tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-187574302011-12-15T03:57:37.642+01:00Want a laid back lifestyle under the Italian sun? Want to find out what expat living in the Bel Paese is really like? Emma Bird of How to Italy shares her experiencesHow to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comBlogger931100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-83557235614368502902007-09-07T11:15:00.000+02:002007-09-07T11:21:12.941+02:00

THIS BLOG MOVED TO http://www.howtoitaly.typepad.com/ IN MARCH 2007.http://www.howtoitaly.typepad.com/ IS UPDATED DAILY WITH LOTS OF INFO ON MOVING TO ITALY, LIIVING IN ITALY, WORKING IN ITALY, STARTING A BUSINESS IN ITALY AND LOTS MORE BESIDES.COME ALONG AND JOIN THE PARTY at http://www.howtoitaly.typepad.com/.A PRESTOEMMAhttp://www.howtoitaly.typepad.com/

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-63866825815131782002007-02-08T17:21:00.000+01:002007-02-02T11:06:47.341+01:00

Some things never change.Or as the French would say: Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.I went to the Post Office yesterday to pick up the kit I wrote about last time.What a disaster - that's the only word for it.There were all kinds of foreigners in the queue who couldn't speak Italian and the post office assistant couldn't speak any other language either.And then it was my turn."But

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-25356689236472126102007-02-02T10:47:00.000+01:002007-09-07T11:25:46.178+02:00

The HowToItaly blog has moved to www.howtoitaly.typepad.com.It's updated daily so why not come along and join the party?A prestoEmmaOne of the reforms to come out of Romano Prodi's goverment is that you no longer need to go to the Questura request or renew your Permesso di Soggiorno.In a bid to streamline the process that is irritating at best and unbearably traumatic at worst, the Posta has now

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-43845687310729663792007-02-01T20:40:00.000+01:002007-02-01T20:51:50.394+01:00

Thanks to everyone that has responded to my request for emails to be resent. Lots and lots have come in so I was clearly missing some.For those of you that are already in Italy and hate all those huge bills you are running up on long-distance phone calls check out www.infostrada.it. If you switch to InfoStrada from Telecom Italia before February 15, for Eur19.95 per month, you get unlimited phone

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1170091679128501562007-01-29T18:22:00.000+01:002007-01-29T18:27:59.146+01:00

I've been priding myself on doing a weekly back-up of my files in the event that the computer crashed and I lost them. But it seems I don't do them often enough. My laptop has just had a meltdown and at the moment I don't know whether this is reversible or not - it's currently in for a bit of TLC and emergency repair and I'll know the outcome tomorrow afternoon. What it does mean is that all

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1169650225416121802007-01-24T15:35:00.000+01:002007-01-24T15:51:24.220+01:00

There was utter chaos this morning as a result of the bad weather sweeping Italy. The whole of the north east of Sardinia was in blackout from sometime in the middle of the night when I stumbled out of bed in the dark for a glass of water to just after midday today. More than 150,000 families didn't have any electricty - that's a lot of towns affected when you think that Olbia is the biggest town

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1169288226553350282007-01-20T11:10:00.000+01:002007-01-20T11:17:06.636+01:00

The sun is shining and I've just spent the past 10 minutes feeding the robbin that lives in the garden. Just a few weeks ago, he would hop away whenever I came out of the house to scatter nuts and breadcrumbs for him to eat. But now, he'll happily observe me as I tidy up the garden or hang out of the washing, or simply stop and stare at the seaview which makes my jaw drop always, even though I

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1169228711962109582007-01-19T17:35:00.000+01:002007-01-19T18:45:12.026+01:00

I had the shock of my life the other day. My old French teacher at school had written to me. Now, not having been a particularly conscientious student - I was more interested in planning my career in journalism than discussing in French the merits of Albert Camus's The Outsider which is a shame because now it's one of my all-time favourite books - I suddenly rewound 12 years and thought I was

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1169024693227448832007-01-17T09:45:00.000+01:002007-01-17T10:04:53.246+01:00

Everything seems to be happening here this year:*I've joined the gym in a bid to meet more people in Arzachena*A new theatre is starting up in Porto Cervo, so we've just bought season tickets for that*We've met some Italians our age who have moved from Milan and are in the process of building their home just a few km down the road from us. We've been out for dinner a couple of times. *I've got

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1168510373501130212007-01-11T10:53:00.000+01:002007-01-11T11:12:53.590+01:00

As our Amazon.co.uk ratings continue to climb for Starting a Business: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese, it is now available in other countries, too. You can order a copy from:Amazon.comAmazon.caAmazon.frAmazon.deAmazon.jpBorders in the US is also stocking Starting a Business in Italy. It's not in every Borders yet but you can pre-order a copy online or go into your

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1168448160241072842007-01-10T17:49:00.000+01:002007-01-10T17:56:00.253+01:00

Well here it is. The blog detailing our house adventures is at the aptly-named http://ohdeartheroofcollapsed.wordpress.com/. I'll be adding before and after pics in the next couple of days.Emma Bird is the director of www.howtoitaly.com and the co-author of Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1168439323554687042007-01-10T14:56:00.000+01:002007-01-10T15:28:43.603+01:00

I knew I should never have got carried away. By the time I'd got to the geometra, I'd practically planned my dream house with its differing levels, verandas, balconies and roof terraces. So, understandably, I couldn't believe it when he delivered the news that the house would have to be rebuilt as it was before the ODTRC saga. This is due to planning regulations drawn up in the 1960s when

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1168354106749891452007-01-09T15:32:00.000+01:002007-09-07T11:23:28.255+02:00

HowToItaly has moved its blog to wwww.howtoitaly.typepad.com.Come along and join the fun.A prestoEmmaIt's a brilliant start to the New Year.Our book Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese has officially entered the bestseller section on Amazon for Small Business and Starting a Business categories.We had no idea what the reaction would be to our

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1168341297561749502007-01-09T11:45:00.000+01:002007-01-09T12:15:46.783+01:00

This post has been a long time coming and it's all due to the ODTRC (oh-dear-the-roof-collapsed) saga and working out what to do next. What did happen is that we no longer employed the builders to do the rennovations on our house but to knock it down completely. So now we just have a plot of land which all the neighbours like to look at and let us know exactly what we should be doing with it. On

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1164105117734962402006-11-21T10:59:00.000+01:002006-11-21T11:31:58.443+01:00

Here's a round-up of the latest job vacancies appearing in Il Sole24 Ore:Customer Portfolio ManagerCommerzbank, the second-largest German private sector bank, is looking for a customer portfolio manager for its Italian branch located in Milan. Candidate must be aged 30/32 with a university degree in economics or equivalent and with fluent written and spoken English. German is a plus. Must also

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1163664425665000482006-11-16T09:00:00.000+01:002006-11-16T09:07:05.683+01:00

Well, there's nothing to be done. The house needs to be pulled down and built from scratch. The other option would be selling the land. But it's a good plot in a good location and central to all ammenities and the neighbours are all lovely. Let's face it: if the roof of your next-door-neighbour who you haven't met yet, falls through your roof and damages your house and you smile and say you

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1163404551960606612006-11-13T08:44:00.000+01:002006-11-13T08:55:51.970+01:00

It should have been a simple matter of knocking down the internal walls of the house so that we could start the renovations on the house we bought in Arzachena back in July of this year. So the 'geometra' gave the go-ahead. Instead, the internal wall which formed a tiny cupboard turned out to be a supporting wall and when it was removed the roof came crashing down - and into the house of our new

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1163096082220739302006-11-09T18:27:00.000+01:002006-11-09T19:14:42.556+01:00

The work we were born to do by Nick WilliamsFirst a word of warning: don't buy this book if you are expecting a checklist and lots of quizes to find out the type of work suitable for you. You'll be bitterly disappointed and slating me for recommending this book. This works if you are feeling lost in the direction that you want to go and feel ready for a change but aren't quite sure what. What it

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1162640636084797802006-11-04T12:31:00.000+01:002006-11-04T13:38:21.476+01:00

I get a lot of requests from people about the books about Italy that are helpful to read. So here are my favourites. Some are serious, some are funny, some are heartwarming and some are simply kick-up-the-arse books to get you moving so that you can move to Italy, set up a business, find work or simply whatever you want to do. Dark Heart of italy by Tobias Jones.This book isn't funny and has been

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1162634201031011772006-11-04T10:34:00.000+01:002006-11-04T12:14:37.820+01:00

Just had the first of our second round of Skype chats, this time on Becoming an Expatreneur in the Bel Paese. What a productive discussion! It was a good job Mario was on hand to answer all the technical questions. The result is that we'll be launching a brand new club in 2007 to help those people who don't just talk about their dreams they act on them to turn them into successful businesses in

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1162588155147872582006-11-03T21:50:00.000+01:002006-11-03T22:09:15.226+01:00

There are some days when you love Italy, some days when you hate it and some days when you're just totally bemused.That happened to me today when I went to the posta to send Mario's nephew, who has just turned five, his birthday present. It was just after lunch so it was very quiet - there was only one other customer in the post office apart from me, and only one member of staff serving behind

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1162572938030544072006-11-03T17:49:00.000+01:002006-11-03T17:55:38.040+01:00

I came across the following this morning. While not related to moving to Italy or starting a business in Italy, it is inspirational and reminds us that we need to go all out if we want to achieve our dream. Impossible Dream, from the musical Man of La Mancha, about Don Quixote and his magical quest. To dream ... the impossible dream ...To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...To bear ... with

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1162454326651456892006-11-02T08:53:00.000+01:002006-11-02T08:58:46.660+01:00

Nothing like having a day of in the middle of the week and spending it at the beach and swimming in the sea. No, I wasn't having a duvet day. It was public holiday yesterday in Italy - Ognisanto - and luckily here in Sardinia, it is still beach weather. Sometimes it's quite difficult to remember that 2007 starts in two months time - in my mind we're still in summer. Emma Bird is the director of

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1162237706466940822006-10-30T20:45:00.000+01:002006-10-30T20:48:26.546+01:00

For those of you looking for work in Sardinia, there is a vacancy to teach English in Alghero, starting within the next month, so if you aren’t yet qualified you still have the chance to do so. Send me an email and I’ll forward on your request.Emma Bird is the director of www.howtoitaly.com and the co-author of Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1162195519119433852006-10-30T08:54:00.000+01:002006-10-30T09:05:19.133+01:00

Our Skype chats on Saturday were so successful, that we've decided to extend them.From now on, everyone that buys a copy of Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese will get the chance to take part in that month's 1-hour Skype chat on starting a business in Italy. Our business guru and Italian chartered accountant Mario Berri also participates in

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1162029267916908432006-10-28T00:11:00.000+02:002006-10-28T12:21:31.113+02:00

Isn't it great when you see people moving towards their dreams?That happened just now in the first of our free Skype chats for those people who have bought our book Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese.With the numbers kept deliberately small, we could find out about each person's plan for becoming an expatreneur in Italy and offer tips and

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1161967579436383952006-10-27T18:36:00.000+02:002006-10-27T18:46:19.663+02:00

The tax reforms are all back up in the air again, and this time it seems that only those who hit Eur150,000 annual income will now be eligible for income tax at 45 per cent. No one really knows what is going to happen. But I will keep you posted. Emma Bird is the director of www.howtoitaly.com and the co-author of Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1161802917628580502006-10-25T20:42:00.001+02:002006-10-25T21:12:05.680+02:00

The latest additions to our diary are as follows:Dec 28, 29, 30, 2006January 2,3,4,5, 2007Both Mario and I will be available for 1-hour, 2-hour or all day sessions to work on your business plan for Italy. These sessions will take place in Wimborne, Dorset.Business Building BootcampMay 11-13, 2007No matter how vague your ideas at the start, by the end of this workshop, you'll have come up with a

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1161712955650784942006-10-24T11:39:00.000+02:002006-10-24T20:54:56.926+02:00

Legambiente, the Italian environmental organisation, has published its league table into the health of Italy's 103 capoluoghi di provincia (main town in each province).Cycle paths, green spaces, recycling facilities, smog levels, traffa>c moi et la star "Daniel Gilbert"elle esttp simpas

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1161421505086953192006-10-21T10:23:00.000+02:002006-10-21T11:05:05.173+02:00

It's true that Italy is the land of chianti and cappuccinos and leaves an indelible print on your heart but it's important not to forget the 'dark' side of Italy. And Thursday night's edition of Anno Zero on Rai2 presented by journalist Michele Santoro made sure viewers didn't as he explored the link between politics and the mafia and the Calabrese 'ndrangheta', which means 'courage' or 'loyalty'

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1161191640540580862006-10-18T18:57:00.000+02:002006-10-18T19:14:00.710+02:00

I stumbled across this blog by American Melinda Gallo by accident while I was surfing the internet for some information. http://melindagallo.com/blog/Her observations of daily life in Italy are insightful and apt and really make you feel as if you are there on the streets of Florence with her.Emma Bird is the director of www.howtoitaly.com

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1161103024936092232006-10-17T18:19:00.000+02:002006-10-17T18:37:06.026+02:00

I've just been interviewed by a journalist on the Observer for a piece she is writing on the cost of living in Italy and the new tax laws that are being discussed in parliament. Of course, I was glad to help, and not only because I've been there and done that and know how hideous it is at times to write an article on a subject you know nothing about. I read the Italian papers and watch the

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1160138291255009482006-10-06T14:25:00.000+02:002006-10-06T14:43:31.203+02:00

What a week. It's been one of those where everything happens all together and you're left reeling. That's the book out, editorial commissions (yay!), business plans, writing next book, and then finding out that easyJet may have pulled out of Sardinia and will no longer be flying from Olbia back to London Gatwick. That really does put the dampner on things and means a lot of revised plans if it's

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1159893747071452852006-10-03T18:37:00.001+02:002006-10-03T18:42:27.100+02:00

This one is an appeal for help. I need to profile the following:ANY expat living in SardiniaYoung expats (aged 27 and under) who graduated in the EU and are willing to be interviewed in EnglishAny expat who has bought a property in Italy and is willing to be interviewedAny expat in Italy who has wants to be profiled for the business page of Italy mag (www.italymag.co.uk) Emma Bird is the director

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1159782978911125402006-10-02T11:39:00.000+02:002006-10-02T11:56:18.923+02:00

I've now become the expert for Italy at the Guardian newspaper's new site www.guardianabroad.co.uk for all things expat. So if you have a quick query and want it answered for free there, I'll be answering it for you. Emma Bird is the director of www.howtoitaly.com

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1159646257044264482006-09-30T21:43:00.000+02:002006-09-30T22:00:02.313+02:00

CrikeyAm in a bit of shock. Didn't actually expect quite so many people to have bought Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese yesterday. But judging from the amount of receipts and order numbers people sent me wanting to claim their all their special bonuses, they did. Of course, special thanks go to Nicola Schroeder (read all about her in the

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1159520274905918542006-09-29T10:56:00.000+02:002006-09-29T10:57:54.916+02:00

Oooh, our book Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese is out today. But that's not all. Buy our book today and you'll get your hands on the following fab bonuses to ensure you get your new business off to a swinging start. Your special bonuses are:1) Free participation in How to Italy’s 1-hr Skype chat Becoming an expatreneur in the Bel Paese –

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1159435074260961162006-09-28T11:02:00.000+02:002006-09-28T11:17:54.286+02:00

If any of you have AOL email accounts or have an EU passport in New Zealand please read on.We are having trouble replying to anyone with an AOL email address as our replies simply time out. This is only happening with AOL addresses. No one else is affected.If you have sent us an email from an AOL acccount, please resend it from a different address so that we can forward on our original reply.

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1157532375749047572006-09-06T10:31:00.000+02:002006-09-06T10:46:15.760+02:00

Judging from a flurry of recent emails I've received, some of you are getting confused about the difference between a 'stage' and a 'tironcinio'.So to clear up any doubts, here are the definitions:'Stage' is stolen from the French and has nothing to do with the theatre. It is the equivalent of a work placement or internship and normally lasts three to six months. You are not an employee but you

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1156523903507489232006-08-25T18:36:00.000+02:002006-08-25T18:38:23.520+02:00

Just a few years ago, there seemed to be more banks in Italy than coffee shops, which certainly tells you something.But as the banking system modernised, that came to an end as the smaller banks were bought out by their bigger rivals, among them Unicredit, San Paolo, Banca Intesa and Monte dei Paschi di Siena.Yesterday, the mergers took another step forward with the merger between San Paolo and

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1156414018382421612006-08-24T11:45:00.000+02:002006-08-24T12:06:58.403+02:00

Only five weeks to go before our book Starting a business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese is published.It's a wierd, but admittedly cool, feeling to see a year's worth of bashing out words at the computer transformed into book with an isbn number and bar code.A small group of people have already read it and given it the thumbs up and on September 29 you'll

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1154536836193447512006-08-02T18:25:00.000+02:002006-08-02T18:40:36.396+02:00

Moving to Italy is not always smooth sailing and bureaucracy inevitably gets in the way.Plus, unless you're one of the lucky ones, landing a job is never as easy as it would be back home.That's why you need to plan your move to Italy carefully and not leave it till the last minute.One person contacted me yesterday because they were moving to Italy the following day and still hadn't decided where

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1152888763631864832006-07-14T16:42:00.000+02:002006-07-14T18:23:38.326+02:00

I've just become the moving abroad expert on Tellmehow.So if you have a question to ask about living and working in a country other than your own, why not post a query?I'll answer it and it won't cost you a penny.Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.comOur book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1152722642926139242006-07-12T18:32:00.000+02:002006-07-12T18:44:03.040+02:00

Finding work in Italy wasn't as easy as I thought - but not for the reasons I had imagined.Mistakenly, I'd assumed that the job application in Italy would be the same as in England - only the language would be different.But getting to grips with what tense to use and whether I was using the right adjective were the least of my worries. Instead, what I should have been focussing on was ensuring

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1152537517396049802006-07-10T15:16:00.000+02:002006-07-10T15:21:37.200+02:00

What can I say?Except?Bravissimi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.comOur book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.

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FORZA AZZURRI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.comOur book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1152373476102437992006-07-08T17:32:00.000+02:002006-07-08T17:44:36.113+02:00

The labour market in Italy is changing.But women, both Italians and foreign nationals, are still being descriminated against.For instance, recent statistics in Il Sole 24 Ore show thatonly four women in 10 have jobswomen receive on average 15 - 27 per cent less for the same work done by a manonly five per cent of women head up companies in Italyone woman in five is forced to give up her job after

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Exciting news.Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' has now been edited and the front cover designed.And, if all goes to plan, it will be on sale in September and in the bookshops from October.It's great to know that all the hard work that Mario and I have put into the practical manual has been worth it.The book ties in with our next

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Watching the World Cup this week has made me realise one thing. Just how unpatriotic I've become in supporting the Boys from England.And that's no mean feat when you consider that I used to go to Anfield to watch Liverpool live when I was working as a reporter in the city back in 2001, and even now I always check out the football results online.Of course, I whooped and cheered in the bar on

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It's been a funny old week in Sardinia weather-wise.First it was all grey skies. Then the temperatures soared to a swealtering 41 degrees centigrade. And now it's back down to a relatively cool 27 degrees.But despite the atypical weather for this time of year, I still believe Sardinia is a pretty perfect place to live.And, after speaking to business partners in America today about a series of

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1151323877880019892006-06-26T13:52:00.000+02:002006-06-26T14:11:17.893+02:00

She's a jill-of-all-trades.It's how I've been described on more than one occasion.And the negativity of the phrase is enough to send shudders down me.Yes, I do wear lots of different hats and on any one day could be a journalist, English teacher, writer, consultant and speaker.But what's wrong with that?Turn the situation on its head and jack or jill-of-all-trades suddenly becomes someone with a

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We had an unexpected guest turn up this week.But no, it wasn't a long lost friend or relative looking to enjoy a week's holiday on the Costa Smeralda but a three-legged tortoise.We'd left the gate ajar when we popped out to shops and when we came back, he was munching contently away on the weeds before lopsidely heaving his shell into the evening shade.I'd wanted to put him in the grounds of a B&

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Can't wait to live the life of your dreams in Italy? But not quite sure how to go about it?Have you tried reaching for the glue and creating a collage?It may sound strange but it really does workBy cutting pictures of the Tuscan hills out of glossy magazines, selecting your favourite photo of your unforgettable holiday in Como and drawing a picture of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence helps you

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1149020386225637492006-05-30T22:06:00.000+02:002006-05-30T22:19:46.236+02:00

There was another piece on the Italian telegiornale tonight about the country's ageing population.One of the reasons for this phenomenon is the falling birthrate. The second reason is because Italians are living longer.It doesn't surprise me one bit. Since moving to Sardinia three years ago, my health has improved dramatically. I used to be known as the Girl with the Cough and even got kicked out

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1148897584343627052006-05-29T11:31:00.000+02:002006-05-29T12:13:09.256+02:00

I'll be adding my own posting later, but first it's time for Gabry, Enrico and Marta to tell you about Cagliari.GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION Cagliari is the most important city in Sardinia, an island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. Cagliari is situated on the south coast on a beautiful gulf, called “Golfo degli Angeli” which means gulf of the angels.THE HISTORYCagliari was dominated by the

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It was a perfect way to spend a summer's afternoon.We ate, drank and networked under a canopy of trees, which protected us from the fierce heat of the midday sun, high up in the sette fratelli mountains near Cagliari.We were a mixed bunch, Italians and native English speakers and coming from all walks of life. Phone numbers were swapped and email addresses exchanged so who knows what business

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It's another hot, sunny day here in Sardinia.And just perfect for the Ecademy networking picnic I've organised for tomorrow.A couple of How to Italy clients made the move to Cagliari this week so I thought it would be nice to welcome them in style and introduce them to other expats and English-speakers in the city.Forget speednetworking this is leisure networking. Lingering over prosciutto,

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1148546176030385482006-05-25T10:32:00.000+02:002006-05-25T10:36:16.046+02:00

This time it's over to Silvia, Francesca and Francesco to bring you their take on what young people can get up to in Cagliari.In Cagliari, young people have many things to do, above all in the summertime when Poetto’ s beach is full of tourists. A meeting point for them are certainly the bars along the beach where you can drink a good beer or eat a refreshing ice-cream during the hot days of

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Life isn't all about work, work, work.There has to be some play, too.So today I'm handing back over to the class 2B of the liceo 'Siotto' who can tell you what there really is for you to do in Cagliari.HOW TO HAVE FUN IN CAGLIARICagliari isn’t a very big city but it is a good place for young people. First of all because there are a lot of young people: when you walk in its streets they are very

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I came across an interesting article in Italian Glamour today about job tactics for the 21st century and thought I'd share a digested version with you.E-recruiting is on the up in Italy and more than 3.7 million Italians now use online searches to find a new job.English-language skills are highly regarded and essential for most of the advertised jobs. But the sites are in Italian so make sure

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1147801066594840032006-05-16T19:27:00.000+02:002006-05-17T15:59:00.393+02:00

After less than five months in business, we’re looking for an office and marketing assistant to join the How to Italy team in Cagliari, Sardinia from September.We are looking for that special someone that personifies the How to Italy brand and can convey our personality, humour, customer care and smile down the phone or via email to our clients throughout the world.You’ll be a people person,

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Looking for an unusual place to stay in Italy?I've just had some great news and couldn't wait to share it with you.A friend of mine, Elisabetta Missoni Foffani, has just opened Casa Antica Mosaici, a B&B located in the grounds of the award-winning wine estate which she owns together with her husband Giovanni.To find out more about the azienda agricola, click on www.foffani.it.Casa Antica Mosaici

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Poetto is the closest and most popular beach in Cagliari. The name of this long sandy shore, from “Sella del diavolo” (“The saddle of the devil”) to “Margine rosso” probably derives from the tower called “Del poeta” (“Of the poet”) which stands on the eastern side of S.Elia promontory.When the mistral wind blows, it is possible to understand the origin of the fable which gave “Golfo degli angeli”

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1147443449816397782006-05-12T16:08:00.000+02:002006-05-12T16:17:29.846+02:00

If you want to visit Cagliari, this is the right guide for you!!!We put our unlimited experience of Cagliari’s D.O.C. citizens in your hands .Cagliari, an ancient Phoenician city, is full of history, folk traditions and typical products.Now we will tell you how to enjoy your time in Cagliari.In the morning you can start with a tour in the historical centre of Castello. This is a district

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For the next few days, I'm relinquishing control of this blog and handing it over to the real experts: the students I do conversation classes with at school.After all, they have the insiders' view. They've lived in Italy all their lives.So for the alternative view of what life is really like in Italy, watch this space. The first posting will be coming later today.Emma Bird is the co-director of

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1147341120150934922006-05-11T11:32:00.000+02:002006-05-11T11:55:18.776+02:00

We knew the Business Building workshop had been a success.And now we have proof. This is what Lesley Dever, one of the participants, had to say about it:“I've arrived home safely feeling very satisfied with the course and the connections I have made with you both.“There was something about coming to Sardinia to do the course that enhanced the whole experience. It seems to make sense to be in the

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Sardinia is postcard perfect today.The sky is a brilliant forget-me-not blue, the wind has dropped and it's warm enough to finally to cast off the jumpers and jackets that should have long been consigned to the back of the wardrobe.I love days like this because they make me feel that anything and everything is possible and that there are endless opportunities are out there just waiting to be

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1147160143772656902006-05-09T09:15:00.000+02:002006-05-09T09:36:48.686+02:00

On the whole, Italy is a very mistrustful society and, as any expat or Italian will tell you, networking is crucial when it comes to finding work or leads for potential work.Of course, some people are more successful than others - it's all down to the approach they take to developing and nurturing their network.What networking isn't about is writing to someone you don't know and expecting them to

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1147096525884524322006-05-08T15:44:00.000+02:002006-05-09T09:37:10.206+02:00

It wasn't a relaxing weekend but it was fun.We were running the Business Building workshop on the Costa Smeralda. When we weren't in the boardroom discussing the ins and outs of starting a business in Italy, we were eating freshly-baked cakes for breakfast and enjoying laidback meals in off-the-tourist-track restaurants for dinner.Some participants even found time for a spot of well-earned

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1145002057265531322006-04-14T10:00:00.000+02:002006-04-14T10:07:37.280+02:00

If you're looking for work in the corporate sector, why not subscribe to www.cambiolavoro.com, a portal listing job vacancies throughout Italy?What's more, you can subscribe to their newsletter and every week you'll receive a weekly email with the latest listings.Below is a selection of some of the jobs on offer this week from Cambiolavoro.com.HR PLANT MANAGER - RIF. S344SeltisImportante

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Spring has finally arrived in Sardinia and I’d love to be able to tell you that we’ve been doing nothing bar lounging around on the beach, soaking up the sun and drinking cappuccinos in a waterside bar. But that would be a long way from the truth.Since finishing the book, it’s still been go-go-go. Back in March, Mario did a consultation with an American business consultant looking for projects in

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1143790083545161822006-03-31T08:54:00.000+02:002006-03-31T09:28:05.193+02:00

It's been a busy, busy month.Together with Mario, I've been finishing my book on starting a business in Italy, which goes on sale in September. It includes lots of interviews with expats who have all taken the plunge and set up their own businesses in the Bel Paese - and they are not all in Tuscany. They live throughout Italy, come from all walks of life and all offer totally different

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Given the recent flurry newspaper articles on Sardinia, it's becoming a very popular place for people wishing to relocate overseas and it's easy to see why.The mild winter climate, the gorgeous sandy beaches and tasty food and wine makes it an ideal spot for those looking to escape the rat race and enjoy a more relaxed and much cheaper way of living.How to Italy's team of relocation consultants,

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1139052876720120422006-02-04T12:13:00.000+01:002006-02-04T12:34:37.263+01:00

There was an interesting piece in the Italian national newspaper Corriere della Sera yesterday (Friday, February 3, 2006).It was about the growing importance of Personal Assistants in Italy and the career progress they can be expected to make, along with salary increases.And unlike other industry sectors which are experiencing decline in Italy, a study commissioned by the Camera di Commercio in

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1138360876749720412006-01-27T12:00:00.000+01:002006-01-27T12:22:28.073+01:00

A former colleague of mine in America has now become the International Service Representative for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.And she told me about this great opportunity to raise funds for charity.So, for anyone that likes runing and will be in Rome in May, why not join in the Race for Cure?Komen Italia have organised the 5k run on Rome 21 to raise awareness and funds for the

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1138358992235828852006-01-27T11:41:00.000+01:002006-02-01T11:49:00.456+01:00

Retraining as a teacher and working in-company in Milan was the best thing that ever happened to me.By working in Sephora, Unilever, Ernst&Young and Accenture to name just a few, I got to network at a high level: after all, I was helping project managers, inhouse accountants, lawyers and senior executives brush up their language skills.Admittedly, the pay was poor (we're talking Eur10 an hour

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1138264067624156632006-01-26T09:17:00.000+01:002006-01-26T09:27:47.653+01:00

Good news:Our Swapping City Stress for Beach Address Workshop on moving to Sardinia has now sold out.Sardinia is a beautiful island with some of the best beaches in Europe but it's not like Italy. Unemployment is high and the island is cut off from the mainland, both geographically and in terms of mentality.Still, if you are determined to jump the obstacles in your way and are a go-getter, it's a

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1138014997957836732006-01-23T11:46:00.000+01:002006-01-23T12:17:26.706+01:00

I haven't blogged for the last week because I've been very busy with consultations.So this weekend it was all about 'me' time.Saturday started off with breakfast in the sunshine and when we realised the warm weather was going to carry on all day, we popped into the Marina area of Cagliari, picked up some home-made olive and walnut bread and headed to Poetto for an improvised picnic on the

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Last week I was profiled by the Daily Echo Bournemouth, the paper that led to my love affair with newspaper reporting and where I did my first stint of work experience aged 15. You can read the piece hereOn the back of that, I'm going to be in Dorset, UK, next month for face-to-face consultations about living and working in Italy.On Saturday February 25, I'll be in the pretty market town of

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1137152458544026682006-01-13T12:17:00.000+01:002006-01-13T12:40:58.800+01:00

Although Italy is a beautiful country with stunning architecture, good food and friendly people, a lot of would-be expats are put off from moving to Italy because of all the red tape.Admittedly, finding a job is difficult but it's not obviously not impossible because the country is full of happy expats who have great jobs and wouldn't choose to live anywhere else.Teaching English is perennially

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1137066862566807052006-01-12T12:38:00.000+01:002006-01-12T12:54:22.576+01:00

It may be winter but it's warm and sunny here today. With days like this is makes me realise just how much I love living in Sardinia.Tuscany and Umbria may be the traditional housing markets for expats but I believe Sardinia will soon come into its own, too. After all, with its mild climate, six months of summer, gorgeous beaches which don't get crowded even in the height of the tourist season,

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When I was made redundant in Milan after I got back from my summer holiday, I couldn't find a job anywhere. And,as you know, it wasn't for lack of trying. No matter how much effort I went to, the doors of opportunity just didn't open.And now I know why.It wasn't because I wasn't skilled or good enough - I was. It was because I hadn't sat down to envisage exactly what I wanted my new life to be

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1136285956279041012006-01-03T11:22:00.000+01:002006-01-03T12:08:12.306+01:00

With the office closed for the festive period, I've been putting my feet up and enjoying Christmas and New Year on the south coast of England.And of course I've been recharging my batteries for the coming year because there is lots I want to achieve in 2006.I love swapping the Sardinian sea for the English Channel and being away from Italy and slipping back into my old ways means I can evaluate

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1134464232589891392005-12-13T09:36:00.000+01:002005-12-13T09:57:12.600+01:00

Today I'm not writing this on my patio overlooking the sea.Neither am I in a bar chilling out over a cappuccino and brioche.And I'm not even in the comfort of my own home office.Instead I've decamped to a friend's house to borrow her computer and internet access for a couple of hours because ours is down for a week.It's all due to changing ISP from Telecom Italia to Tiscali.We applied for the

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1133952456481729942005-12-07T11:24:00.000+01:002005-12-07T11:47:36.490+01:00

With just two weeks left before the Christmas holidays, it's all go-go-go.This morning I was up extra early as I had to get routine blood tests done. The lab, on the other side of town, opens at 7.30am and if you don't get there beforehand, you'll find at least a dozen people in the queue in front of you.I turned up at 07.45 and was number 33.While the blood test was harmless enough, the price

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1132863936608706852005-11-24T20:12:00.000+01:002005-11-24T21:25:36.640+01:00

I feel like I'm a ping pong ball!I need to have a routine check up at the doctor's but my 'tessera sanitaria', which entitles me to use the Italian sistema sanitaria nazionale, has run out and I need to renew it.But it's not a simple task.I'm not registered with a doctor in my town but in my boyfriend's town because everyone agreed that I should definitely be with the 'medico di famiglia' and not

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1132680486088990182005-11-22T17:46:00.000+01:002005-11-22T18:28:06.106+01:00

Just over a week ago, I raved about 'L', the 24-year-old American who had landed a plum job teaching English in Piedmont.Sadly, the situation turned out too good to be true because the directors of the school she was going to be working for found out about stages in obtaining a visa and decided that completing the process was just too much hassle.And, unfortunately, this is the situation that

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1132132183074973732005-11-16T09:38:00.000+01:002005-11-16T10:09:43.083+01:00

Some clients from Italy came to visit us at the weekend. They'd been to Sardinia several times before so we knew we were going to have to pull out all the stops to make this visit really memorable.Our first stop on Saturday night was for aperitives at Cagliari's famous Antico Caffè, the former haunt of Italian and British writers including DH Lawrence, Sibilla Aleramo and Nobel Prize winner

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1131696099086804392005-11-11T08:37:00.000+01:002005-11-11T09:01:39.093+01:00

Ooh, I'm smiling again - and it's because I've got a success story to report.Yesterday, a man from Connecticut emailed me about his 24-year-old daughter who had just moved to Italy to find work as an English teacher. He was looking for advice about her visa situation.I've been banned from mentioning her name because she "doesn't think she has done anything special" but her proud dad thinks she

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1131628902960703112005-11-10T14:05:00.000+01:002005-11-10T14:21:42.966+01:00

Because I'm back in Cagliari for a few days, this morning I popped into the high school I taught English at for two years to say hi to some of the teachers and students.But instead of spending the 20 minute break with the teachers, I ended up helping my stressed ex-students map out their futures once they graduate next June.I got them to write down their ideal life starting from when they leave

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1131531273354940992005-11-09T11:12:00.000+01:002005-11-09T11:14:33.353+01:00

Ooops. It looks like that trip to Tuscany and Umbria has thrown me out a day. As I've been convinced it's only Tuesday.I can't change those other blogs so they'll have to stay the same. But don't worry. I do know what day it is now.Maybe I should take time out for a cappuccino and brioche to recharge my system.

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1131530990373276682005-11-09T10:52:00.000+01:002005-11-09T11:09:50.380+01:00

Today is busy busy busy. I've definitely not got time to relax. I've got to finish writing copy for the new How to Italy website, work on the book, write two articles AND hold a consultation with a client in New York.But I don't mind because I opened my mail box this morning to find some lovely emails - the kind that leave you smiling all day long.One was to book a consultation in the next step

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18757430.post-1131449679877589752005-11-08T11:54:00.000+01:002005-11-08T12:36:21.386+01:00

I've just got back from a business trip to Tuscany and Umbria.I'm so used to seeing the parched hills of Sardinia that the kaleidoscopic vibrancy of the red, orange and yellow leaves falling to the ground was an unexpected surprise.And it was lovely to meet expats and Italians I had only ever networked with virtually - it's always good to put a face to a name.But being back in Sardinia, I can't

How to Italyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726844804013384147noreply@blogger.com