To Alice-Thanks for the names of the other artists. I don't know anyone, personally, that listens to Italian music so I don't have anyone to share my interest with. Before our trip I went to Borders and asked for some input from the man working there. He told me the most popular and best selling Italian artist, by far, was Bocelli. So home with Bocelli I went. Maybe it's an American/foreigner vs Italian cultural difference in our tastes in music that non-Italians choose different artists than the Italians do. I find his music relaxing and soothing. I don't find American teenagers enjoying his music-in fact I've witnessed them cringing almost in pain when I have it on! ;o)<BR><BR>I will try to find the artists listed in the last couple of posts and hopefully I can expand my horizons! <BR><BR>Another idea(sorry this is getting long), my husband bought me "Mob Hits", it's a compilation of the greatest hits from the Mob-type movies. I even had to laugh. But I think we(foreigners) have a stereotypical sense of Italian music from what we have been exposed to that may be quite different from what is actually listened to in Italy. <BR><BR>Just a few thoughts to your questions, Alice.

Probably there is some kind of different expentancy about culture (geee! I do not knoe whether my statement makes any sense in English!!! ^_^;;), just like when I think about the Us and only imagest of the manhattan skyline (sadly crippled) and of large plains with hordes of wild horses and cowboys come to my mind, having never been to the Usa. Honestly I aven't been a teenager in the last 13 years (andI wasn't much of a teenager even at that time), but thinking of Bocelli makes me cringe too. probably your teenagers would cringe much less when listening to Afterhours or 99 posse (despite the bands' names, they sing in Italian or even in Neapolitan in the case of 99 posse). A country's music has many shades and from abroad we are mainly exposed only to avely little amount of it (except probably for US and Uk pop and rock music).<BR>In any case, should you be interested in listening to some of the artist I have quoted, feel free to write to me at [email protected].

This is a GREAT forum. I'm going to Italy in less then 2 weeks...YEAH!!!! I've only been in San Remo- everyone goes when they are in Monte Carlo. I've read all your responses and I'm getting palapations... I can't wait!!!!!!!<BR>Thanks

I topped this several days ago when I found it during a search. Since then, I have ordered books mentioned by Fodorites, bought CD's, stuffed the pantry with Italian pasta, rented mentioned movies,bought Italian shoes, chocolates, suffered through my Italian lessons, drank Lemonecilli(sp?}from Trader Joes for the first time) while doing my homework from my Italian Class,<BR> and NOW<BR><BR><BR>It's YOUR turn to keep this thread going, so to the top for all of you who are enjoying it. Send it to the top again and again, per favore!

Alas it is all too easy to remember Italy every day as I try to work off the extra pounds I gained eating the fabulous food!<BR><BR>Seriously, I just spent a week in Orvieto and will post a number of short reports sorted by subject. I'm still travelling...in London now.

Tough to really re-live Italy, because, as we all know, only Italy is Italy. When I am there I make it a point to rent houses, read a lot, go grocery shopping in little shops, cook my own meals--from high quality, fresh ingredients, hang laundry out in the sun, walk everywhere. When I'm home in New England I do the same sorts of things . . .so it's not so much about bringing Italy home, it's more about how you learn to live the good life and appreciate anywhere you happen to be.

Have any of you ever tried to start an"I love Italy" group in the town or city where you live. I think it would be great to be able to make new friends with people who share my love for Italy. Has anyone tried that???

Hi Pam, I just returned from 19 days in Europe, 10 of which were in Italy. I am half Italian, and it was my 3rd or 4th time. It is difficult to resist.<BR><BR>I wanted to add a book I learned of on this site, and I don't think it has been mentioned--An Italian Affair. I believe the author is Laura Fraser. It is a true story of a woman whose husband wants out becuase of another woman. She meets an Italian and has an ongoing affair with him in various Italian locations. It is an easy read. I read it during my trip, and it certainly got me in an Italian frame of mind.<BR><BR>By the way, my Berlitz Italian CD has left me wanting more. Do any of you have suggestions for some good Italian lessons? Anything other than the university? Thanks. The Traveler.

well i read the whole tread and was wondering <BR><BR>how come if you all love italy so much you dont move to live over there? <BR><BR>i mean you say you love the food, the people, the architecture, the people, pretty much even how the cows smell so why not move there to live ?<BR><BR>i just know that if i liked that much anywhere else that wasnt home i would move there and make it my home <BR><BR>is it maybe that you dont like it that much ??<BR><BR>or is it maybe that you are too much in-love with your americanized life style that you wouldnt give it up ??<BR><BR>is it maybe that you are just simply afraid or dont see at as nothing more than a vacational destination...but i cant believe that you would after procalming your undying love for this country that cant be called less than enchanting...<BR><BR>i dont mean to be rude by asking such questions just to understand

I'm planning to take my 16 year old son to Italy over the Thanksgiving holidays. Arrive Sunday, leave Saturday. Where is the best places to go, stay and see? It will be a first trip to Italy for both of us.

Hi wonderer that is actually a very good question!<BR>I too am completely enamoured with Italian food, music, wine, architecture, language etc I don't think there is a simple answer to your question of why not just go & live there but I will give it a try...I have actually in many daydreams entertained thoughts of retiring to a little tuscan village eventually (given I'm only 27 thats still long way off!) or at least throwing in my job to go live there for a year say which I'd love to do (finances dont really allow that for me as yet especially given the state of the sharemarket!). I guess also some of the aspects of Italian life such a food, music & language can easily be indulged from my home here in Australia which would also mean not having to deal with some of the less pleasant aspects of life in Italy - ie, the beuaracracy there plus being away from my family.<BR>I guess I am able to travel regularaly which at the moment gives me the best of both worlds but I still dream of one day fully immersing myself in the Italian way of life & living la dolce vita...:-)

Lucy:<BR><BR>One thing you must really do before moving to Italy is forget everything you think you know about "dolce vita" an such crap. Italy has just as much shit as every other country, it is just placed in different areas.

Good question wonderer, got me thinking…<BR><BR>First of all, I think that people indulge in the things discussed above because we like to be reminded of good times. It is fun to immerse oneself in remembering special moments or places. Personally, I’ve always had a great time in Italy and I enjoy listening to music, reading a book, looking at photographs, etc. to bring back beautiful memories. <BR><BR>Second, there may be many people whose dream it is to make Italy their home, but the reality is that their lives are settled in the country they already live in. Perhaps they have families and children and careers and it would be selfish or impractical to uproot their lives. So often the demands of one’s real life keep a dream just a dream. But there’s nothing wrong with dreaming. If listening to some music or cooking a special meal or reminiscing with friends helps a person transcend the mundane, who can fault them?<BR><BR>As far as myself packing up and moving... Well, I have responsibilities here that are far more important to me than my geographic location. Besides, each country has its beauties and its flaws. Live anywhere long enough and you’re going to see its pimples and smell its morning breath; disenchantment, I think, is inevitable. And I don’t want to be disenchanted--not just yet anyway. Instead, I prefer to incorporate the best of everything I’ve learned, not just from Italy, but from other cultures as well--from philosophy and values to music and food. <BR><BR>After all, a little enchantment is a good thing, don’t you think?<BR><BR>Keep the dream alive. :o)<BR>

Topping, please.

TO LUCY AND JEN<BR><BR><BR>well, thank you guys <BR><BR><BR>i agree with you both understanding your reasons and knowing a bit of where you are coming from <BR><BR>i would definately think leaving family behind is a difficult thing to do <BR>and i agree with you ...dreaming is wonderful ... i do quite a bit of it myself <BR><BR>it is wonderful, and good too for the soul to remember good times <BR><BR>my dad always says that "to remember is to live again" <BR><BR>thanks <BR><BR>-the wonderer

What fun this board is! I too do many of the suggested activities to keep Italy in my life when I am not there. I do speak reasonably good Italian, but always keep tapes in my car for 3 or 4 months before we go. Also, keep limoncello in the freezer--love that stuff, see the movies, read books, although you all have offered some new ones for me here.<BR>The Italy Fever book is available on half.com for about $5 + postage--just ordered a brand new copy for that and throught some of you might be interested.<BR><BR>It's interesting, I am a real Francophile too--used to be a French teacher and we try to spend 2 weeks in France each year--but the France board is nowhere near as complete as this one. Thanks for all the info.<BR><BR>Buona notte,<BR>Robyn France

Robyn,<BR><BR>Have you tried to make your own limocello? I went on Goggle and there must be 50 recipes---all of them quite different. Many have very interesting stories to go along with them. <BR><BR>Give a look!

Hi everyone! I just read all of your comments and suggestions about italy. My husband and I relocating to Milan in September. We will be staying there for 2 years. Any suggestions in renting and apartment, teaching jobs,inexpensive activities etc will be very much appreciated. I am a bit scare but I think it will be an exciting experience. I speak Spanish and have been studying italian. Please advice

this deserves to be topped...with pleasure