Info on the Blog Postings/Entries for November, December, 2005 and January, 2006 About, For or On Italy

Here are the titles for my blog postings/entries About, For or On Italy:

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 25 July 2007)

November, 2005

1. 11/5/ 05 – This is my initial posting to the blog titled, "Moving2Italy2"
2. 11/6/05 – Info on finding out more about your Italian Ancestry *
3. 11/7/05 – Info on how to become an Italian Citizen *
4. 11/8/05 – Info on Blogs about Italy, Blog Resources and Lists/Directories of Blogs *
5. 11/9/05 – Info on EXPATS: Primarily in Italy
6. 11/10/05 – Info on On-Line (Internet) Radio and TV in Italy *
7. 11/11/05 – Info for On-Line Magazines and Publications for Italy and Europe *
8. 11/12/05 – Info on Books about Italy *
9. 11/13/05 – Info on Living in Italy *
10. 11/14/05 – Info for Cell Phones in Italy and Europe *
11. 11/15/05 – Info on Italian Newspapers *
12. 16/11/05 – Info on Job Opportunities in Italy and Europe *
13. 11/17/05 – Info on On-Line Route Planning and Maps of Italy *
14. 11/18/05 – Info on Comunes, Provinces and Regions in Italy *
15. 11/19/05 – Info on Market Days/Antique Markets in Italy *
16. 11/20/05 – Info on Events and Festivals (festa or sagra) in Italy *
17. 11/21/05 – Info on Food Stores (Chains) in Italy *
18. 11/22/05 – Info about Internet Usage in Italy *
19. 11/23/05 – Info on Airports in Italy, Airport Guides and How to Get To and From the Airport
20. 11/24/05 – Info on the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Italy
21. 11/25/05 – Info on Outlets and Shopping in Italy *
22. 11/26/05 – Info on Strikes, Demonstrations and Protest Marches In Italy
23. 11/27/05 – Info on Real Estate and Property in Italy *
24. 11/28/05 – Info for Virtual Tours of Italy and Mini-Cams/Webcams in Italy *
25. 11/29/05 – Info on "A Taste of Italy" trip in May, 2006
26. 11/30/05 – Info on Personal Safety in Italy

December, 2005

1. 12/1/05 – Info on Travelers' Health in Italy and Europe *
2. 12/2/05 – Info on Private and Public Transportation and Other Transportation Modes in Italy *
3. 12/3/05 – Info on the Blog Postings for November, 2005 on Italy *
4. 12/4/05 – Info on Tourism in Italy *
5. 12/5/05 – Info on Suggested Reference Links for Learning the Italian Language *
6. 12/7/05 – Info on a Few Financial Topics in Italy *
7. 12/8/05 – Info for Visas and Permits for Italy *
8. 12/13/05 – Info About, For or On Rome, Italy *
9. 12/28/05 – Info about Social Security and Taxes for Americans Living in Italy *
10. 12/31/05 – Info for U.S. Forces, Government Employees, Military Retirees and Defense/Government Contractors with or without their Dependants PCSing (moving) to Italy *

January, 2006

1. 1/10/06 – Info on the Blog Postings/Entries for December, 2005 on Italy
2. 1/13/06 – Info about the XX Olympic Winter Games and Torino (Turin), Italy *
3. 1/14/06 – Info on Visiting Food Shrines in France and one in Italy
4. 1/30/06 – Info on Relocation and Moving to Italy *
5. 1/31/06 – Info on Food Products of Italy *

* = Blog entry has been updated.

The above links are current. If anyone has any suggestions for other sites, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry. For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

Please note: I do NOT represent or endorse any of these links nor do I receive payment for listing them in my blog.

The reason that I list these links is to provide information for individuals who are dreaming or considering a move to Italy. It is my intent to share these links (web sites) with like-minded individuals who either in the process of considering or have made the decision to move to Italy for whatever reason. I have attempted to group these links and to categorize them.

These blog postings and entries are not static. As I come across new information, I update the appropropriate blog entry.

I have found in my research on the Internet that by changing the wording of the search argument or the order of the wording of the search argument on a search engine, e.g., Google, you may get different results. There is so much information to choose from on the internet. Unfortunately, there's a lot of junk that clutters up one's search. I believe in my presentation format that it eliminates the need for one to do multiple searches. Also, I believe this information is a baseline for another individual to conduct their own search and they do not have to reinvent the wheel.

For my blog, I am presenting the fruits of my efforts of just a portion of that information in a format that is of use to my wife and myself for future use and reference (and hopefully, other individuals) as we prepare for our move to Italy.

I am open to suggestions and solicit comments from the readers of this blog for your feedback.

That's it for Wednesday, 1 February 2006: mercoledì, 1 febbraio 2006

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb, author unknown.

"Val più la pratica della grammatica."
"Experience is more important than theory."

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 25 July 2007)

Info for Cell Phones in Italy and Europe

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 31 July 2010)

Here are the links for Info on Cell Phones AKA mobile in Italy and Europe:

INFORMATION

• Cell Phones in Italy – Source: slow travel italy
• Cell Phone Options for Italy – "What is the best solution?" – Source: In Italy™ Online
• Prepaid SIM Card FAQs – Source: Planet Omni – "Specializing in Global GSM Communication" – "We offer COMPETITIVE pricing!"
• Telephone & Internet Providers in Italy – Please scroll down to the section titled, "Cellular/MobileTelephones" – Source: AngloINFO in Italy
• UNLOCKING TRIBAND, GSM PHONES BOUGHT IN THE USA
  
• Unlock your existing GSM Cell Phone – Source: The Travel Insider

ARTICLES

• Avoiding a Large Phone Bill When Traveling – By DAVID A. KELLY – Published: July 27, 2010 – Source: found in the Practical Traveler columns within the TRAVEL section of The New York Times
• Choosing a cellphone for foreign travel – "We weigh in on phones from BlackBerry, iPhone, G1, Nokia, Samsung, T-Mobile." – By Terry Gardner, 07:11 PM PST, December 02, 2008 – Source: Travel section of the Los Angeles Times
• GSM Mobile Phones and SIM Cards – "FAQ about GSM Mobile Phones and SIM Cards Abroad" – Source: lifeinitaly.com
• How to use a United States GSM mobile phone in Italy – "Use Your Mobile Phone in Italy" – By Paolo Nascimbeni – Source: lifeinitaly.com
  
• lodgephoto – "... is the web site of travel photographer Mathew Lodge, featuring pictures of Tuscany (Italy), Spain, France, UK and the San Francisco Bay and New York areas."
  
• Going wireless in Europe: what you need to know about cell phones (part 1) – Mathew Lodge – Last updated: 22 September 2006
• Going mobile in Europe part 2: data services – Mathew Lodge – Last updated: 22 September 2006
• Navigating cell phone headaches overseas – By Elizabeth Yuan, CNN – Tuesday, June 27, 2006 Posted: 1832 GMT (0232 HKT) – Source: CNN International
• Tips for Using Your Cellphone Abroad – By JENNIFER SARANOW SCHULTZ – June 22, 2010, 11:30 am – Source: blog entry in Bucks – "Making the Most of Your Money" in the Business Day Your Money section of The New York Times

CELLULAR NETWORKS PROVIDERS IN ITALY

• 3 (Tre.it) – In Italian Only – Source: web site
• Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) – In Italian Only – Source: web site
• Vodafone Omnitel N.V. (Vodaphone) - In Italian Only – Source: web site
• Wind Telecomunicazioni SpA (WIND) - In Italian Only – Source: web site

RENT/BUY CELL PHONES

• 3 – in multiple languages – Source: web site
  
• Cell Phone Rental for Italy – Source: Planet Omni
  
• Mobal – "International cell phones and satellite phones" – Source: web site
• NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ TALK ABROAD® SOLUTIONS – In association with Cellular Abroad - "One World. One Phone" – Source: web site
• NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC™ TRAVEL PHONE – "WITH U.S. AND U.K. NUMBERS"
• Telestial® – "Wireless Solutions for Travelers" – Source: web site
• Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) – In Italian Only – Source: web site
• UStronics® – "Be the First to Experience®" – Source: web site
• Vodafone Omnitel N.V. (Vodaphone) – In Italian Only – Source: web site
• Wind Telecomunicazioni SpA (WIND) – In Italian Only – Source: web site

RECHARGE (TOPPING UP) SIM CARDS

• How to Recharge Your Italy SIM Card – Source: slow travel italy
• Prepaid SIM Cards for International Travelers – Source: Italy101.com
  
• TIM - Ricarica – In Italian Only – Source: web site
• VODAFONE: Ricarica – In Italian Only – Source: web site
  

RELATED

• Cell Phones in Europe – Source: slow travel
• Cell Phone Tips – Source: Graffiti Wall section of Rick Steves' Europe
• How to get affordable cell phone service for Italy – Source: Summer in Italy
  
• PrePaidGSM – "..the website totally consecrated to GSM mobile prepaid cards offered by mobile GSM (and 3G) operators all over the WORLD!" – Source: web site
• Prepaid GSM Rates
• Reviews & Guides: Europe – Source: eBay
• Reviews & Guides: Italy – Source: eBay
• Traveling with your cell phone, and your questions answered – By Kent German – December 13, 2005 – Source: cnet.com

MISCELLANEOUS

• SEE ALSO:
• Info about electrical plug adapters, power strips and voltage converters for Italy *, dated Tuesday, April 10, 2007
• Info about Cyber Cafes and Internet Points in Italy , dated Friday, October 20, 2006
• Info on Wi-Fi and Hotspots in Italy *, dated Tuesday, June 20, 2006

For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using .

The above links as of this date are/were current. If anyone has any suggestions for any other additional web sites and/or links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry.

Please note: If you want me to reply to your comment or request any further information by email, please include your email address in a separate comment. I will NOT publish any comments with an email address in it.

NOTE: If you want to leave a comment, please leave it in ENGLISH.

Broken links: Since November, 2005, I have written over 300+ blog entries with 1,000's of corresponding links/URLs for Moving2Italy2, covering a varied and wide range of topics. In the event if you come across a broken link or a non-functioning link/URL, please post a comment and report the non-functional link. I wish to thank you in advance for assisting me in the ongoing maintenance and the updating of this successful and informative blog.

Please note: I do NOT represent or endorse any of these links nor do I receive payment for listing them in my blog.

Note: However, since 2005, I do use a TIM SIM card when I travel to Italy with my existing Nokia GSM, tri-band and unlocked cell phone. [Update: A/O 2008, I now have an unlocked, quad-band HP iPAQ 510 and my wife has a Nokia 1200 that she bought at a TIM store in Arezzo. We are using TIM SIM cards in both phones.]

IMPO (In my personal opinion), it is cheaper and less expensive to buy a GSM, tri-band or quad-band and unlocked cell phone than to rent one for Italian or world-wide vacation travel with a dual voltage AC adapters (110V-220/240V). This is especially true if you already have a GSM, tri-band or quad-band and unlocked cell phone in the USA from AT&T (formerly, Cingular) or T-Mobile or bought off of eBay or from some other company.

As long as it's a GSM, tri-band or quad-band and unlocked cell phone you can use it with a SIM card from one of the cellular network providers in Italy or in another European country.

NOTE: In Italy, with a SIM card from an ITALIAN cellular network provider, all incoming calls to a GSM, dual band (Italian frequencies, NOT USA ones), tri-band or quad-band and unlocked cell phone are FREE! Also, a cell phone and/or a SIM card bought in Italy will work on the GSM cellular networks in other European countries. However, roaming charges may apply.

Caveat (Warning): ALWAYS test the SIM card in your cell phone before you leave the cellular network vendor's store in Italy!!!! If you buy a SIM card over the Internet or someplace else, be sure there is a return policy for the SIM card, if it doesn't work in your GSM, unlocked, dual band (Italian frequencies, NOT USA ones) or tri-band or quad-band, cell phone.

That's it for Monday, 14 November 2005: Lunedì, 14 Novembre 2005

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s Italian language quote is from Cesare Pavese:

“L'unica gioia al mondo e cominciare.”
"The only joy in the world is to begin."

Please read my wife blog about our life in Italy with photographs:

Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog:

Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 31 July 2010)