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Living in Italy offers a unique and enriching experience, but adjusting to daily life can come with challenges. This guide helps you navigate everything from currency exchange and transportation to cultural uances and essential services. Whether you're looking to save money, travel efficiently, or embrace Italian customs, these resources will help you settle in smoothly.
Are On-Base Exchange Rates Costing You Hundreds? Military banks often convert your dollars to euros using an "on-base (accommodation) rate." This rate can be as much as 2 euro cents (or more) per euro higher than the mid-market rate or the rates offered by Italian banks and money transfer services. This difference might seem small, but it can add up significantly over time.
The province of Pordenone is a gateway to countless adventures, where history, culture, and natural beauty converge within just an hour’s reach. Whether you’re drawn to the Venetian plains, the serene Dolomites, or charming medieval towns, the only challenge is deciding what to do, when to go, and how to experience it all.
Italians and Americans see the Internet through their own cultural lenses. In Italy, people often prioritize lifestyle and face-to-face connections over constant online access, which may mean slower internet speeds compared to the U.S. When choosing an internet service provider (ISP), speed and price are essential, but they shouldn't be the only factors. Opting for a reputable, experienced, and quality local ISP ensures reliable customer support, better understanding of regional infrastructure, and tailored solutions to meet your connectivity needs.
Living in Italy as an American, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is among your essentials nowadays. Many state/U.S. government and financial websites (e.g., DMVs, IRS, or banking) restrict access from foreign IP addresses. A VPN with a U.S.-based server ensures you can access these sites securely. Additionally, with a VPN you may be able to access region-blocked streaming sites, like loading the US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, etc.
One of the best options is actually free and gives you the ability to study from the convenience of your home, the Mango language program.
The Mango app provides a comprehensive and immersive approach to learning Italian using a step-by-step, easy-to-hard scaffolding method, meaning each lesson builds on the previous one. It starts with foundational vocabulary and grammar, and as you progress, lessons introduce more complex structures and conversational skills..There are over 600 lessons to include reading, listening and progress assessment.
Telepass: Similar to many stateside electronic toll collection, Telepass is Italy's version. Italian toll booths are challenging to navigate. With Telepass there is no need to stop at toll booths. It can also be used for parking lots like Venice Marco Polo, and certain ZTL (restricted traffic zones) in some Italian cities. Charges are automatically deducted from your linked account or credit card, and detailed statements make tracking expenses easier. Depending on what your plan, there may be a nominal monthly fee.
Telepass: Similar to many stateside electronic toll collection, Telepass is Italy's version. Italian toll booths are challenging to navigate. With Telepass there is no need to stop at toll booths. It can also be used for parking lots like Venice Marco Polo, and certain ZTL (restricted traffic zones) in some Italian cities. Charges are automatically deducted from your linked account or credit card, and detailed statements make tracking expenses easier. Depending on what your plan, there may be a nominal monthly fee.
Parking Apps: Finding a parking ticket machine, in the dark, in the rain only to discover it's out of order can be testing. However, with a parking app, one that is widely used in Italy, comes convenience and takes the guessing out of parking. You only pay for the time you park, plus a small fee. If you are underway and the parking is about to expire, you can easily add time via the app on the fly without the stress of having to go back and add money.
Americans and Italians see the world differently. These differences aren't inherently better or worse but are shaped by each culture's unique history, traditions, and social values. Recognizing them can be insightful, entertaining, and enriching.
Besides traveling by car to new locations and other cities, TrenItalia has some great connections from Sacile or Pordenone. On the fastest trains, see below, Milan and Florence can be reached in a little over three hours. Trenitalia is Italy’s primary train operator, is a convenient, clean and efficient way to travel without the hassle of parking and driving.
Instead of purchasing cases of water weekly and transporting them back home and disposing of the plastic bottles, many Italians conveniently go to a community water dispenser with their glass or plastic water bottles and fill them with water.
Local Dairies: The province of Pordenone, nestled in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of northern Italy, is home to a rich tradition of artisan cheeses, or formaggi. Many of these cheeses are produced in small latterie (dairies) scattered across local towns.
For international mail and packages, or for items you have received, but were not at home, Poste Italiane (the Italian Postal System) is available in most towns. To find the closest Poste Italiane, see the link below. To discover more about their guidelines and prices, see the second link in English (they have similar capabilities to USPS Click and Ship).
Leisure air travel through Dublin Airport can offer a smoother and more convenient experience when flying to the U.S. The Dublin Airport allows travelers to complete U.S. INS processing before boarding, meaning you can skip long customs lines and walk straight out of the airport upon arrival in the U.S.
Not all Air Conditioning is Created Equal: Summers can be extremely hot in the local area. This cultural difference highlights how Italy and the U.S. diversely view the use of air conditioning.
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