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How To Retire Without Money
By Bob Belmont
CHAPTER 11 ITALY
Page 2 of 11
There is no
more attractive nation in the world than Italy. Were it not
for one thing, I would recommend it to the skies for the
American bent on retiring. The one thing is this: next to
France, Italy is probably the most expensive country in
Europe. And with her two million unemployed, it is one of the
most difficult nations abroad in which to find work. It can be
done, of course, and many Americans are living in Italy either
retired on pensions or incomes or working at this deal or
that. It can be done but there are easier places in which to
retire than Italy.
§
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS. There is no complication involved in getting
into Italy other than having your American passport. As a
tourist you are allowed to remain ninety days. After this you
apply, through your hotel or through the nearest State Tourist
Office, for a Permesso di Soggiorno which gives you another
ninety days. If your visit is to be prolonged still more or if
you are taking up permanent residence, then it is necessary to
get permission from the Ministry of the Interior. You must
have a reason to submit. Such reasons as "to study art" or
some such. I have never heard of such permission ever being
refused, it's merely a formality.
TRANSPORTATION. To put it flatly, Italy makes herself easily
available to the traveler. For instance, ten different
airlines fly between New York and Rome. These range from our
own Pan American and TWA to the Israel Airlines which stop off
at Rome on the way to Palestine. Rates are the same no matter
what line you choose. First class, one way, in season is
$1,233.30 at this writing. Tourist class is $660.20 one way,
in season. And the new thrift class brings it down even
further.
There are a
multitude of steamship lines running between New York and
Genoa or Naples. Chief among them are, Italian Lines, American
Export Lines, Home Lines, Lauro Lines and the Greek Line.
Freighter lines carrying passengers include the Concordia
Line, Costa Line, Barber Mediterranean Line and the Hellenic
Lines. The minimum one way passenger rates for both freighters
and liners is $400. On an average you get more for your dollar
on a freighter than you do on a liner. They're less crowded,
you are more apt to have a cabin of your own rather than
sharing it with half a dozen and up strangers, and the food is
better. Freighter trips are apt to be more lengthy too. I
spent a whole month once crossing the Atlantic between
Jacksonville, Florida and Amsterdam, Holland. Private cabin,
private bath, private steward, and I ate at the captain's
table. Total cost, $715. I wouldn't have had the same degree
of comfort for double the amount on one of the big liners.
Probably the
cheapest manner in which to get to Italy would be to take a
student ship from New York to Holland or France and from there
take the train or bus to Genoa. You wouldn't save much though.
Your train fare and meals along the way would eat up most of
your reduced Atlantic passage fare.
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CHAPTER 11 ITALY
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