Complete beginner from Italy looking for advice on buying English/Japanese booster boxes. Where do I start?

Hi everyone!

I’ve wanted to collect Pokémon cards since I was a little girl, but I could never afford it back then. Now that I finally have the financial means, I’m ready to start my very first collection!

Since I live in Italy, local shops mostly sell Italian cards. However, I really want to collect only English or Japanese cards.

As a total beginner who has never bought a single item before, I feel a bit overwhelmed and would love some guidance:

Where to buy: What are the most reliable and safe websites to buy English and Japanese booster boxes in Europe without getting scammed or paying insane custom fees?

Release calendar: How do you stay updated on upcoming set releases? Are there specific websites, apps, or social media accounts I should follow?

Beating the FOMO: How do I manage to pre-order or buy boxes at MSRP before they scale up in price or sell out completely?

Set selection: Which current or upcoming booster boxes are best for a beginner to open? Are there any specific sets I should absolutely avoid?

Thank you so much in advance for helping me fulfill a childhood dream! Any tips, storefront recommendations, or general advice would mean the world to me.