I usually drive to Italy with my old style UK paper drivers licence with no photo. Back in early 2020 this was also good to show for car hire. Have the rules changed since Brexit? is an old style UK paper licence still valid for car hire? The
Just in case it might help anyone not already aware. My comune is discounting the costs of IMU by 37.5% for second home owners resident abroad who are in receipt of a recognized pension as proof of retired status.
Any recommendations on an Italian bank? I have used MPS for years and they are fine and I can manage stuff online but they seem expensive, I assume to pay for an extensive branch network.
We buy our vignette at the last German service station if via Germany or at the border if via Pontarlier. Always pay with card as if use euro then the change is in CHF which not even enough to pay for all the pay toilets now at service stations. As others have said they are keen on vignettes even starting to unpeel it to make sure it is used. Be interesting to see how these intrepid early travellers get on. Good luck to them. I. Can't wait to drive once the paperwork and testing settles down.
In similar position. We bought elsewhere and wanted to sell our previous place that we stopped using. I know this is obvious but the usual rules apply, it helps to keep in touch with the agent so not forgotten and let him/her know what is your bottom line and understand the market, also tidy it up with a clean and reduce clutter so it presents better. Ultimately though dropping the price helps if it means avoiding more years of local taxes and deterioration.
I would avoid the winter due to poor driving weather and you will need chains or winter tyres. I would aim for September or October when France and Italy will have caught up with vaccinations and I think you might not need testing if vaccine passports are introduced in some form. Plus schools will be back.
I tried ringing the ProLoco at Bagni as they are often a good source of local knowledge but they seem closed. Pagine Gialle lists a few in Lucca such as Gierre Garden who also do private garden maintenance. I've no idea who is best. Looks like the Comune is still a decent bet for a name or the Facebook route suggested by Beth. There is quite a British enclave in Lucca with even an occasional journal but I'm sure you know that.
We bought on the coast just south of Livorno where I have family. Love it and missing it. We did consider your area as it is good value and it's charms are underrated, I like Bagni, but senior home management wanted the sea. When we bought our place we kept in touch with the estate agent who has been a source of traders such as a builder and got to know the neighbours and local hardware store who are also good for names as well as just building a network. No different to anywhere really all on recommendation. I am sure I am not going to get there soon so I will have to try my neighbours gardener.
I know the feeling, my little garden had missed two lots of tidying from me so I will have to call the gardener used by by neither. A tree and 12 metres of hedge about 200 euro.
I've only got obvious suggestions. The best is whether you know someone local either a neighbour or a trusted trader who can recommend someone or ask around. The next is to ring the comune to see if they can give you some names. I'm not sure about paginegialle. Certainly 1,700 seems expensive.
Too often there is an understandable focus on the stunning Amalfi coast and islands. My experiences are of inland Campania which reminds me of a less tourist focused everyday Italy. For many years I would visit the towns and villages around Benevento, the ancient capital of il Sannio region, and going from one summer festa to another. The straw procession at Foglianese up in the near mountains was a highlight. The deserted roman ruins at Aeclanum that would be a major draw anywhere else in the world are worth a look if in the area. The lovely old part of Montefusco where we asked at the comune next door for access to the castle and they willingly gave us an impromtu guided tour and history lesson that italian unification was also seen as a conquest from the north. It also has a great b&b on the edge of the small main square. Another is Montemiletto with it's preserved castle and network of alleyways. The list goes on. It is an area whose history is a mix of Roman and feudal Italy with a hint of Greek influence and Oscan tribe.
We have lots of lovely memories of a tranquil traditional italy off the beaten track with lovely scenery and great food at great prices as most places cater for locals rather than tourists. I would also add Naples as somewhere that is more than a transit point. Campania is more than the fabulous Amalfi coast. It is a place to chill and to staccare la spina.
Hi Steve, vent/fan? That perhaps explains why I have a power point in the wood store next to the fireplace. Ultimately I want something nice to look at that gives some heat that doesn't leave me like a smoked kipper (especially latest health advice) and justifies it's floor space in the corner of fairly small apartment. Out of curiousity in case anyone knows, does a wood burner need a steel lined flue as per,I believe, UK regs? Tony
Thanks for the prompts. I bought a brush set and gave it a clean. I haven't experienced that since we had a coal fire! The flue is probably 5-6 metres as we are on to first floor which is the top floor. My neighbour below has no issues.
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We buy our vignette at the last German service station if via Germany or at the border if via Pontarlier. Always pay with card as if use euro then the change is in CHF which not even enough to pay for all the pay toilets now at service stations. As others have said they are keen on vignettes even starting to unpeel it to make sure it is used. Be interesting to see how these intrepid early travellers get on. Good luck to them. I. Can't wait to drive once the paperwork and testing settles down.
In similar position. We bought elsewhere and wanted to sell our previous place that we stopped using. I know this is obvious but the usual rules apply, it helps to keep in touch with the agent so not forgotten and let him/her know what is your bottom line and understand the market, also tidy it up with a clean and reduce clutter so it presents better. Ultimately though dropping the price helps if it means avoiding more years of local taxes and deterioration.
I would avoid the winter due to poor driving weather and you will need chains or winter tyres. I would aim for September or October when France and Italy will have caught up with vaccinations and I think you might not need testing if vaccine passports are introduced in some form. Plus schools will be back.
.
I tried ringing the ProLoco at Bagni as they are often a good source of local knowledge but they seem closed. Pagine Gialle lists a few in Lucca such as Gierre Garden who also do private garden maintenance. I've no idea who is best. Looks like the Comune is still a decent bet for a name or the Facebook route suggested by Beth. There is quite a British enclave in Lucca with even an occasional journal but I'm sure you know that.
We bought on the coast just south of Livorno where I have family. Love it and missing it. We did consider your area as it is good value and it's charms are underrated, I like Bagni, but senior home management wanted the sea. When we bought our place we kept in touch with the estate agent who has been a source of traders such as a builder and got to know the neighbours and local hardware store who are also good for names as well as just building a network. No different to anywhere really all on recommendation. I am sure I am not going to get there soon so I will have to try my neighbours gardener.
I know the feeling, my little garden had missed two lots of tidying from me so I will have to call the gardener used by by neither. A tree and 12 metres of hedge about 200 euro.
I've only got obvious suggestions. The best is whether you know someone local either a neighbour or a trusted trader who can recommend someone or ask around. The next is to ring the comune to see if they can give you some names. I'm not sure about paginegialle. Certainly 1,700 seems expensive.
Too often there is an understandable focus on the stunning Amalfi coast and islands. My experiences are of inland Campania which reminds me of a less tourist focused everyday Italy. For many years I would visit the towns and villages around Benevento, the ancient capital of il Sannio region, and going from one summer festa to another. The straw procession at Foglianese up in the near mountains was a highlight. The deserted roman ruins at Aeclanum that would be a major draw anywhere else in the world are worth a look if in the area. The lovely old part of Montefusco where we asked at the comune next door for access to the castle and they willingly gave us an impromtu guided tour and history lesson that italian unification was also seen as a conquest from the north. It also has a great b&b on the edge of the small main square. Another is Montemiletto with it's preserved castle and network of alleyways. The list goes on. It is an area whose history is a mix of Roman and feudal Italy with a hint of Greek influence and Oscan tribe.
We have lots of lovely memories of a tranquil traditional italy off the beaten track with lovely scenery and great food at great prices as most places cater for locals rather than tourists. I would also add Naples as somewhere that is more than a transit point. Campania is more than the fabulous Amalfi coast. It is a place to chill and to staccare la spina.
Hi Steve, vent/fan? That perhaps explains why I have a power point in the wood store next to the fireplace. Ultimately I want something nice to look at that gives some heat that doesn't leave me like a smoked kipper (especially latest health advice) and justifies it's floor space in the corner of fairly small apartment. Out of curiousity in case anyone knows, does a wood burner need a steel lined flue as per,I believe, UK regs? Tony
Thanks for the prompts. I bought a brush set and gave it a clean. I haven't experienced that since we had a coal fire! The flue is probably 5-6 metres as we are on to first floor which is the top floor. My neighbour below has no issues.