artnbarb
1000+ Posts
Those of you who know us might have realized that our travel plans are all over the map, literally as well as figuratively. There are so many places we want to go, and we're constantly tossing around ideas of where, when and how. We had discussed visiting Ireland next year, on our way to Italy. And then we (I) changed our minds. We discussed visiting Norway, and trying to see more of Copenhagen because due to flight delays we lost 2 full days there last summer. And now we have our latest plan, one that may or may not happen, but one that we're trying to figure out: spending 6 months in Italy.
Recent developments in the U.S. have left us feeling frustrated, sad, angry and disconnected. We're not sure we feel 'at home' in the U.S. anymore. We're also not sure that we're up to a permanent move back to Italy - emotionally, physically, or financially, but if we can swing it financially, 6 months in Italy might help to ease our pain. Right now we have a transatlantic cruise booked for travel TO Europe in the spring, and another one booked for travel FROM Europe back to the states in the fall. The idea of spending the entire time in between (nearly 6 months) is tempting.
We know we can rent a nice-sized apartment for €500/month, plus utilities, which is doable. Extras like internet and television concern me, but we have time to do some research. I've been looking at Slingboxes, about which I know very little, and I'm trying to learn if there are other options that would accomplish the same thing. We don't need a lot of TV, but some U.S. news, baseball for Art, and a few shows in English would be nice.
Having a car is a big challenge - and a big expense. The Peugeot buy-back program looks like the best deal, but it's still expensive, and limited. Pick-up points are much more limited than your average car rental, and altho it is a long-term program, the limit is 165 days if the car is picked up outside of France (175 days if picked up in France). For us this means we'd have to return the car to FCO, then do a 'regular' rental for an additional 12 days. Total cost, nearly $4000, but that does include insurance and a zero deductible.
The biggest challenge for us is deciding if we want to stay beyond the 90 day limit without the proper visa, or if we want to go through the time and expense of applying for an ER visa. I'm very much a 'by-the-book' person when it comes to situations like this, but I have to admit that I'm torn this time - and tempted. But then I'm sacred we might be denied entry into Italy at a future date. So, more questions, more research.
Recent developments in the U.S. have left us feeling frustrated, sad, angry and disconnected. We're not sure we feel 'at home' in the U.S. anymore. We're also not sure that we're up to a permanent move back to Italy - emotionally, physically, or financially, but if we can swing it financially, 6 months in Italy might help to ease our pain. Right now we have a transatlantic cruise booked for travel TO Europe in the spring, and another one booked for travel FROM Europe back to the states in the fall. The idea of spending the entire time in between (nearly 6 months) is tempting.
We know we can rent a nice-sized apartment for €500/month, plus utilities, which is doable. Extras like internet and television concern me, but we have time to do some research. I've been looking at Slingboxes, about which I know very little, and I'm trying to learn if there are other options that would accomplish the same thing. We don't need a lot of TV, but some U.S. news, baseball for Art, and a few shows in English would be nice.
Having a car is a big challenge - and a big expense. The Peugeot buy-back program looks like the best deal, but it's still expensive, and limited. Pick-up points are much more limited than your average car rental, and altho it is a long-term program, the limit is 165 days if the car is picked up outside of France (175 days if picked up in France). For us this means we'd have to return the car to FCO, then do a 'regular' rental for an additional 12 days. Total cost, nearly $4000, but that does include insurance and a zero deductible.
The biggest challenge for us is deciding if we want to stay beyond the 90 day limit without the proper visa, or if we want to go through the time and expense of applying for an ER visa. I'm very much a 'by-the-book' person when it comes to situations like this, but I have to admit that I'm torn this time - and tempted. But then I'm sacred we might be denied entry into Italy at a future date. So, more questions, more research.
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