#045 Listener Q&A Vol. 2 Your Italy travel questions answered! We're back with another listener Q&A and answering some great questions about planning trips to Italy. Listen in as we answer our listener's questions and help them plan trips for 2021, 2022 and beyond. In this episode, you'll learn about driving and parking your rental car, whether splashing out on steak in Florence is a good idea and our favorite city to visit as a family in Italy. We've also covered top dishes to eat in th...
Oct 28, 2020•33 min•Ep. 45
# 044 Ciao Napoli! Magnificent Naples, Italy's third largest city, is often misunderstood and has borne the brunt of some bad (and ancient) press. And we're here to let you know that if you miss out on Naples then you're skipping one of the most fun, vibrant, and art-filled cities in the world. Come with us and explore beautiful seafront walks, ancient underground labyrinths, romantic castles and more. Plus of course the food! Pizza, coffee, seafood, pastries... life-changing buffalo mozzarella....
Oct 22, 2020•57 min•Ep. 44
# 043 Excursions from Palermo, Sicily Sicily has a wealth of treasures to explore within easy reach of its capital Palermo. In this episode, we explore suggestions for using Palermo as your base to discover the north west corner of the island with expert Karen La Rosa. You'll discover beautiful landscapes of hilltop towns, salt pans and windmills and tiny islands out to sea. And almost taste the seafood dishes and local sweets you can try when you're there. A trip to this area also includes an e...
Oct 15, 2020•53 min•Ep. 43
#042 Come away with us to Capri! If there is one place in Italy that conjures up images of incredible landscapes, azure blue seas, and stylish vacationing, it's the legendary island of Capri. Since Roman times the island has been a magnet for the wealthy, bohemian and jetset crowd who are drawn there like bees to honey. But, Capri is a place everyone should visit at least once if they can. Our guest, Holly Star, arrived on the island by chance as a tourist and now lives there with her Caprese hu...
Oct 08, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 42
#041 Bergamo - beautiful gateway to the Alps Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Italy's major cities and head to charming Bergamo in the foothills of the Italian Alps. This small and picturesque city was an ideal base for our guest Dianne Bortoletto who attended a language school in the city and explored the surrounding area in her free time. From Bergamo, you can reach the famous lakes (as well as some delightful lesser-known ones), discover Franciacorta wine country and relax in a day ...
Oct 01, 2020•36 min•Ep. 41
#040 Top 5 Small cities to visit in Italy Want to explore Italy's small cities? Listeners Sofija and Lesley wanted to know our favorite small cities in Italy and asked us to nominate our top 5. After much deliberation, we managed to come up with a list we know you'll love. Our list includes a lesser-known city in Tuscany and one overlooking a beautiful lake. There is a city of canals, one perched on a rock and a beauty in Sicily. Can you guess what they are? Listen on to discover these wonderful...
Sep 24, 2020•27 min•Ep. 40
#039 Listener Q&A Vol. 1 Listen in today as we answer our listeners' questions about planning trips to Italy. In this episode, you'll discover our best tips for romantic places to visit in Italy, when and how to book restaurants, some unique places to dine at in Puglia, how to fit a trip to Pisa into your itinerary, a general travel update plus more. Grazie, thank you for listening. We hope you enjoy our show and would love you to subscribe for all the latest episodes. If you would like info...
Sep 17, 2020•30 min•Ep. 39
#038 Cilento Coast - a hidden secret close to Amalfi Looking for a quiet coastal escape with world-renowned food and historical wonders just a couple of hour's train ride from Rome? Presenting the Cilento Coast! This area is just south of the glamorous Amalfi Coast and is accessible from Salerno. The pace of life in this part of the world goes .. piano, piano (slowly, slowly) so there's plenty of time to sit in the piazza, enjoy the views out over the Tyrrhenian Sea and try the local specialty -...
Sep 10, 2020•53 min•Ep. 38
#037 Truffle Hunting - searching for Italy's white gold Have you tried truffles? This decadent ingredient is an important aspect of Italian cuisine and you must enjoy them when you visit Italy. Our friends from the Italian on Tour join us to explain the importance of truffles, where you can find them Italy and the dishes you should try (plus wines to match). You'll learn what it is like to go on a truffle hunt and how you can experience one for yourself in their beautiful home region of Le March...
Sep 03, 2020•48 min•Ep. 37
#036 Palermo - Sicily Constantly evolving over the centuries, Palermo is unique among Italian cities thanks to its Arab, Greek, Spanish and Norman past. In Palermo, these cultures collided and their legacy remains in the architecture, art and street food of the city. Join us as we explore this wonderful city, often misunderstood thanks to the goings on in its more recent past. These days Palermo is vibrant for all the right reasons. Our guest Karen La Rosa is an expert on Sicily with a passion f...
Aug 27, 2020•56 min•Ep. 36
#035 Secrets of Venice with Monica Cesarato Venice is a city of wonders and mystery that many visitors miss when they zip through the city in 24 hours. Of course, you must see Piazza San Marco, the basilica and Rialto bridge but make sure to allow time to savor this most magical of cities. Join us today to discover Venice with local tour guide and food expert Monica Cesarato who tells us about her living city. Here you'll find artists, schools, businesses and the services that you'd find in any ...
Aug 20, 2020•49 min•Ep. 35
#034 Lifting the lid on Bologna's food culture Although food is a huge part of the culture of every city and region in Italy, Bologna and the Emilia Romagna may take the crown for the most foodie places in Italy. Home to the "holy trinity' of Italian foods, if you are serious about learning about the origins of Italian dishes or simply just want to try amazing produce then you must add them to your Italy itinerary. Food travel expert Lori Sorrentino joins us to share some of her foodie secrets f...
Aug 13, 2020•53 min•Ep. 34
#033 Foodie finds in the Sabine hills near Rome The ancient Sabine hills are just north of Rome. Here you'll find yourself in glorious countryside dotted with hilltop towns and olive groves. It is idyllic countryside a whole world away from the metropolis close by. Many of the famous recipes of Rome come from these hills thanks to its abundant natural resources. Our guests Sally Ransom and Guido Santi run cooking classes and experiences from this beautiful setting. In this episode, they share wi...
Aug 06, 2020•55 min•Ep. 33
#032 A love letter to Brescia in Lombardy Halfway between Milan and Venice, on the shores of Lake Garda, you'll find the beautiful province of Brescia in Lombardy. This hidden corner of Italy is full of cultural treasures and natural wonders to explore. In this episode, we uncover the places to visit, food and wine to try and sights to see in Brescia. From its fascinating capital to small country towns, castles and lakes, you'll be wondering why Brescia isn't on your Italy itinerary already. Gra...
Jul 30, 2020•25 min•Ep. 32
#031 Val di Noto - Sicily Baroque splendor, shady piazzas, delicious dishes and very drinkable wine. The Val di Noto in Sicily has all this and much more. Sicily is becoming increasingly popular with visitors looking for a slower Italian experience away from the main sights and crowds that visit them. And with good reason. Join us as we explore this beautiful region in the island's south east that regenerated and rose from destruction to become one of the most enchanting in Italy. Our guest Kare...
Jul 23, 2020•57 min•Ep. 31
#030 Highlights of Milan Let's go to Milan - a city full of contrasts. People often focus on the Duomo and area around it and rush through Italy's second-largest city. Of course, the Duomo is magnificent and a must-see but what are the other top things to do in Milan? In this episode, we share our favorite parts of this fabulous city. We can't wait to share with you our love for Milan's vibrant mix of old and new, fashion-forward citizens and cultural treasures. Grazie, thank you for listening. ...
Jul 16, 2020•33 min•Ep. 30
#029 Delicious dishes to try on your trip to Rome (plus where you can eat them) Carbonara, pizza al taglio, artichokes and more! If you're visiting Rome, eating your way around the city is probably high up on your list of things to do. And if it's not, it should be! Rome is one of the world's top foodie cities in the world and exploring its dishes is one of life's ultimate pleasures. While you may know some of the popular food of Rome there are plenty of dishes to explore. In this episode, we re...
Jul 09, 2020•27 min•Ep. 29
#028 Best places to stay in Florence - a neighborhood and district guide Looking for the perfect neighborhood to stay in when you visit Florence? Or even a coveted "room with a view". Florence is a very small city with unique and characterful districts that will charm any traveler. Whether you only have a few days in Florence or a little longer you want to choose a district that appeals to you and your interests. In this episode, we tell you about six different areas of Florence and why you shou...
Jul 02, 2020•26 min•Ep. 28
#027 How to choose where to stay in Rome Rome is where many of us begin or end our trips to Italy. And choosing where to stay in the city is an important choice. If you only have a limited amount of time in Rome you want to choose a neighborhood or district that suits your travel style and is a great base for what you want to see and do. In this episode, we describe seven different areas of Rome the pros and cons of staying in each one. You'll learn our favorite district for first-time visitors ...
Jun 25, 2020•27 min•Ep. 27
#026 10 things we wish we knew before our first trip to Italy Recently we asked our amazing online community what things they wished they knew on their first trip to Italy. After an overwhelming response, we compiled this list of expert tips for people visiting Italy for the first time. Our group shared many practical and planning tips to help Italy trip planning novices. They've covered transport, packing, food and shopping but there are also some more emotional considerations that might surpri...
Jun 18, 2020•20 min•Ep. 26
#025 Traveling with kids in Italy - with Marta Correale What kid doesn't love pizza, pasta and gelato? Mix that up with beautiful landscapes and a healthy dose of history and culture and you've got a family vacation you'll be talking about for years to come. Italy is the place to go for some of the most memorable family adventures you can dream of. But, just like any trip with kids, there are a few things to know before you go. Family travel blogger Marta Correale joins us and shares her wisdom ...
Jun 11, 2020•45 min•Ep. 25
#024 Getting to know Calabria - the other Italy - with Karen Haid Come with us on a journey to the southern Italian region of Calabria. Home to stunning beaches, beautiful mountains and a fascinating past, this region is full of wonders to explore. We talk to author Karen Haid, an expert on this lesser-known area of Italy. Karen shares with us the many reasons why we should visit Calabria including where to go, what to eat and where to take a selfie with 2,500-year-old statues rescued from the s...
Jun 04, 2020•41 min•Ep. 24
#022 Host Katy's amazing top 10 experiences to have in Italy Italy's cities, towns and places are always the starting point of any itinerary but it's the experiences you have that are often the most memorable. In this episode, host Katy shares her favorite 10 experiences to have in beautiful Italy after many trips there. You'll hear about some unique places to stay, cultural and dining experiences and boat trips you can only have in Italy. These are the things to do that Katy has the strongest m...
May 21, 2020•32 min•Ep. 22
#021 Savoring Sorrento - food experiences and sights of the city Many visitors include Sorrento on their Italy itinerary but rush through it on their way to the Amalfi Coast and Capri. In this episode, local Lee Trapani from Gourmet Girls Italy joins us and describes why you should linger longer and enjoy the city's sights, sounds and tastes. You'll discover the local dishes to try and where to go for the freshest fish in town. Lee describes the amazing food culture of her region and we share a ...
May 14, 2020•57 min•Ep. 21
#020 Host Josie's top 10 favorite places to visit in Italy (so far!) Do you have favorite places to visit in Italy? In this episode, our host Josie takes her turn in choosing her Italy top 10. It's no easy decision. And after many years of trips to Italy, frankly, it just gets harder. In the end, while the cities, scenery and beaches all have their allure, it's those family memories made throughout Italy that Josie treasures the most. You'll learn about the sights and places that stole her heart...
May 07, 2020•51 min•Ep. 20
#019 Discovering Umbria's wine regions and hilltop towns with Alex Trembath Does spending a week exploring lesser-known wine regions in Italy sound like a good idea? Our guest Alex Trembath shares his experiences traveling through the region of Umbria in search of great wine, delicious food and hilltop towns with views for miles. Umbria is a central region to the north of Rome and it has many untold treasures to uncover. From lakes and hillsides strewn with flowers to soaring basilicas and histo...
Apr 30, 2020•39 min•Ep. 19
#018 Host Katy's top 10 favorite places to visit in Italy (so far!) Choosing the places you wish to visit on your trip to Italy will likely be one of the hardest decisions you will make as you build your itinerary. In this episode, host Katy shares her top 10 places to visit based on over 30 trips to Italy. From Italy's iconic cities to the spectacular coastline and beautiful lakes, we're sharing our favorite places to help you plan your own trips. Katy tells you all about why she loves each pla...
Apr 23, 2020•41 min•Ep. 18
#017 Secrets of Rome shared by local travel expert Erica Firpo Want to know where to get the best carbonara in Rome? Travel expert and Rome resident Erica Firpo reveals her must visit restaurant plus many more insider secrets as she joins us in a discussion of the hidden secrets of the Eternal City. Everyone knows the Colosseum, Vatican and Trevi Fountain but your trip to Rome will be even more exciting if you visit the city's lesser-known places and hidden treasures. We share quirky souvenir an...
Apr 16, 2020•39 min•Ep. 17
#016 Exploring Italy's Le Marche region with local Chantelle Kern If you've visited Italy many times, or simply want to get off the well-trodden path and discover a piece of Bella Italia as yet untouched by tourism, head to the region of Le Marche. This region to the northeast of Rome enjoys an Adriatic coastline with white sandy beaches, pretty hilltop towns, diverse regional cuisine and the stunning Appenine mountains. Not to mention celebrated local wine and dishes. Based in Ascoli Piceno, ou...
Apr 09, 2020•44 min•Ep. 16
#015 Italy travel fails and bloopers - our biggest travel mistakes and the lessons we learned from them Please note - this episode was recorded before the current emergency took hold of the world. There is a lot of laughing and joking as we discuss some of the silly things we've done. We released this episode in the hope that it will help some people through this difficult time. After looking at beautiful photos and inspiring articles online you may think travel to Italy is smooth sailing and wi...
Apr 02, 2020•21 min•Ep. 15
