Our Background

The seeds of what was to become our dream to live in Italy were planted long before we met in college. Growing up in parallel New York suburbs, we had baby-boomer childhoods - Sunday dinners at the table of immigrant grandparents, with all the aunts, uncles and cousins - enjoying the food and stories that blended American and southern Italian traditions. We met at Virginia Tech in 1970 courtesy of our blond, blue-eyed roommates who thought we belonged together...little did they know!

After graduation, we got married and Bill was drafted into the Army where his services were required at NATO’s Southern Region Headquarters in Napoli. We rented an apartment in Pozzuoli and the seeds of our Italian-American childhood took root as we embraced the eccentricities of life in Naples.

Being in the military eased the culture shock somewhat. With guidance from American and British military folks and some friendly locals, we learned the coping skills needed to make the most of our experience. Living and working in Naples provided the contacts, opportunities and serendipity that quickly transformed us into committed Italophiles.

Our affection for Italy did not end with our return to the US in 1975. Over the next 35 years we returned to familiar places - Naples, Ischia and the Amalfi Coast. We felt connected to a part of Italy that our grandparents would have recognized; albeit transformed by time, two world wars and a level of prosperity unimaginable in their time.

Fast-forward to 2009: We sold our house, launched our son into the real world and retired to Central Florida where now we're preparing to “live the dream”. We hope you'll come back often to share in our adventure. Andiamo!!!