🎙️ New Year, New You – Tune In! ✨Ready to make 2026 your best year yet? In our latest podcast, we dive into the art of setting—and actually keeping—New Year’s resolutions. From fitness goals to financial habits, we’ll share practical tips, inspiring stories, and a few surprising strategies to help you stick with your plans long after January fades.

💡 Whether you’re aiming to eat healthier, save more, or simply live with more intention, this episode is packed with motivation to get you started.

👉 Hit play, and let’s kick off the year together with clarity, energy, and purpose!

The top New Year's Resolutions are:

1. exercise more
2. eat healthier
3. lose weight

Setting a goal and knowing where to start is half the battle.

US ARMY GARRISON ITALY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Wednesday, December 3 In Front of the Arena Bowling Center Beginning at 2 p.m. (14:00)

Enjoy this annual community event that kicks off the holiday season! Community members of all ages can enjoy live music by the CYS Choir! You'll also enjoy delicious food, drinks, vin brule, holiday vendors, and a very special guest who will help us light our tree!

Photos with Santa in his mobile workshop: 3:30-4:30 p.m. & 6:30-7 p.m.

Natale in Veneto: Your Ultimate Vicenza Christmas Guide

Episode Description: Stop stressing and start celebrating! This episode is your essential holiday blueprint for the Vicenza area. We dive deep into the ultimate Christmas shopping list, revealing the thoughtful, personalized gifts to buy and the tacky, novelty items you must avoid. Plus, we give you the insider scoop on the most magical spots—from the city center's festive chalets to the must-see regional Christmas markets—and reveal exactly where to find Santa Claus and his elves for those perfect holiday pictures. Tune in to make this year's holiday season unforgettable.

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The show goes beyond basic advice, offering concrete ways to maximize your holiday joy in the Veneto region. For the perfect picture with the Big Man, we pinpoint the popular "Santa Claus' Magic Village" located right in Piazza Duomo in the Vicenza city center. When it comes to finding unique treasures, we highlight the local artisans at the traditional wooden chalets in Piazza Biade and throughout the city and also suggest day trips to nearby major markets like Asiago's charming "I Giardini di Natale." Finally, save your money and avoid disappointment by skipping generic socks, cleaning supplies, and scented candles, which our research showed consistently rank among the worst gifts received. Instead, our gift segment focuses on giving memorable experiences or highly customized presents, ensuring your thoughtfulness shines through this festive season.

Main terms to know regarding tax relief here in Italy. 

IVA: is the acronym for the Italian equivalent of Value Added Tax (VAT). 

VAT: is a tax on goods and services, with different rates in Italy, such as the standard 22% rate. 

The Italian abbreviation "IVA" translates to VAT (Value Added Tax) in English. It stands for Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto and refers to the sales tax on goods and services in Italy. 

The most common Italian word for a bank check is assegno.

Senza IVA=VAT-free purchases

The IVA exemption program enables authorized individuals to purchase items for the home without paying the 22% Value Added Tax (IVA). The IVA exemption applies to household items which the customers intend to export when they leave the country. It does not apply to items to be used for commerce. The minimum purchase for receiving IVA exemption is €150.00

The TRO website has many details to get you started. The knowledgeable staff are in Bldg 367 on Caserma Ederle or you can call them at 0444-71-5102

To know more about living in the Vicenza Military Community (VMC) follow us at The Garrison Outlook at www.army.mil/Italy

• Where do you want to travel?
• How many countries do you want to visit?
• Are you up for exotic foods?
• Have you taken a train or ferry to a destination?
• Can you say hello and thank you in more than one language?

One of the highlights of an overseas tour is the opportunityto travel. We all started with zero knowledge on where to go or why, so don't be afraid to try something new and you'll be travelling like a pro in no time. This episode will inspire you to travel to the many beautiful, exciting and sometimes otherworldly places that are easily accessible.

For more info-see our ⁠Out and About⁠ page on The Garrison Outlook.

There are hundreds or thousands of websites related to traveling in Vicenza, Italy and Europe. We're including some that people have told us they use here to get out and about. In this episode we talked with 1st Sgt. Pioquinto from the USAG Italy HHC and Sabrina from the Relocation Readiness program at ACS to give perspective on how transportation is important to the Soldiers in the community and the family members served by ACS. This topic is so wide ranging that we only touched on the surface of some transportation options and have included many links below to help you during your tour here in Italy. Ciao

These links are only for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Travel Related Websites and Apps

Trains:

1. TrenItalia https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
2. Italo Treno https://www.italotreno.com/en
3. Italia Rail https://www.italiarail.com/
4. TrainLine https://www.thetrainline.com/en-us

Buses:

1. Vicenza Bus site and app https://www.svt.vi.it/enFlixBus (Europe wide travel) https://www.flixbus.com/

Taxis:

1. https://www.taxivicenza.it/en/
2. https://radio-taxi.it/vicenza/
3. https://apptaxi.it/en/

Uber https://www.uber.com/it/en/

E-bikes and scooters:

RideMovi https://ridemovi.app.link/ZduGyMtOD6

Multi-transport search:

1. https://www.mooneygo.it/cerca-e-acquista/en
2. https://www.omio.com/

Boat rental:

https://www.clickandboat.com/en/

Scooters:

https://www.viator.com/blog/Know-Before-You-Go-Renting-a-Vespa-in-Italy/l98142Scooter rental https://riderly.com/rental-locations/italy/https://renting.cooltra.com/it/en/

Airport Transfers:

https://www.goopti.com/en/

Planes and Nearby Airports:

1. Venice Airport https://www.veneziaairport.it/en/
2. Treviso Airport https://www.trevisoairport.it/en/
3. Verona Airport https://www.aeroportoverona.it/en/

1. Milan Malpensa https://www.milanomalpensa-airport.com/en
2. Milan Linate https://www.milanolinate-airport.com/en
3. Milan Bergamo https://www.milanbergamoairport.it/en/

RyanAir https://www.ryanair.com/us/enWizzAir https://www.wizzair.com/en-gbITA Airways https://www.ita-airways.com/en_en

SkyScanner flight research https://www.skyscanner.com/

Trip research https://www.booking.com/index.html?lang=en-us

Official City of Venice site https://www.veneziaunica.it/enhttps://events.veneziaunica.it/en/plan-your-trip/getting-around-venice

Guests in this episode include:

Dan Pitchford, USAG Italy Safety Manager and Hap Harlow "Chief Pedal Pusher" and outdoor rec volunteer.

This year's bike week festival schedule:

Free bike maintenance, kids rodeo, safety checks, seminars, group rides, pro tips, local bike shops, win prizes and more.

Monday May 12, (seminar) at 12 p.m.

Tuesday May 13, (road ride) from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday May 14, (cycling) gravel/mountain bike 6 a.m. and 11:40 a.m.

Thursday May 15, (road ride) gravel/mountain bike 6 a.m. and 11:40 a.m.

Friday May 16, (road and team cycling) gravel/mountain bike 6 a.m. and 11:40 a.m.

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“Connecting People to Bikes”

 Cyclists,

 It’s time to launch BIKE SEASON 2025!   This FIFTH ANNUAL Bike Season brings together cyclists of all genres to grow our sport, enhance your fitness, and support our communities—all by connecting people to bikes.  We have more events planned this year than ever before, and more ways for you to participate!  Read on to see where you can join the action!

We start the three-week string of BIKE FESTIVALS at Camp Darby, Ederle and Del Din, with Race Days to follow!

Camp Darby April 30 April-2 May (second annual!)

Del Din May 7- 8-9 (near the Shoppette)

Ederle May 12-16 (in front of the Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center)

GRIO D’Italia comes to Vicenza!  May 23, We are planning a viewing/cheering site on the first climb into the Berici Hills, PLUS an ODR-Sponsored supported trip to see Stage 15 on May 25.    

The BIKE FESTIVALS feature Free Bike Maintenance, Tips, Information, daily Talks on cycle topics (see the schedules)—PLUS—we are happy to announce Sponsorship by four local bike shops who will display expo and demo bikes—e-bikes, full-suspension, gravel, mountain and road—don’t miss it!  As always, this is an MWR and ODR sponsored, all volunteer event, partnering with VFW, BOSS, Red Cross, Wounded Warrior to bring our Communities a fantastic event!

In addition to the Festivals, there are a series of group rides and local rides/races planned over the next couple months—see the calendar to find one that suits you—and link up with the community to participate.  There are more opportunities to see the Giro d’Italia later in May—details coming soon.

If you are not already on Strava, join us at “USAG-Italy Cycling” for daily and weekly competitions and rides.  Also join the What’sApp USAG-Italy Cycle Group to stay abreast of regular rides and activities.

Finally, we want to invite all of YOU to help pull off the best Bike Season so far.  Here are some specific needs:

1.  Youth Cycle Rodeo Planner

2. SME Speaker—Choose a topic and present it during Bike Fest

3.  Race Support—officials, set up tear down, grill meisters?...

4. Bike Mechanics (and apprentices—we’ll teach you!)

5.  Daily set up and tear down/Tent manning—pick your times!

6.  Giro Ride Set Up (23 and 25 May)

7.  TMP Drivers

There are many other opportunities to volunteer—and give back to the community some of what you love to do!

*Sponsored by MWR, Sports, Fitness and Aquatics, BOSS, Outdoor Rec., Vicenza Library, Red Cross, WWP, VFW.

This episode tells the story of the Battle of Vicenza and how the streets we walk and drive on were the same routes used during the WWII Battle of Vicenza.

Vicenza WWII original footage

Meri Mion Long Lost Birthday Cake Happy Birthday

Italian and American group uncover World War II artifact near Caserma Ederle

Italian WWI and WWII museum in Montecchio Maggiore

Moving overseas is a challenge no matter how many times you do it. The subject matter experts on this week's Voices of Vicenza help explain the most important parts of a PCS (permanent change of station) and share some of their lessons learned to make your PCS a little less stressful.

For detailed help on your PCS use our PCS Guide.

https://home.army.mil/italy/my-garrison-Italy/pcsguidevic

Or watch our video https://www.youtube.com/live/ZFOx-32oUak?si=zboHv6IN-krBkrMb

Moving overseas is a challenge no matter how many times you do it. The spouses and subject matter expert on this week's Voices of Vicenza help share some of their lessons learned to make your PCS (Permanent Change of Station) a little less stressful.

For detailed help on your PCS use our PCS Guide.

https://home.army.mil/italy/my-garrison-Italy/pcsguidevic

Or watch our video https://www.youtube.com/live/ZFOx-32oUak?si=zboHv6IN-krBkrMb

Welcome to Italy!

Join us as we talk with ourCultural Connections SME - Laura - about the 13 many towns close to USAG Italy.

Cultural Connections will help familiarize you and your family with the USAG Italy military community and local Italian life as a whole.

These resources focus on settling in to Italian life upon arrival and life 'outside the gate'.