Our First Days in Italy (American's give honest first impressions)

We've made it to Italy! In our latest video we shared that we were leaving Japan and returning to Europe and it's been a busy few weeks since getting here. We're now settling in and are looking forward to experiencing so much more of Veneto and of course, all over Europe and Italy when the time comes.
In this video we are exploring our local area for the first time and it's got us excited for our time here! Don't worry, the area is more beautiful once we get outside of the city and can explore the region.
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Tanner, Risa, Willa + Noa

[@hape3862]

Welcome back in Europe!!!! Warm greetings from Bavaria!

[@RitaMI]

same from Amberg !

[@kolni3617]

Welcome back to Europe! Even though you are tired, you are beaming, Rissa 😊 you will love Italy and being able to have easy access to so many European destinations again. All the best!

[@fifthfloorgarden]

Hi! I'm Belgian and I've been living in Northern Italy for years, near Lake Como. I hope you have a great time here in Italy! Vicenza is a good base for exploring lots of places. About the small kitchen, I reckon it'll be okay if it's just for a few months. Maybe try looking for some Italian recipes online with easy seasonal ingredients. It's a cool way to get to know a different culture.

[@HerrBrutal-bl2fk]

Where ever you are in Italy, you ought to get to know the local/regional cuisine! In Vicenza and the rest of Veneto, you can find a decent Neapolitan pizza, well made dishes from Emilia-Romagna (like lasagne al forno), Lombardy (like ossobuco), Tuscany (like bistecca alla fiorentina), Lazio (like carbonara) and other Italian regions, but they will probably taste better in the city/region where they are from. The first thing you should get to know about any given place in Italy is its local/regional cuisine. By studying it, you will often also get to know its history, traditions and find out about what is produced in the area.

[@fifthfloorgarden]

@@HerrBrutal-bl2fk I agree, you can discover regions through their cuisine. When it comes to everyday cooking, Mediterranean dishes can generally be prepared no matter which region you're in.

[@Skeeterlove]

New city, new country, so exciting for you guys. I grew up living and visiting all over the world and will never regret my adventures. Life can be magical if you just open up to everything it has to offer. Great choice for your family.

[@ginster458]

As much as the weather is making your arrival and the jet lag a harder, the good thing about it is that once the good weather and a beautiful spring arrives, you will already be settled in, maybe in your house already and done with modt of the tedious parts of moving so you can fully enjoy the beautiful days ahead 🌷🪻

[@isana788]

oh no, I always feel so sorry for you when you move, it's so exhausting. but you'll have such a great time there. I just looked at a map and there are so many great places nearby. I'm excited. PS: you need an airfryer

[@stereolab12]

Welcome back to Europe. Wish you a great time in Italy, the food is so great. Btw. there are several Aldi in Vicenza.

[@OurStorytoTell]

We have already scoped them out 🤩😍 Feels a bit like home seeing them!

[@uweburger]

Welcome back in Europe, Greetings from Germany

[@barbarafrings9231]

I'm excited getting to explore Italy with you. 🙂 As I child I spent two vacations near Rimini, later one near Bozen (Bolzano), and the last one, about 28 years ago, in Assisi (which was absolutely beautiful). On the train ride to Assisi, we had a two hour stop in Florence, so unfortunately we only saw a bit of the city. Many greetings from Germany and wishing you a lot of fun italian adventures! 😃

[@susannelachmuth3670]

Getting over jet lag is especially hard when the days are short and foggy. But I'm sure all the delicious food will sweeten your new start. Here's to another great experience!

[@OurStorytoTell]

It definitely has sweetened it for sure! Here we come Italy!! We are excited to show you more of Italy in the next video!! 🤗🤗

[@K__a__M__I]

For something like two weeks after coming back from Japan i stood at pedestrian traffic lights like a moron because they didn't make the "dididoop - piupiu" noises. 🤣🤣🤣 Welcome back you guys!

[@charliebecker9391]

Your enthusiasm for being back in Europe shows and is very refreshing. The girls don't seem to be bothered by Jet Lag, however; children are very resilient. The Apartment does appear confining, however; we're anxious to see what adventures are ahead. Good food, great travels, new and exciting times for Willa in school; you're extremely lucky. Best Wishes and God Bless!!😊😊

[@TheAlinglapalap]

Just a personal opinion on groceries: Esselunga, Coop and Conad are way better than Eurospin in Italy. I would suggest you to give them a try of you like! Also visit some smaller shops like "panetteria" for bread/focaccia. The quality can be much higher and you always end up knowing friendly locals! Welcome on board!

[@vanessaaguilar-griffith1349]

Willa is adorable with her excitement & joy for Italy💖

[@V100-e5q]

6:30 After only 4 weeks of vacation in Japan I noticed that back in Germany I automatically moved to the left at oncoming people. Also looked right first at pedestrian crossings. The lefthand walking was so ingrained I had to actively remind me of things being the other way in Germany. We traveled by train with a Japan railpass which allowed unlimited train rides on JR. Only the private railroads were not included. The excursion and exploring we did walking and hiking. So I had no issues driving a car on German roads.

[@LythaWausW]

It must be a relief to not have to be so quiet on the bus, etc. Thank you for the tour! I saw lots of AC units, despite it being Winter.

[@Pixelhead-ex1wp]

Uuuh, this will be probably hard to watch for the next time ... with all this great italian food! 😀 🍕 I'm a bit jealous. Welcome back to Europe, enjoy your new adventure und good luck with everything! Greetings from Germany

[@reza-ng4xd]

In Italy, without knowing the language, it will be a little tough for you guys, I wish you luck. After 2 years of living here, I finally reached the level of answering phone calls, doing shopping, etc. but beautiful country with lovely people🌄❤

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh good for you for getting to that point! 👏🏼 I (Risa) hope to get to that point too! Tanner is somehow already speaking in conversations. His knowledge of Spanish has had a huge edge on our experience here so far! 😊

[@scorrill]

Oh seeing you guys back in Europe makes me want to go again. So happy for you guys. I bet you will go to Germany to see old friends very soon.

[@elaineatthecraftshed1993]

So good to see you embracing the positives of your move despite the jet lag and tiny accommodation. I hope you manage to sort out somewhere to live asap so you can really enjoy your fresh start. Such a good base for more European travel

[@peterhoz]

Something that a travel agent told me for my first trip to Europe (from Australia): set your watch to destination time well before you land. Read it, believe it, and do not keep saying "yeah but my body clock time is...". Mind over matter, you'll be tired but not jet-lagged. Also sleep pre and during travel for the destination time zone not the departure one. I try to have a couple of very late nights before I go so that I've already started to adjust. Not always possible especially with kids, but worth trying.

[@mkoschmall]

Good to have you back on the Continent. You‘re going to be so spoiled with the food and culture. I‘ve ticked pretty much every country in Europe, but somehow missed out on Italy so far. That‘ll make following your experiences so much more exciting.

[@phoebus007]

Loving Willa's enthusiasm for discovering a new country and being back on a bus. I suspect that she will retain her zest for travel throughout her life. As for adjusting following a flight from east to west, when my wife and I, with two young sons, made a similar move on military posting from the UK to USA, we initially had to spend a few days in Washington for in-processing at the embassy. Most unusually for us, we were out and about sightseeing well before 8 am, even having to wait for the museums to open.

[@OurStorytoTell]

We hope she keeps the enthusiasm as well! We doubt she’ll lose it 😊. Jet lag is always rough, but sometimes it’s nice to get up and at it before the crowds! The issue is when they wake up 4 hours before things open 🤣

[@jjivy6310]

Oh jet lag is soooo real!! The girls seemed to have faired better than mom & dad 😂 (isn't it always that way). This is yet another adventure for sure. Y'all will be super close after being in tight quarters for a few months. Step back, deep breath and take on the world 🌍. Can't wait to see what is around the bend. Hugs from Texas!

[@annstieler3893]

The home of Palladio, enjoy discovering Vicenza and the region....a cultural highlight to say the least..

[@ChristinaCaudill]

So glad you are back living in Europe!! Will be tuning in to all your adventures.

[@sharonstranzl3733]

I love that you are back in Europe, enjoy!

[@wardarcade7452]

Thanks for showing us your journey and first impressions. At least having done this twice before, you two are no longer complete sitting ducks re adjusting to new homes. BTW, I can't help but imagine that exploring your new city's marketplace will help transform your initial liking into a new love for your new home! Take care!

[@NorbertWilliKaminski]

Nice to see you back in Europe. Two well known stores from Germany are also located in Vicenza, Italy. Aldi Viale Giuseppe Mazzini, 29 Via Brigata Granatieri di Sardegna, 27A Lidl Corso Santi Felice e Fortunato 249 Viale della Pace 77

[@theWiggyFamily]

Life in a hotel waiting for housing is rough! Truly the overseas move (PCS) sucky moment. We stayed in a hotel for over a month waiting for housing in Hawaii and all we had was a microwave. It was painful. I hope you get housing soon!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh no! One month with only a microwave? 🙃 I’m sure you all were so happy to get out of there! Thank you! we’re doing alright so far and have been getting outside a lot.

[@Cerce7]

8:09 in northen italy if u say krapfen everybody understand but the italian name is bombolone alla crema (bombolone with cream). If you want to go super specific they are actually 2 different things but very similar

[@AnnetteLudke-je5ll]

Hi from Germany. Nice to ha ve you back in Europe!!❤

[@johncrwarner]

Have you thought about a air fryer (in Italian friggitrice ad aria) which are small convection oven with a fan They are generally under 100€ and fit on a kitchen worktop easily I use mine a lot and doing fresh rolls.

[@sabinekebelmann7525]

Buy an aifryer,you will use also in your new Home. You can make Lot Things with IT,Like you use an oben!

[@peterhoz]

Agree but get a big one so you can cook for the family, with mine I can roast a small leg (1.5kg) of boneless pork or cook multiple schnitzels at once

[@zeideerskine3462]

There are second hand shops in Italy. You can find potable pizza ovens in such second hand shops.

[@arnikakiani8014]

Did I spy a pistachio donut at the bakery where you ordered your second cannolo? Nomnomnom! And that hot chocolate looked to die for! I hope you are feeling better and the shocks of weather, jet lag, and culture are lessening. Is there a way to get bigger temporary housing or do you just have to make do and be super quick finding a more permanent home? Spring is just around the corner, you will get more space and your things from Japan and before you know it the rough patches will be forgotten and you´ll be exploring all over the place. Hang in there! Much love from Baden-Württemberg!

[@S16E1]

Welcome back to Europe

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you 💛

[@giasoricci3751]

[7:58] In Italy we call them as in Germany krapfen or even bomboloni or ciambelle

[@BruceHamilton]

Let's goo! So happy you guys are back in Europe! As we said in the last video, we're weeks away form moving to the EU from the USA ourselves with our 2y.o. girl. So excited for you guys, and thanks again for sharing your story for the rest of us! Woo. You guys rock. No bidets is an interesting culture shock BTW, because going from US -> Europe (our only other continent) has been seeing way more bidets! I realize it changes per area & Japan must be king of the bidets! Good luck guys!

[@BruceHamilton]

BTW, @16:40 Willa is so grown up already, lol! Wild I'm sure most viewers still remember her as the tiny 1? 2 yo? when you made the moving to Germany video

[@davidegiacomini5051]

welcome to Veneto..it's cold northern Italy is not Mediterranean like southern Italy. the typical dish is risotto and meat, butter is used. in the south pasta and fish and olive oil. the people are more reserved. vicenza is a good point to move to various parts of north-east italy there is a lot to see from lake garda, the dolomites, venice, trieste... there is a lot of interesting to do and see..if you don't have a car I recommend you go and see the castle of Juliet and Romeo in the town of Montecchio maggiore, it is near vicenza, and marostica, bassano del grappa, altopiano di asiago. you can go there by bus from vicenza bus station..by

[@stefan6412]

Maybe that could be an option for you missing an oven: Severin-2056-Elettrico-Potenza available in 30 liter or 42 liter capacity. And the best part it is affordable at around 130-150 €.

[@seeryu42]

Good luck! Even though it’s a premium here in Tokyo we often pop by Eataly to pick up Italian classics. BTW when we lived in Germany we loved having a toaster oven for smaller items (even with a full sized oven available). You might want to pick up a cheap one to bridge the next three months :-)

[@rosmarieb.6721]

Benvenuti in Italia,

[@stefan6412]

You should visit San Daniele. It´s beautiful there and they have the best prosciutto there. You could combine the trip with a visit to Venice.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you for the recommendation! Did you have a specific store/restaurant where you went for the prosciutto?

[@stefan6412]

@@OurStorytoTell I went to La Casa del Prosciutto "Alberti 1906" on the recommendation of another couple on KZbin Jessi&Alessio but frankly due to the special climate and traditional production all prosciutto in San Daniele is very good.

[@marcoge4299]

Welcome to Italy, there is a quite big U.S. Army base in Vicenza, I think you should be able to find out also american food too

[@marcoformenti1232]

New follower here! Big hugs from Venice.....

[@Herzschreiber]

Heey! So glad to see your flight was safe and you already have gotten over the jetlag phase for the most. I don't know why, (maybe because I am simply more familiar with European environments), but it feels much better to see you in Italy than in Japan. Or maybe it is because Japan sometimes overwhelms me with all those pics and manga stuff and vendor machines... idk! But somehow it is so satisfying to see you walking around the Italian shops and the food doesn't look like it just sprang out of a comic strip :) I understand well about missing an oven and I wish you the best luck in finding a nice place to live in! The new chapter has started. And I guess Italian will be much easier to adapt than German was. Keeping my fingers crossed for all the new Italian plans you might have for settling down.

[@lucacolombo8571]

From Monza with Love... Vicenza simply the best...

[@beatrixpastoors1104]

Welcome back! So nice to have you here in Europe again. But what will happen to your camping van? Will you ship it to Italy and convert it for the right hand traffic?

[@phoebus007]

No need to convert it. When the British Army had over 50,000 troops in Germany, most of us had RHD cars (they were tax free, so we could take them back to the UK at end of tour). There was no problem driving them on motorways and having RHD on narrow mountain roads was quite advantageous as the driver has a clear view of the edge of the road.

[@geneviere199]

If you miss an oven - try to get atleast a hot air fryer.

[@vbjarnecat]

Welcome to Europe and Italy. We've been there only once, but we love the people we met, the food and drink, and the hospitality and respect we met everywhere. But is it the same town where the other youtube family live? With Sarah, Lucha and the newborn baby?

[@vbjarnecat]

I saw just now, they are in another town

[@connycatlady7429]

Hi. Nice to see you back, and in Italy. I'm sure you'll love it. Well your kitchen situation is kind of sad, for a family of four. I hope they don't hold you Top long on base. Maybe you can buy an airfryer oder something similar. All the best 🍀😍

[@OurStorytoTell]

It is sad, but we are making do lol! We figured out how to make toast on the stove top in a pan! 😂😂😅 Hopefully we will move into a house soon, but if not- an air fryer is an excellent idea!

[@connycatlady7429]

@OurStorytoTell Do you know about Instant Pot ? It's an amazing piece.

[@Mwoods2272]

You can tell they are so much happier that they don't live in Japan. They say they liked Japan but that's so they don't make anyone mad. If they came on and said they hated living in Japan, what do you think would have happened? They probably would have gotten a lot of backlash. So you stay middle of the road.

[@OurStorytoTell]

You should watch our first videos in Japan. We were very happy about living in Japan too! Just like here. We like change & the first videos in a new country are always filled with excitement about a new location! You don’t have to believe us that we liked Japan though lol! We can say it, it’s your choice to believe us or not. :)

[@kucnimajstor2901]

Vicenza is just a small town and not known by its beauty but at least Venice is less than an hour away.

[@tiapina7048]

What is your definition of town?

[@kucnimajstor2901]

@@tiapina7048 About 100 thousand..

[@lellab.8179]

Vicenza is very famous for the Palladian Villas. They are in the Unesco World Heritage List since 1994. The "Teatro Olimpico" is amazing.

[@nicolettastrada5976]

Have you ever seen it?

[@rrl4245]

Be careful around those paratroopers of the 173 - people who jump out of perfectly good airplanes are crazy. I did that, and I am (Airborne!)

[@danis.1513]

welcome to Europe... if possible... could you undo the automatic dubbing? It's terrible, at least in German...that would be multo bene, gracie

[@dittesque]

You can do this yourself, its the cc option. On my ipad it shows in the upper right of the frame when I touch the screen once, on a laptop or phone it might be a bit different.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Oh thank you! Settings are updated! Hopefully it worked. ☺️

[@OurStorytoTell]

Great to know it’s possible on both ends! Thank you! ☺️

[@oikkarok2]

Esselunga or Coop are more expensive but have better quality than Eurospin

[@michaelgrabner8977]

Yeah It is 1 "Canolo" = singular 2 and more "Canoli" = plural And a tip about Parmeggiano cheese: keep the rind in the fridge and don´t throw it away it is edible as well but solely used for cooking..for instance to put pieces of the Parmeggiano rind for instance in a soup while boiling it will add delicious Parmeggiano flavour..Italians do that when cooking their Minestrone soup for instance but also for certain pasta sauces when it is adequate to do so. I even once saw in Italy a package filled just with pieces of Parmeggiano rind for sale for exactly that.

[@OurStorytoTell]

WHATT! This is brilliant! 👏 Thank you for this idea!

[@alexp8764]

Cannolo e Cannoli

[@petra5986]

Get a airfryer and a crockpot, it will help you out.

[@peggyclio1199]

I suggest to find some feee activietiea usually organize formchildere at the Bibliteca Pubblica, or at some Museum. It could be an opportinuty ot meet other mum and it's the best way to make freindship....vecause you share commin interest. ther xould be aldo sime free activitiw organize bunclib of photographers, mountain lovers and so on. Usually at the Library there are infos. Vicneza is not famous for the "sun", but Veneto is a tegion woth high work opportunities, good level of services. Im shot you xan visit many nice cities, like Treviso, Bassano del Grappa, reach the Alps, or other cities like Mantova, Trento, and Lake!!

[@christinehorsley]

15 hours later (from 1:38 on) Rissa is hard to understand. But maybe it was the long flight, being awake too long and being emotionally overwhelmed. 5.50 € for 1 bottle of water (11 € for 2) at Frankfurt airport is outrageous. At the supermarkets we pay around 1.59 to max 2 € for 1 liter mineral water, the expensive brands, around 60 cents for the Lidl and Aldi brands. But then, if bought at one of the „restaurants“ at the airport, it’s not that much out of the way. Good luck settling into Italy. And then you won’t be buying your water at the restaurants. Take out food will surely be pricier than in Japan. Time to take up an age old European tradition and mostly cook homemade food 😉 even though you don’t like to „make meals“. Until you got your own place, maybe buy one of those small toaster ovens you put on the countertop, for heating up store bought meals.

[@alexweber4958]

Forget Germany, I'm moving to Italy and getting fat. 😂

[@JeffryJoaquin]

Hi

[@OurStorytoTell]

👋 Thanks for being here!!

[@ocram_ocram]

Sorry but eurospin, lidl and aldi are very low quality supermarket. You may try conad, coop, esselunga and similar 👍

[@kgspollux6998]

Solange Willa noch nicht schulpflichtig ist, kann Familie Christiansen munter in der Weltgeschichte herumreisen, was eigentlich nur durch Tanner's Arbeitgeber großzügig finanziert wird. Dann aber sollten sie sich dort niederlassen, wo für ihre Kinder die besten Bedingungen gegeben sind . . . .

[@banamarco]

Benvenuti nel mio bel paese! Certo che dal Giappone e la Germania all'Italia non è facile ma se riuscirete a superare le contraddizioni, il disordine e la burocrazia italiane, sarete felici perché gli italiani sono amichevoli e rilassati. Certo che al nord sono un po' più rigidi, da Bologna in giù siamo molto più amichevoli e si mangia molto meglio che al nord, and careful when you eat chicken in Vicenza...the people of Vicenza are called cat eaters lol😂

[@achimschroter8046]

With all these delicious bakery goods around you will double yourself soon

[@BabbleBebble]

This journey of yours it's very impressive!! You're so brave! I didn't get your choise about Italy, (why Vicenza?) so far I'd suggest you Spain or Germany again. I wish you a joyful time guys you're special!! Cannoli in Vicenza? C'mon, book a fly to Sicily for that - lol

[@K__a__M__I]

Tanner works for the american government so you should ask the US military "why Vicenza?"

[@BabbleBebble]

@@K__a__M__I Oh, probably I see why now...

[@ns2424]

That’s where the US Army Garrison Italy is headquartered

[@TheBlackbirdii]

japanese arc felt too short to be honest

[@mr.x9957]

Buy an Airfryer

[@hittingthebridge406]

Welcome back to Europe! :) I hope Italy will bring good opportunities for you. Most Navy guys I know who were stationed there learned to hate Italy with a passion (besides the food) due to its corruption, inefficiency, traffic chaos, run-down spaces and ripoff culture, so I'm interested to see where you'll be taken. :) I bet the stark contrast to Germany and Japan will show soon. As far as I can tell, only Bahrain, Hawaii and a few other locations missing for you? Would you ever consider the far East?

[@peterhoz]

Hasn't done Australia yet, there's a few US govt co-bases here tho that would depend on exactly what you work on.

[@peterhoz]

Japan is in the far east.

[@peggyclio1199]

I'm Italia. Corruption? I have never experiences that to be honest. May be at high level, political and manager level!! But not every where. Arebt you too severe? Even inefficiency...well not so large on every aspect of life. Traffico caos..depending by the dimension of the city. Most of people live in medium city, that are less caotic....

[@nicolettastrada5976]

You are hitting the bridge a little too hard😂😂😂😂😂

[@mercyluna7899]

Just get Pizza or Pasta from around the corner. You are in Italy.

[@OurStorytoTell]

That is what we have been doing and its amazing 🤩

[@mercyluna7899]

@OurStorytoTell enjoy.