Three years ago, Bas and Ingrid decide to exchange their life in the Netherlands for a new life in Italy. They buy a dilapidated monastery and hope to transform it into luxury apartments. Unfortunately, the two soon find out that the Italian bureaucracy is not cooperating, because all their building plans are delayed. They do not have the permits for the renovation and one after the other architect also leaves them behind.
Fifteen months later, their dream seems to fall apart when they have to cancel the first guests. “I always have a bit of trouble when I promise things and I can’t keep them. (…) It sucks now,” says Bas about this.
After a stressful start, the apartments are finally ready one year after the shooting. They have also been able to receive paying guests throughout the summer. After all, Bas and Ingrid have nothing to complain about, because they can ‘live well’ from the apartments they rent out. However, the fact that they have now fulfilled their dream does not mean that they want to stay in Italy forever. “That’s a bit vague to me. On the other hand, I think, we’re having a really good time here, so I think it might take a long time. I think if I look a little further into the future, that maybe it will be half half, half in the Netherlands and half here,” says Astrid. “I’m happier here. Less pressure, less stress. More time to yourself. I really like that,” she adds. They toast to a bright future together.
Watch the episode again at this link.
