Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Vicenza, Italy
If your family just got word that you’re getting stationed at Caserma Ederle and are moving to Vicenza, Italy, you’ve come to the right place.
But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill guide. You won’t discover what schools are the best, where you should live, or the best doctor.
Instead, you’ll find things you want to know about like favorite day trips, radio stations, and all the yummy places to eat.
Meet Michelle!
This Duty Station Spotlight is brought to you by Michelle, an Army wife, and stay-at-home mom of two kids; Cole and Cora.
She’s married to my high school sweetheart, Mark, and has a passion for travel, photography, the outdoors, time with family/friends and a good glass of Italian wine!
You can find her on instagram or her blog Michelle Owens.
First Things First: The Basics
What were your first impressions of the area?
Downtown Vicenza is so quaint and beautiful. Your typical small Italian town. Exploring it for the first time made us feel so blessed to call this place home.
How did you feel at the end of the tour? Did your impressions change?
At the end of our tour, we felt so sad to leave. Vicenza was our home especially since we had both our children here.
We have loved every second of our lives out in Italy, and will forever hold Vicenza in our hearts and cherish all the memories.
What is ONE THING you wish you had known before moving to Vicenza, Italy?
Everything shuts down in August. In many cities, shops are closed on Mondays. Riposo happens every day from on or about 12:30-3:30.
EVEN MORE ABOUT VICENZA
Good (Local) Eats
If someone came to visit you, and you had to take them out to eat, what would your TOP THREE favorite places be?
La Dolce Vigna
Ristorante Ada
Dai Gelosi
Favorite place(s) for coffee and/or dessert?
Any Pasticeria for pastries, breads etc.
Pasticceria Ferracina is amazing. Their freshly squeezed orange juice is so worth it.
Is there a farmer’s market scene in there? Tell us about it!
Our absolute favorite market is on Sunday in Camisano. Flowers and fresh fruit are our go-tos at the market.
On the last Sunday of every month, there is a huge antique market in Piazzola Sul Brenta.
Best place for brunch? And your favorite thing to order, please!
La Dolce Vigna does a brunch on Sunday.
Ristorante Ada is a favorite among locals on Sundays for lunch.
How about a fun night out on the town for a date night?
Downtown Vicenza! The rooftop bar at the Basilica. Any of the restaurants and make sure to get gelato!!
Get Around (and out of) Town
Top five favorite things to do in Vicenza:
Wine tasting
Strolling downtown
Having a spritz and aperativo
Antique markets
Museums
Being with friends
Picture this: You have a whole weekend to go somewhere within driving distance: Where are you going and what are you doing?
Venice
Bassano del Grappa
Lago di Garda
Cinque Terre
Florence ** best city ever
What was your favorite park in town?
The outdoor park is by the hospital. It’s referred to as the bunny park.
In terms of parks with playgrounds, the ones on post are best.
Any museums worth checking out?
Any downtown
All the Extras
Favorite radio station?
107.3 (R101) and 160.1 (AFN)
Info on your favorite hair salon/hair dresser, please and thank you.
Starline for mani pedi
None for hair.
My son and husband used the barber across the post office. Much better than in the PX
Like a Local
Were there any instagramers, bloggers, or specific non-military affiliated Facebook groups you followed?
Any festivals, fairs, or events worth checking out?
Carnivale in Venice.
Tell us about the weather.
Weather mimics NYC weather. It gets very cold but not much snow in the city. You’ll get a lot in the mountains. Summer gets super hot, especially in August. The best time of year is September-November weather-wise but Italy is beautiful no matter the season.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention about Caserma Ederle for someone who is moving to Vicenza, Italy, soon?
Don’t be afraid to speak with Italians. They are nice and friendly especially when you are polite and try to speak some Italian (hello, thank you, etc). Culture shock is definitely a thing and being homesick especially if you are in the hotel for 60 days.
Just have an open mind, don’t be afraid to travel, and make the most of your weekends. There is so much to do and see.
If you are religious there are some pretty amazing groups out here. We are Catholic and we have found some of the best people and friends out there.
There will always be negative people out there but don’t let that discourage you. Most of all give yourself grace during the first few months of living here. It’s an adjustment but when you leave you will be sad to go and wish you could stay longer.
Your Turn!
If you’ve been stationed at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, please share your favorites in the comments!
Thanks for your positive take on living in Italy. The best years for my children are when we were stationed in Naples and Gaeta for two different tours in the early 80’s and then the mid 90’s. So many military families emphasize the difficulties of moving due to military duty and do not talk about the positive experience of living in other cultures. My children are adults now and miss the travel and adventure of living in new places. Military travel gave them an openness to different cultures and a flexibility and resilience to meet the challenges in life. We visited Garmisch, Germany during our tour also. Best wishes to you and family during your tour in Germany.