½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

 Thanks, Lisa. There are similar reports in the Spanish newspapers. It is very embarrassing, to say the least 

This is excellent advice, Elicat, particularly for those wishing to buy a property right now. It should be kept as a reference. In our case, we knew we had a winning hand. We had the cash available and my husband is a retired architect, plus we have plenty of experience buying properties. Between my husband and the geometra, we convinced the owner, who needed the cash, that we were paying a fair price. And that is what it was, a fair price. I agree that many sellers have unrealistic expectations regarding their properties. For this reason, some of the ones we inspected are still in the market.... at a reduced price. Both buyers and sellers need reliable and realistic advice from estate agents and professionals. 

 HI Piacenza and welcome to the community. You are going to need help from real estate agents and lawyers and there are some in this place who may be able to help you better. First of all, have you ever visited the properties? Do you have plans and title documents?You could start looking at the Property Pages in this Italy Magazine. You can search the Emilia Romagna area and get a rough idea. Also, you will find details about agents who work in the area.It may also be important to get information from the ½ûÂþÌìÌà market for ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs and here is a site that could assist: http://www.immobiliare.it/Piacenza/vendita_case-Travo.htmlBest luck and wishes! 

 I had a look through the ½ûÂþÌìÌà pages and there is not a formal ban on any plant with the exceptions of vines from Croacia and obviously any kind of diseased plant or protected species. Wrap them in wet kitchen towels and then some newspaper. Put the lot in a strong plastic bag. Join the gardening group and tell us how you go.Happy gardening!

 Elicat, don't you think that some ruins were grossly overpriced? By the time the new owners paid not only for the ruin but also for all the renovations, they had a nice white elephant which had cost a fortune. I am not in the real estate industry, but it took us two years to find the home we wanted at the price we were prepared to pay, and this was before the start of the crisis. We saw many houses in a variety of locations, most of them at ridiculous prices. The property we bought was overpriced, but we simply made an offer 25% less than the asking price and the seller, following advice from his geometra, accepted it. The negotiated price was the real value of the property.I agree that perhaps the market may be a bit slow if you are trying to sell in a hurry; however, if you paid the right price and spent the right amount of money restoring or improving the property, I do not think that you will loose money.One of the big problems has been that many people have purchased ruins without fully understanding how much it was going to cost them to restore the buildings. And some agents have given purchasers the wrong advice regarding the final cost of the restoration.

 David, some of the so called modern versions are really awful. I saw Bizet's Carmen in a modern version and it did not have the brilliance of the classical one. On the other hand, I was able to watch "Un Ballo in Maschera" at the Metropolitan Opera House last year, in its original version, and it was fabulous. Rigoletto's modern version, a sort of "La Dolce Vita" was not the worst I've seen, but give me classical versions any time. I can't remember watching "Traviata" in that 2000 version. I have the Pavarotti-Sutherland version at home and I play it regularly because it is simply superb.

 Great to hear about a climber that does well in high altitudes. I was more familiar with the Pink Clematis (Clematis montana). I understand that the flowers may be white or slightly pink (Apple Blossom) and that they all are very fragrant, which is an added bonus. All clematis varieties have one thing in common, which you mentioned, Serge. The root system must be shaded, while the foliage needs either full sun or light shade.

 Hi lisiamc and welcome. Best wishes regarding your plans.

I don't think that there should be much of a problem, unless you are going to actually divide the property into two (two separate titles). That would be a more complicated process and that will depend on local rules and regulations. But if you want to restore the property by sections, I do not think that you will have too much of a problem, providing that you submit to the comune the full plans. I don't think that they could stop you from restoring part of the building right now and leaving the rest to a later date, providing the ruin does not present any problems such as collapsing structures, roofs, etc. Before doing anything, check with an architect or a geometra because many of those rules and regulations are local.Basically, I remember a question in the same line in the previous forum and I told you to keep part of the ruin as it was or making it more pleasing to the eye. This is done in Italy, so it must be allowed by council.Good luck! 

 "La Traviata" is wonderful. I can watch it a million times. The best version I have ever seen was with Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti. Madama Butterfly is nice but it is not Puccini at its best, my favourite is "La Bohème". A Verdi opera that I love is "Un Ballo in Maschera".