Sensible move. We have all kinds of great stuff over here, like public healthcare, free (or almost) higher education, and heads of government that aren't convicted felons and self-proclaimed sex criminals (now Berlusconi's dead, anyway, although you can never trust the Italians to make sensible democratic choices, bless 'em).

Plus coffee that tastes of coffee rather than synthetic gloop (the Italians win back some serious points here).

Have fun! And importantly, well done for taking the plunge, making the sacrifice and giving your kids the opportunity to see a very different way of life, if only for a short trip. Get them thinking about exchange programmes now!