Italy is about as far from New Zealand as you can get – both geographically and culturally. We’ve experienced wonderful holidays in Italy as often as possible over the last 20 years.
In 2011 we even managed to spend almost a year living in Italy with our two dogs Poppie and Daisy – small, furry, white Bichon Frise who are definitely part of the family.
We made great friends, ate great food, drank great wine and got a taste for what living in Italy is all about. But in March 2012 we returned to New Zealand, to our home and our lives.
This blog, which began as a record of our 2011 trip for friends and family, now is a record of our regular trips to Italy as well as the fun and games of living in New Zealand, at our place in Wellington.
La dolce far niente 
So pleased that the girls,……. oh…… and you and Jean, have arrived safely. The ‘dollhouse’ looks cute – still trying to work out how a bedroom for the four of you fits in. Can’t be alot of room for the crates of wine !!!
Wow, left NZ for beautiful Italy! I wish to do the same one day (I’m from Australia).
Excellent choice!
We bought our house in Bagni di Lucca 8 years ago. It is the best thing we ever did. I spend about 6 months a year in Italy and it has opened up a whole new life. Are you planning to live permanently in Italy? If you go back to NZ do you have to put the dogs in quarantine as you would have to do in Australia?
Hi there – I’ve enjoyed panning through your beautiful images and words of la bella Italia.. I’m a half Italian, half Kiwi, with most of my family still in Italy. I’ve just arrived back in New Zealand after three incredible months in Italy, and have hit a bit of culture shock (how I have found myself to be reading your blog in the first place!)
I’d really like to integrate Italy into my New Zealand life and work more and somehow bridge the cultural and physical gap between the two countries, and was wondering if you have found a way to do so? Do you have any plans to return?
Kindest,
Alexandra
Hi there, apologies for an out of the blue question but I am currently building a mcrae 550 spyder and looking for as much info as possible. Is your example a mcrae build by chance?looks great!