This American family opened a restaurant in Italy | CNN

<strong>Italian dream:</strong> Dalip and Amber Tibb, pictured with their two children, bought a home and opened a restaurant in Giove, in the Italian region of Umbria.

Italian dream: Dalip and Amber Tibb, pictured with their two children, bought a home and opened a restaurant in Giove, in the Italian region of Umbria.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

<strong>New venture: </strong>La Chiave dei Sapori, which translates to "The Key to Flavors," launched in the town of Giove back in May.

New venture: La Chiave dei Sapori, which translates to "The Key to Flavors," launched in the town of Giove back in May.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

<strong>Special find: </strong>The couple came across the property that would become their restaurant when they traveled to Giove to visit an apartment they had bought unseen, and decided to view some others.

Special find: The couple came across the property that would become their restaurant when they traveled to Giove to visit an apartment they had bought unseen, and decided to view some others.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

<strong>Neglected property:</strong> They were aware that there was some business activity in the area at the time and felt that this particular spot would be a great place to create something new.

Neglected property: They were aware that there was some business activity in the area at the time and felt that this particular spot would be a great place to create something new.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

<strong>Wine cave:</strong> They later learned that the unit next door had a wine cave that could be connected to the property, and the owner was open to selling it.

Wine cave: They later learned that the unit next door had a wine cave that could be connected to the property, and the owner was open to selling it.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

<strong>Castle town: </strong>Giove was buzzing with activity when they first visited, partly due to the renovations that had been taking place on the Castle of Giove.

Castle town: Giove was buzzing with activity when they first visited, partly due to the renovations that had been taking place on the Castle of Giove.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

<strong>Major overhaul: </strong>They were keen to create something modern, while "paying respect to the age of the building," and say it took some time to get the balance right.

Major overhaul: They were keen to create something modern, while "paying respect to the age of the building," and say it took some time to get the balance right.

Niccolo Poppi

<strong>Extensive menu: </strong>The restaurant is run by their business partner, chef Antonio Leo, who serves up a blend of Tuscan and Umbrian food for diners.

Extensive menu: The restaurant is run by their business partner, chef Antonio Leo, who serves up a blend of Tuscan and Umbrian food for diners.

Niccolo Poppi

<strong>Big transformation: </strong>According to Dalip, the overhaul of the wine cave was the trickiest part of the renovation.

Big transformation: According to Dalip, the overhaul of the wine cave was the trickiest part of the renovation.

Niccolo Poppi

<strong>Warm welcome: </strong>The Tibbs are thrilled with the reception the restaurant has received, and say the support from the local community has meant a lot.

Warm welcome: The Tibbs are thrilled with the reception the restaurant has received, and say the support from the local community has meant a lot.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

<strong>Local spot:</strong> "Hopefully it continues to be a success," says Amber. "We're excited about it. And we wanted a place to come and eat ourselves. So we win [either way]."

Local spot: "Hopefully it continues to be a success," says Amber. "We're excited about it. And we wanted a place to come and eat ourselves. So we win [either way]."

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

Pictures: How this American family ended up opening a restaurant in Italy

CNN —

They’d always dreamed of owning a home in Italy, but opening a restaurant there was never part of the plan.

But Dalip and Amber Tibb, who are based in North Carolina, have ended up doing both over the last few years.

The Tibbs, who’ve been married for 18 years, say their love affair with Italy began almost two decades ago, when they took a trip to Venice in 2006.

However, it would be a long while before they could seriously consider the prospect of buying a property in the country.

“It unfolded over years,” Amber, who organizes group trips to Italy, tells CNN Travel. “We had kids. Dal [a physician] ran a busy medical practice in California.