The first thing the locals ask you when you tell them you have moved here permanently is “Perche?” “Why?” That’s not always an easy answer for me because I knew nothing about the Campania region or Guardia before my move. I had planned to move to Sicily or the Marche region in the North, but never Campania.
Read MoreCalifornia girl moves to a small village in Italy to test her strength and endurance and survives!
I'm Susie, an adventurous traveler from California who always had a love for Italy. After 30 years of dreaming, I decided it was time to move to Southern Italy and start a new life. With my two dogs, Mack and Sweetie Pie, I moved to a traditional, Southern Italian village in the Campania region.
Why I gave up my Italian Residency after 7 years. Life in Italy can be a dream but is often overly romanticized. After home renovations, learning a new language, dealing with the infamous Italian bureaucracy, emotional ups and downs, the passing of my dogs, and missing my family terribly, I decided to make a change. Was it Under the Tuscan/Campania Sun?
My 5 favorite things about living in Italy. There is so much to love about Italy so I chose the things I look forward to every day: Italian coffee, Italian food and wine, the pausa (or siesta), a strong sense of community, and the beauty and diversity of Italy. Read about my 5 Favorites and some expats and locals who have inspired me.
A Mini-Vacation to Puglia, Italy. Puglia is a beautiful and unique region of Italy filled with trullis, white cities, and clean beaches on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. After being on lockdown for several months here in Italy, I was more than ready for a road trip. I visited the towns of Martina Franca, Cisternino, Locorotondo, and Alberobello in the province of Bari. A perfect 3-day trip!
Ashley Bartner of "La Tavola Marche" and Susan Dufresne of "Get Lost in Italy" chat about life as American expats in Italy. We talk about living in a country with different traditions and cultures, learning a new language, gaining residency, citizenship, what we love, and what we miss the most. If you dream of moving to Italy, we hope this video answers many of your questions.