![\"to](\"https:\/\/rickzullo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/1roma-300x220.jpg\")
Blogging and social media. They are the new forms of \u201cjournalism\u201d in this globally connected digital age. But unlike traditional journalism, this new style is designed to be bi-directional. It\u2019s a conversation instead of a speech. The writer and the reader feed off each other, and the result is a greater depth of knowledge for both parties.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why I enjoy writing about Italy so much. Every time my enthusiasm plateaus, somebody sends me an email with photos from their trip, or posts a big \u201cGrazie!\u201d on my Facebook Page for answering a difficult question that somehow made their vacation more memorable, or their expat transition a little more smooth. Really, it\u2019s the best reward for a writer\/blogger (which is a good thing, since there isn\u2019t much financial reward).<\/p>\n
So today on my podcast I\u2019m answering some of the most common questions about Italy sent to me via email, voicemail, Twitter, or the search engines. I didn\u2019t identify any of the questioners by name, but instead I lumped the inquiries into general topics that come up frequently.<\/p>\n
Obviously, this could a very long blog post and podcast, but I cut myself off after just seven questions that touch on diverse areas of life in Italy, the expat experience, and tourism information. Perhaps in another episode I\u2019ll take on another round. But for now, here they are the general areas of discussion addressed on this podcast episode, and the corresponding resources on my website to help you understand these topics.<\/p>\n
The Definitive Guide to the Permesso di Soggiorno<\/a><\/p>\n Q2: Dating in Italy.<\/strong> This is now my most popular search engine keyword for some silly reason, and most of the results point to this article on my blog:<\/p>\n The Italian Dating Scene<\/a><\/p>\n In the podcast, I\u2019ve also recruited the advice of the female perspective from my previous guest, Cinzia Giorgio, who is the author of the book, \u201cThe Erotic History of Italy.\u201d<\/p>\n Q3: Buying and Restoring a Tuscan Villa<\/strong>. It takes about a week and a half of living in Italy to recognize that this is a colossal, life-altering mistake for 99% of the people who entertain this all-too-common fantasy. Why is it that every mid-level manager from Milwaukee wants to sell all his possessions, pick up a hammer, move to Tuscany, and\u00a0become a carpenter? Listen, unless you already possess mad skills with a circular saw (not to mention the Italian language), keep the dream\u00a0alive by renting, and leave headaches to the people who know how to deal with them.<\/p>\n Buying Property in Italy<\/a><\/p>\n Q4: The \u201cNext Tuscany.\u201d<\/strong> It\u2019s a common thread to hear people claim that they \u201cwant to get off the beaten path and discover the \u2018real\u2019 Italy, away from those other annoying tourists.\u201d Then often, these same folks are shocked when the \u201creal Italy\u201d doesn\u2019t speak English, shuts down for the four hour afternoon pausa every day, and has never heard of a dish called Lobster Fra Diavolo.<\/p>\n Well my friends, I\u2019ve been off the beaten path in Italy, and I can tell you that sometimes it\u2019s truly resplendent:<\/p>\n An Organic Farm in Umbria<\/a><\/p>\n And sometimes it\u2019s as frustrating as can be:<\/p>\n Frustrations Encountered While Traveling in Italy<\/a><\/p>\n But in any case, you\u2019d better learn to speak the language if you really want to enjoy it:<\/p>\n The Best Way to Learn Italian<\/a><\/p>\n Q5: How do I know if I\u2019ve been cursed with the Malocchio?<\/strong> This is another popular search engine term that finds its way to my blog. I personally don\u2019t put any faith in any of these beliefs, but I still always find it interesting to explore the intersection of superstition and religion in Italy. Throw in a dash of\u00a0mythology and a pinch of astrology for good measure, and you\u2019ve got a curious blend of supernatural beliefs that is ripe for conversation.<\/p>\n Catholicism and other Superstitions in Italy<\/a><\/p>\n What they fail to understand, as I did, is that it\u2019s not only the clothes. There\u2019s a whole aura that\u2019s impossible for any foreigner to copy. Still, it helps to at least keep a few \u201cdon\u2019ts\u201d in mind to avoid looking totally clueless.<\/p>\n How to Dress Like an Italian<\/a><\/p>\n Q7: Restaurant Advice.<\/strong> Unfortunately, it IS possible to pay a lot of money for a bad meal in Italy\u2019s tourist cities. Marketing can be a powerful force and so too often we are drawn into restaurants against our better judgement.<\/p>\n People have actually asked me where to get the best Chicken Alfredo in Rome. (Sigh) The truth is, this dish doesn\u2019t exist. There is a restaurant called Alfredo\u2019s in Rome and they do sell a signature pasta dish by the same name. However, very few Italians have ever heard of it, and in fact it bears a striking resemblance to the simple pasta al burro<\/em> that one gives to finicky children who won\u2019t eat anything tastier.<\/p>\n If want some solid restaurant advice, listen to my friend and fellow blogger Eleonora Baldwin. She wrote about some of Rome\u2019s better eateries in my restaurant guide, and her blog provides one of the best resources on Roman\/Italian Our Favorite Restaurants in Italy<\/a><\/p>\n Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino<\/a><\/p>\n And if you want to know about finding authentic Italian food outside of Italy, listen to what my friend Paolo had to say about the topic in a recent interview on my podcast.<\/p>\n Disgraces on the Menu with Paolo Rigiroli<\/a><\/p>\n OK, amici, that\u2019s all for now. I\u2019ll be back soon with another guest to dive deeper into this ever-fascinating, rich and complex culture that is Italia. Ciao!!<\/p>\n Click the link to check out other episodes and see my list of the <\/span>best podcasts about Italy<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Il](\"https:\/\/rickzullo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Il-Permesso-di-soggiorno_small-189x300.png\")
<\/a>Question 1: How to be an expat.<\/strong> I still get lots of \u201chow to\u201d questions about the practical steps\u00a0for\u00a0residing in Italy. At a certain point, I just couldn\u2019t keep up with all the individual inquires anymore, so I composed a free downloadable guide to walk people through the process, complete with sarcastic jabs at the notorious Italian Bureaucracy. It\u2019s all here:<\/p>\n![\"dress_FREE\"](\"https:\/\/rickzullo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/dress_FREE-187x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Q6: How Do I Dress Like an Italian?<\/strong>\u00a0For some reason, many people are keen to \u201cblend in\u201d with the locals while on vacation in Italy, and they seem to think that the correct fashion advice will accomplish this in short order.<\/p>\n![\"rest_FREE\"](\"https:\/\/rickzullo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/rest_FREE-187x300.jpg\")
<\/a>cuisine in the English language.<\/p>\n\n