The second season of “Travels with Jim and Rita” continues with an inspiring conversation with travel writer Linda McCarley, who shares her remarkable journey toward establishing a home in Italy. Linda’s story begins with her earliest travel memories at just three years old, when her Scottish-born parents took her from Canada to visit relatives in Scotland. This experience ignited a lifelong passion for exploration that eventually led her to purchase a villa in Barga, Italy.
What makes Linda’s story particularly fascinating is how her approach to travel evolved over time. Like many seasoned travelers, she and her husband gradually shifted away from being tourists and toward becoming more immersed in local communities. This transition intensified when Linda became a travel writer during the COVID pandemic, turning her longtime passion into a profession. As she explains, writing about destinations required deeper research and understanding, pushing her to seek authentic experiences away from overcrowded tourist attractions.
The conversation reveals fascinating insights into the challenges and joys of buying property in Italy. Linda shares her experience navigating the famously slow Italian bureaucracy while purchasing their villa in Barga. Originally planning for a small apartment, they unexpectedly fell in love with a villa from the 1920s—considered “new” by Italian standards, as it sits in the newer part of town below the medieval hilltop section. The process has been delayed by missing community approvals, but Linda remains optimistic about completing the purchase soon.
One of the most inspiring aspects of Linda’s journey is her commitment to language learning. She recently spent five weeks at Lucca Italian School, immersing herself in the language and culture. The school offered not just classroom instruction but cultural excursions, including a trip to witness Carnival celebrations in Viareggio and various food outings. Linda describes reaching that magical moment when she began thinking and even joking in Italian—crucial steps toward feeling at home in her future part-time residence.
Throughout the podcast, Linda offers valuable insights for travelers looking to explore lesser-known Italian destinations. She highlights Arezzo, a city of 100,000 that remains surprisingly under the radar despite its Renaissance art treasures, including works by Piero della Francesca. She also recommends Camogli on the Italian Riviera as an alternative to overcrowded spots like Cinque Terre and Portofino, describing it as a place where most tourists are European or local, creating a more authentic atmosphere.
Linda’s story exemplifies how travel can evolve from vacation experiences to a lifestyle choice. Her background—born in Canada to Scottish parents, working for a major airline, and pursuing her Italian heritage—culminates in this new chapter of her life. For listeners contemplating similar moves or simply seeking more meaningful travel experiences, Linda’s journey provides both practical advice and inspirational possibilities. As Jim and Rita prepare for their own upcoming travels to Portugal and England, Linda’s story serves as a perfect addition to this new season of travel adventures.
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