PART 127: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.
We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!
We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).
Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems that are worth sharing. Some are well-known tourist magnets, and others are lesser-known but always amazing.
This week let's explore how our first year in Tuscany went.
Step 2: Winter: First stage: Joy
We took possession of our 16th-century Tuscan house in February, and we were filled with pure joy as we drove from the realtor's office to our new home. Our dreams of establishing a life in Italy were finally being realized; we were putting down roots in an area we loved, and now we owned a house in Tuscany! It felt like a dream.
In the weeks leading up to our trip to Italy to collect the keys, we were tempted to worry about everything that needed to be done. One evening at dinner, my partner asked, "Do you realize how much renovation work awaits us when we get there?"
His comment made me pause and reflect on our attitude. For some reason, the scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" popped into my mind, specifically when Linus says to Charlie, "Charlie Brown! You're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem!"
So, I turned to my partner and said, "Let's try to avoid turning the wonderful experience of buying a house in Italy into a problem."
After a brief discussion, we agreed to help each other focus on the positives, tackle the house renovations step by step, and celebrate our new home in Tuscany.
Step 3: Winter: Second stage: Challenges
The renovation work began about a week after we took possession of our house. Having completed a total renovation in Palm Springs, we figured we could also manage it in Italy.
However, as the renovation progressed and the days turned into weeks, minor inconveniences soon escalated into major headaches. These included:
- A tiny hot water heater that made showers impossible, forcing us to shower at the gym.
- The removal of a pellet heater, which left only the bedroom as a heated space.
- Constant exposure to dust throughout the house.
- A complete kitchen removal, which meant we couldn't cook.
- An uncomfortably cold bathroom.
- Our minds racing with renovation issues 24 hours a day.
After about four weeks of this, we reached our emotional limits.
Step 4: Winter: Third Stage: Resolutions
Only a few days before we returned to California in April was most of the house completed. We finally had a working kitchen, a new water heater, a new heating system, a brand-new second bathroom, and a renovated main bathroom.
This experience taught us that living inside a renovation project in our Tuscan house was too challenging. The inability to shower or cook became exhausting very quickly. If we were to undertake another renovation, we would budget for staying in a rental during the process.
Step 5: Fall: Return to Italy: Completion
We returned to our home in Tuscany in September with a completely new mindset. Most of the renovation work was behind us, and we were eager to begin experiencing life in Tuscany and using our home as a base for exploring other areas.
We were ready to start living, not just renovating!
Step 6: Fall: Adventures
The first step was to explore our local areas and the outlying regions that beckoned us to discover more. With the help of local friends and my own research, I began compiling a document listing towns to visit, brief descriptions of what to see, links for more information, and driving times. Though it's still a work in progress, our "Towns to Explore" list is now live and can be found here (driving times from Arcidosso): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CCGFXQNNRu5f3QHcUvclGPrjChxT1T8bY3eMd3GJZao/edit?usp=sharing
A few weeks later, when friends visited us, we took the opportunity to explore neighboring areas, including Monticchiello, the beautiful Tuscan countryside, and the Abbey of Monte Oliveto. When my sister and her family came, we also visited Pienza and delved deeper into the Val d'Orcia region.
My partner and I also started going on "field trips" two to three times a week to uncover hidden gems such as Bagno Vignoni, Monte Oliveto, Lago Bolsena, Acquapendente, and our Knights Templar treasure, Pieve di Santa Maria ad Lamulas.
We also embarked on our first major road trip, driving to Nice, France, Lourdes, and looping through southern France, Monaco, and Liguria. It was an incredible journey, and I wrote a blog about it.
Step 7: Illnesses
During our last trip to Italy, we faced a series of illnesses. I got sick in September while we were in Rome, and then my partner came down with a cold or flu that lasted two weeks in October. After that, I caught it as well. Although I started feeling better after about ten days, I soon developed another cold. When my sister arrived, she also got hit with a bad cold, followed by my brother-in-law.
Being sick while traveling can be challenging; you want to enjoy all the experiences but are far from your comfort zone. When I was feeling particularly terrible in our hotel in Nice, we decided to return to Tuscany a day early so that I could rest in bed and enjoy some steamy hot tea for a few days.
Despite taking precautions, getting sick while traveling is something that can happen. Once we returned to Tuscany, I had to shift my mindset from frustration to acceptance and practice patience during the healing process. After several steamy cups of Earl Grey, I began to feel better in a few days, and I was grateful that both of us were healthy and fit for the final weeks of our time in Italy.
Step 8: Reflections on it all
Our first year in Tuscany brought the realities of life to the forefront. We faced renovation challenges in our first few months and dealt with the flu during our second visit. These experiences highlighted that living in Italy is a journey filled with ups and downs, adventures, and daily routines. What makes it unique is our mindset: if I view our time in Italy throughout the year as an adventure—where I remain open to experiences, even when I'm not in control—I find it easier to adapt to challenges and unexpected events.
Amid it all, we managed to hop in our car and drive to the south of France, explore the streets of Pienza, and enjoy lunch in the medieval town of Montichiello.
A rich tapestry of life in Italy is beginning to take shape, and I am grateful for it all.
More next time.
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Oh my gosh!!! Thank you for that wonderful list of activities in our area!! Complete with links as well!! I will definitely use it when guests come. Thank you so much!!
Also, how did you get your contractors/project managers to start the work so quickly. We signed our deed on 6 Sept and it still has not started!! Grrrr. Ours is a much bigger project, but I am chomping at the bit! Maybe you could pass on to me the name of your contractor? We have an architect and geometra, but they are still searching for a "builder" as they label it.