Any curiosity about life in Italy? How it is really like to live in the northern part of the boot shaped peninsula?
So, I am a father, I love and have cats and dogs, live in a small town in northern Italy, and and I work full time in a field related to software, technology and loosely transportation. I also lived in Rome, one of the biggest northern italy metropolies, and in smaller places like Pisa.
In a previous life I traveled around lots of the world and in my current life I am training for an Ironman.
All of this, while living in the above mentioned country.
Specially for US lemmiers, but also people from other parts of the world, anything you want me to explain, clarify or just answer about all of the above?
What are your favorite or most beautiful part of the region that you would recommend to visitors?
What are the biggest issues and hot topics in the region at the moment?
What is the general mentality of people where you live (are they accepting, conservative, hospitable, what kind of values do they find important)?
Whoa, one reply at a time.
Italy, like many places in the world, is beautiful. As a first trip ever, i would visit history and culture, as it’s indeed what set Italy apart. So visit one or two famous cities (Rome, Venice, Florence…) if you only have one week… For prolonged stays, don’t miss smaller places like anywhere in Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, Marche, Abruzzo… rent a car and get lost in the smaller villages and town, discover churches, castles, medieval towns…
There is lots of nature as well, like snow and skying in the alps in winter, lakes everywhere in the northern Italy (Lombardia specially), as well and amazing coastline in Apulia and Calabria.
Don’t forget Sicily too for architecture, culture, landscapes…
Well, as for MY favorite places, Rome is a unique city but you need time and get out of the tourist traps. Visit Villa Borghese, the roman villas outside the city center for example. Also Torino is a often ignored city that feels totally different, since it has a late 1700+ vibe that it’s uncommon in Italy where medieval or ancient vibes are more common. I would avoid all over famous and touristic places and visit anywhere else, it’s so much better and even more original and worthwhile. Any specific are in your mind?
I find people very welcoming and also conservative, at least since i moved to this small town. I have been welcomed a lot, and become friend with the major and other prominent people. I am white and italian, so that helps. But still i am not one of the locals, after ten years. Actually they have two different words for people who have grandparents born in this very town, and anybody who just live here even since 20 years… It’s kind of funny, but sad.
But in general, everybody is helping and very open to chat and exchange opinions, if you are willing to put yourself in the game, you are welcome to play. Actually, it can be difficult to pull out after you volunteered for any kind of work or help for local events ans such… :)
In general, they try to “fit you in” with parents, where you are from and who you are friend with. Political color, race or ideals don’t really count, “belonging” is more important. After all, on a pizza and a good wine, we are all the same… But you need to like the local wine or it’s not good starting point…
Bigger topic has been the constitutional referendum on which the government (right-wing thugs with love for populism and veterofascism) tried to change 7 articles of the constitution to bring the judicial system under the control of the government. They failed, but the most important point is that the vote proved that the government lost popular support and the current chief of the government (often translated to prime minister, but not literally the same) Giorgia Meloni is struggling to keep the government in power until next year general elections.