Ilene and Gary are award winning-bloggers and new authors of their first book, “Our Italian Journey,” which they wrote while living in Italy for one year in 2019. They have a successful following on their website and social media accounts and wanted to share their memoir and personal adventure during this year.

Writing as they traveled through various towns they stayed and explored, they share their trials and tribulations, as well as the laughter in this lighthearted book. They describe artful depictions of Italy’s seducing charm, their experiences in daily life, Italy’s cultural differences, and the well-known Italian zest for living. Live vicariously through them in their spiritual experiences throughout this beautiful country they can now call home.

It took them three years to become Italian citizens through the Jurs Sanguinis and Jurs Matrimonii application through the Los Angeles, California Consulate. They would describe this process as a rollercoaster ride and currently help others with their applications, questions, and travel advice. Obtaining Italian citizenship became personal for Gary in wanting to bring his name back home to Italy.

Currently, they are semi-retired and living between Arizona and Italy. They now have declared themselves “Italian snowbirds,” and plan to fly home to Arizona for the winter while enjoying their new Italian citizenship the rest of the year.