There are over 200 canals in Venice, the Grand Canal is the largest S shaped. 400 bridges cross these canals which are like our roads and streets. Gondolas the narrow black boats are used by tourists to experience the view of the city from these canals.

It can be flooded in the winter months. Venice, the city built on water is beautiful, magical and everyone should visit in their lifetime.

Rome

The Tiber River is the 3rd longest in Italy and flows through the city of Rome.

There is no city in the world which has more fountains, 11 acqueducts supply water to the city. The most famous is the Trevi fountain built 1732-1762. You just don’t expect to come across this down the small italian streets and alleyways, then you hear the roar of the water and this fountain just dominates the small area. You must however follow the tradition and throw a coin into the fountain which means you will someday return again.

Piazza Navona has the Fountain of Neptune struggling with an octopus. Built on this site of the ‘games’.

Lake Garda

This is the largest lake in Italy.

Lake Maggiore

This is the second largest lake in Italy.

Lake Como

This is the third largest lake in Italy and the deepest in Europe. Lots of famous people own villas on the edge of this lake like George Clooney, the film Ocean’s Twelve was filmed on this lake, Donatella Versace also has a home here. The name ‘Como’ is derived from a roman town.

Verona

In the centre of the Piazza delle Erbe is a 14 century fountain of a roman statue. A beautiful circular fountain is outside the grounds of the ampitheatre.

Many causes factor into the longer Italian life expectancy, including genetics and the healthcare differences between the two countries. One major probable factor in Italians living longer than their American counterparts is a hearty-healthy Mediterranean diet.

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When one considers the Italian diet superficially, it doesn’t seem particularly healthy, being loaded with pasta, meat, and fatty cheeses. One thing that Italians consume a lot of is red wine, which is known to be good for the heart in moderation. Red wine contains antioxidants, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. One polyphenol called resveratrol may help prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce bad cholesterol, and prevent blood clots.

Italy is famous for olive oil production. Olive oil is a healthy fat and can be consumed immediately after being pressed from the fruit. Like red wine, olive oil contains antioxidants that help protect against heart disease. Extra virgin olive oil, from the first pressing of the fruits, contains more antioxidants because it’s less processed. Olive oil may also aid in preventing colon cancer.

When thinking of the typical Italian pasta sauce, one immediately thinks of spices such as basil, oregano, and garlic. Italians use spices for flavoring more than salt. Americans typically consume 9 to 12 grams of salt a day, twice what the American Heart Association recommends. Too much salt leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes. Cooking with spices, like the Italians do, and cutting back on salt is another element of the Mediterranean diet that leads to improved heart health.

Other healthy components of the Mediterranean diet include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and legumes. Basing meals around these ingredients, rather than meat, is healthier than the typical American diet.

While there are other factors involved in the long lives of the residents of Sardinia, such as genetics, it’s undeniable that a glass or two of red wine a day and cooking with olive oil and spices rather than salt shows a marked improvement in heart health and contributes to a longer life, and healthier golden years for many Italians.

Alot of visual, sound and smells make an Italian garden complete. Visual due to the statues and usually symetrical design mirror images. The sound of water in the form of still or running.  The smell of the herbs, plants, flowers like lavender and rosemary. The sweet smell of the white flowered jasmine remind me of Italy.

In medival times the garden was surrounded by walls and it was used as a kitchen to grow herbs and vegetables for the owner.

Describing garden design in the renaissance period stated “a villa or a house should be placed above the garden so it can be viewed from a high level.”

The renaissance period also saw a rise in botanical gardens with plants brought in from all over the world never seen before.

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Fabulous renaissance gardens are:-

Villa d’Este at Tivol, near Rome (1550-1572) [above].

Sacro Bosco (sacred wood) at Bomarzo, Lazio, Central Italy (1552-1584) full of interesting huge statues with mouths you can walk through, figures and creatures carved from volcanic rock.

Fountains

One of the most famous fountain is the Trevi fountain in Rome.  You just don’t expect to come across this down the small italian street and alleyways, then you hear the roar of the water.

This is the view of Italian scenes and the tall thin upright trees shooting up into the sky make a fabulous backdrop to the lakes and all over Italy.

Lemon Tree

The bright yellow fruit filling the lemon trees look so appealing in the Italian sunshine. You can marvel at just how the trees can grow fruit outside even in Northern Italy.

Jasmine

The distinct smell of jasmine flowering is one smell you will never forget. It surrounds you in Italy, usually a climbing bush variety with small white flowers.

Olive Tree

The olives are usually grown in orchards, the grey leaf colour are a common site especially in the country.

Bizzy Lizzie Bedding

Coming in a range of brightly coloured flowers these type of bedding plants are used alot in pots and for multiple larger areas for colour in ranges of pinks, reds and whites.

Geranium

These colourful bright flowers are used in Italian terracotta pots and window boxes coming in reds through to pinks. They really look great outside houses on window ledges.

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Grape Vines

Grown in orchards in rows needing alot of space, these vines look organised, neat and green.

Herb Basil

Perfect on spaghetti, raviolli, lasagna, the taste epitomizes Italian food.

Herb Rosemary

Very aromatic bushy herb used for flavour, has small blue flowers, protect from frost.

Lavender

Used in cooking for meat dishes this plant is a perfect mediterranean species with silver grey foilage and purple flowers the smell is devine. The aroma is very relaxing and helps promote sleep.

The city of Milan in Northern Italy is the hub of the design fashion world. They house fashion shows here twice a year. Being able to fly easier, quicker and cheaply to major cities now people can venture to Milan to shop for their own high quality clothes. Italians in general are reknowned for their own unique style of smart, quality dressing.

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History

Fashion design started in the 19th century. The first fashion show was held in Florence in 1951 by Count Giorgini in his palace. Even in Roman times clothes signified class and status, the men wore tunics made of wool, over these were toga’s each with a different design to prove their status.  Poor people wore different clothing too. Women wore simple clothing so had to make their hair and jewelry more elaborate in order to stand out from the crowd.

Brands

Some of the Italian designers most famous brands are Prada, Gucci, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Valentino, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli. Kylie has her sparkling stage clothes made by D&G. Examples of goods popular with the ‘Made In Italy’ tag are leather shoes, boots, handbags, jackets, wallets and furniture.

Quality

Italy has been famous for their quality leather products for centuries. Milan and Florence are popular for leather. Alot of the process is done by hand and inspected for quality using only the best leather which is usually taken from the hide this is a softer more supple texture.

Grappa is a distilled drink made from the unused grape skins of wine, added to coffee it is called cafe correto.

Italians love family time and their children and grandchildren and spend alot of time having long lunches with them.

The food of course is fabulous, my favourite is the raviolli, home cooked and the ice creams wow! best in the world I’d say by a long shot.

Theres an ice cream parlour in Sorrento south west Italy that has 76 flavours – spoilt for choice decisions and whether to have cone or in a sundae to eat in its your choice!

Lemon trees are all around you and shops selling their own homemade olive oil bottles.

Soaking up the culture is of course a must, visiting places like Romeo and Juliets balcony in Verona, taking a gondola ride in Venice, hearing that ‘just one cornetto’ song going round in your head.

The Italians I feel make the best shoes and bags, the leather quality is outstanding. Also they have the best designer clothes shops e.g. Versace, Moschino.

A bank account can be opened in Italy if you are a resident or non-resident, you must be over 18. If you are non-resident you can open a non-resident account only. An account can be opened on the same day.

To open an account you will need:-

• Passport and tax number
• Utility bill (with proof of address)
• Residence card

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Account Debit Cards

A Bancomat card is the same as our debit card, this can be used to withdraw cash, with a PIN number at an ATM machine. You can pay for goods in shops, hotels, petrol stations, and to pay utility bills at the Post Office.

Opening Hours

These usually vary from 8.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.  Some open on Saturday mornings but are closed the afternoon before a Bank Holiday.

Writing Cheques in Italian

The date is written exactly like the UK version e.g. date, month, year. However, the total amount is written in full words connected together with no capitals.

Post Office Account (Residents only)

Opening hours are longer, bills are debited for free.  To open this type of account same bullet list above applies.

Internet Banking

This is very popular with the’ expats’ who are now living in Italy.

Italian healthcare is called the ‘Italian Republic.’  State hospitals in southern Italy may not be up to standard as some in the north they do however provide very low cost care to a very good standard.

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Italian doctors are very passionate about their job and are very well trained in their profession.

How to join the Italian healthcare system

To join the Italian healthcare system you will need to provide a document showing you have been covered by e.g. the NHS for a period of time and been making e.g. NHS contributions.

Private healthcare

Most Italians and expats opt for private medical healthcare where you can choose your own doctor or specialist and avoid long waiting lists.

However, be aware that private healthcare is rather expensive and it is worth checking with your insurance company to see if particular medical treatment is covered.