Our New Fixer House in Noto, Sicily #1

We bought a fixer house in the Sicilian countryside just outside of Noto, Sicily. Come along on our adventure as we fix the house, meet our neighbors, discover Sicilian cuisine and explore this beautiful island.

[@holgermessner851]

Hello from Panama from a German. I had a work related accident in Canada. Couldn’t deal with the cold weather in Canada anymore and was thinking to move back to Italy. Lucky you. Get use to the small houses in Europe. In October 2018, I travelled the Tuscany for 5 weeks. Ended up in Panama by accident. (Long story). If I ever had to return to Europe, Italy would be the place I would choose.

[@-MacCat-]

🎵"(Sicilian) Greenacres is the life for me"🎶 Well done, you two. You're well on the way to "making a silk purse from a sows ear". Onwards!

[@beeseurotravel]

😂 Thanks!

[@preymanta6389]

You might wanna keep the Prickly Pear , Prickly pear cactus - or also known as nopal, opuntia and other names - is promoted for treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hangovers. It's also touted for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

[@thewebhorse]

In italian language the prickly pear is named "fico d'India". You 're right it's able to prevent a bunch of deseas even cancer. It's one of Sicily simbols, grow up wherever, doesn't need any care, also in water lack and.... mostly is simply delicious. Trust me (I' m sicilian)

[@Gmalisaz]

Nopales 😊

[@marieleotta2501]

Also the juice is beautiful. Yum

[@stevieanne9714]

That "ugly prickly pear" cactus will provide you with Nopales, and the wonderful pears!

[@beeseurotravel]

We kept several, just not there. It was a rodent haven…

[@annedodd5888]

Great views, rooftop terrace, garden full of fruit trees & an olive grove!! Another huge plus is Massimo. You’ll soon tame the garden and get the inside fixed up nicely. I read through the comments and found you only paid $65,000 for it. A total bargain!! Good luck with everything. 😊😊

[@beeseurotravel]

Thank you so much 😊

[@DanHornberger]

What a wonderful place for you two to start a new chapter.A new dawn. A small air bladder pressue tank on the house side of the pump will change your water system for the better.Suggest metal flashing caps on the masonry tops of the house walls to stop water intrusion down into the ceiling and inside walls. A coat of white or silver "snow roof" roll- on coating will serve you well. You are so lucky to have found this wonderful place.Happy days to you both. All the best Grian Dan

[@beeseurotravel]

The flashing could help some for sure, but because only the water that lands on barrier would trickle down Im going to “paint” it and see what happens. The prior owner did put a roll of product on 3 years ago, but… I don’t know. Need to start somewhere! The air bladder tank is a really interesting idea. I’ll have to check that out. Thanks, Dan!

[@brianfilkowski]

Brian, another Brian here. Colorado USA. Really good things going on with you two. I am 63/64 soon and have purchased my retirement home in Umbria near the Tuscan border. I will be visiting for three weeks in June, finally sleeping in my place. It’s mostly furnished and basically turn key. I will be applying for a permanent residence visa and have my codice fiscale and bank account all set. One year of Italian tutoring under my belt so far and prior to my final departure I will focus mainly on the drivers test so that when I land I can get right on that. My plan is to come permanently in the end of summer 2026. This June will be my fifth trip. I have a great friend base built up, neighbors included, also a local lawyer and accountant. You both are an immense inspiration to me. Definitely similar temperament. Oh yeah, no hair here either. I am interested in what your experience is with the electric bike. Car wise I know that a Fiat 500 is in my future due to the new drivers license limited power limits. I am 6’2, 255lbs, and have rented one in the past, surviving to tell the story. It will be fine. I am currently creating the foundation for my own KZbin channel with hopes of eventually generating grocery and gas money. Also using it to communicate with friends and family. No illusions of becoming rich, but some pocket money perhaps. I have 18 subscribers and know as I keep working on it, that can change in the blink of an eye. Definitely a good hobby too. I have all the gear including a decent drone that I can actually fly. I like to link channels of interest on my community page and certainly will put your channel there. All in all, the KZbin thing can be a great set up. Like everything, there are always a few bad apples. I will continue to follow you and hope you guys check on my progress occasionally.

[@beeseurotravel]

Ok. Good luck, Brian!

[@Starfish2145]

Good luck! 🍀

[@ilmatanela1816]

I am a 52 yo northern Italian, from Varese, close to the swiss border. Just came back to Italy after 11 years abroad, with my Turkish wife. We are settling down in Tuscany. Not far from you. Italy is a good place to be, if you can learn the language. Of course there are good and less good aspects, but I find the overall life quality very, very good and hopefully spend the rest of my time here. I wish you the best and will now subscribe to you le channel 🤗👍👋

[@lyndamcdon]

The fact that there's food right outside your door is a blessing! I'm excited to see how you fix it up. Enjoy your new chapter in life, how adventurous!

[@beeseurotravel]

Yes! Thank you!

[@doreenm4987]

Hello 👋 My eldest daughter and I came across you and your wife's channel earlier today. Oh my goodness, we've gone through at 6-7 reno episodes lol 🤭. So relaxing and fun! Great job 👏

[@beeseurotravel]

Thank you ! We’re just trying to have fun 😊

[@Greggy3454]

What a fabulous place, thank you for showing us. ❤❤

[@-MacCat-]

A little back to front system of commenting by us, but we're ploughing through your series of videos, which we're enjoying, and making sure that we're appeasing the algorithm. Onwards!

[@amandamacfarlane5944]

I love the prickly pears, they let you know you’re in Southern Italy

[@beeseurotravel]

Yes. I agree 😊 They can be absolutely gorgeous if they’re planted in the open. When they start pushing up a fence, though, it gets ugly. There are lots of baby ones growing around the older ones. I plan to save those and find better spots for them 😍

[@mf5531]

OR Phoenix, Arizona USA (that's where I live.) Hello!

[@pugz265]

Welcome to the island! Having a great neighbor is key, sounds like you've got an amazing one!!!

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks! And yes, Massimo is amazing. Very lucky.

[@TheStarbuck61]

Thank you for sharing your Expat adventure with us. My wife Cheryl and I have and "escape plan". Having lived in Europe for ten years and spent some time in Central Italy at point in during my career, we are ready to eject out of the US, and your experiences are an inspiration for us. What you are sharing is an inspiration, and we look forward to offloading our excess here, and living the serene life that lies before us. Again, grazie!!!

[@beeseurotravel]

You’re welcome. It feels a little weird sometimes to share so much but I know people like yourself really appreciate it. Thanks for watching and best of luck finding your new place 😊

[@lindalarsson1436]

I like your wife allows herself to age naturally

[@lindamcdonald4961]

Hi from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦. Chanced on your show and was hooked. Love the music and the way you pace your entertaining experience in this new environment. Love Maximo..He's a Rock star. My favorite utube show

[@lindamcdonald4961]

Massimo..my mistake..my apologies

[@beeseurotravel]

Hahah. Thanks!

[@cynthiakritika5047]

Hello, new subscriber from California! I’m jealous of your life 😁 newly retired at 52 and always planned on living half the year in Greece where my family is from. But something about Sicily has always interested me. In a few more years I may just make the move to full time living either in Greece or Sicily. Congrats and love that you’re enjoying retirement to the fullest! 🎉

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks 😊 Don’t be jealous, just do it! You’re 52 and the time couldn’t be better. I’ll be 58 this year and I feel myself slowing down a little already…

[@cynthiakritika5047]

@@beeseurotravel I know! I’ll be in Greece for three months starting May 5th. But I have elderly parents and worry too much about them to leave permanently right now. They’re still in California. But, I can still plan and maybe even buy property meanwhile 😁

[@beeseurotravel]

Got it. You’re a good person 😎

[@ianleonard2983]

What a beautiful house and garden. Be happy be healthy and enjoy. Sciily and Calabria are super !

[@beeseurotravel]

Yes! And thank you 😊

[@beeseurotravel]

Yes! Thank you 😊

[@michelelavender1967]

Im in Greece so am used to so many flat roofs,the concrete disintegrates in the end,damp will appear inside the rooms,with very heavy rain it may start dripping inside,you may see black mould.All this happened in a flat I rented and in my own flat.You can make a frame with battening acros and put ceramic roof tiles,underneath with insulation against cold-heat,the tiles will give you protection,rain directly on the concrete makes it very cold inside or you can put a special roll of material then a special liquid goes on top,look on utube for how its done,you could put a solar panel for hot water up there.just a small one.insulating the roof is critical,you will boil alive in there otherwise.

[@michelelavender1967]

And as someone else said-put ceramic tiles on top of the edges that is around your roof otherwise water will seep through and you will see mould inside,tiles are cheap as chips.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks for the great info 😍

[@lizdg3892]

Wow. This is a gem property. Just tuned in and subscribed. Yeah do some heavy pruning when appropriate. And the rooftop view is incredible. Congratulations. PS having seen another nursery in Portugal on old olive trees your old olive tree may be 200-300 years old. Pruned in the nursery they go for about €3000 and up retail.

[@beeseurotravel]

Yes! Love them… Massimo thinks most of them here are around 200 years old but there’s a few 300+!

[@user-cn5wv6mf4g]

I love the prickly pear! I think it’s beautiful!

[@beeseurotravel]

Yeah, they’re beautiful plants. I really do like them and I’m going to try and save some, but they’ve taken over the back garden and Massimo thinks they’re the source of our… let’s call it… rodent adventure!

[@user-cn5wv6mf4g]

Oh I could see that happening! Yummy fruit!

[@nats.7989]

Amazing ! Congratulations. Hoping to move to Southern Italy soon ❤

[@beeseurotravel]

Best of luck!

[@mr-vet]

I wish you luck and happiness with your new home! I’m hoping to move to Europe in about 5 years (I’ll be almost 60 then)….will most likely be Italy; with the back up being Spain. I’m just waiting for my wife to retire from her career-I retired from the US military in 2014. I’d love to have a property with all the fruit & nut trees you have!

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks. It's totally doable. Southern Italy and Sicily are still really affordable. We picked up this place for little more than the price of an entry level Tesla.

[@carmellejolin2866]

avec la vue et tout ces arbres fruitiers…c’est fantastique……Je suis jalouse

[@beeseurotravel]

Merci bien. On a trouvé le paradis…

[@lauridinatale]

In Italian the liqueur made from black walnuts is called nocino. It’s much more concentrated than the French version. Delicious! Beautiful place!

[@beeseurotravel]

June 24 is the traditional day we pick I believe? Can’t wait to give it a go. Friends are lined up!

[@lynnedwards5715]

Bye the way, his name is Massimo, not Maximo ...

[@beeseurotravel]

Hahaha. Yeah, thanks. I figured that out a couple of days ago. It’ll just have to be MAXIMO in my head from now on 😂🙂

[@Susan.I]

Figs are wonderful!

[@Starfish2145]

You can eat prickly pear pads. Google nopales. Burn off the thorns over a fire, slice thinly or pickle them in salads. The fruit is delicious.

[@neutonrenda2303]

What a beautiful place you've bought, love the landscape around you. I agree with you on the roof, too good a view to not do something up there. The old olive must be a few hundred years old judging by the girth of that trunk, I'm sure some locals would be able to give you an estimated age.👍

[@beeseurotravel]

Thank you! Yes, you're right. There was one here that was 300+ years old and got cut down. That made me sad.

[@cohort6099]

I think they ferment the pear into some kind of liquour

[@user-yb4vq4lm9w]

Happy for you, Beth & Brian!

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks 😊

[@mf5531]

Fantastic! What an exciting journey you will have!

[@beeseurotravel]

I think so, too. Thanks for watching 😊

[@monsieurbono]

Great property. Growing up, I had a bay leaf tree and citrus, walnut, etc. in our backyard. My father also grew our vegetables himself. But I wanted to ask if you were scared to make the big move to Italy and what finally helped you decide. I have been watching a few different vlogs on living overseas specifically Italy but have been learning about Sicily the last few weeks. Wondering if it is not too hot of a climate in summer or does the sea being close help? Like is there a breeze sometimes? Food prices seem reasonable but I was surprised at some of the restaurant prices in the more popular areas. I think my biggest obstacle moving away would be being so far from family and adapting to a new language and culture, but having a small piece of land and dwelling would outweigh the negatives and also people might visit more often if I were somewhere "exotic" and warm. I don't like prickly pear either never had one until just a few years ago so maybe an acquired taste. Hope you turn your new home into a special place full of good memories and love.

[@beeseurotravel]

No, we really weren't all that scared. It HAS been a challenge and there's lots to learn but it's all ok. The only bad part is our kids are still in the US. We see them a lot (and my wife is back in NY with our daughter who is expecting soon) but it's not perfect. We haven't had a summer here yet, but yes it is very hot and getting hottest September on record here. But.. it's only for a couple of months and we will get a heat pump. It'll be ok and no worse than a miserably cold Boston winter! Thanks for the well wishes. If you have any other questions please reach out: [e-mail]. Happy to help however I can.

[@violetgaribyan-jg9ll]

It’s awesome place

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks!

[@katj366]

What an amazing property

[@beeseurotravel]

Right? Still in love with it… wake up every morning and pinch myself

[@mysicilycorner]

Beautiful property!! Welcome to Sicily! Looking forward to following your journey!

[@beeseurotravel]

Thank you. I am SO HAPPY here.

[@henrietteancuta-koning7039]

I love youre property. It is lovely. And basicly in good shape. You are very lucky. Must be wonderful now.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thank you. Still lots and lots of work but as they say here: “piano piano.” Little by little

[@findinghomejanpeppler]

Aguri!! Yes, I'm not crazy about the prickly pear at our home in Castelvetrano either... :)

[@jankaratas7480]

So cool, man. Exciting times ahead!!

[@beeseurotravel]

For sure 😎

[@cfuller466]

This so cool Brian!! xx

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks, Cheryl. Maybe you’ll come and visit and we can show you around. We can get some great shots of you around here if you bring a suitcase of clothes with you 😂

[@SleepNotIncluded]

Such a beautiful place, enjoying the videos.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thank you SO MUCH 😊

[@susanyates4233]

What a lovely dwelling. Best wishes with your refurb.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thank you!

[@kristinaginorio1344]

You have a corner of paradise. I live in a teeny community in mid-MD, and I have planted figs, pears , mulberries and raspberries.

[@beeseurotravel]

Nice! I love gardening, too 😍 It’s weird here because things that I’m used to see blooming in spring have started blooming now. Like jasmine and certain types of flowers.

[@tillysanders2593]

Good for you .. livin the dream .. best wishes from a Brit in Toronto .

[@beeseurotravel]

Thank you! You too!

[@jenspencer7731]

Make some nectar with the prickly pear plant - mix with tequila ❤ had a prickly pear margaritas in Scottsdale last year - not bad at all!

[@beeseurotravel]

Very good! We still have several. Just not rat infested now 😝

[@aleksandraalexander4506]

FYI, the cacti is not a Prickly Pear, it looks like a Indian Fig, however both are in the opuntia family. Nice property congratulations.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks for the info 😎

[@pancrazioaquilina7029]

Greetings from malta i visit sicily this year and fall in love with it lucky guy you find my dream home i am sure it will be wonderfull with hard work cant wait to see it finished i will stay tuned

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks for watching 😊 I am a really lucky guy…

[@irenelacour3486]

You know you can eat the cactus too of course you have to remove all the spines of the leaf boil it with a little water and seasoning. And it tastes like green beans

[@beeseurotravel]

I did happen to know that! There's a big Mexican population where I lived in Oregon and they were always for sale in the Mexican grocery store I used to go to. Great in salsa!

[@Susan.I]

Taking the kitchen cabinets is typical in Europe.

[@beeseurotravel]

Yeah... and I knew that, so I asked them to leave them but they took them to the dump!

[@Rittlesleo]

Molto bello! Just a bit of tlc with a little help from your friends will make this a lovely home.

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks. So far so good!

[@user-do6uy5jb6n]

Please don’t tear down the prickly pear. They’re so good you’ll get used to them and by the way, it’s always good as gifts you might not like them but everyone around you probably does lol❤😂

[@beeseurotravel]

We kept a lot of them 😎

[@mariaeugenia7599]

The prickly pears are delicious! One of my favorite fruits. I don't know if it's the same variety thats in mt country though!

[@beeseurotravel]

Where do you live?

[@teresabell-rr9hf]

Just discovered your channel, enjoying need to go back to the beginning! Your voice sounds like you are from Canada????🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@beeseurotravel]

No! Although I grew up in NH ;) Then for 30 years we lived in Oregon. My family is mostly French Canadian and I know a thing or two about maple syrup and pork pies!

[@louisemoulin4704]

So much food! Glorious. Was your new home and land affordable , comparatively...

[@beeseurotravel]

Yes 😊 65,000 euros. Crazy, huh?

[@westwoodcoronado]

We are looking for a winter (January, February, March) getaway. Our search area is from Syracuse down to Pozzallo then east to the coast. Do you have any information as to the average winter temperatures for Noto and surrounding area? Idealista is our main resource. How did you find your property? Thanks

[@beeseurotravel]

Hi. We were in Noto for the month of February/. First two weeks of March and the daytime temperature was around 60 and sunny. We only had two half days of rain! Mornings can be a little chilly but it warms up fast with the sun. For us, coming from Oregon, it was absolutely perfect. I found our property on HomeSudHome. Good luck!

[@ElizabethJHare]

I’ve just discovered your channel and am really enjoying watching. How much land did you get with the property?

[@beeseurotravel]

3 hectare (7.5 acres). A LOT but Massimo grows wheat on it during the winter and spring and keeps things in order for us. We only have to look after our garden and now the olive trees 😍

[@Starfish2145]

If you take down the fence, you will probably have local Wildlife coming in into your yard and eating your stuff.

[@beeseurotravel]

Yes. Wild boar are around - but that’s the only issue. After Massimo harvests the wheat we will erect an electric boar fence.

[@victorperrotta4007]

Nice video! Grazie Mille! BTW, would you mind if i ask you what the house cost? Thanks, Vittorio!

[@beeseurotravel]

65,000 €

[@renan3916]

Awesome place! May i ask, how much did you pay for the property? Thank you

[@beeseurotravel]

Thanks. 65,000 🤣

[@y0nd3r]

So, I read a story that said that southern Italy's economy is about to collapse because all the young people have moved away for better opportunities and the homes I've seen tours of on youtube that are for sell are all in southern Italy. Any correlation? Because I'm surely not seeing that reflected in the prices.

[@beeseurotravel]

I think that’s a common theme in Europe. I don’t have much experience here, but in France it’s a big problem. My experience has been that you need to have boots on the ground to really understand the market. What you see on the internet doesn’t really reflect what’s available. Though we did find, remarkably, our house on the internet the listing was totally messed up and didn’t show up correctly in searches. It was serendipitous. Italy, especially southern Italy, is pretty old school and their internet marketing is really bad. We bought our little house with 7 acres for a little bit more than the price of an entry level Tesla. Lots of good bargains to be had still here in Sicily.

[@y0nd3r]

@@beeseurotravel heck ya, that's a good price just for the land. Good luck!

[@Gullvivas]

So exaiting ,how much did you payed for this property? Love all those fruit trees and wild aspargus. Hello from Norway!

[@beeseurotravel]

65,000

[@Gullvivas]

@@beeseurotravel Thank you,what a fantastic price!

[@lindalarsson1436]

When you return home late is it pitch black at home. HOW do you handle that? And get the heat back on?

[@beeseurotravel]

No. We have solar lights. And you need to get a fire going, or turn on the heater, but it doesn’t get that cold. No biggie.

[@brendatarocardreadings9511]

We love Sicily , got married on top of Nt Etna . What town are you located in ,

[@beeseurotravel]

Palazzolo Acreide

[@sanjacub]

Massimo does not speak English,luckily as you are the one who want to live in Italy ,you will learn Italian.

[@beeseurotravel]

You're absolutely right and I'm learning Italian, but the challenge here? Most people speak Sicilian in their daily lives 😜

[@licinadovigi1987]

May I ask how did u pay for your house? Thanks for posting your experince!

[@beeseurotravel]

65,000

[@licinadovigi1987]

@@beeseurotravel Thank you hope one day to have a flat or house there too!

[@Susan.I]

Buy an English written Italian cookbook!

[@beeseurotravel]

I have lots. My favorite is The Splendid Table. An oldie but a GREATie😍

[@josephburgio9843]

Is there a video that tells us why you chose a home in Noto?

[@beeseurotravel]

No… you think we need one? I’m totally winging it right now. If you send me an email I’ll give you our back story 😊

[@sdfswords]

What was the price?

[@beeseurotravel]

Not much more than the price of an entry level Tesla 😎

[@sdfswords]

@@beeseurotravel Perfect!

[@dolcevitaCC]

Massimo, not Maximo...

[@beeseurotravel]

Yeah... I figured that out after a couple of days. But I much prefer MAXIMO ;)

[@humairakhan2958]

i was looking for this comment 😂 quite difficult to digest Maximo for Italians..😂

[@SoyyodavidZzxy]

Whatever you do…don’t take out the prickly pear. I mean, if it’s blocking a path, sure. But they belong. Work around them.

[@davidparrish3538]

Hay get rid of the prickly pear