Episode Transcript
It's Saturday morning in Italy and you're listening to the Magic Towns Italy podcast. Let's dive into this week's stories. Welcome back listeners to the Magic Towns Italy Weekly podcast hosted by Miles and Alexia. For those of you maybe dreaming of La Dolce bda, perhaps even thinking about putting down roots in Italy, getting around is pretty key. Yeah, absolutely. There's a recent article from Magic Towns, how to Travel By Train in Italy and Save money. It really helps make sense of it all. The Italian train system. It can seem a bit daunting maybe if you're used to something different. This article is great for getting past that initial uncertainty, makes you feel more confident. Exploring the country. And speaking of exploring our featured magic town this week is Madina, so what we'll do is first hit some of those key train travel tips. Are, let's face it, vital. If you're planning a move or even just a long stay. And then we'll dive into Madina looking at what makes it appealing, Sounds good. So starting with the trains, choosing the right one, the article lays out the differences clearly. You've got the high speed ones, fre osa it low. The fast ones connected to big cities. Exactly. And it mentions Itlo often has. Deals, which is a good tip. We know save a few euros, always good. Then there are the regional trains. Yeah, the regional l's lower for sure, but cheaper, and they're perfect for shorter trips, reaching smaller towns. The article points out how practical they are in places like Tris, for example. Okay, now the big question, punctuality, how reliable are they really? Well, the high speed trains. Are generally pretty good. Quite punctual, actually. Regional trains they might have the occasional small delay. And strikes. That's something you hear about. Definitely they do happen. So checking online before any really important journey is. Well essential, but there are those guaranteed service times, right? During strikes? Weekdays usually six to 9:00 AM and six to 9:00 PM Slightly different times on public holidays, but there are minimum services guaranteed. Also, just be aware, services are often scaled back during big holidays. Think Fatto in August or around Christmas time. Right? Okay. Ticket validation. This feels important, especially for regional trains. Crucial. If you buy a paper regional ticket. It doesn't have a specific date and time printed on it. Like an open ticket, sort of. Yeah. You absolutely have to validate it before you get on the train. Look for the little green machines often, um, near photo booze on the platform or, or in the, um, station. And if you don't, you risk a fine if the conductor comes around. So. Just stamp it. But if the ticket already has the date and time, or it's one you bought online or an app with a QR code, then you're all set. No need to validate those. The QR code is your validation, essentially. Got it. What about seats? Do you get assigned seats on the high speed trains? Yes. Usually you'll get a carriage and seat number. Often you can even pick your seat for free when you book online. Makes sense. And regional. Regional is typically first come, first served. Just find an empty seat, unless for some reason your ticket says otherwise, which is rare. Okay, some common sort of hurdles for expats, just starting out with Italian trains, like station locations. That's a practical one. In some small towns, the station might not be right in the historic center. It could be a bit of a walk or you might need a bus. So if you're scouting potential places to live, it's worth checking that distance. Definitely the Town Explorer tool on Magic towns. Is useful for that, seeing exactly where the station is relative to say the main piazza and connections. Yeah, making transfers. That can be another thing to get used to. Transfers are common. The article suggests apps like train line are helpful for planning, but always, always double check the platform number on the big electronic departure boards. App info isn't always 100% real time platforms can change last minute. Good tip. Uh, don't just rely on the app exactly. Another heads up, especially for regional trains. Announcements aren't always loud or clear, or sometimes they're just not there. And remember on many regional trains, the doors don't open automatically. You have to press a button. Don't wanna miss your stop because you were waiting for the door. Ha. Okay, noted. Press the button and be ready for ticket checks. Oh yeah. Just have your ticket validated if necessary, handy. What happens if you, you know, miss your train, run late for regional tickets? They often have a bit of flexibility, maybe valid for up to four hours after the scheduled time. Worth checking the specific rules though. But a HighSpeed is different. If you miss your specific HighSpeed train, unless you bought a more expensive flexible fare, you'll probably need to buy a new ticket. Ouch. Okay. Finding the platform, you mentioned checking the boards. That's the best bet. Absolutely. The board is your definitive source. Look for your train number and destination and luggage. Are they strict? Nah, pretty relaxed actually. Big suitcases are fine on both high speed and regional, and it's free. High speed trains have overhead racks and often space at the end of the cars and regional. On regional, there might be less dedicated space, so just keep it near you out at the aisle if possible. What about safety, like traveling at night? The article suggests high speed trains are generally fine, quite safe on regional trains, especially late at night. On more rural route. Maybe just be a bit more aware sitting near the front or in a busier carriage Common sense, really. And finally, saving money. Popular topic. Key tip. Book high speed tickets early. The prices go up closer to the date. Like flights. And compare Alo and Talia. Itlo often has those promos we mentioned. The article also suggests checking Trin Natalia's, Euro city trains. Sometimes they can be cheaper for certain routes interesting. Anything else? If you're doing the same regional route regularly, look into a carnet. It's like a booklet of say, 10 tickets at a slightly reduced price per trip. Like a multipass kind of. Yeah, and always check for discounts students, seniors over 60. Sometimes there are special offers Okay, so that's a really useful overview of navigating Italian trains. Definitely a good starting point. Now let's shift focus to our magic town, Modina Modina, right in Amelia which is a region known for its really high quality of life and apparently quite welcoming locals. It sounds like Moderna is attracting more expats. Students. Professionals. You can see why. Strong economy, amazing food. I mean, it's a culinary capital and it's perfectly located right between Bologna and Relia. Plus it's a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1970. Adds that cultural weight and you know the birthplace of Ferrari. Can't forget Ferrari or. Traditional balsamic vinegar or steria, fcaa, the famous, uh, restaurant, right? And the, people mentions job opportunities too, especially in automotive, obviously, and the food sector. So what's life like there based on what magic towns has gathered? It sounds like a really well balanced city, manageable size, but has all the amenities you'd need. People report a good sense of wellbeing there. Nice, beautiful city center. Apparently good for families too lot to do and a vibrant sort of community feel, maybe 'cause it's quite densely populated um, and friendly locals you mentioned that comes up a lot Yeah, friendly people. Okay, and getting around. We talked trains already, but mode's, connections really good. Easy train access. Cross Italy, high speed. Gets you to Milan in what about 90 minutes? Bologna. Super close. Like 25 minutes. Wow. That's quick. Yeah. And, and Rome or Naples are manageable too. Usually just one change in Bologna, um, for flying Bologna airport is the closest major one. You can get there by train plus the Marconi Express shuttle maybe 30, minutes total. Or there's a direct shuttle bus from Moderna itself, takes about 50 minutes. And within Madina walking. Biking seems to be the way to go. It scores really high on walkability. But what about commuting from nearby towns? That's where it might get trickier. Public transport between the smaller surrounding towns in Medina might not be super frequent or reliable. The feedback suggests a car might be better good to know. And Modina has multiple train stations. Ana Modina plus a couple of smaller ones Okay. Let's talk housing. Always a big one for, for expats. What's the situation? High demand. That's a main takeaway from magic counts, especially in and around the historic center, which means prices tend to be medium high. Yeah. Compared to other Italian cities of a similar size, the. What people say? Section actually gives some price ranges for rent and buying in different neighborhoods. The center is predictably, the iest. What's the historic center like to live in? Raising cons. Um, lively, very walkable, popular with younger people, students, but parking can be tough and the buildings are older, so maybe lacking elevators or some modern updates. What about quieter areas? Neighborhoods like RE or San Agni get mentioned as being more residential, safer, greener good for families, still pretty easy to bike or even walk to the center, and likely a bit more affordable than right downtown. Some feedback mentions areas like Bruta or near the main train station, feeling a bit less safe, especially at night Worth being aware of. Sounds like finding rentals can take a while because the supply is limited. So if you're planning a long-term stay buying might actually end up being a more stable though, obviously bigger, um, commitment. Okay. Let's switch to quality of life overall. How does Medina score scores really well on magic towns, like 88 out of a hundred air quality is also. Rated highly. That's great. Healthcare, good services available. The main hospital, KOA is close by and the unemployment rate is low, which is definitely a plus. Culturally, obviously the UNESCO site Museums, yeah, rich History, Palazzo de Muse, Galleria, Steny. The climate's generally pleasant to mild winters. Warm summers, though it can get properly hot in summer and. Uh, winter fog is apparently a thing. Winter fog. Okay. Opportunities for integration seem good and there are quality schools. It's, it's not overwhelmingly touristy either which helps maintain a sort of calm local feel. Strong economy, super walkable. What about internet? Ah. Interesting point. The average speed listed is actually quite fast But the Modina expat guide section also lists limited internet connectivity as a potential con. So it might be a bit variable depending on the specific area or building Okay. A nuance there. Amenities seem plentiful though. Oh yeah. Loads of stuff within easy reach. Shops, cafes, restaurants, parks, gyms, historical sites, supermarkets, everything you'd expect. And the food. We have to mention. The food again. Absolutely. Balsamic vinegar. Parmesano Ano cheese, prosciutto di Moderna. Traditional dishes It's a foodie paradise from simple RIAs to Michelin stars. Shopping markets. Historic shops. The famous Al Bonelli market, other outdoor markets. Even outlets and antique markets. I mean plenty of choice and green spaces, nature nearby, there are parks like the Al Gardens right in the city, and then further out nature reserves, river trails, regional parks, like. Saudi Roca Melaina for hiking. The Aine Mountains aren't too far for skiing either. It's like a good balance, but every place has challenges. What are the potential downsides mentioned for Moderna? Well, we touched on the internet thing, possibly being inconsistent. Um, public transport outside the city center needing improvement Winters, while mild overall might still feel damp and chilly to some. Job opportunities are good, but might be concentrated in specific local sectors like automotive and food. What else? Tourist season can mean crowds at the main sites. Full integration requires learning Italian, which is true anywhere really. Maybe limited nightlife options compared to a huge city. And while the food is amazing, the very specific local cuisine might not suit everyone's tastes day in, day out. And safety. You mentioned some areas earlier. Yeah. The, what people say section does mention some mixed reviews on safety in central areas. Things like vandalism or theft being concerns for some residents. So it's not perfect. Requires usual city awareness. So, summing up mena, based on the magic town's intel, strong points seem to be healthcare, walkability, economy, transport links. Culture, definitely big pluses cons to weigh are things like the competitive housing market, maybe patchy internet, some safety concerns in specific spots, and the need for a car if commuting Okay, so manana viewed through this magic towns lens definitely seems like a really compelling option for ex pats for retirees. It's got that blend of rich culture, economic stability, good quality of life, great location, absolutely. But as with any potential move, it's about weighing those significant pros against the challenges we've talked about and seeing how it fits your, your priorities. Yeah, exactly. And we really encourage you, if Modena sounds interesting to go to the Magic Towns website, dive into that detailed Modena City profile. There's so much more data and local feedback there. And don't forget that train travel article too for figuring out how to explore from there. Definitely. So here's a final thought to leave you with considering Moderna's mix of deep tradition and modern Italian life. What part of that blend really resonates most with your idea of the perfect Italian experience? And just a reminder, all the information and insights we shared today came straight from the fantastic resources available on Magic Towns. That's it for this week on Magic Towns, Italy. You can create a free account at Magic Towns it and explore over 2000 towns, including those offering the 7% tax scheme, as well as download dozens of expat guides. We have over 200 data points per town, more than Italy's Statistics authority itself, covering everything from property prices to schools, healthcare. Crime and more. If you want full access to filters and unlimited searches, upgrade to Magic Town's Premium. Use the Code Podcast for 20% off an annual plan. Thanks for listening. Our next podcast will be live on Saturday at 9:00 AM.
