary-olive-oil-as-extra-virgin.htmlBasically, unless you can buy from a reliable source (producer or frantoio), you may still find the real product at specialized shops or top range supermarkets,nut do not be surprised to be asked to pay well above 30 or 40 € per bottle. This top quality olive oil should be used sparingly, because olive oil, no matter how good it may be, is still a fat. If you consume too much, it is not going to prolongue your life, on the contrary. Longevity is a combination of healthy food, lifestyle and habits, Genes also have a role.One basic rule, never trust "extra virgin olive oil" sold in a plastic bottle. And always keep the oil in a dark place to preserve all its goodness. It is very similar to wine....

This could help to understand the Social Security system http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/empl_portal/SSRinEU/Your%20social%20security%20rights%20in%20Italy_en.pdfAs for taxation, this is the site to look into http://www1.agenziaentrate.gov.it/english/italian_taxation/index_IT.htm . There is a site map to guide you.

I agree with the above comment. We had friends who wanted to arrange a 6 month rental in Northern Tuscany and it was not an easy task, even contacting local agents. Short term (about a month or two maximum), or long term (over a year) was not a problem. Finally, another friend managed to contact the owners of an apartment which was empty for practically the whole year and was able to sort the problem out. Perhaps you could do a search in the "owners direct" websites and try to contact them. Good luck!

Great investigation, Modicasa! I have not visited la Zisa, but I will certainly go there. I was pretty sure that it was not a church, the attitude of the characters depicted was too casual and there were the oil or wine amphorae... And the clothes... Now, la Zisa is the perfect example of Sicilian architecture, with Moorish, Norman  and Baroque elements. I am delighted with this finding.here is a good video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iIKU2nbWhEY

I would agree with Modicasa. The 1693 Sicily Earthquake caused the destruction of many old buildings, particularly in the Val di Noto area, which were rebuilt in the late Baroque or Sicilian Baroque style. This would explain everything, although it would be difficult to identify this particular church. Definitely, not a mosque.

Although I do agree regarding the author, William Leighton Smith, and Wikiart identifies the watercolor as the interior of a mosque, I do not think that this description is accurate, because of the following reasons:The architectural style is classic, I would further venture that it corresponds to the Sicilian Baroque.The walls are decorated with frescoes depicting human figures, something absolutely forbidden by the Islamic religion.The clothes worn by the characters depicted correspond better to Sicilian costumes of the 19th Century.i am almost certain that it is a Sicilian Baroque church or public building. 

The only ones who could answer that question would be the people at your local Council, but I would agree in that they would differentiate between private consumption and a commercial venture.