WHY ITALY HAS CAPTURED MY HEART

(AND WHY IT MIGHT CAPTURE YOURS, TOO)

By Susie Hollands

I'll be honest with you, I'm seriously considering buying property in Italy. After spending time in Tuscany last summer and with another trip to Milan and Rome late last year, I feel increasingly drawn to the idea of making it one of my home bases. And I'm not alone in this pull toward la bella vita.

Italy has become the destination many of my clients and friends are choosing right now, and it's not hard to understand why. Yes, the Italian government's new tax regime for high net worth individuals is remarkably straightforward - simple, clear, and fast to implement. But honestly? It's the life itself that keeps drawing people back. Let me tell you why.

THE PEOPLE YOU'LL ACTUALLY KNOW

What strikes me most about Italy is how community still means something there. When you buy in a local town or neighborhood, you're not just purchasing property - you're joining a genuine network of families and neighbors who will actually welcome you into their lives.

I've seen this firsthand wandering through Tuscan town squares. Kids playing, teenagers chatting, couples strolling, elderly residents greeting friends, people with dogs stopping to talk - all mixed together in the piazza. It's such a contrast to what we've become accustomed to: everyone sitting at home with Netflix and Deliveroo. Italians still go out. They socialize. Ages mix naturally. You attend local events, festivals, markets. You become part of the fabric of daily life in a way that feels increasingly rare elsewhere.

FOOD AS A WAY OF LIFE (NOT JUST SUSTENANCE

The quality-to-cost ratio for eating and drinking well in Italy is extraordinary, but that's almost beside the point. What I love is that food sits genuinely at the heart of Italian life - not as fuel or entertainment, but as culture itself.

My Italian friends spend what might seem like an inordinate amount of time discussing what they'll eat for dinner that night. They swap recipes. They shop carefully at markets. Many grow their own vegetables and herbs. They have exceptional knowledge about olive cultivation - I've been invited to Tuscany for the olive harvest just so I could see the process. They understand truffle hunting seasons. These aren't hobbies or weekend projects; this is everyday life, woven into who they are.

When you live in Italy, you're surrounded by people who genuinely care about provenance, seasonality, and craft. It changes how you think about nourishment and pleasure.

A SOPHISTICATED RELATIONSHIP WITH BEAUTY

Here's something I've noticed that might resonate with you: even ordinary Italians have a remarkably refined relationship with design. They appreciate it. They know about it. They discuss it with real reverence.

You can have genuinely fascinating conversations about everything from Ferrari's design language to architects from the 1930s. This isn't superficial - it's a deep cultural fluency with aesthetics that permeates daily life. The way a table is set, how a storefront is arranged, the proportions of a doorway - there's a collective understanding of beauty and function that makes living there feel constantly inspiring.

For those of us who value design and aesthetics, this sophisticated appreciation in the culture around you becomes part of the texture of life itself.

THE PRACTICAL REALITY: ITALY'S TAX INCENTIVES

Let me be direct about the financial piece, because it matters and it's worth understanding clearly.

Italy's recently-enacted tax regime for high net worth individuals has proven remarkably effective. The structure is simple and clear - no convoluted requirements or confusing loopholes. Implementation is fast and straightforward. And the rates are genuinely competitive, designed to attract global talent and capital.

Since 2024, I've seen a significant wave of relocations. UK residents are opting out of the non-dom regime post-Brexit. Clients from Canada, Israel, and Russia are establishing new bases. EU nationals are drawn by Italy's rich culture. Latin American clients are rediscovering their Italian roots.

The locations seeing the most interest right now? Milan (Italy's design and business capital), Venice (timeless elegance), and the glamorous Lakes region at the foot of the Alps - Como, Garda, Maggiore. Tuscany remains the classic Italian dream, of course.

This isn't exclusively a playground for billionaires. Italy is drawing entrepreneurs, families, creatives, and people at various stages of building or preserving wealth. The combination of fiscal sensibility and quality of life makes it accessible in ways that might surprise you.

A PERSONAL NOTE

I find myself thinking more and more about acquiring something in Italy. Not just as an investment or a vacation property, but as a place to actually be - to have relationships, to participate in that daily rhythm of markets and piazzas, to be surrounded by that natural sophistication about beauty and craft.

If you've been considering a move or simply want to understand what's drawing so many interesting people to Italy right now, I'm happy to continue the conversation. Sometimes these decisions benefit from simply talking them through with someone who understands both the practical considerations and the deeper pull of a place.

Feel free to reply to this email if Italy has been on your mind, too.

With warmth,

Susie Hollands

Founder, VINGT Paris & Twenty1

P.S. I'll be in Milan in June and possibly Rome as well. If you're considering the area and would like an introduction to people on the ground—family offices, accountants, education specialists—just let me know.