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Mark Tedesco
Books, blog, and a life between California and Italy


Why Albania Can Make the Schengen Shuffle Work
This is the single most important fact in the entire post: U.S. citizens can stay in Albania for one full year without a visa, a residence permit, or any application. Just a passport.

Mark Tedesco
Jul 1211 min read


The Schengen Shuffle: Revisited
Taking a second look at the Schengen Shuffle

Mark Tedesco
Jun 287 min read


The Mystery of the Tiny Italian Shower
Can I fit into a shower in Italy?

Mark Tedesco
Jun 215 min read


Should You Live in Perugia?
A University City with 3,000 Years of History About This Series: Living part-time in Tuscany has turned us into passionate scouts for towns that could welcome fellow international residents. After years of splitting our time between southern Tuscany and California, we've learned to evaluate places through the lens of someone considering making Italy home. During the following months each blog will be dedicated to a unique town, examining everything from practical conveniences

Mark Tedesco
Jun 147 min read


Why I Would Not Live in a Historical Center Again
Charm versus Convenience It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is now our life! We live in Tuscany in the fall, return again in the spring, and spend the rest of the time in California. In a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year. As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gem

Mark Tedesco
May 316 min read


Our Second House in Tuscany: Before and After
It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life! We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year). As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems worth sharing. Some are w

Mark Tedesco
May 176 min read


Should You Live in Bolsena?
A Medieval Town on Europe's Largest Volcanic Lake Part About This Series: Living part-time in Tuscany has turned us into passionate scouts for towns that could welcome fellow international residents. After years of splitting our time between southern Tuscany and California, we've learned to evaluate places through the lens of someone considering making Italy home. During the following months each blog will be dedicated to a unique town, examining everything from practical con

Mark Tedesco
May 36 min read


Going for Green Energy in Italy
PART 161: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life! We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then return again in the Spring, and spend the rest of the time in California (as I explained in a previous blog, we only live in Italy part of the year). Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems wort

Mark Tedesco
Apr 194 min read


Should You Live in Pienza?
The ideal Renaissance town About This Series: Living part-time in Tuscany has turned us into passionate scouts for towns that could welcome fellow international residents. After years of splitting our time between southern Tuscany and California, we've learned to evaluate places through the lens of someone considering making Italy home. During the following months each blog will be dedicated to a unique town, examining everything from practical conveniences and community life

Mark Tedesco
Apr 66 min read


Should I live in Santa Fiora?
Where Medieval Tuscany Meets Modern Connectivity NEW BLOG SERIES! About This Series : Living part-time in Tuscany has turned us into passionate scouts for towns that could welcome fellow international residents. After years of splitting our time between southern Tuscany and California, we've learned to evaluate places through the lens of someone considering making Italy home. During the following months each blog will be dedicated to a unique town, examining everything from p

Mark Tedesco
Mar 227 min read


Exploring the Vibrant Festivals of Italy Throughout the Year
PART 167: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life! We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then return again in the Spring, and spend the rest of the time in California (as I explained in a previous blog, we only live in Italy part of the year). Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems wo

Mark Tedesco
Mar 87 min read


Our Three Homes in Italy
PART 159: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life! We spend the Fall in Tuscany, then return in the Spring, and spend the rest of the time in California (as I explained in a previous blog, we only live in Italy part of the year). Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems worth sharin

Mark Tedesco
Feb 224 min read


How to Live in Italy for Part of the Year
This is a bonus blog this week! It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I'll post some steps and what we've learned along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is now our life. We live in Tuscany in the fall, then return in the spring, and spend the rest of the year in California (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year). As we explore different areas, we discover gems

Mark Tedesco
Feb 157 min read


Navigating Utility Services in Our Italian Home
PART 165: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life! We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then return again in the Spring, and spend the rest of the time in California (as I explained in a previous blog, we only live in Italy part of the year). Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems wort

Mark Tedesco
Feb 88 min read


Exploring the History of the Abbey in Abbadia San Salvatore, Tuscany
PART 164 It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life! We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year). Step 1: As we explore areas and towns in Italy, we discover some gem

Mark Tedesco
Jan 253 min read


Should I Buy This Farm in Tuscany?
Wine, Olives, and 12 Acres Near Montalcino This week we're doing something different. A friend of mine, Sandro Marucci ( read my interview with him here ) from Eco Casa Immobiliare in Abbadia San Salvatore, is representing a property that caught my attention—interesting enough that I wanted to write about it. It's a working farm in Tuscany, in Montenero d'Orcia, a quiet village perched between the Val d'Orcia and the Maremma—off the tourist trail but close to everything that

Mark Tedesco
Jan 184 min read


Understanding the Costs Involved in Renovating a House in Italy
PART 163: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life! We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then return again in the Spring, and spend the rest of the time in California (as I explained in a previous blog, we only live in Italy part of the year). Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems wort

Mark Tedesco
Jan 116 min read


Outdoor Sports Activities in Southern Tuscany
PART 158 It might be interesting to share how we managed to live in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life! We spend the fall in Tuscany, then return in the spring, and spend the rest of the time in California (as I explained in a previous blog, we only live in Italy for part of the year). Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems worth shari

Mark Tedesco
Dec 28, 20255 min read


City or Village? Choosing Small-Town Life in Italy
Part 161: This week, let's explore some of the advantages of living in a small town in Italy. It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I'll post some steps and what we're learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is now our life. We live in Tuscany in the fall, return again in the spring, and spend the rest of the year in California (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only pa

Mark Tedesco
Dec 14, 20255 min read


Surprising Moments on Our Hike in Tuscany
PART 160: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way. We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life! We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then return again in the Spring, and spend the rest of the time in California (as I explained in a previous blog, we only live in Italy part of the year). Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems wort

Mark Tedesco
Nov 30, 20255 min read
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