Our Big Adventure: Why We're Moving To Italy (But Not Quite Yet!)

Our Big Adventure: Why We’re Moving to Italy (But Not Just Yet)

Hello and welcome to our very first blog post!

We’re Ange and Matt, a travel-loving couple with a big dream: to move to Italy with our two dogs, Bonnie and Broderick. Whether you're here by chance or searching for inspiration, we’re so glad you found us.

Who Are We?

We’re a married couple who love exploring new places, great food, and making memories with our two pups, Bonnie and Broderick. Our journey is a blend of Aussie and Canadian perspectives, and we’re always up for discovering something new, whether it’s in our own backyard or across the globe.

Why Italy?

Italy has been calling our names for years. The culture, food, history, and landscapes are all part of the appeal, but a major reason we have chosen Italy is because it is known for being very dog-friendly. Bringing Bonnie and Broderick with us is non-negotiable; they are family, and we want them to enjoy this adventure too.

The reality is, if we make this move, it will be a one-way ticket for the dogs. Bringing them back to Australia would be extremely expensive and would involve a lengthy quarantine, which is not something we want them to go through. So, before we head off, there are a few things we want to tick off our list.

Exploring More of Australia

We have realised that, although we have lived in this beautiful country for 8 years together, there is still so much of Australia we haven’t seen. From the ancient gorges of the Kimberley to lush rainforests and sparkling coastlines, we want to make the most of our time here before heading overseas. Think road trips, hidden gems, and perhaps even a few classic tourist stops that we've never gotten around to.

Taking the Dogs to New Zealand

Bonnie and Broderick are part of the family, and we cannot imagine leaving this part of the world without making some memories with them too. One of our dreams is to take them on an adventure to New Zealand, a paradise for both humans and pups, with hiking, beaches, and wide-open spaces (and no snakes or crocodiles to worry about!).

Our Plan...

Here is how our next twelve months are shaping up:

• Scouting Trip to Italy: We will be heading to Italy for a holiday soon - partly just to get away, but also to scout out potential places to live. Bonnie and Broderick won't be with us this time but we'll definitely be searching with them in mind!

• South Africa and Botswana: Next up is a work conference in South Africa, followed by a tour of Botswana that we are hosting.

• Finishing Renovations: We'll have to come back home for a few weeks between trips, to finish up renovations on our old Queenslander home before it goes on the rental market.

• Exploring More of Australia: We want to see more of this beautiful country before we go, so we will be hitting the road for a few months in late 2025, making use of our camper trailer for one last hoorah.

• Taking the dogs to New Zealand: Finally, we will take Bonnie and Broderick to New Zealand for one last big adventure in this part of the world.
  
  

The big flight across to Europe is planned for September 2026. There is still plenty of time to go, but a lot to fit in between now and then!

We will be sharing every step, from travel stories and adventure, to the planning and logistics involved with moving overseas with dogs. Whether you are dreaming of your own big move, love travel stories, or just want to follow along, we would love to have you with us.

Thanks for joining us at the very beginning. Here’s to new adventures, both near and far!