The Real Life in Italy

An episode I have been waiting so long to share. This week I invited on Gabriela Encina, a psychologist helping specifically expat couples navigate the challenges of multicultural relationships. In my time in Italy I have met so many foreigners who moved to Italy for love (or stayed for love), but sometimes, things in these relationships aren’t all grande amore. There’s a huge challenge of balancing between cutural differences. Lack of language, or stability can make us feel at times that this isn’t the life for us, but for our partners. That doesn’t mean all is lost, it’s just about finding balance again. Biggest lesson:look out for yourself and take care of yourself! Don’t let your life revolve around your partner. If you are looking to create a community of your own, not your partners, look for Girl Gone International in your community (It’s where I found Gabriela!) Connect with Gabriela here: https://gabriela-encina.com https://www.instagram.com/gabriela.encina.psychologist/ If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

When Aperitivo comes around, many of us reach for a Spritz or Wine. But what about a Craft Beer? Beer is not something we often consider associated with Italy, but it’s a popular drink of choice, and in recent years the craft beer scene has really been growing. Tana Schwarz is here to tell us more about craft beer in italy. What counts as a craft beer? What are some to look for? And where can you explore more of Italy’s beer scene? Have a listen and find out. Here's some of Tana's work she'd love to share. Articles: Italy Segreta - A look into Italy's craft beer scene and how it's stuck behind the industrial stuff The Italy Edit - An Introduction to Craft Beer in Italy Craft Beer Maps: My personal map on Thatch: Where to Drink Craft Beer in Rome UnionBirrai's map of independent breweries in Italy Craft Beer Walking Tours of Rome can be found here: Italy Beer and Wine Tours and on Instagram An upcoming beer craft beer festival in Rome: EurHop The best way to find me to learn more about all things Italian craft beer is through Instagram. I also write about sustainable food, wine, beer and travel on my substack If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

How much do you really know about Italian Wine? Truly there is way too much to cover in just a podcast episode (why I took the entire 2 courses to become an Italian Wine Scholar!) But I love wine, and I love telling people about how amazing Italian wine traditions are, so here’s my introduction for you on wine in Italy. If you’re an expat in Italy, wine probably has become a part of your daily life, even if you aren’t a drinker, you’ll hear about it everywhere, and you’ll need to gift it eventually, it’s a thing. So here are some great fun facts for you to whip out and impress your Italian and wine friends. This episode explains the DOCG / DOC system, why Prosecco isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and a few of my own favorite wines. The course I mentioned: https://www.winescholarguild.com/iws-free-chapterArticles about how Prosecco sucks: Soil Erosion - https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article Pesticides - https://ilsalvagente.it/2019/02/20/ghiaccio-prosecco-e-pesticidi-la-nostra-inchiesta-integrale-su-12-bollicine/https://www.pan-europe.info/blog/prosecco-story-not-sparkling-wine-local-resistance-against-pesticides My Favorite Wines:-Franciacorta and Trento DOC -Ruché -Francone Barbera d’Alba Superiore or Michele Chiaro Cipressi Barbera -Pinot Grigio Ramato by Specogna If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

After a classic Agosto ferie, The Real Life in Italy is back.This episode Evelyn is going solo to chat about why she had to step away in August, that being the childcare situation in Italy. We’re covering childcare in Italy from 3 months old to 4 years, what solutions you have for daycare, and what schooling looks like from then on out. A common thread I had to point out in this overview podcast: summer vacation in Italy. Did you know essentially from July to August parents are fottuti? Schools shut down and there are limited options. On the note of long summer vacations - what does this do to Italy position in the Gender Equality Index? And did you hear that Italy wants to make summer vacation LONGER? Have a listen to this quick kick-off episode and find out more. Here’s the info on the Gender Equality Index: https://eige.europa.eu/gender-equality-index/2023/IT_______ If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

In this episode of The Real Life in Italy, we’re taking a quick look at dating in Italy. And while I (that’s Evelyn, your host) have been out of the dating scene awhile, my good friend Sylvia is coming on to share experiences and thoughts, and tell me what all the kids are up to these days. We chat cultural differences, personal dating experiences, stereotypes about dating Italian men, and the reality behind common myths. The episode covers in cultural dating habits, and practical advice for foreigners dating in Italy. And really we get into what ARE the apps that people are using in Italy (because who meets irl anymore?) Big surprise though: we DO NOT discuss mammone or mothers ever. Crazy, but true. We’ll chat that another time. Here’s the deets: 00:00 Introduction to Dating in Italy 01:58 Safety Tips for Dating in Italy 03:46 Meet Sylvia: An Expat's Perspective 04:46 Dating Expectations vs. Reality 11:00 Italian Relationship Dynamics 16:53 Stereotypes and Cultural Differences 25:49 Exploring Different Dating Apps 28:20 Italian Men and Dating Expectations 43:03 Ideal First Dates in Italy 47:12 Final Thoughts on Dating in Italy Check Doctorsa, formerly Doctors in Italy. A network of English speaking doctors in Italy, and Europe, available for in-person or video call appointments 24/7. Find out more: https://bit.ly/DoctorsaRealLife If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

In this episode of The Real Life in Italy we’re exploring the process of getting an Italian driver's license as a foreigner. We’ll cover an in-depth guide on when and why expats in Italy might need to get this license and how to get it done, with essential tips to prepare for the theory and practical exams. Later, I’m joined by fellow American in Italy, Elizabeth Thacker Jones to discuss their shared experiences, challenges, and insights into driving in Italy. For those living in Italy or planning on an extended stay, this episode is packed with valuable information and practical advice to help you hit the road legally and confidently. You can connect with Elizabeth here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethtjones/ TimeStamps: 01:41 When and Why You Need an Italian Driver's License 03:59 Steps to Get Your Italian Driver's License 05:00 Studying for the Theory Exam 12:38 Taking the Practical Exam 14:38 Interview with Elizabeth: Driving in Milan 18:20 Traveling in Italy: Renting a Car vs. Public Transport 21:06 Personal Experiences with Italian Driver's License 23:18 Navigating the Italian Driving Test 26:32 Challenges and Tips for Expats 43:06 Final Tips and Recommendations If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

In our first episode of the monthly series “The Expat Files” here on The Real Life in Italy, Evelyn interviews Damien O'Farrell, an expert on global mobility who has lived in Italy for over 36 years. Damien shares his journey from moving to Italy to assist a friend, to running a teaching business, and eventually starting a global mobility agency. We also get into just how important it is to show Italy not only as a place to retire but as a place to create a life and work. Damien also offers insights into the most promising industries and skills for a lucrative career in Italy, underscoring the necessity of hard work and continuous learning. Essentially: Figure out if Italy is right for you. Be Decisive. Do the Work. Time Stamps: 00:56 Meet Damien O'Farrell: A Global Mobility Expert in Italy01:48 Damien's Journey to Italy03:43 From Teaching to Global Mobility05:54 Adapting to Change: Business and Technology08:53 Challenges and Opportunities in Italy15:26 Deciding to Stay in Italy20:00 Navigating Bureaucratic Hurdles21:57 Cultural Quirks and Public Administration24:55 Daily Life and Work Realities29:49 Economic Challenges and Work Opportunities38:16 Advice for Long-Term Living in Italy Damien O’Farrell a Global Mobility Expert and Expat Coach with over thirty years of experience in Italy. He specializes in facilitating smooth transitions for individual and corporate clients adapting to Italian life. His services include immigration, relocation, citizenship, and expat coaching programs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damien.ofarrellWebsite: https://damienofarrell.comBlog: https://damien65.medium.com/Ultimate Italy Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2yMCNfK If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy.This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn atwww.collineallemontagne.comwww.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

In this episode of The Real Life in Italy, host Evelyn Hill chats with Jasmine Mah of QuestaDolceVita , explore the experience of being a mom in Italy as a foreigner. We look at the things we love, and the things we are not crazy about being a mom here in Italy. We talk about cultural differences, challenges, and joys of raising children in Italy. Topics covered include what we really think of our pediatrician, or what they think of us; the dynamics of raising a bilingual kid, and the Italian approach to maternity leave and daycare. The episode also highlights specific cultural practices like weaning (svezzamento), attitudes towards cleanliness and weight, and the social dynamics of making mom friends. So if you are a soon-to-be mom or current mom in Italy, tune in to hear shared experiences of expat parenting in Italy. We’d also love you to weigh in on your experience. Share with us on Instagram, or e-mail at evelyn@collineallemontagne.com You can find Jasmine here: https://www.instagram.com/questadolcevita/ And Evelyn: www.instagram.com/collinemontagne ___ This Episode of The Real Life in Italy was sponsored by Doctorsa.com A network of English speaking doctors in Italy, and Europe, available for in-person or video call appointments 24/7.Find out more: https://bit.ly/DoctorsaRealLife__ If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

This week on The Real Life in Italy we are back again talking about freelancing in Italy, featuring a discussion with your host Evelyn, and Claudia. We’re sharing our journeys with the partita IVA in Italy, covering key topics like managing taxes, finding clients, and the choice between online platforms and traditional accounting. While our experiences may look different from yours, we hope we can provide other expats in Italy an overview of the challenges and opportunities faced by freelancers in Italy, including practical advice for navigating the Partita IVA, leveraging digital marketing skills, and making informed decisions to succeed in the freelance market. This episode covers a more casual look at how the Partita IVA has touched our lives as foreigners in Italy, but if you’d like a little more technical idea of how it works, check out last weeks episode “ The Italian Partita IVA: What to know for being self-employed in Italy ” The incredible online (and in English!) accounting software that Claudia mentions is here: https://www.xolo.io/it-en?ref=collinemontagne And it looks like a lifesaver. You can catch Claudia here: https://www.ciaobellamedia.com https://www.instagram.com/_ciaobellamedia/ __ If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

On this episode of The Real Life in Italy, we’re getting into a topic I think is so important to understand: The Mafia in Italy or rather, Italian Organized Crime. This is a little 101 for you to understand how these organizations operate, where they operate, and who they are. Oh, and how that might effect life for us foreigners living in Italy. Spoiler: You’ll probably never even notice it, but it’s all around. Expats in Italy seem to have so many misconceptions of the mafia in italy on two extremes: one, that it is dangerous and you should avoid certain areas of Italy at all costs, two that it doesn’t exist. Both are wrong to a certain degree, and that’s exactly what we’ll be covering in this episode.I'll share where you can find the Italian mafia operating well beyond Italy's borders, and give you a quick overview of the main organizations: Cosa Nostra, Camorra, 'Ndrangheta, and the Sacra Corona Unita.While we don't have to be scared while living in Italy, understanding how the mafia exists and operates can help us make better decisions as expats in Italy - and really as general people all over the world. Here are some great resources about the mafia in Italy if you would like to learn more: Books- Midnight in Sicily-Peter Robb Gomorrah- Roberto Saviano The Day of the Owl- Leonardo Sciascia Global Mafia by Antonio Nicaso and Lee Lamothe Excellent Cadavers by Alexander Stille Mafia and Antimafia by Umberto Santino Movies or Shows: La Ribelle Siciliana Shooting the Mafia Robinò Excellent Cadavers 1992/1993 100 Passi News Sites to stay up to date about the Mafia in Italy, and in the world: The Guardian- covers news very well if you search through their site. Antimafiaduemilla___ If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

This episode of The Real Life in Italy is all about one of our favorite topics: Coffee in Italy. Living in Italy coffee probably shows up in your daily life - either you're like me and you're addicted, or it's not your thing but you find yourself trying to navigate the social aspect of it. Together with our guest Catalin Varela, we’re exploring local coffee culture and what that means to us expats in Italy: how coffee is important to daily life, what our favorite Italian coffee is, and how to navigate the Italian bars as both a foreigner and female. We’re calling bull on the no cappuccinos after 11 AM and the overpriced coffee of historic cafés. But also, yes we’re telling you how to find Iced Coffee in Italy. Welcome to the Real Life in Italy. 00:52 Italian Coffee 101 01:55 Exploring Iced Coffee Options in Italy 03:02 The Art of Preparing Coffee in Italy 03:52 Coffee Conversations with Catalin 05:29 Coffee Habits and Socializing in Italy 28:51 Exploring Specialty Coffee and Ditta Artiginale 30:20 Navigating the Coffee Scene as an American in Italy 32:16 The Evolution of Coffee Shops and Their Global Uniformity 32:56 Addressing Sexism in Italian Bar Culture 36:48 The Quirks of Italian Coffee Bars and Payment Customs 38:24 Debating the Quality of Italian Coffee 50:23 Navigating Coffee Culture in Italy: Tips for Newcomers That pod about Instagrammable Cafés can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/30bpnLx0GKz7ovW8UjtZgA?si=af6d92fa543744a0 Gambero Rosso’s report on coffee in Italy can be read here: https://www.gamberorosso.it/notizie/caffe-bar-inchiesta/ You can find Catalin at: https://www.instagram.com/celiacinitaly/ If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.comwww.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it:www.buymeacoffee.com/colline

On this episode of The Real Life in Italy we’re finally answering What IS the difference between the Carabinieri and Polizia? A question I know many expats in Italy have probably asked themselves every once a awhile. Probably the more important question we've asked living in Italy is: no seriously, WHO DO I CALL? Turns out it’s more complicated than a jurisdiction thing, but we’ll at least take a glance. I know why you are really here though, you want to know: Team Carabinieri or Team Polizia (sure there’s team ACAB out there but if you HAD to pick?) Well listen in for my thoughts and be sure to share yours with me. We’ll also be covering who you should call for emergencies in Italy, what all these other police are (Guardia di Finanza what?), and uhm, can someone tell me what’s with the guns? Tune in to learn more about police in Italy, and a few things that might just make living in Italy as a foreigner a bit easier. If you'd like to learn more about the technicalities of these police forces, you can read this blog: https://collineallemontagne.com/difference-between-carabinieri-and-polizia/ If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot! Welcome to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.comwww.instagram.com/collinemontagne You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it:www.buymeacoffee.com/colline