Petacciato, Italy

From Switzerland to Petacciato: A New Chapter Begins

Leaving Switzerland behind, we set off by car on what felt strangely like a holiday — except this time, we knew we wouldn’t be coming back for a long while. That feeling hung quietly between us: the freedom of travel mixed with the weight of change.

My wife Assiria and I made our first stop in Piacenza, where the skies opened up in dramatic fashion — a wild, rainy night that only made the next day's sunlight feel more welcoming as we continued south.

When we finally arrived in Petacciato, it was like stepping into a dream. This little coastal town, seemingly forgotten by time, greeted us with open arms. Olive tree gardens stretch across the hillsides, old buildings tell quiet stories, and every smile from a local feels like a warm embrace. There’s a sense of home here — not the kind made of familiar walls, but one built on human kindness.

The first few nights, we were lucky to stay at a friend’s house — the winds were too strong to sleep in our rooftop tent. But that just gave us time to ease into this new life, to meet people, and fall in love with all the dogs we came across.

One of the biggest inspirations so far has been visiting “Rifugio delle Meraviglie,” the local dog shelter run by the incredible Alessandra and Alessandro. The way they care for their animals — with patience, strength, and heart — is truly humbling. In fact, every person we’ve met here has left us in awe. There’s something about this town and its people that just feels… right.

It’s not just a change of place. It’s the start of something beautiful.

There are big things coming in the near future for “Rifugio delle Meraviglie”. We’re hoping we can be a part of that too. If you want to know more, feel free to check out their website: www.hilfsverein-wunderhund.ch