Decision to Move Abroad – Pt 5: Moving to Italy Tips From Our First Trip to Abruzzo
These moving to Italy tips come from our first real trip to Abruzzo. Nobody hands you a manual for leaving your country. You learn as you go.
This is Part 5 of our series, and it’s where the dream became real. Here are our moving to Italy tips, learned the first time we stepped off a plane in Abruzzo.
In Part 4, we explained how Abruzzo Rural Property came into our story. Now it was time to write to them.
Moving to Italy Tip #1: Write the Email Before You Book Anything
After browsing the agency’s website, we found places we had never heard of. We decided to email them our requirements and see if they could guide us.
Lesley wrote the list. I had only two requests: a garage for a small workshop and a spare room for a studio.
Here is what went into the email:
- A house, preferably detached
- Three bedrooms and two bathrooms
- Kitchen, dining room and storage rooms
- Balconies with some views
- A garage, a small garden and a deck
- Preferably two stories
- Close to a town, yet in the middle of nowhere
- Most importantly, not far from the airport
“What About the Grandchildren?”
I read the list and had doubts. The budget was tight, and we are not getting any younger. Two people don’t need a house that size.
Lesley’s answer was short. “What if the grandchildren come to visit?”
I tried again. She stood firm and as the English say, “Happy wife, happy life.”
My tip is simple. Write your requirements down, argue about them at home, and send one clear list. Agents can only help if they know what you want.
The Reply We Didn’t Expect
I’ll be honest. I didn’t think anyone would answer. I was sure our wish list was too big for our budget.
Then the reply arrived, and it came with three property listings:
All three matched our requirements. We were jumping for joy. It was possible. It was actually happening.
Moving to Italy Tips for Booking: Lesley’s Lightspeed Mode
The agency offered us an appointment on 8 September 2025 at 15:30. The meeting was at their office in San Salvo.
Now it was a race against time. Lesley took charge, and her efficiency went into overdrive. Within days, we had:
- Flights into Pescara Airport
- Lodging in Vasto
- A hire car
Whoever says the internet is a nuisance has never booked a trip in an afternoon.
Here is something most people won’t understand. I usually enjoy waiting for the flight more than the flight itself. This time was different. I simply couldn’t wait to set off.
Arriving in Abruzzo: First Impressions
We flew on 2 September 2025. Flight FR1407 landed at Pescara at 14:30.
My first impression? Not impressed. The airport was busy, with plenty of people and cars. It felt a bit like living in Malta.
We collected the hire car and switched on the GPS. This was our first time in this part of Italy. Our only previous mainland trip was to Rome, a city of power and history that I will never forget.
Why We Chose a Self-Catering Apartment
Our base was a small apartment in Vasto. It had everything we needed. Check-in was fully electronic, with no receptionist.
I’m not in favour of that. I prefer human contact. But that is how things are going nowadays.
We always book self-catering when we travel. You explore more when you aren’t tied to hotel breakfast and dinner times. A minimarket next door helped too. Lesley is British, and she knew tea with milk is not popular in Italy. We bought the basics for a proper morning cup.
Moving to Italy Tips for Your First Evening: Eat Like a Local
After a shower and a short rest, we went out. We had five free days before the big appointment.
Our evening was simple: pasta, wine, water and a small espresso to finish. In Sicily, we had learned that Italians treat food as a passion. Vasto proved it again.
People were happy to see us and gave their best. Speaking Italian fluently helped, as I had no language barrier. The service was better than in Rome. But Rome was crowded and touristy, so that may explain it.
The Two Rules You Shouldn’t Break
One night, I played a joke on the waiter. I asked for pineapple on my pizza.
I will never forget his look. When he realised I was joking, we became friends. Learn from my mistakes, and keep these two rules in mind:
- Don’t order a cappuccino in a bar after 11:00 a.m.
- Never ask for pineapple on pizza. In Italy, pizza is sacred.
Moving to Italy Tips for House Hunting: Scout the Villages First
Here is a practical point. The agency didn’t give us the property addresses. But we knew the village names.
So we spent our free days visiting those villages. We also drove to the agency’s office in San Salvo first. That way, we knew exactly where to go for Monday’s appointment.
This is one of our best moving to Italy tips. Visit the village before you visit the house. A house can be perfect. If the village doesn’t suit you, you will know it quickly.
Roccaspinalveti: Quiet and Tranquil
Our first stop was Roccaspinalveti. Its village church looked like the local meeting point, with snacks and soft drinks nearby. People came and went for a quick espresso, then back to work.
It was calm and peaceful, and the air felt fresh. We talked with locals, who were friendly and welcoming. It was a very pleasant visit.
Torrebruna: The Village That Felt Like Home
After a break from driving, we headed for Torrebruna. The drive from Vasto was about 41 km and 45 minutes. For Gozitans, that’s a short trip. Getting from Gozo to the airport takes longer.
The motorway offered pleasant views on both sides. We left late, with no rush, so lunchtime was close when we arrived.
What We Found in the Square
We parked in the village square and looked around. Within a few steps, we saw:
- The Town Hall
- A grocery shop
- A post office with an ATM
- A pharmacy
- An ironmonger
- A houseware shop
All were tiny, and all were handy for daily life. I thought, “If our house is near here, we’ve hit the jackpot.”
Something strange happened as I stood there. The village felt warmer, and it already felt like home. I had heard of Abruzzo, but never of Torrebruna.
Lunch at Da Francesco
The little restaurant, Da Francesco, looked almost empty. I wasn’t sure it was open, so I opened the door slowly.
A woman came out. “Buongiorno, desiderate qualcosa?” I asked if we could eat. She said yes.
The menu was reasonably priced, and there were specialities of the day. The food was delicious, with good portions and friendly service.
The Welcome We Never Expected
As we walked around, an elderly lady greeted us. “Buongiorno,” she said. She could tell we weren’t from there and asked where we came from.
“Malta,” I replied. She knew exactly where that was. She was curious why we had chosen Torrebruna for a holiday.
We told her the truth. We were looking at property, and we were thinking of retiring in Italy. She was overwhelmed with joy. She took us to her house and explained why life in Torrebruna is so good.
Then she said something we will never forget. If we ever needed anything, we knew where she lived. We were always welcome at her house.
That’s when it hit us. We hadn’t bought anything yet, and we already felt at home.
Our Moving to Italy Tips in a Nutshell
If you are planning your own move, here is what our first trip taught us:
- Send a written requirements email to an agency before you book flights.
- Book flights, lodging and a car early. Appointments come quickly.
- Choose self-catering for freedom and a more local routine.
- Arrive a few days early to visit the villages and find the agency’s office.
- Check the village square. Look for a pharmacy, post office, grocery and ATM.
- Learn some Italian. It changed every conversation we had.
- Respect the food rules. Skip pineapple on the pizza.
- Talk to locals. They will tell you more than any website.
What Happens Next
We drove back to Vasto with one topic only. We couldn’t stop talking about Torrebruna. We had never expected such a welcome, not in a million years.
Only one thing was left to do: wait for appointment day. In the meantime, we enjoyed ourselves and the food.
I think I’ve said enough for now. Please join us for the next part of the series: Part 6, The Viewing.
