We do it for many reasons and I have to say that we are a bit tired and overwhelmed, but so very happy. But whether or not you do, take it slowly, build your network of close friends both in your native language and locals, and enjoy this walk that you have begun in this amazing country. Here are a few pictures of the apartment and view. This was early May and we figured that maybe by mid July or so we would have some interest with serious buyers arriving in Abruzzo for the summer months. We continued our vacation to other parts of Abruzzo, Marche, and Tuscany. It is peaceful and true to history and Italian culture. Our go-to source for tile at a reasonable price delivered was Edilizia Del Gesso srl in nearby Gissi, a great family-run builders supply company. This evenings stop, the B&B in Centro a Pacentro, was just what we needed: quiet, lovely views, center of town, gracious hosts. He emigrated from Italy in 1910 on a ship leaving the port of Naples, arriving at Ellis Island, New York. Also, we can happily say we can now meet again with my entire family of cousins, living 40 minutes from us. Doesnt mean I understand all the words as they speedily talk along, but I understand the gist of what is being said. But dont get me wrong! WebAppealing to tourists and retirees alike, Bari is home to numerous shops (local mom-and-pops as well as high-end designer goods), museums, theaters, universities, a train, and bus hub from which to explore points north, south, and inland, an airport, and a cruise terminal. What ensued was me obtaining my dual citizenship and then the decision was made to retire in Italy. We had done it 6 days chock full of sights and wonders! We entered the church, then worked our way through the complex of rooms & staircases, climbing higher against the cliffside. Would they genuinely want to know me, to take the time even though my understanding of the Italian language is still somewhat basic? Yes, Tim Allen (The Tool Man) is one of his heroes. Between the jungle, wildlife, and ever-changing Corozal Bay, I never tire of taking my surroundings in. The Parco Nazionale della Majella office is situated inside the Abbey, where we received our first stamps, pin and patch, etc. But what is more important than learning the language is that I am feeling part of the human race once more! The weather was definitely hotter than the posted averages, and with John and I not being happy hot weather hikers, it was tough at times. Our packs all range in size around 40L. After a short visit, we returned to the valley trail then picked up a route to take us out of the valley to the hamlet of Decontra. Many settle in larger cities such as Florence. The town boasts plenty of amenities; bakery, bar, pharmacy, post office, museum, grocery store, goat cheese maker, library, churches, doctors office, weekly market and travelling vendors. The pathway was quiet and soft under foot and eventually we started to lose altitude to arrive at the hermitage. The majorities of these were never brought to our attention and only found after the guests checked out. And just because you speak the same language, you may find that you dont share similar interests and it is hard to include them in your tribe. Ancient olive groves, fields of salad and many other vegetables, grapes, trulli, wonderful lunch with Maria (Trulli alla controra)..the list is long of all the wonderful experiences today. Family was everything and my mom had 4 siblings, although my dad was an only child. Just a very interesting and satisfying day to end our 6-day cammino. Interestingly, an astounding 80% of the people who live here own their home. It was a perfect match for us. In small towns you can find rentals from $300 and up. It was a grand gathering with six of my cousins! The image below is one page of 4 of my spreadsheet. Even during COVID, we stayed open. So, to make this move to an urban setting (yes, even if its in a stunning medieval village) and not to feel closed-in, just tells me that this is what was meant to be for us at this time in our lives. I thought Id share some of what we have been doing to prepare for this chock full of hermitages, amazing scenery, medieval villages, deep valleys, jaw-dropping mountains and of course great food 90 km 6 day walk in the Parco Nazionale della Majella. I was approached by Alessio Massari (mountain guide, environmentalist and good friend) to write a testimonial telling my story of rediscovering my Italian roots, from New York to Roccaspinalveti via San Salvo. We had a break in the weather for a little while and were able to eat lunch without getting soaked. A tribe is a group of people, or a community with similar values or interests, a group with a common ancestor, or a common leader. Just many hours on call and lots of driving ahead. A day for another well-known and stunningly beautiful hermitage Eremo San Spirito A Maiella. The perks were many: meeting wonderful folks, promoting the area and artists, offering a relaxing and comfortable accommodation where only one B&B existed in town, and having extra income to help with our upgrades in our home. Searching for lost individuals can be very taxing on the mind and body, and it is important to have strong trusting relationships in the field. As I have been on hiatus from this blog with the move to Tufillo and recent vacation, I am now focused and ready to share more about life for us here in Abruzzo and our new home. In Serramonacesca, we piled into Alexs car and headed the hour back to Sulmona. We were ready and Abruzzo Rural Property handled the rest. Onward to our destination, we passed many free-ranging horses enjoying the mountain pastures. Below is that story. Our day passed through quaint hamlets of whitewashed trulli.. a very picturesque day culminating in baroque adorned Martina Franca. Did we use our insurance to cover? No, I have not forgotten my fathers side of that family. Build that tribe! Is Italy good for expats? As children, we were not allowed to learn or speak Italian. A clan is agroupofpeopleofcommondescent;family. That got us thinking that we would like to live in Italy a few months out of the year after we retired. We decided to stay in the mountains but still within 20 minutes of the beach. We were excited! It encompasses all of this, and more. Abruzzo is in the center of Italy, with its western border a mere 31 miles from Rome. Long considered part of southern Italy politically and culturally, it enjoys a central location that is bordered by the Adriatic Sea on the east, Le Marche on the north, Lazio on the west, and Molise to the south. Im sure most people felt the same about isolation. The next step was a bit precarious and sensitive. We purchased special epoxy tile paint (online from Leroy Merlin supplies) to cover the pink & brown flowered tiles with a cream color, while other original tiles where covered with a stunning faux stone porcelain purchased from same building supply in Gissi. And it has always stuck in my mind. Its been a long year with restrictions and we are way overdue for a break. Another item I got on board with this time is using dry bags to organize my stuff. I take good care to have all the information and supplies we will need to make sure were safe and not lost: maps, GPS with tracks loaded , potable water locations noted, understanding daily expectations of a section (tappa) length and elevation changes, electrolytes, light source (flashlight or headlamp) etc. It did make the longer days a challenge, but such a great experience! Touring Abruzzo was able to give me a contact name and number of one of my cousins (more like a fifth cousin). Again, a lot of work with not much return when you consider that I was doing all the laundry. If I had my way, wed hike every day! Sure I stumble a lot but with more and more practice it will start to improve. After such a hot, dry summer, with treks and hikes difficult by mid-day, Im in a hiking frenzy. Thats all changing now, as as I meet up with my Italian speaking friends, whether were out hiking or meeting at one of our local bars. Six stages that allowed us to visit 2 abbeys and 7 hermitages, retracing the steps of Petro Angeleri the hermit who was elected Pope in 1294. Also, our immediate backyard was basically off limits to us as it was part of the package for our guests. We have arrived at our last stage excited, tired but ready to see what todays trails were like and to reach Taranto on the Ionian Sea. We've compiled a list of the 12 best places to live in Italy based upon expats' As we sat across from Micheles house, two ladies approached the front door and knocked. I believe now that she said this as it was engrained in her to not look back at the old country but to embrace America. One final hike to share with you today and I thank you for your indulgence. Family, as many of you already know, can be crazy, dysfunctional, loud, obnoxious, but also loving, caring and strong. I found some of my clan (now a part of my tribe) my mothers family. John continues to do the shopping in our village and Im sticking close to home. We werent allowed have anyone over for dinner so it was a perfect solution for my bike. Its been a tough time for everyone, especially when large gatherings amongst family and friends are on hold now. We are functioning again. Lunch plus our granola & powerbars, electrolyte gels kept us going until we reached a local bar at the end of each day. His love and devotion reached deep into our hearts and souls, making the journey from here over the Rainbow Bridge a difficult but precious one during his last few weeks. I am sure all handlers feel the same about their dogs and rightly so. The trail undulated through lovely forests, across footbridges, always taking us towards the top of the valley. Whether you have settled as an expat in Italy or are still living in the United States of America and planning your upcoming foreign assignment, InterNations Italy They so love to work when their rewards are food, toys and praise Training with them was always the best part of SAR for me, and their devotion to me and their work unfathomable. Interesting note about the hermitage San Onofrio De Serramonacesca: the rendition of the saint is clothed only in his long hair. Why would a distant cousin, such as I, be important to them? With my search and rescue background and many hours in the woods on trails as well as off trail, I felt confident that I could manage all the details. Bursting with history and character, the Until then wish us safe journey and a spirit of gratitude to enjoy this newly restored freedom. It has truly been our home for these past 4 years and we will miss so much about it; friends made, mountains hiked, enjoying the views from our home, and just the pure essence of living in this mountain town in Abruzzo. As you know, if you follow my blog, living here in Abruzzo is a treasured time in our lives. Wed greet our guests across the courtyard, but we all maintained our distance. What I truly want to share with you is how proud I am of us three and what utterly amazing experiences we had every single day. My categories are Pack (and bag/tent if I was carrying those), Clothes Worn, Clothes Packed, Consumables (Water & Food), Misc, Toiletries, Electronics, Personal ID/cards/cash. Also the brochure must have been written for a younger age group in regards to difficulties. Monday morning we picked up our pets at the kennel and headed home for a long week of rest and naps . Also, I truly hate hiking with a mask on, so hiking with only John was the answer. We will have some great stories to share! Not that they asked to see this, but I just felt it was a reassuring measure for them to see the actual family connection. And as our older cousins are unable to travel to Rocca in their advancing years, it just made good sense for us to cut the drive time so we could visit them more often. Family is paramount in the hill towns where ancestors defended their lands that surrounded these strongholds. I was looking at two of my cousins. Puglia This large region juts into the Adriatic sea, 50 miles from Greece, and is the ideal choice for a retiree craving beaches, waves and seafood. A very relaxing experience. John and I both have strong hospitality backgrounds, with John as a professional chef and I had worked at a B&B as well as Customer Service/Tour guide at Virginia Distillery. Patient, understanding, meticulous artist who works his free weekends to finish this house for us, while working very hard at his full-time contractor job. All of this ties me closer to my family. The list was varied with such lasting experiences they enjoyed as well as for us, meeting and hosting them. Its exact age of the structure is unknown, due to missing records, but an estimate puts it at 250-300 years old. Four years ago, when we were looking for a house to buy in Abruzzo, our intention was to downsize from our chalet-style home in Virginia and find a country house primarily for just the two of us with one or two guest rooms. WebTuscany is quite popular with expats. First couple of days, we purchased lunch at a bar before we started out. You could not tell that I am Italian by heritage with such a name, except possibly for the Rosalie. Map, compass, GPS all became tools to help me get to where I needed to go. But we so love our house (about 250-300 years old) with a very modern interior. John and I divided the labor. It doesnt have to be a large tribe, but one that gives meaning to my day, my existence here in Italy. WebIf you are looking to connect with Irish expats in Abruzzo, Italy, then this page brings together all the latest expat blogs Abruzzo written by Irish bloggers, any interviews, The inhabitants go to great lengths to reach out to you as you settle in, inviting you to a lunch or coffee. The climb moderated and we came to the side trail that would take us down to the hermitage San Giovanni allOrfento. Once John completed the hall & kitchen tiling project, he was ready to renovate our master bathroom. Abruzzo is also cheaper than more populous areas of the country. Literally we were building it with a few helpers, and it was a large home on a mountainside. Until next time. WebNationality: American Welcome to Sulmona For expats living in Abruzzo, there is no better resource than this blog, which provides information about what to get up to in the area. I guess my hiking buddies will let me know if this is true. A true romantic, she is an avid cook and wine British Expat Living in Italy - Interview with Sue. Its been a few weeks now that I have been hiking with my full pack, adjusting, adding, subtracting. My tool man, as always, had a plan and the wall is now stable after a lot of cement work. Italy is beloved by expats, global nomads and retirees. We discussed our ideas for the new look and he is was full steam ahead. It was my pride of being an Italian and the love of Italy that spurred me on to apply for recognition as an Italian citizen by blood (Jus Sanguinis). The weather has been clear (thankfully) and hot so spending most of the day on a lovely and well-shaded wooded trail was a blessing and a pleasure. I may have not been active in search and rescue for the past 4- 1/2 years living here in Italy, but with Romeo by my side, we never truly left that life. We will miss the many wonderful folks of Rocca, but it is not a long drive back to visit. The cammino is well marked, but I always err on the side of being prepared. So come prepared to accept this, especially if you are choosing to live in rural Abruzzo. But I would need some help to do this. I was clueless. During my adult years, a desire to visit my familys homeland grew stronger. Abruzzo, Italy 1 Retire in Abruzzo. With castles, fortresses, historic art-adorned cities, perfectly charming stone towns on hilltops, and more than a third of the region protected as park land, there are plenty 2 Lifestyle in Abruzzo. 3 Cost of Living in Abruzzo. 4 The Takeaway. We just miss our animals so much that its difficult to stay away for more than a week. She currently American Expat Living in Italy - Interview with Sophie Im experimenting with summer weight wool tops, which do not retain odor as other fabrics. The views are stunning, the wind turbines enormous, and a beautiful valley to complete the loop. The access point to our next hermitage, San Bartolomeo in Legio, was via a narrow steep descent into a canyon. It offers its own private entrance and parking area, long balcony looking out over the mountains and hills of southern Abruzzo our backyard. What was the Search and Rescue that gave substance to my life for so many years? Today we would have our greatest elevation gain, approximately 3400 ft. We did our best to get an early start to have the toughest part of the climb done during the cooler morning hours. We previously had visited Sulmona a few years back, but never took the time required to truly appreciate this city. Light fixtures still need to be installed, artwork to be hung, kitchen, master bath, etc. The movers will arrive at the end of this month to take our larger pieces of furnitureOh.. and if youre wondering, we are taking the statue of St. Joseph to our new house. John finished the renovation with a glass enclosure (Amazon.it), towel warmer and floor tile. And during this search for my family, John received his Italian citizenship by being married to me (Jure Matrimonii). But let me back up a bit prior to this new lockdown. It all started with a trip to the medieval village of Scanno in the mountains of Abruzzo. I got us off course a few times, nothing too drastic and we were able to jump back on after a short detour. The depth and width of the beauty of the Majella is not done justice here. Until then have a blessed Christmas and Holiday Season! We had an evening walk around town and then enjoyed a delicious meal before a very sound nights sleep. Expat Story #3. We headed home by train, picked up our kitties that were sulking at the kennel and Im already planning the cammino for next year! It was wonderful to catch up with everyone and my language skills got a good workout. Being more of an outdoors person, nothing offered at my church seemed to call to me. 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