First of all I just wanted to say hi! I'm a new member here.

I have lived in tuscany for over 5 years, and at the moment I am back in Australia getting some stuff together as I want to try to permanently move back to Italy.

I have started doing a bit of research for starting my own personalised tours, specifically shopping, and I am thinking about doing it in Florence. I have a feeling that there is a market out there and it is allowing me to combine my 2 passions: Italy and fashion/shopping together.

Does anybody have an opinion about this? I am looking at all advice I can get!!! I have all the basics down: I've done my research, I've looked into the publicity aspects etc, but the one thing that has got me a bit stumped is registering it as a business.
Is it completely necessary at the beginning? How do I go about doing it? If anybody could help me I'd be very grateful!

Also, do you think there is a market out there for this sort of thing? I've seen a couple of 'shopping tours' websites already. I'd be aiming, obviously for middle-aged female tourists (but not excluding anybody else ofcourse) that do not have any financial worries (obviously).

Any says in the matter?

Dear Annemaria,
I think this is a great idea! But more importantly, how did you get yourself organised to go to Tuscany from Australia for five years. I am planning to 'try it' for about six months before making the big decision. Could you give me some tips. I am currently in Sydney. Any tips on finding a long term rental which is not aimed at the wealthy holiday maker from London. Hope to hear from you soon. Shane

Hey Shane,

Basically, I had decided to take a gap year from my studies, travel a bit and then stay on in Italy for 6 months, instead of doing the typical Australian thing of going to London. I'm half Italian, but didn't speak the language, but I had the advantage of having an Italian passport so I can legally work anywhere in Europe. I loved it so much, and am still in love with Italy, so I ended up staying for close to 6 years. Hopefully I'll be back in Italy by the end of this year doing something a little bit more serious then working in bars or clubs etc.

The language was difficult at first cos I got into the bad habit of speaking english all the time as, because Florence is such a touristy city, a lot of people could speak a minimum of english. Finally I pulled my finger out and got into the language and can pretty much speak it fluently although I screw up the grammer now and again.

For rental, my best advice is to go to the city of your choice and look around there for a room to rent, instead of organising it before hand, because you will most likely get stuck paying too much. Rent is expensive in Italy, especcially in venice, rome, florence and milan. Go to the universities and internet points and you'll most likely find a board with posters of people looking for room mates. This way you avoid paying the agency fee, and most likely pay a lot less deposit.

Where in Italy are you planning on going? Have you got legal documents to work? I've become pretty much an expert on Italy as I just fully embraced the culture while I was there so I can give you advice...

Thanks for your reply.... Firstly I am not planning to work...I am an oldie (52) and am planning to rent out my house in Sydney to cover a little of the cost.
I am glad you suggested looking around when I get there...yes internet bookings seem so expensive. I have been in contact with a few people via internet and have found a few places which seem possible. There is a fabulous little apartment outside Verona that seems to fit the bill but I wasn't planning to go so far north. Anyway I'm thinking it over.
Let me know if you have any more thoughts or tips for me! Thanks Shane (female!)