Lovely article in the Sunday Observer newspaper yesterday about a couple who left a comfortable life in Kingston-Upon-Thames to go and live in Tuscany.  They bought a reasonably sized house and are running Art Courses and haven’t looked back so far.  The article is honest about the positives of such a move but it also examines the difficulties of settling in a foreign country and advises people who are considering such a move to watch the property shows on television.  Living in Italy isn’t the same as holidaying in Italy because to be honest long, lazy days spent sunning yourself on the terrace tend to pall when this is your only activity.  Italy is a country that offers a high standard of living but you need to be clear about why you are going and how you intend to earn your living.  The article also mentions the cost of renovating property in Italy (which is no cheaper than anywhere else) but the standard of work is high and I have had little or no experience of workmen who are lazy or make life difficult.  The credit crunch is making many people re-think their lives and don’t be put off making your move to Italy because you are worried that property prices in Italy will go into free fall.  Indeed, this isn’t happening as people continue to want to live in this beautiful country.  There are some bargains still to be had and we can help you find them by negotiating directly with local owners and agencies so far off the beaten track that they don’t advertise.  In Italy much business is done by word of mouth and this is where we find much of our property.  Don’t just dream the dream but live the dream and let us at www.dreamsoftuscany do the work for you and save you money too!

Annie

Recently made a flying visit to Italy and decided to combine business with pleasure.  So, left Liverpool for Pisa on Ryanair at 7 pm on a Friday morning and enjoyed a lazy coffee in Italy mid morning. Just drinking the coffee and watching the Italians go by was sheer bliss.  Headed for Florence and the leather market where I bought a gorgeous soft leather handbag for 60 euros that would cost twice as much over here.  Had a gorgeous Italian beef stew in a restaurant just off the market and seemed to walk for miles just taking in the wonderful sites.  It was early February and quite chilly but the sun was warm and there was the promise of spring to come.  Headed off to my house in the Garfagana stopping off to buy some beautiful scented lilies from the flower shop in Gallicano to add some life to the house.  Got to my little house in the mountains (breathtaking views) switched on the heating, lit the fire and enjoyed cleaning and pottering around for the rest of the day.  Managed to visit Barga and enjoy an early evening drink on Saturday and stuffed myself with pastries from the village bakery.  Cooked in the evenings on the log stove and enjoyed a glass of wine or two and slept the sleep of the Gods.  Returned to the UK on Tuesday feeling re-energised and happy again.  You simply can’t beat an Italian weekend and having your own house and bolthole makes your stay far more comfortable and restful.  This trip cost just over £120 and you can spend this much on a good meal in the UK.  I have a very small village property with minimal upkeep and renovated by local builders last year to a high standard so there is very little to do in the years to come.  I never get over my delight at going to Italy and enjoying the easy and sensual lifestyle when over there.  I gave the lilies to a lovely lady in my village when I left.  Annie

I recently went to see a beautiful 3 bedroomed bungalow near to Gallicano and it situated in an idyllic spot in the Gallicano mountains.  The Cabin is built to a high specification and has full central heating.  There is a fully fitted modern kitchen and excellent views from every window.  You wouldn’t need to spend anything on renovation.  The views are spectacular and the fittings to a very high standard.  There is a mature garden with plants, shrubs and trees.  A barbecue for those long spring, summer and autumn evenings and a log fire for those winter evenings.    This is a beautiful place for someone who just wants to go and live in Italy without the hassle of renovation etc.    A really peaceful, quiet place to explore the Garfagana or just to sit and observe the wildlife of the mountains.  This is a must to view!

Wishing everyone who reads this blog a Happy and Prosperous 2009.  I spent part of Christmas in Italy and visited the Garfagana.  Gallicano looked beautiful with a Christmas tree in the main square and there were lots of festivities and celebrations in the surrounding mountain villages.  The air was crisp and an early morning frost ensured that everywhere was white.  In the distance you could see the snow on the ski slopes so those of you who enjoy sking hope you are having a great time.  Gallicano is a hot spot to buy currently with property at a fraction of the cost of neighbouring Barga and prices holding their own even with the credit crunch.  Another good spot to buy is Fornacia di Barga (with rail connection to Lucca) as this has lots of shops and places to buy your morning coffee and italian pastry.  Bliss.  There are weekly markets in both places with lots of fresh vegetables, fish, flowers and clothes.  Some good basic restaurants nearby and lots of walking in the beautiful mountains of the Garfagana.  Spring comes early to Italy so do book a viewing trip to Italy and consider the quality of life and not the quantity.  You can still buy a property in Northern Tuscany or in nearby Luginana at a fraction of UK property prices and the investment/rental value is high.  Blessings. Annie

I recently went with a client to view a property on the Italian Riviera and noticed that there was a market on in Forte de Marni on a Wednesday.  For those of you who love Italian markets this is most definetly one to be missed and I am even now swathed in Italian cashmere.  The sweaters were a mere 30 euros each and they are pure cashmere and the wraps were 60 euros and they are just wonderful for the winter. 

The Italian coast is quite expensive in terms of property but there is much behind the coast that is relatively inexpensive and a good investment.  A mere 20 mins from the coast will mean you can buy an affordable property that can be refurbished to your own taste and yet also means you can zip down to the coast for sea, shopping and drinking cocktails in the evening with the jet set!  Do contact info@dreamsoftuscany.com for details on properties in this area.

 

Dreams of Tuscany links to www.toscanamia.biz and you should follow the link to find out more about Serenella in America.  Serenella is an Italian living in America who loves her homeland and her blog has lots of interesting info on living in Italy and renting properties in Italy etc. etc.  She is an interesting and lively person and you need to follow the link to sign up to her blog and to her e mails about Italy. 

Dreams of Tuscany continues to grow and develop and you can join our Affiliate site by clicking on the Affiliate link of the www.dreamsoftuscany.com web site.
Our Affiliates at the current time include Toscana Mia where Serenella Leoni does an excellent job in promoting Tuscany in America. She also does property rental and no one but no one knows the rental market better than Serenella (whose family live in Viareggio). Visit Serenella’s site on www.toscanamia.com

Another affiliate to join this month is Patrice who wrote to say “Your website is wonderful! As soon as I saw it, I realized automatically that I wanted to somehow connect it to my website! My website is still building, but the traffic is getting so much larger every day!! I too look forward to working with you!” you can visit Patrice’s site on www.tuscan-home-101.com
Thanks to Paul and Maya for providing www.dreamsoftuscany.com with such excellent technical support and for designing the web site.
Ciao, Annie

I have been pleasantly surprised by how lovely Tenerife is and I am pleased to see that the press are catching on to this.  Tenerife has had a bad press in the past but recent reports are excellent and buoyant property prices are reported by Richard Rinaldi and Paul Ruane (both estate agents in Tenerife).  The Mail on Sunday (24th August, 2008) reported that property prices in the Canary Islands are not suffering the losses reported on mainland Spain and this is due to the fact that the islands are not overpopulated.  You only have to go a few miles inland and you are in the deepest and most remote countryside you can imagine.  The beaches are clean and good for swimming and Tenerife caters for the tastes of the glitz set in Las Americas to those who want a quiet and peaceful holiday in a more remote area such as Los Gigantes (with views of the sea and breathtaking cliffs).

With many people seeking to escape the UK on a regular or indeed permanent basis then the Canary Islands should be considered as a safe, solid and reliable  economic investment.  The cost of living is lower than the UK and the weather is certainly an improvement upon the UK.  For those thinking of relocating you might want to visit the area and look around and Richard (who lives in Tenerife) has offered to give  customers of www.dreamsoftuscany.com a fair and square deal.  Please contact info@dreamsoftuscany.com to arrange a chat with Richard (no obligation) in order to discuss life and property prices in Tenerife. 

 

 

Many of us overlook the coast near to Pisa but this area is becoming more and more chic.  John Law writing in the Sunday Mail on the 24th August draws attention to this and points out the highlights of Viareggio and Forte de Marni.  Here you can sit on the beach by day perhaps taking a sunbed at a lido for 25 euros per day and shop until your drop at the same time.  All the big boutiques such as Chanel and Prada are there but there are also market stores galore  where you can fill your bags with cheaper (but sometimes well designed) Italian clothes and leather goods. 

Viareggio has a daily market and there are also lots of fish restaurants in the nearby port area which has a great buzz by night.  The fish is often locally caught and I recommend the ‘catch of the day’ washed down with an excellent Tuscan wine. 

Forte dei Marni is a bit more upmarket and many famous people live nearby.  There is a beautiful beach and a large square where you can enjoy a coffee or a cocktail and watch the beautiful people walk by.  

Property prices around both Viareggio and Forte dei Marni tend to be on the pricey side but there are bargains to be had.  You can go a little inland away from the tourists and you will always find a bargain.   You can then nip down to the Italian coast or to Lucca within the space of 30 minutes and to Florence in an hour.  One of my most enjoyable days is to bypass Italy and go to Antibes in the South of France for a day perhaps combining this with a trip to the flower market in Nice.  Contact info@dreamsoftuscany.com for details of property in all of the areas mentioned.  Ciao, Annie

 

 

I always have a few properties that I really like and this month I would recommend Casa Vendasso.  This is a house that doesn’t photograph too well because it is slightly oval and it has a beautiful room at the top of the house that overlooks the mountains.  This would make a great studio for an Artist or an unusual bedroom if you like to admire the early morning light.  Contact me at info@dreamsoftuscany.com if you are interested in this property.

There are two new properties that are very special and they are Casa del Artiste and Casa Mama.  They are both in the village of Vergemoli in Northern Tuscany and are relatively small properties but are very much ‘get up and go’ type of properties where you can pack a case, arrive and begin enjoying the Tuscan lifestyle.  Great for weekends, letting and longer holidays.

I only put things on site if I really like them myself and I hope that from this customers of www.dreamsoftuscany.com can feel as though they are getting a lot of the hard slog of looking at property out of the way!

I would also recommend that those of you who are looking at the investment market might like to take a look at Beuna Vista in Tenerife.  The studio apartments are an excellent buy at 95k euros and are ideal for enjoyment and for letting.  You have the facilities of Los Gigantes and yet the peace and beauty of the cliffs and sea views.