Valerie Fortney Schneider

Valerie Fortney Schneider

Valerie Fortney-Schneider, IL Italy Correspondent, returned to her roots in the southern Italy region of Basilicata where she is a freelance writer, professional genealogist, and cappuccino addict. Valerie and her husband, Bryan, decided to ditch the hamster wheel lifestyle and actually get a life, moving to a hilltop hamlet to enjoy the Italian dolce vita. When not tapping away at her keyboard, she can be found sipping cappuccino, participating in grape harvests, or shooting with breeze with her fellow paesani (villagers).

How to Get a Visa (or Citizenship) and Retire to Italy

How to Get a Visa (or Citizenship) and Retire to Italy

Expat Advice
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I remember the moment when the thought of moving to Italy first embedded itself in my head. My husband and I already loved the country after several trips there—but hadn’t considered anything beyond a few weeks’ vacation. We were in the lovely seaside town of Sperlonga, south of Rome, meandering along the delightful, squiggly lanes, when suddenly we walked into a small piazza, and a picture-perfect scene of daily life played out in about one minute.

Hot Water, Etruscan Trails, and Scenic Towns in Northern Italy

Hot Water, Etruscan Trails, and Scenic Towns in Northern Italy

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The Romans loved to lounge in hot water, so it’s no surprise that Italy today is littered with the remains of ancient bath complexes and mosaic-covered pools. One of their most revered respites was Saturnia, in modern Tuscany. Roman mythology says that Saturn, the wielder of lightning, threw down one of his bolts here and caused the hot water to flow. It hasn’t stopped since.

Discover Magical Le Marche—Italy’s Hidden Gem

Discover Magical Le Marche—Italy’s Hidden Gem

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As I walk across the sunny piazza I think how easy it is to feel at home in Ascoli Piceno. I’m still blurry-eyed when I arrive at the coffee bar, but without my having to say a word, a frothy cappuccino is placed before me, followed by a cornetto filled with a dab of sweet almond paste. The barista, Giuliano, smiles broadly and then chats about the happenings in the neighborhood.

Explore Italy’s Secret Gardens

Explore Italy’s Secret Gardens

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With so much to see in Italy, many travelers overlook the country’s beautiful gardens and lose out on a special experience as a result. For these are no ordinary, peaceful patches of green; they are often reflections of artistic expression with exotic designs and formal layouts. The best-known gardens are the elegant, noble estates of Villa d’Este near Rome, the Royal Palace of Caserta close to Naples, and the Boboli Gardens in Florence, but there are other—secret—gardens to explore…

Ditching Hollywood Glitz to Get a Real Life in Europe

Ditching Hollywood Glitz to Get a Real Life in Europe

Expat-Matters
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Arlene Gibbs was on-set in Toronto, working on a movie in production, when she realized she needed a life change. The two months she spent on location was the longest period she had been away from Los Angeles since she began working there 10 years previously. “Everything in L.A. was about ‘The Business’,” she says. “Everyone I interacted with at work…at the cafes…even at the gym was involved in the movie industry.”

Three Good Reasons to Get Residence in Italy…and How to Do it

Three Good Reasons to Get Residence in Italy…and How to Do it

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You have visions of rolling hills dotted with stone farmhouses, sunny piazzas and la dolce vita. A new life in Italy is alluring. That’s why I moved here eight years ago. But before you can start enjoying those sidewalk cafés and open-air markets, there are a few bureaucratic hurdles you’ll need to jump to live legally in Italy.

South of Amalfi, Italy: Where Properties Cost Less

South of Amalfi, Italy: Where Properties Cost Less

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We arrived at our rented villa just in time to see the sun slipping down toward the liquid-blue horizon. Perched on the terrace, we sipped rosé wine bought in a winery down the road and watched as nature splashed a rosy hue across the western sky. Fishermen returning with their catch left a silvery wake in the waning light. One hour in Cilento and we were smitten.