Just Another Lousy Week Living in Sicily #24

Join us on our Sicilian Expat adventure!
We're Elizabeth and Brian, a retired American couple from Oregon who quit working in our fifties to pursue our dream of living abroad-- and that led us to Sicily. So far? Although there have been some bumps along the way, it has been a dream come true. Follow along as we fix up our abandoned old Sicilian farmhouse, discover our surroundings and learn about Sicilian wine and cuisine. Amuninni!
This week we make hay, check out a couple of beaches and head to Sortino to eat pizzolo. Amazing! Where have you been my whole life, pizzolo?
View all of our Sicily Farm House videos:
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For regular updates, and what Beth likes to call "pretty stuff" you can follow us on Instagram:
/ beeseurotravel

[@sueannecampbell7994]

Your videos are the best. You have a wonderful way of showing off Sicily. Thank you for your time and humor.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks for watching. This is a really nice place to live 😊

[@wendydehart821]

Oh my you two do live life to the fullest. Love your partnership!

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks, Wendy 😊 It’s not all rainbows and unicorns but we’re trying. I so wish Perucca was here to see all of this. I think about him all of the time 🥲

[@reneeoconnell4606]

You both seem happier and more excited with each video🥰 Sicily looks good on you two!! Excited to get there in September!

[@beeseurotravel]

Ha! Thanks. I hope you have a blast 😊

[@vancejones4804]

Never change.. Your the nicest couple ever.. It's a blessing to watch you both

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks! Beth is the nice one 😉

[@vancejones4804]

@@beeseurotravel not true..you both are 😀

[@user-ds3tr9so8q]

I'll be in Sicily in October and looking forward to exploring the country. My family name is Noto and we're from Sicily, south of Palermo. I am enjoying learning what it is like to live in the country through the two of you. Thank you for sharing!!

[@beeseurotravel]

Funny. We planned on going today!!

[@jeffpierce3644]

Fun watching your videos. Sad we weren’t able to meet up. Maybe your schedule will allow for it next time. We spent 2 glorious weeks on the other side of the island. Spent a day in Taormina and 1 in Palermo. Met many kind and friendly Sicilians. Used a buyer consultant to navigate the process. Saw lots of properties and happy to say our offer was accepted on a beautiful place overlooking the Aeolian Islands and are back home now in the States preparing for our next trip out to finalize everything.

[@rhondadami517]

I like how you are.getting your tan on!!! Lovely video once again!!

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks 😊 We’re using sunscreen!

[@antoninoragazzo9055]

Come sempre: grazie per il bel video! Siete grande!!!😊😊

[@beeseurotravel]

Grazie 😊

[@floridastitcher1]

KZbinrs on the “Leave Everything and Wander” page have an olive grove in Sicily. They had their first harvest then had to cut the trees way back. You might want to check their video that starts with “first harvest “, and they show the pruning in a later video.

[@beeseurotravel]

The irony is we nearly bought an olive grove and a beat up old barn very, very close to them!! I've seen that video and we will prune the old ones in the next year or two. It's remarkable how much cutting back you have to do -- but since most of our are young, last year we mostly just opened up the centers. What's puzzling right now is that there is no rhyme or reason to things. We pruned all of the young tress the same way. Some of them are loaded with fruit and others hardly any...

[@floridastitcher1]

@@beeseurotravel You’re going to be an olive tree expert before long!

[@daveaway]

Thanks for the update. Always fun watching these lifestyle vlogs

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks 😊

[@barbinbham]

Another great video!! I love your attitude, exuberance, and living life to the fullest. Such an amazing place to live. I look forward to your videos every week. 🎉

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks. And thanks for watching 😊

[@artlover7638]

You two are living the life! Love it!

[@beeseurotravel]

Yeah... it's great living here. Lucky!

[@skyeseaborn1170]

Such a fun episode. Thank you both.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks 😊 We're having fun. And now that the money is rolling in...🤣 🤣

[@SandiHooper]

Sorry about the computer issue, but sure appreciated your post this week-thanks for sharing your week. I’m absolutely loving it. I’ve told three friends to start watching, I know that they’re going to love this as much as I have been. Never worry that something is “too boring” to share: stucco, pruning, it’s all great fun. An experience that I can only imagine. I’m getting pretty excited to see what the interior is going to evolve in to. Your lack of olives this year made me go do a little reading. Sounds like last year was a bumper crop year for Italy. So maybe this is just a cycle? 🤷‍♀️ Anyway. Carry on. Hope that your week is great.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks so much 😊 Our house is tiny. Less than 40 m2 but if and when the house sells in France we'd like to double the size and that will be a lot of fun!

[@albydigiammarco3373]

Pretty cool. What seems nice is the fact that there's always something cultural happening. I hope this will never change in Italy.

[@beeseurotravel]

Me, too. These events rely on massive amounts of volunteers 🤞

[@kkuras1]

Your videos are fantastic! I'm excited to see how you guys are adapting to life in Sicily. My husband and I have been watching since day one. I hope to visit Italy someday.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks! But remember… Sicily isn’t Italy 🤣 Well, it is, but… Airfare is cheap these days and if you skip the major tourist areas and peak travel months you can get an Airbnb, eat at home and have a great vacation 😊

[@boxerlover2030]

You guys should take a trip to San Vito Lo Capo. It has the nicest beach in all of Italy.

[@beeseurotravel]

I don’t doubt it. We went to Zingaro last year when all of the wildflowers were in bloom and were bowled over by just how beautiful it was… but it’s a 4 hour drive for us and our plates are full. Maybe next year!

[@boxerlover2030]

@@beeseurotravel yes, it's definitely a far drive from where you live. If you ever make your way there again let us know. My entire family lives there and we can help you out with anything you may need once you're there. From a place to stay to a place to eat. They all own apartments, B&Bs, restaurants, etc. Enjoy Sicily. It's paradise! We can't wait to retire there in four years.

[@beeseurotravel]

@@boxerlover2030It is paradise! Thanks for the offer. When we head over there again we’ll reach out 😊

[@susanslade1292]

Nothing to say? I am jealous! Great video. Thanks from old Lyme

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@paulfreitag7772]

Ciao from Castellammare del Golfo! My friends here said that the poor olive situation is from the lack of rain this year. Not sure if that is the reason for your trees but it's what I've heard. I am from Wisconsin but I live in CdG for half of the year now until I'm able to get an Elective Residency visa, hopefully soon. Thanks for the fun videos! Buona serata, Paul

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks. And yes Massimo said the same thing. But I think it’s more complicated than that. I think after a few years of observing everything I’ll figure it out! They do need a good trimming though 😊 Congrats on CdG and good luck with the visa. You live in a beautiful part of Sicily

[@mz1860]

Is elective visa for retired person?

[@paulfreitag7772]

@@mz1860 Yes, you are not allowed to work with an ER visa. All of your income needs to come from passive sources.

[@TheBluebellMoon2]

☀️Thx for sharing a slice of Sicily. I always enjoy visiting. We haven’t got as many olives on our trees as some years up here in the Veneto. It does seem to vary. Your trees look beautifully aged. ❤️☀️ X

[@beeseurotravel]

Good to know. Thanks 😊 The Veneto is so beautiful. We love Verona, but we've steered clear of Venice. Maybe one day

[@annafinnegan3840]

You are both amazing! and I love watching and I look forward to your videos every week ...:)

[@beeseurotravel]

Aww. Thanks. We’ll try to keep ‘em’ coming 😊

[@cherylbertolini3140]

great job on the walls in the bedroom.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks. Getting there!

[@beckybeachbaby67]

Olives grow on one year old wood. It may help production if you trim the trees each year. Keep it coming. I love your videos. My husband and I hope to move to Sicily this year. We have to take care of things here first, but we are so excited.

[@beeseurotravel]

Nice! Thanks, and good luck 😊

[@gigi-jeff]

Hi! You have to go to the UVA beach club ask for Johnny he loves to talk English and has great wines and foods and usually sets us up under umbrellas and brings are drinks to us… tell him Jeff & Gigi said Ciao! Enjoy Sicily

[@beeseurotravel]

Ok. Next time we’re there! 😊

[@joycef2499]

You two are great, so down to earth, love watching your blogs. A big hello from Australia, I am so jealous, it is so cold here at the moment. 😊

[@beeseurotravel]

Hello! 😜 Don't worry, you'll be heating up soon enough!

[@josephfulciniti314]

If I keep watching your videos I’m leaving Boston and coming to Sicilia…I’m not kidding, this is the life I want 🐐🐓🍷Ciao

[@beeseurotravel]

🤣 It’s all right here! Soon we’re going to do a video on some of the things we don’t love about living here, but they’ll sound whiney compared to all of the good stuff!

[@mikedacquisto1406]

Try Marina di Ragusa, I was stationed in Comiso in the late 80's and spent a lot of time at Marina di Ragusa. Fun place! Thanks for all the great videos, binged watched a bunch last night. 😁

[@beeseurotravel]

Funny. We planned on going there this morning!!

[@ilovebeautychristine]

Love love your videos. ❤ they make my heart sing with inspiration.😊

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks 😊 Glad you like them. We don't know what we're doing but we're having fun!

[@babzblu]

Another video of awesomeness. Omg, the food is mouthwatering. Yummo. 😋

[@beeseurotravel]

OMG the pizzolo... so good!

[@mairimunn3300]

Your videos are inspiring! My husband and I dream of moving to Italy, and Scicily is a top contender. We may visit this September or October. What's the water situation? The UK media is constantly stating Scicily is suffering a severe drought?

[@beeseurotravel]

Where we are things are ok. But yes. Definitely some water issues as it’s hotter than normal this year and we only got 25% of the usual amount of rain. Places like Agrigento are rationing water and it’s not pretty. Hopefully it’s a one off.

[@PaulC4656]

I say this as Sicilian, droughts in Sicily are cyclical. It's just the nature of the beast. 2022 and 2023 had insanely hot summers, around 40-43 Celsius in July-August (started mid July with lockon 40+ degree Celsius and ended mid August) combined with lower rainfall its the perfect storm (dry storm :) ). But just for example if I compare to the drought I remember when I was a kid (mid 90s) this is nothing. On that one the drought lasted 6 months and was extremely severe, water rationing on the entire island. It was bad. Really bad. Since that one we didn't have one until this one of 2024, but is not as bad as the media are depicting(so far), I hope it won't get worse. If it does October-November the rain start to fall and it should be ok. It's also not the same on the entire island for a series of other factors, like infrastructures, transportation etc. We go there on another rabbit hole and will take me forever. But let just says that usually in Palermo and the whole Palermo area and Catania and Catania area things are usually always better because better infrastructure. Area like the southern-central part of Sicily (which is the poorest area) Agrigento, Caltanissetta etc. things are usually worse. Sorry for the long post but I am reading all that media hysteria about that drought but it's not as simple and easy to analyze as they say.

[@rlcoop1]

Love your videos!

[@beeseurotravel]

Glad you like them! Thanks for watching 😊

[@janetlombardi2314]

Great beaches ⛱️ Great life 😊

[@beeseurotravel]

Indeed…

[@justjacqueline2004]

Meanwhile here in the UK its raining and raining and cool.

[@beeseurotravel]

Really bad weather for you this year 😕 I hope you have an amazing autumn

[@agnesaj9199]

Would you please consider doing a video on what it’s like to drive in Italy? If you could cover things like if it’s necessary to be fluent in Italian to take the test, what kind of restrictions there might be for “new” drivers, and if it’s terrifying to drive there (from what I’ve seen while there, Italian drivers are…interesting😅). I love you guys and your videos are so laid back and relatable, while still being beautifully done.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks 😊 We're trying and we'll keep going until it's no longer fun! We haven't had to deal with the Italian driver license yet. We have a year from when we get our visas and we're still waiting on those. I know the test is no longer offered in English since England left the EU -- so that is going to be an issue for us. I also believe we are going to be restricted on the type of car we can use as new drivers. That is going to be another issue. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. And the drivers in Italy? Pretty aggressive and the "rules' are definitely 'flexible.' Where we live it's fine. Even Catania is ok. But Palermo? Wow. Thats a different world. Very tough to drive there. Very few people pay attention to traffic laws and your head has to be on a swivel. Sorry I cant be of more help right now.

[@jawkneekat]

0 views, posted 0 minutes ago. That never happens! I always do look forward to your chats though! Great stuff!

[@beeseurotravel]

If you're not first you're last!! 🤣

[@pancrazioaquilina7029]

What a difference from living in big Americans cities to noto. I'll take the second one. Great video greetings from malta ❤

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks 😊

[@cherylgann1993]

Love you guys!

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks. Very kind of you 😊

[@sarahlovesdonuts9601]

I can see that life in Sisley is taking a toll on you two 😂😂. Where are you from in New Hampshire Brian? This information just freaked me out…can you guess where I am?😂😘😘

[@beeseurotravel]

Dunkinville, NH? 🤣 I’m from Dover

[@sarahlovesdonuts9601]

@@beeseurotravel no!?!?!?! I lived there for years😂😂😂

[@anne4083]

Sicilians love to adopt 'stranieri' 😊 even massimo s dogs come by to see how you are!! 🐶😉😄.

[@beeseurotravel]

So lucky…

[@patriceogrady9763]

Those pizza lots looked beyond the beyond! How are you keeping your weight down with all the delicious food and drink?

[@beeseurotravel]

We're not 😆. Normally I do a lot of bike riding and Beth has a treadmill, but with all of the disruption in our lives and now the hot, hot weather? We'll be back on it soon 😊

[@justoneacre7873]

I think your olive trees need pruning. You need to thin out interior so a bird can fly between the branches.

[@beeseurotravel]

Yep. You’re right. I got all of the ones by the house this year. Half have olives and half don’t. This winter we’ll get after the other.

[@bonnyvondolores2647]

4th of July is molte better… in Italia!

[@beeseurotravel]

Yeah… La dolce vita

[@paulvail7863]

Try Spiaggia di Eloro or Marianelli. You won’t need a bathing suit. 😅

[@beeseurotravel]

🤣🤣

[@dorismeusburger4219]

Which programme do you use to cut and put together your videos ?

[@beeseurotravel]

Davinci. Love it 😍

[@mikewilsongolf]

What kind of tech and software do you use to make your videos? Camera, iPhone, gimbal etc

[@beeseurotravel]

I use Davinci and recently ponied up the money for the paid version because there is fix for florescent lighting flicker that isn't available in the free version. But the free version is amazing. Then I have a Sony 7iii with a Rode shotgun microphone, a DJI pocket 2 (which I use less and less), DJI wireless microphones (awesome) and our iPhone 13s (which we probably use too much -- but I did all of the Massimo in the field video with one. They're just too convenient) and a mini tripod. That's it.

[@mikewilsongolf]

@@beeseurotravel I also tried Davinci but after a lot of experimenting, I ended up just doing all the work on my iPad Pro. I use the IPad for my filming as well. Luma Fusion editing app is amazing and super simple. Not sure about the fluorescent light issue, but you could probably drop any footage, drone, Camera anything into Luma Fusion for easy editing. ( If you have an iPad Pro. ).

[@ericmyers8005]

I just read an article about water shortages in Sicily. Are you concerned about this?

[@beeseurotravel]

The CNN one? Yeah, its a big problem in Sicily and I feel really bad for Agrigento. It's an amazing place. Where we are not so much. Yet. And we have a 20,000 liter storage tank that is full. But if the trend continues or gets worse longterm it could be a serious problem.

[@ericmyers8005]

@@beeseurotravel yes the CNN one. We live at the Grand Canyon and yearly they are reducing the water intake from the Colorado river. We have a ranch where we use a considerable amount of water to raise our crops. It will soon be a global issue if we all don't start restricting our usage.

[@danielasantini5701]

Crozza ... Trump

[@beeseurotravel]

Didn’t mean to be political. Just all in fun. That’s one of the best things about living here. No political tribes, people are defined by their families. Way better.

[@panflute3580]

@@beeseurotravel Forse hai frainteso. Crozza in Italia e' un famosissimo comico imitatore, balzato alla ribalta anche in USA per l'imitazione di Biden, se vuoi farti una risata quardati qualche video.

[@panflute3580]

guardati

[@beeseurotravel]

@@panflute3580Got it. Thanks!