Frequently Asked Questions
Naturally, the following questions and answers will be
continually added to. Please feel free to send us an e mail with any
inquiries. Click here
if this page doesn't answer your question. Saluti.
GENERAL
QUESTIONS ABOUT CALABRIA
Q. Why are many villages in Calabria empty?
A. After the war, the Italian economy like much of Europe
collapsed, and people in Calabria were forced to emigrate to North and
South American and Australia, or move to larger cities in Northern Italy
and Europe to find work.
The seaside towns, known as marinas which are located directly
on the Ionian Sea, built modern houses and the new towns developed as
part of the artery of commerce, capitalizing on transportation via the
roads and train lines. The old cities, perched up on mountains, were
only inhabited by elderly residents who had been there all their lives.
Populations of 5,000 - 20,000 dwindled to just hundreds after the war.
Q.
What are the services in towns such as Torre di Ruggiero, Soverato and
Badolato?
Search throughout this website for specifics on each city or town.
A.
Generally, in the hilltop medieval towns, there are cafes, grocery stores,
tobacconist who sells sundries and souvenirs including film, a barber
shop, a post office, and a restaurant. In some towns, there are bakeries
and pastry hops as well. The seaside towns are abundant with shops that
include artisan pottery and terracotta, ceramics, souvenirs, handcrafts,
clothing and shoes, art, silk shawls and a myriad of gastronomy and
wine stores.
As
artists have been moving in, entrepreneurs are planning to create more
eateries and retails stores as well as B&Bs, several of which have
already opened.
Q.
How is transportation? Do I need a car?
Click
here
for more info on transportation.
A. If you need a car, it should probably be a small car.
Local buses service the hilltop towns hourly, making inexpensive runs
to other hilltop towns as well as the marinas.
Q.
Do I need to speak Italian?
A. No, most of the people are familiar with English. Talk
slowly, carry a dictionary and don't be shy. Italians love foreigners
who try to speak Italian.
Q.
If I want to go to Sicily, Naples or Rome, what's the best way?
Click
here
for more info on transportation.
A. All destinations in Italy, and Europe, are accessible
by car, bus, train or plane.
There is an express bus service from almost anywhere to Rome, which
leaves several times a day, and takes you first to Naples and then to
Rome's main railroad station. Or, heading south, you'll arrive in Messina,
Sicily and then Taormina or Palermo.
Otherwise, you can fly from Lamezia Terme Airport to Rome Airport (45
minutes), then take the Leonardo Express train to the Rome terminal
in the center of town.
Q. I want to celebrate someone's wedding or
birthday in Calabria? Can you help me plan a party?
A. We would love to help you plan a special Italian theme
birthday party. We can arrange the party, the decorations in an indoor
or outdoor restaurant in the appropriate village.
Q.
What clothes do I need?
Click here
for the weather in Calabria
A#1. The weather in Calabria is similar to central and
southern California, USA. It is mild, Mediterranean in the Fall and
Winter and tropical, arid in the Spring and Summer (Orange and lemon
trees blossom all year long). A light jacket is needed between December
and March, in the evenings.
A#2.
Like
the rest of Italy, Calabria is fashion conscience. Dress as you would
for any other Italian destination. Casual and "smart" attire
works best. Men are best in neat jeans, slacks, shirts and, optionally,
jackets. Ladies wear pretty dresses, neat jeans, etc. Generally no one
in Italy ever wears seat pants, jogging suits or sports' caps in public.
Q.
What about swimming?
Click here
for more info.
A. May through November is the best season for warm
water.
GENERAL
QUESTIONS ABOUT PURCHASING PROPERTY OR BUSINESSES IN CALABRIA
Q.
What are Italy's laws concerning Equal Opportunity in Housing?
A.
Equal Opportunity in Housing is the law of the land and the right of
all in this country without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap,
familial status, or national origin.
GENERAL
QUESTIONS ABOUT ITALY
Q. What does the word "Italia"
(Italy) mean. What is the derivation?
A. It was the name of an ancient tribe (The ITALY)
living in what is now the region of Calabria.
Q.
How does one get Italian citizenship and what are the ramifications
regarding taxes, military service, etc.
A.
In order to obtain Italian citizenship an individual
must first have at least three years residency in Italy. Then he or
she may apply for citizenship. The bureaucratic process can take up
to as much as 10 years. This is unless the person has a parent that
was born in Italy and never renounced his or her citizenship which
is rare since most 2nd generation Italian Americans are of parents
who are American citizens. Naturally, there are countless other circumstances
including adoption, marriage, etc., which make eligibility for citizenship
vary from one individual to another.
Taxes:
"Dual citizenship" is recognized by Italy but, in most cases,
is NOT recognized by the US. The Italian government will allow dual
citizens to report taxes in EITHER country. As the US does not normally
recognize dual citizenship, taxes must be reported in the US regardless
of where the earnings take place. Additionally, should the US learn
of a citizen having dual citizenship without prior permission, the US
reserves the right to ask that individual to renounce the other citizenship.
Beginning
in 2004, military service in Italy will no longer be obligatory for
anyone.
GENERAL
QUESTIONS ABOUT PURCHASING TIME SHARES IN CALABRIA
What
is a time-share?
Time-Share is a descriptive term for a type of ownership. It is also
known as interval ownership. Basically, rather than buying the entire
dwelling unit, you simply purchase a "share" or part of that
unit. Your "share" is defined as a specific period of time
during which you may live in the unit. The primary advantage of a time-share
is affordability. Time-shares were created during the 1960's when property
in popular destinations became prohibitively expensive.
What
type of time-shares are available in Calabria?
Badolato's time shares are a Right-to-Use Agreement which is a time
limited lease agreement. You have the right to use a property for 20
years. When the lease ends, you have an automatic renewal option for
another 20 years. (most Right-to-Use Agreements are 10 - 15 years making
ownership in Badolato even more advantageous.
Are
there any hidden costs?
In addition to the purchase price, the only other cost is the yearly
maintenance fee which is applied depending on the number of weeks that
you choose to own. This fee is clearly stated on each property and is
used to upkeep the pristine condition of each villa and apartment as
well as administrative fees. While most time shares raise this cost
annually, ours is adjusted every 4 years based on cost of living. Besides
your purchase cost and maintenance fee there are no additional fees.
How
will I know if it's a good deal?
Compare, compare, compare! Remember that Badolato time shares are sold
in 2 week blocks. (most others are sold in 1 week blocks). Compare it
to other resorts and areas. Are the costs similar to those at the other
resorts? Are you getting what you want out of the deal? Have you checked
on the price of a similar vacation without the timeshare agreement?
Have you spoken to some of the owners at the resort you're interested
in? If you've done all your homework and you're satisfied with the answers
to all of these questions, then you'll be sure that you've found a good
deal.
I've
heard that time-shares are all rip-offs. Is that true?
Merciful heavens, No! A few shady operators in the mid 1970's gave the
entire industry a bad name. However, the industry has matured significantly
during the last two decades thanks to increased governmental oversight
and several responsible industry associations. If you do your homework,
you are generally safe, but be sure to ask for references. Send us an
e mail here for a list
of references in your area.
Can
I trade my time or unit with other time-share owners to get different
dates or even different locations?
Yes, in most cases you can. This may be done informally, through an
agreement with another owner, or it may be done through an agency that
specializes in these trades. There are lots of options! Since we are
currently offering new villas at a rate of about 1 per month, we will
offer flexibility for the next 5 years regarding when you choose to
vacation.
What
happens when I want to sell my unit?
We will publicize your unit and price to prospective clients. There
are also many agencies that specialize in time-share resales throughout
the world. We will forward that information to you. There are probably
realtors in your area that already specialize in time share resale.
TIME
SHARE TERMINOLOGY
Accrued
Weeks: Timeshare weeks that have
accumulated from prior year or years, and are available for use in the
current calendar year.
Affiliated Resort: This designation indicates whether or not a
resort has an exchange program with exchange companies .
Bonus Time: This allows you use of
your timeshare resort in addition to your regular allocated time on
a space available basis.
Closing Costs: These are costs associated
with the sale and timeshare closing process, usually including but not
limited to: deed preparation, recording costs, escrow fees, and administrative
fees or transfer of equity for right-to-use properties. With Badolato
timeshares you do not incur these costs.
Deed: A "fee simple" ownership
interest providing title to your timeshare
Developer's Price: This can be either
the estimated developer's current or market price, or the full retail
price of the timeshare
.Exchange: Trading timeshare weeks at one resort for timeshare
weeks at another resort or trading a specific week at one resort for
a different week at the same resort
.Exchange Companies: There are two
major exchange companies that provide exchange services for timeshare
owner's wishing to trade their timeshare weeks at one resort for weeks
at another resort. They are RCI. (Resort Condominiums International)
and II (Interval International). There is a small exchange fee.
Fixed Week/Fixed Time: If you purchase
a timeshare for a fixed week or a fixed time, you are guaranteed that
week each and every year at your resort. Badolato times shares offers
2 weeks for the price of one.
Floating Time/Flex Time: Timeshare
ownership can be purchased using a system whereby the owner purchases
a variable unit and or week during each year of ownership, instead of
a fixed week. Floating-time or flex-time owners must obtain their
unit/week by calling the resort, and requesting the week of their choice.
.Lock-Out Unit: A unit which has
the capability of being divided to create two separate but complete
units. If an owner buys a lockout unit, he can divide the unit
and either stay in one half of the unit and rent the other half or rent
both halves.
Maintenance Fees: These fees are
established and collected to maintain the Timeshare Resort, pay insurance,
utilities, refurbishing, taxes, etc. These fees vary from resort
to resort and with the type and size of the timeshare unit purchased.
Right to Use (Usufruct): This type of timeshare ownership gives
you occupancy rights for a specified number of years.
Unit Type: The basic configuration
of a resort unit, such as "studio", "1 bedroom",
"2 bedroom 2 bath", etc.
Usufruct (Right to Use): This type of timeshare
ownership gives you occupancy rights for a specified number of years.
