Dream of Italy

American expat Sonia Piacente shares what 17 years of living in Turin, Italy, has really been like, from raising three daughters and navigating Italian schools to housing, safety, culture, food, and becoming part of the local community. She also opens up about the harder side of starting over abroad, including learning Italian, building a support system, adjusting to a new culture, and why Turin eventually became a place she truly considers home. Find show notes for this podcast episode at https://dreamofitaly.com/31

Most people dreaming of moving to Italy land on the obvious cities. Molly Bossardt went somewhere else entirely: Turin, and seven months in, she has no regrets. She's Kathy McCabe's guest on this episode of the Dream of Italy Podcast. Molly is an American digital marketer and small business owner who spent a decade in New York City, moved back to Virginia during the pandemic, and eventually realized that suburban life just was not going to cut it. With no European ancestry and no easy path to citizenship, she spent years watching Italy from a distance until Italy announced its Digital Nomad Visa in 2024. Over a year and a half later, she landed in Turin with two cats, a signed lease, and a city she had never once set foot in. Molly walks Kathy through the full arc of making it happen: navigating the notoriously unresponsive Philadelphia consulate, changing her permanent residency to Florida just to get an appointment through Miami, assembling a packet thick enough to have a table of contents, and getting approved in two weeks when she had braced herself for six months. She also gets into the realities of finding an apartment in Turin before having a visa in hand, the upfront costs that catch people off guard, and why the lease registration process became its own small ordeal. The conversation goes well beyond paperwork. Molly shares what daily life in Turin actually looks like: the affordable rents that embarrass comparable American cities, the thriving expat community she found through the International Women's Club, the co-working spaces scattered across a city that turns out to be far more entrepreneurial than its reputation suggests, and the honest emotional arc of those first months including the loneliness, the illness, the brief relationship that combusted too fast, and the slow realization that this is real life now, not a vacation. She also makes a genuine case for why Turin keeps getting overlooked and why everyone who lives there seems to love it without reservation. Turin keeps coming up as one of Italy's best-kept secrets. If you've been sleeping on it, this episode might change that. Find show notes for this podcast episode at https://dreamofitaly.com/30

Moving to Milan from San Francisco is one thing. Doing it with a German Shepherd born in Tehran to enter a photography Master's degree program is another story entirely. Michael TenBrink spent 17 years in San Francisco before relocating to Milan in 2022 with his husband Andrew, an architect and polyglot who had been studying Italian for over 20 years. In this Dream of Italy Podcast Episode with Host Kathy McCabe, Michael walks through how a vision session with giant Post-it notes on the sliding glass doors of their Berkeley, CA home turned into a full commitment to move, why they originally planned to move to Verona and what redirected them to Milan, and how they found their apartment in the Isola neighborhood on the very first viewing, six months before they actually moved in. Michael offers an honest account of what living in Milan looks like day to day, from navigating healthcare through a hospitalization where he did not speak the language to spending three and a half years working toward an A1 Italian level despite classes, tutors and a year-long course through the city's Comune. He covers the air quality in the Po Valley, why he came to love Milan winters after years in California, and how joining a 70-person LGBT choir became his strategy for meeting people after his photography program ended. The conversation also covers their purchase of a lakeside apartment on the northeast shore of Lake Como, well past the crowds of Varenna and Bellagio, and how they reach it by direct train without a car. For those researching moving to Milan, buying property in northern Italy or wondering what it actually takes to ship a large dog to Europe, Michael's account covers the details most relocation content leaves out. Find show notes for this podcast episode at https://dreamofitaly.com/29

Elizabeth Yanev decided to take a leap and move her family to Milan. A former fashion industry professional turned interior designer, Elizabeth spent 16 years in New York City before relocating to Milan with her husband and young son. In this Dream of Italy Podcast Episode with host Kathy McCabe, she shares how she toured 26 apartments in four days, navigated a family reunification visa that changed weeks before their move date and landed a rental through a contact who knew agents before anything hit the market. Elizabeth also breaks down Italy's traditional 4+4 lease structure, what quarterly rent payments actually mean and why Italian tenant law puts landlords in a more cautious position than most Americans expect. But the conversation goes well beyond logistics. Elizabeth talks about enrolling her son at an American school in Milan with more than 70 nationalities represented, why the Italian food culture dissolved every anxiety she had about healthy eating for kids and what the air pollution in Milan actually feels like day to day. She covers the walkability of Milan's center, the proximity to skiing in the Dolomites, the social energy of events like Salone del Mobile and her honest take on what it takes to build a community in Milan, a city where she knew nobody initially. Whether you are researching moving to Milan, living in Italy as a family or wondering how the Italian visa process actually works, Elizabeth's firsthand account covers the realities most Italy relocation content glosses over. Find show notes for this podcast episode at https://dreamofitaly.com/28

If you have ever wondered whether Milan deserves a place on your list of cities to live in Italy, this Dream of Italy Podcast episode with host Kathy McCabe makes a strong case. Arlene Antoinette Gibbs is an American writer and interior designer who lived in Rome for years before making the move to Milan. Having experienced expat life in both cities firsthand, she brings a candid and nuanced perspective on what it actually means to relocate within Italy and why Milan is far more livable than its reputation suggests. Arlene shares why she chose Milan over staying in Rome: better public transportation, a more international business environment and a city that functions as the economic engine of the entire country with thriving sectors in design, fashion, tech and engineering. She also gets into the realities of finding an apartment in Milan, where housing prices have risen 34% and inventory is tight, and why working with a licensed real estate agent made all the difference. The conversation covers the cost of living in Milan, the city's food scene, the energy of Milan Design Week, the social culture and the honest tradeoffs compared to life in Rome including the winter weather and air pollution. Arlene also shares her thoughts on Turin as an alternative for those who want city life at a slower pace and lower cost. Which Italian city is calling your name? Let us know in the comments and subscribe for more move to Italy podcasts from Dream of Italy. Find show notes for this podcast episode at https://dreamofitaly.com/27

Thinking about buying or renovating a house in Sicily? Dream of Italy Podcast host Kathy McCabe sits down with builder and project manager Scott Thompson of The Sicily Projects to break down what it is like to buy and renovate a home in Italy and specifically Sicily. He discusses the real cost of one euro houses, dealing with Italian renovation delays, securing permits, fighting damp and mold, where to buy in Italy, and the biggest mistakes foreigners make when renovating in Italy. Scott also shares his own move from Manchester to Sicily, what life is really like in smaller Sicilian towns, and why he believes more people will trade city life for a slower, simpler life in Italy. Find show notes for this podcast episodes at https://dreamofitaly.com/26

If you have ever asked "where in Italy should I actually live?" this Dream of Italy Podcast episode with host Kathy McCabe is exactly what you need to hear. Damien O'Farrell is one of Italy's most experienced relocation experts, based in Rome with nearly 40 years of helping people make the move to Italy. In this conversation with Kathy, he cuts through the noise of TikTok trends and one-euro house headlines to offer something far more valuable: a clear framework for figuring out which part of Italy is actually right for you. His questions are practical and direct. Damien and Kathy work through a wide range of destinations city by city and region by region. Milan is drawing high net worth individuals from Dubai and London thanks to a 300,000€ yearly flat tax and a luxury property market that still delivers strong value. This episode is one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations available on choosing where to live in Italy and it is worth listening more than once as your move to Italy plans take shape. Leave your top contender in the comments and subscribe to Dream of Italy for more on living and retiring in Italy. Find show notes for this podcast episodes at https://dreamofitaly.com/25

What are the best places for Americans to Move in Italy? This Dream of Italy Podcast episode with host Kathy McCabe might just answer that question. Kathy is joined by Alessandro Palombo, an Italian entrepreneur and fintech co-founder of Bitzenship.com who has lived across Italy, the United States and Portugal. Having spent years observing how foreigners approach relocation to Italy, Alessandro brings a rare insider perspective to one of the most common questions among aspiring expats: where in Italy should Americans actually move? Alessandro walks through a practical framework for finding the right fit, covering well-known regions like Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia, Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna alongside overlooked destinations like Ravenna and Molise. He shares what most move to Italy content gets wrong, why renting before buying matters and how to evaluate a town beyond its tourist reputation. The conversation also covers the little-known Italian investor visa that could be the solution for those seeking Italian residency in an effort to move to Italy. Find show notes for this podcast episodes at https://dreamofitaly.com/24

We've all heard of these one euro houses for sale in Italy, especially in Sicily. But who do you know who has actually bought one, let alone two? Joss Tillard-Gates is an American businessman who bought two adjoining one euro houses sight unseen in Mussomeli Sicily with the intention of connecting them into one larger home. In this Dream of Italy Podcast Episode with Kathy McCabe, Joss explains how this one euro dream was born after reading a news article late at night and how he got his wife's buy-in for what seemed like a crazy idea. Joss gets into what the real fees are like beyond the one euro price tag for each and explains how finding the right project manager mattered more than anything else. Joss explains what makes Mussomeli attractive including the slow pace, quintessential piazza and family friendly atmosphere. As always, we urge everyone to do due diligence when making these kinds of real estate purchases and making sure you have proper visas to live there if residency is your goal as we have heard of some issues when buying in Mussomeli. Dreaming of a one euro home in Italy? Find show notes for this podcast episodes at https://dreamofitaly.com/23

What if the place you feel called to live is written into your birth chart before you ever book the flight? Might explain why so many of us love Italy! Astrologer Helena Woods joins Dream of Italy Podcast Host Kathy McCabe to explain astrocartography, a specialized branch of astrology that maps where on Earth your planetary influences are strongest. Helena breaks down what the technique reveals and how it differs from a standard birth chart, then pulls up Kathy's own astrocartography map live on the episode. She identifies three power lines running through Italy, including a Jupiter line through Bologna, Parma, Verona, Venice, Milan and Turin tied to confidence and joy, a Mercury line connected to relationships and social connection, and a Neptune career line linked to media work, while flagging why the Florence and Livorno latitude carries more friction for her chart specifically. The conversation moves well beyond travel planning into how Helena uses astrocartography and geodetic mapping to understand why certain places feel stuck or activating, including her own decision to leave the United States and build her career after relocating to France. She walks through practical tools for anyone curious about applying this to their own life, from finding an accurate birth time through chart rectification to identifying Venus and Jupiter lines on a free astrology site. Helena also shares her read on a major planetary transit affecting the United States this summer. For viewers weighing a move abroad, whether to Italy or anywhere else in the world, this episode offers a genuinely different lens on the decision, one rooted in timing, placement and personal history rather than guesswork. What does your chart say about where you belong? Show notes: http://www.dreamofitaly.com/22

If you are seriously thinking about moving to Italy, taxes are not something to figure out after you arrive. Ideally you should start the process 18 months ahead of time. This Dream of Italy Podcast episode with host Kathy McCabe is the clearest explanation of how Italian taxation actually works for Americans that you will find anywhere. Kathy is joined by Nick Metta of Studio Legale Metta, an Italian tax and immigration attorney with a PhD in taxation who works exclusively with people moving to or investing in Italy. He has been Kathy's go-to source and workshop guest for years, and this conversation covers the questions that come up most often and get answered most incorrectly online. Nick walks through the difference between tax residency and civil residency, how the 182-day rule works and when it does not apply, and what it actually means to move your center of vital interests to Italy. He explains the worldwide taxation system that kicks in once you become an Italian tax resident, why failing to report an overseas asset can cost you up to 15% of its value in fines, and how the US-Italy tax treaty is routinely misread, including the section on social security that trips up almost everyone. Nick covers the tax brackets standard Italian residents face, the small business flat rate that caps at around 10%, the 7% pension program and who actually qualifies for it, the 60% income exclusion available to digital nomads with high qualifications, and how Roth IRAs and traditional 401ks are treated differently under Italian law. He also explains why Italy is notoriously poor at honoring the foreign tax credit in practice and why banking on it is a strategy he does not recommend. The single piece of advice that runs through the entire conversation is this: start your tax planning at least 18 months before you move. The options available before you cross the threshold are substantially better than anything available after. Use code DREAM15 at www.studiolegalemetta.com to make an appointment with Nick to talk taxes. Book a 30-minute consultation and you will receive an additional 15 minutes free of charge with the code. Show notes: www.dreamofitaly.com/21

American Joe Reagan bought a 24,000€ house in a hilltop town in Abruzzo with 750 people, moved his wife and four kids from Ireland, enrolled them directly into the Italian school system, and has not looked back. Three years in, they love their life in Abruzzo and are Joe is working to help other families move to their town for a better quality of life in Italy. Dream of Italy Podcast Host Kathy McCabe sits down with Joe to talk about his new initiative to bring families to Celenza sul Trigno, Abruzzo, a town that has lost nearly half of its population in the last 35 years. He talks about the school system, where his kids got dedicated Italian lessons pulled from class for the first year and were fluent by the end of it, and where his eight-year-old daughter now sounds out English words with Italian vowels because that is simply how her brain learned to read. He gets into healthcare, where the pediatrician takes appointments by WhatsApp and the new family doctor was messaging his wife back within minutes of being contacted. He also gives an honest account of what small town tradeoffs look like, the nearest Costco equivalent is thirty minutes away and the bureaucracy moves at its own pace, and why he thinks the mindset shift matters in moving to rural Italy more than any practical obstacle. The conversation ends with Joe describing a Sunday spent picking wildflowers with the other fathers from the First Communion class to make decorations for the street procession. Neighbors knock on the door with fresh cherries. His son who used to be dragged to school in Ireland now has his grembiule on and his lunch bag packed before anyone else is awake. Show notes: http://www.dreamofitaly.com/20

Italian National Tourism Board, to talk about how travel in Italy is evolving and what it means for visitors today. Drawing on her global perspective and deep knowledge of Italian tourism, Alessandra shares how travel habits have changed in recent years, why Italy continues to inspire repeat visits and how travelers can experience the country in more meaningful and memorable ways beyond the classic itineraries. From the growing popularity of off-season travel to the desire for deeper cultural experiences, Kathy and Alessandra explore how travelers are moving beyond classic itineraries and seeking authentic connections with Italy's regions, food and local communities. They also discuss how major events like the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina will bring global attention to new parts of the country. Kathy and Alessandra discuss: Why Calabria is emerging as an exciting destination with beaches, mountains, villages and affordable prices How Umbria is becoming known as a refined, boutique luxury destination Why Abruzzo, with L'Aquila as Italy's 2026 Capital of Culture, is gaining attention How the Marche offers diverse landscapes, culture and fewer crowds How shorter, more frequent trips are replacing traditional long vacations Why travelers are planning trips around experiences, events and food traditions If you're planning a trip to Italy, you won't want to miss this episode! Show notes: http://www.dreamofitaly.com/19

Kathy McCabe, host of Dream of Italy, visits with Nicola Bertinelli, President of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium to talk about the King of Cheeses and the 90th anniversary of the consortium of producers of this amazing "Made in Italy" product. Bertinelli leads Kathy in a tasting of various ages, talks about the importance of the American market for this cheese and share stories of Parmigiano Reggiano including ones about 3-Michelin Star Chef Massimo Bottura. Show notes: http://www.dreamofitaly.com/ 18

Kathy McCabe, host of Dream of Italy, welcomes Angelo Carotenuto, founder of LivTours (formerly LivItaly). They discuss how tourism in Italy has evolved, with Carotenuto emphasizing the importance of booking experiences well in advance, particularly for major attractions like the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Kathy and Angelo explore his unique tour offerings, from Vespa sidecar rides in Rome to early morning Vatican visits and after-hours access to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Carotenuto shares his philosophy on creating meaningful travel experiences, drawing from his background as a tour guide with acting experience. He emphasizes that travel to Italy is deeply emotional and transformative, with tourists often arriving with dreams and expectations shaped by media, history, and cultural influences. Kathy and Angelo also spend time covering practical advice for visiting Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year and highlights the importance of exploring lesser-known neighborhoods like Prati for authentic dining experiences. Kathy and Angelo discuss: How optimal booking window for Italian tours is now 4-6 weeks in advance, with many travelers planning even further ahead. The unique experiences LivTours offers like like women-focused historical tours, artisan workshops in Florence, and traditional rowing lessons in Venice. Why 2025 Jubilee Year in Rome will bring increased visitors but shouldn't significantly disrupt regular tourism activities. How early morning and after-hours tours provide exceptional opportunities to experience major attractions without crowds. Why the Prati neighborhood in Rome offers authentic dining experiences away from tourist crowds, including restaurants like Sorpasso and Cacio e Pepe. Why quality of tour guides is crucial to the travel experience, with the best guides combining historical knowledge with storytelling abilities. How to save 10% on LivTours tours and experiences with code: DREAMOFITALY10

Join host Kathy McCabe and Rhonda Vilardo of Italian Culinary Adventures as they discuss one of their very favorite cities in Italy- Modena in the region of Emilia Romagna. Modena lives and breathes food, especially balsamic vinegar and parmigiano reggiano. Kathy recently filmed two episodes of season 3 of the TV series Dream of Italy in Modena and Rhonda and Kathy discuss Michelin-star chef Massimo Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore and their culinary and philanthropic empire in this charming city. Rhonda explains how she takes guests through the many layers of Modena exploring food, wine and culture, meeting food producers and learning hands on the special culinary traditions of this corner of Italy. If you are dreaming of visiting Modena, you don't want to miss this episode of the Dream of Italy Podcast!

Pistachio cream tastes like that breakfast you enjoyed in Milan. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar catapults you back to a memorable lunch in Modena. A bite of pasta transports you back to a perfect dinner in Umbria. Olivia Becker of Dalla Fonte knows the important role food plays in our memories. She talks to host Kathy McCabe about how Dalla Fonte brings customers Italian food directly from small businesses and local suppliers in tiny towns in Italy, truly living up to its name which means "from the source." Olivia, who has Italian-American ancestry, connects with many female-led business owners and entrepreneurs keeping traditional food alive while keeping an eye on innovation. Jordan almonds ("confetti") were a staple in Olivia's Abruzzese family and are synonymous with parties and celebrations still today for many Italians. She includes confetti from the Pelino factory in Sulmona, Abruzzo, in operation for over 300 years, as part of a special box created as an interactive experience for Season 3 of the TV series Dream of Italy. Olivia's curated boxes bring the best of Italy, authentic Italy, to your doorstep. Save 20% in Dalla Fonte's store with code: DREAMOFITALY

YouTube star, dog-lover and all-around great guy, Brad Allan, originally from Texas, lives his dream of Italy in Montepulciano with his wife Olivia . Host Kathy McCabe enjoys a great chat with Brad and his new life in Italy! His thoroughly educational channel gives tips on how to move to Italy and how purchase property either for your personal use or to turn into short-term rentals as Brad has. Brad has a booming business renting out elegant apartments to travelers to Tuscany. He's also loving the Tuscan lifestyle as are his dogs! If you dream of moving to Italy with a smart way to finance it, this episode is for you.

Don't we all dream of owning a home in Italy? What if you could be part owner of a stunning apartment in Florence with little of the usual hassles of buying a house in Italy? Your Italian dream might be closer than you think... Host Kathy McCabe welcomes Lisa Byrne of Italy Perfect who has been renting villas and apartments in Italy for years and is now offering fractional ownership (four weeks per year) of a stunning apartment in dreamy Florence: They discuss: How fractional ownership works and why you are truly a deeded owner Why Florence is the perfect location for a fractional ownership in Italy What the price is for Italy Perfect's Maestro fractional ownership What the advantages and disadvantages of fractional owneership are Why purchasing a fractional ownership can have less risk than buying a house in Italy How you can rent out the Maestro apartment when you are not there And much more... For more details, visit www.italyperfect.com Enter to win a 4-night stay in Florence: www.dreamofitaly.com/winflorence Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2023/01/11/podcast-episode-13-fractional-ownership-in-florence-with-italy-perfect/

In our previous episode (#11), we discussed how many who have Italian ancestry can claim Italian citizenship, jure sanguinis , by right of blood. In this episode, we dig deeper as sometimes this process isn't as straightforward as it first might seem. Host Kathy McCabe welcomes Bianca Ottone of My Italian Family. They discuss: + Why more and more Americans are pursuing dual citizenship + Why naturalization records are the most important + How Bianca and her company helped Kathy explore her heritage in Campania + How to navigate around the "1948 rule" which might seemingly deny your claim to citizenship - and how Kathy is doing it + How adoption affects the ability to claim citizenship + How to navigate around name discrepancies, whether they were made on purpose or by mistake + How to find the Italian town(s) your ancestors are from, even if you are not sure of all of their details Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2021/05/04/podcast-episode-12-overcoming-challenges-in-claiming-your-italian-citizenship-with-my-italian-family/