Mi o My Italy Blog

Oct 10, 2026

Flash Floods Hit Lipari as Torrential Rain Sweeps the Sicilian Islands

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Lipari after torrential rain caused serious flooding on the beautiful Aeolian island off Sicily's northern coast on Saturday, October 10.

The storm struck during the early hours of the morning, reaching its greatest intensity between 1am and 1.40am. The damage was considerable. Dozens of homes were flooded, streets in the town centre were covered in mud, and cars became trapped in floodwater and debris around Sottomonastero harbour.

Two torrents, Ponte and Valle, overflowed, carrying mud and rocks towards the beaches and into the sea. Firefighters worked through the night, helping motorists in difficulty and responding to calls for assistance.

Lipari is a place many visitors remember for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, welcoming community and beautiful coastline. For the residents now facing the difficult task of cleaning up and repairing their homes, however, the island's beauty will offer little comfort until life returns to normal.

Oct 09, 2026

Tornado Hits Sicily

Powerful Tornado Devastates Towns in Western Sicily

A powerful tornado swept through western Sicily on Friday, October 9, causing widespread damage in Marsala, Petrosino and the surrounding area.

Homes and other buildings were damaged, cars and trucks were overturned, and trees and electricity poles were brought down by the violent winds. A school in Marsala suffered particularly severe damage, with windows blown out and part of its ceiling collapsing. Around 300 pupils were evacuated.

Ten people, including five children, were initially reported admitted to hospital, according to local officials. Most of those treated in Marsala were subsequently discharged, although some remained under observation. Two people caught in the tornado while travelling by car in the Petrosino area were also seriously injured.

Sep 30, 2026

Retire in Sicily or Calabria?

Dreaming of a new life in Italy? For many people, Sicily and Calabria seem irresistible. Both offer stunning coastlines, charming villages, warm weather, and a lower cost of living than many other parts of Italy. However, before packing your bags, there are some important realities you need to consider—especially if you're planning to retire or spend your later years in Italy.

Healthcare Can Be a Serious Concern

One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing where to live in Italy is healthcare. While Italy's healthcare system is often ranked among the best in the world, the quality of care varies considerably from one region to another.

Unfortunately, Sicily and Calabria have struggled for years with healthcare-related challenges. Waiting lists can be long, specialist appointments may take months, and some hospitals lack the resources available in central and northern Italy. It is not uncommon for residents to travel hundreds of miles to other regions for important procedures or specialist care.

For retirees and anyone with ongoing health concerns, this can become a major issue. A beautiful home overlooking the Mediterranean loses some of its appeal when accessing quality healthcare becomes difficult.

Other Challenges of Living in Southern Italy

Healthcare is only part of the picture. Both Sicily and Calabria face economic challenges, higher unemployment levels, and less developed infrastructure than many parts of central and northern Italy. Public transport can be limited outside the larger cities, and dealing with bureaucracy often requires patience.

While these regions are wonderful for holidays, daily life can sometimes prove more complicated than newcomers expect. Many expats arrive enchanted by the scenery but later discover that practical matters have a much greater impact on their happiness.

Why Umbria Is a Better Alternative

If you're looking for a region that offers beauty, authenticity, and a higher quality of life, Umbria deserves serious consideration. Known as Italy's Green Heart, Umbria is famous for its rolling hills, medieval towns, excellent food, and welcoming communities.

The region also benefits from generally stronger healthcare services, good transport connections, and a central location that makes exploring the rest of Italy easy. Best of all, property prices and living costs remain reasonable compared to many of Italy's most famous destinations.

Before You Make Your Decision

Every region of Italy has its attractions, but moving abroad requires looking beyond postcard views and sunny beaches. For many expats, Umbria offers a more balanced and practical lifestyle than either Sicily or Calabria.

Click the Continue Reading link below to discover why Umbria may be the ideal place for your new life in Italy.

And also consider Udine

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Sep 30, 2026

Did u know that Italian women don’t take their husband’s surname?

In Italy, a woman does not legally replace her birth surname when she marries. Her surname remains the one she was given at birth, and that is the name used for official identification and civil records.

Italian consulates will confirm that a married woman keeps her maiden surname on her passport and other documents.

She can, however, use her husband’s surname socially, and it can be added as an annotation to an Italian passport. So you may sometimes hear an Italian married woman referred to using her husband’s surname, but that does not mean she has legally changed her name.

A very Italian bit of history

This has an interesting history. Under the old Italian Civil Code, the legal position was very different. Before the 1975 reform of family law, Article 144 stated that the husband was the “head of the family” and that the wife assumed his surname.

The landmark Family Law Reform of 1975 changed this. Article 143-bis provided that a wife would add her husband’s surname to her own rather than simply replacing it. In practice, the surname given at birth remained the key legal identifier.

It’s about identity

There is something rather beautiful about this Italian tradition. Your surname connects you to your family, your parents, your grandparents and generations of history. Marriage does not erase that identity.

And the story is still evolving. Italy’s rules concerning children’s surnames have also changed significantly in recent years, giving parents more choice over which surnames their children receive.

So the next time you meet an Italian married woman, remember: the surname she was born with is still legally hers.

A small detail? Perhaps. But it tells you something fascinating about Italian family, identity, and tradition.

Sep 28, 2026

Shopping in Florence: Our Guide to Italy's Shopper's Paradise

The Essential Guide to Shopping in Florence. Explore luxury boutiques, hidden gems, and local markets. Plan your ultimate shopping spree in Florence now!

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Sep 28, 2026

Saluzzo is an Absolutely Exquisite Little Italian Town

Saluzzo may not be one of Italy's famous names, but that is part of its charm. Give it a day and I think you'll understand why this little town is so special.

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Sep 16, 2026

Addio to Vitantonio Lovallo

There are some people whose lives seem to belong to another Italy. Vitantonio Lovallo — known affectionately as Zitòn — was one of them.

He was born in 1914 in Sarnelli, a small village near Avigliano in Basilicata, and he lived to the remarkable age of 112. For a time, he held the title of Italy's oldest living man. But titles never defined him. His life did.

And what a beautifully simple life it was. He worked the land. He looked after his animals. He stayed close to his family and to the village that had always been his home. Even as the years gathered around him, he never stopped. In his 100s, he was still taking his sheep out to pasture. Well into old age, he was still tending his vineyard — hands in the soil, as they had always been.

His food was just as traditional, just as honest. Vegetables, fruit, beans and chickpeas, alongside the simple foods produced around him. Nothing complicated. Nothing hurried.

And perhaps that tells us something about Basilicata.

This is a region where old ways of living have quietly survived. Where people have always walked a great deal, worked with their hands, eaten what the land gave them, and remained close to family and neighbours. The Mediterranean diet — rich in vegetables, legumes and olive oil, with little processed food — is part of the picture too.

Basilicata is also home to an unusually high number of very old residents. Yet there is no single secret to living to 100, let alone 112. Genetics, environment, lifestyle and luck all have their part to play.

But what I find most touching about Zitòn's story is this: he wasn't trying to live forever.

He was simply living.

Fully. Gently. Faithfully.

And perhaps that is the finest lesson this remarkable man leaves behind.

We salute you, Zitòn. May God bless you.

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Sep 14, 2026

Canale di Tenno: A Village That is Like Being in a Nativity Scene

Escape the hustle and bustle and retreat to the tranquility of Canale di Tenno, where time seems to stand still amidst the majestic peaks of the Italian Alps.

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Sep 12, 2026

Albori - A Secret Little World on the Amalfi Coast

When you think of the Amalfi Coast you think of picturesque villages, breathtaking scenery and lots of tourists. Albori is as picturesque, but no tourists.

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Sep 03, 2026

Postcards from Italy

Discover the beauty of Italy through these stunning photos that capture its essence. From historical towns to breathtaking landscapes, explore it all.

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Aug 25, 2026

Looking for the Best Piedmont Restaurants? This one is AMAZING!

In the Langhe wine country, home to many of Piedmont's best restaurants, we've discovered a real gem: L’Osteria del Vignaiolo. This review reveals why I love it

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Aug 19, 2026

The Most Beautiful Door in the World

There are certain moments in Italy that stop you in your tracks. You turn a corner, and suddenly you're face to face with something so beautiful it almost doesn't feel real. That's exactly what happened to me the first time I stood in front of the Battistero door in Florence.

Most people know it as the Gates of Paradise, and honestly, once you see it, you understand why.

It sits on the eastern side of the Baptistery of Saint John, right there in Piazza del Duomo, quietly holding its own against the enormous cathedral next door. And yet, somehow, this bronze door manages to steal the show. It was created by Lorenzo Ghiberti, a name that might not roll off the tongue like Michelangelo or Leonardo, but trust me—it should. Ghiberti won the commission in 1425 through a competition that's practically legendary in art history. He went up against some serious heavyweights, including Filippo Brunelleschi (the genius behind the cathedral's famous dome). And Ghiberti won. That victory wasn't just personal—it was a turning point for the entire Renaissance, a moment that said loud and clear: innovation, beauty, and human skill matter.

The doors took him 27 years to complete. Twenty-seven years of hammering, shaping, and perfecting. When you look at the ten panels, each one depicting a scene from the Old Testament, you realise why it took so long. Every panel is packed with detail—figures that seem to move, landscapes that feel deep enough to step into, and emotions that somehow come through in bronze. Ghiberti used perspective in a way that nobody had really done before in relief sculpture. He made flat surfaces look three-dimensional, creating depth and space that trick your eye and pull you into the story.

And what stories they are. Each panel is like a tiny visual novel, dense with meaning and artistry. You could stand there for an hour and still notice something new—a fold in a robe, a glance between figures, a tiny animal tucked into the background.

When Michelangelo himself saw the doors, he reportedly said they were worthy of being the "Gates of Paradise." Coming from him, that's about as good as it gets.

The doors were originally installed on the east side of the Baptistery. For centuries, they were a source of pride for Florence, a symbol of the city's artistic and spiritual ambition. But time and weather take their toll, even on masterpieces.

In the 20th century, the original doors were carefully moved to the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, where they can be protected and preserved for future generations. The ones you see on the Baptistery today are replicas—so faithful that most people can't tell the difference.

But honestly? Whether you're looking at the originals in the museum or the replicas in the piazza, the feeling is the same. Awe. Wonder.

Aug 19, 2026

Chia Beach Sardinia - Is This The Best Beach in Sardinia?

Discovering the best beaches in Sardinia and Italy is my job and I am often asked if Chia Beach Sardinia is the best on the island, well my answer is always....

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Jul 26, 2026

Italy's New Citizenship Law: Hope for Descendants Abroad

For many people around the world, it felt like someone had slammed a door that had always been open.

Families who had spent years tracing their Italian roots, gathering birth certificates, translating documents and dreaming of one day holding an Italian passport suddenly discovered that those dreams had been swept away almost overnight.

When Italy passed Law 74/2025, millions of descendants of Italian emigrants who had always believed they qualified for citizenship by descent found themselves excluded. It was heartbreaking for many. This wasn't simply about obtaining another passport. It was about reconnecting with family history, honoring grandparents and great-grandparents who had left Italy in search of a better life, and finally completing a journey that had begun generations earlier.

For a while, it seemed that dream had come to an abrupt end.

But perhaps not.

After Italy's Constitutional Court rejected the main challenge to the law, many believed there was nothing more that could be done. The new rules appeared settled, and hope quickly faded.

Now, however, there is genuine reason for cautious optimism.

Several Italian judges have decided that important questions raised by the new citizenship law should be considered not just by Italy's courts but by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

This is a significant development.

The cases ask whether aspects of Law 74/2025 are compatible with fundamental principles of European Union law, including legal certainty, legitimate expectations and equal treatment. In other words, they question whether people who had every reason to believe they were eligible for Italian citizenship could have that opportunity removed so suddenly.

The European Court of Justice is the highest authority on EU law, and its decisions are binding on member states. If it concludes that parts of the legislation conflict with European law, Italy may have to change how the law is interpreted or even amend parts of it.

No one should expect an overnight reversal.

The court could uphold the law entirely. It could require only limited changes. Or it could issue a ruling that benefits particular groups of applicants rather than everyone.

But the important point is this:

The story is no longer over.

Only a few months ago, many people believed every legal avenue had been exhausted. Today, that is no longer true. The questions are now before Europe's highest court, and until those questions are answered, there remains real hope that at least some of the harshest consequences of the new law could be reconsidered.

If your own family dream of Italian citizenship was shattered by Law 74/2025, don't assume the final chapter has been written.

Sometimes, in Italy, the story takes an unexpected turn.

Jul 23, 2026

Sicily on Fire

The smoke arrived before the sunrise.

Across western Sicily, the sky glowed an unsettling orange as the scent of burning forests drifted through towns that only days earlier had been welcoming summer visitors. By morning, the island was fighting dozens of wildfires, with exhausted firefighters, forest rangers and Civil Protection teams racing from one emergency to the next.

An Island Under Siege

The worst-hit areas stretched from the province of Catania to Agrigento, Palermo and Caltanissetta. Fierce Scirocco winds transformed small fires into fast-moving walls of flame, pushing them towards homes, woodland and farmland. In Santo Stefano Quisquina, more than one hundred residents were evacuated as fire reached the edge of the town. Around Palermo, smoke hung over the city after a night of relentless firefighting, while power outages added to the sense of crisis.

In Monreale, the hills above one of Sicily's greatest treasures burned once again, with thick smoke surrounding nearby homes and forcing authorities to battle multiple fronts simultaneously.

A Hero Lost

Tragically, the emergency claimed the life of a 59-year-old firefighter who collapsed while battling a major blaze near San Cataldo in the province of Caltanissetta. Another firefighter was taken to hospital after also becoming ill during operations.

His death is a stark reminder that these disasters are measured not only in hectares burned, but in the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women who stand between the flames and Sicily's communities.

A Familiar Summer Nightmare

For many Sicilians, the scenes are heartbreakingly familiar. Every summer, prolonged heat, dry vegetation and powerful winds create perfect conditions for devastating fires. Authorities continue to investigate many blazes, while emergency crews remain on constant alert as temperatures stay dangerously high.

Visitors planning holidays should remember that Sicily remains open, and most of the island continues to welcome travellers as normal. However, local conditions can change rapidly. Before setting out for nature reserves, mountain villages or rural attractions, it is wise to check local news and follow any instructions issued by authorities.

For now, Sicily's famous blue skies have been replaced by smoke. The island's beauty remains, but this week it has come at a heartbreaking cost.

Jul 14, 2026

Must Read Before You go: The Cinque Terre Map & Guide

Essential pre-trip reading: Explore the beauty of Cinque Terre with our comprehensive Map & Guide. Your key to an unforgettable Italian adventure starts here.

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