Venice is one of the world's most unique and beautiful cities and it has a thousand secrets to share. Exploring its small laneways, canals and campi is one of life's true pleasures. It's here you'll uncover its secrets and mysteries. If you have only one chance to visit Venice, make it count. Our guest Corinna Cooke, author of Glam Italia!: 1000 Fabulous Things to do in Venice explains why you need at least 3 days to explore the lagoon city and some of the amazing things you can see, do and expe...
Jul 15, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 132
Italian coffee is one of life's great pleasures. In this "best of" episode, we learn why it's more than a beverage and truly part of Italian culture. Dü Coffee founder Michael Horne shares his tips on how to enjoy coffee in Italy and at home in one of our most popular episodes Read the full episode show notes here >>> untolditaly.com/131 Support the show Join our mailing list and get our FREE Italy trip planning checklist - subscribe here | Join us on tour: Trip schedule | Discover our ...
Jul 08, 2022•42 min•Ep. 131
This week we're heading to Italy's deep south and visiting Calabria on the toe of the boot. A region best known for its stunning beaches, you'll find so much to fall in love with if you plan to spend some time there as part of your Italy itinerary. Our guest today is Karen Haid, the foremost English-speaking expert on Calabria. Karen spent years living in the region. She now leads tours throughout the region and helps people with Calabrese heritage throughout the world discover the land of their...
Jul 01, 2022•48 min•Ep. 130
The island of Capri conjures up all sorts of emotions and special memories for many of us but in this favorite podcast episode, you'll discover many more. Island local, Holly Star, shares the romantic story of how she came to live on Capri and what she wishes travelers knew before they visit. Spoiler alert - a day is not enough! Read the full episode show notes here > untolditaly.com/129 Support the show Join our mailing list and get our FREE Italy trip planning checklist - subscribe here | J...
Jun 24, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 129
Italy's Dolomites mountains and the region of South Tyrol are home to some of the country's most spectacular scenes and a unique Austro-Italian culture. Visitors often try to squeeze a day trip there into their northern Italian itinerary but today we'll show you how you can see the very best of this region in 5 days. Joining us is Franziska Dona who is passionate about her home among the vineyards close to Bolzano and has some great ideas for your travels to her region Read the full episode show...
Jun 17, 2022•46 min•Ep. 128
We're revisiting Rome's wonderful Trastevere district in this week's replay episode. Local Maria Pasquale, author of Heart Rome and How to be Italian shares why she loves her local neighborhood and how visitors can enjoy its special atmosphere for themselves. Read the full episode show notes here > untolditaly.com/127 Get our Trastevere digital guide with self guided walking tour, restaurant and bar recommendations and more in our online shop Support the show Join our mailing list and get our...
Jun 10, 2022•39 min•Ep. 127
An agriturismo is a popular accommodation option in Italy that offers much more than a bed to rest your head. Beloved by Europeans who are much more familiar with the charm of these properties, once you learn all about what they offer you'll want to book one or two for your Italy trip too. Sarah and Sal from La Cuccagna, a gorgeous agriturismo in the heart of Umbria, join us to share all the advantages of staying in an agriturismo and a peek inside what it is like to stay at their gorgeous prope...
Jun 03, 2022•44 min•Ep. 126
Replay of our hugely popular packing tips for Italy episode featuring Corinna Cooke, author of the Glam Italia guides. This episode will get you organized for your trip packing in no time and is a great refresher for all of us who have got a bit rusty over the past few years - me included! Read the full episode show notes, including must-pack items we mentioned on the show here > untolditaly.com/125 Support the show Join our mailing list and get our FREE Italy trip planning checklist - subscr...
May 27, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 125
Arezzo is a place that defines the cliche hidden gem. Not far from Florence, here you'll find one of the prettiest piazzas in all of Italy, a slower pace of living and centuries' old traditions. The city has been featured in several Oscar-winning movies and is a perfect window into local Tuscan life. Our guest Debora Bresciani joins us to share her love of her city and its surrounds and you'll be left wondering why you didn't visit Arezzo sooner. Read the full episode show notes, including place...
May 20, 2022•44 min•Ep. 124
Learning some Italian before your trip is a great idea. Speaking a little like a local is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in Italian culture and enhance your travel experience. There's nothing quite like ordering your first gelato in the language of love! Learn some quick tips for getting up to speed with the Italian language with Michele Frolla (The Intrepid Guide) including memory hacks and pronunciation tips to help you avoid making embarrassing mistakes. Info on signing up for the I...
May 13, 2022•44 min•Ep. 123
The Path of the Gods is one of the world's iconic hikes. With stunning views of the Amalfi Coast, it's no wonder people from around the world flock to the region and take to the cliffs overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. But this walk is becoming increasingly popular and with that comes some challenges. In this episode, we chat with local hiking guide Zia Lucy about things to consider before attempting this hike and alternative routes with views that are just as stunning but which attract fewer crow...
May 06, 2022•39 min•Ep. 122
Venice is a city full of wonder, secrets and special places just waiting to be discovered if you're even a little curious. Take a boat or vaporetto away from the main islands of the lagoon and come explore the lesser-known islands of Venice with us. Our guest, food and travel writer Valeria Necchio lets us into this special island life full of culture, tradition, artisan makers and even a flock of flamingoes. Read the full episode show notes, including places mentioned here > untolditaly.com/...
Apr 29, 2022•54 min•Ep. 121
Travel to Italy is back! Hooray! Planning trips to Italy is fun and exciting but there are some common traps and mistakes travelers make (even very experienced ones) in the planning stage that can impact their trip. As we've been planning our own trip I've made a few too and I thought I'd share them with you so you can save time and important trip budget money by avoiding them. You'll find full episode show notes with websites and places mentioned here > untolditaly.com/120 Support the show J...
Apr 22, 2022•21 min•Ep. 120
If you've ever felt completely at home in Italy and not understood exactly why, you'll relate to Italophilia founder Ishita Sood's experience. A quick trip to Italy a decade ago sparked many adventures and even an exciting career Ishita shares favorite places and moments from her extensive travels in Italy and you'll learn that with an open mind and heart, anything is possible. Read the full episode show notes, including places mentioned here > untolditaly.com/119 Support the show Join our ma...
Apr 15, 2022•49 min•Ep. 119
Untold Italy community member Jen was wondering how to make the most of her family's time in Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. So we asked our friend Danielle Oteri from Feast Travel to guide her with a trip consultation. Danielle talked Jen through what was possible for her trip and where some adjustments could be made to their plans so that her family could have the Italy trip they were dreaming of. And even though Jen is a first-time visitor to Italy there were plenty of ideas to borrow fo...
Apr 08, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 118
Nestled in the heart of Italy between Rome and Florence, Umbria is an ancient region largely untouched by external influences. The cuisine and culture of Umbria may therefore be the purest examples of Italian food. Our guest, cookbook author Letizia Mattiacci shares the mouthwatering dishes of her region and shares her insight into their origins and stories as we discover Umbria bite by bite. Discover the tastes of Umbria on our Untold Italy tour of Umbria this Fall/Autumn and next Spring > d...
Apr 01, 2022•46 min•Ep. 117
Travel to Italy is a serious financial investment for most of us and with prices rising around the world, we thought it was a good idea to share some brilliant hacks for saving money on your trip costs. We enlisted the help of savvy trip planner and budget stretcher extraordinaire, our good friend author Corinna Cooke, to share her amazing suggestions. With Corinna's tips, you can save money on transport and hotels and reallocate to the important things - wine, long lunches or a divine designer ...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 116
When in Italy you've got to try aperitivo! It's one of our favorite things to do each evening before as the sun dips below the horizon. But what exactly is aperitivo? What do you need to know about this pre-dinner ritual and where can you go to experience it for yourself. Food tour leader Raffaela Ceddia joins us to discuss our love of aperitivo, our favorite spots in major cities and towns in Italy. Cin cin! MELBOURNE listeners > join Katy and Raffaela for a fun aperitivo tour of Lygon Stree...
Mar 18, 2022•38 min•Ep. 115
Some visitors make a stop in Bologna but most skip right through the central northern region of Emilia-Romagna. Nestled between Florence and Venice, this region is known for its world-class food products including Parmigiano Reggiano - the cheese to rule them all!, prestige cars and outstanding UNESCO-listed sites including the Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna. Food lover and local tour guide Giulia Tamarri joins us to share the very best of Emilia-Romagna. We discover cherry blossom festivals, wher...
Mar 11, 2022•49 min•Ep. 114
Spring is in the air in Tuscany and of course, that means delicious seasonal dishes made from sprouting from the land. Joining us is Giulia Scarpaleggia, the cook, food writer and photographer behind Juls' Kitchen - an online destination that takes you deep inside Tuscany's gorgeous countryside and where you'll discover recipes, stories and much more. You'll find full episode show notes, including places mentioned here > untolditaly.com/113 Production note - this episode was recorded before t...
Mar 04, 2022•42 min•Ep. 113
How much do you know about Italy's royal past? It's not well known but there are incredible stories to be told and fascinating characters to meet. In this episode, we're visiting the magnificent palace of Caserta that rivals Versailles in beauty and grandeur. And because we love great stories, you'll be amazed to know that there is a very strong connection between the two palaces. Art historian and southern Italy travel expert Danielle Oteri from Feast Travel lets us in on all the secrets You'll...
Feb 25, 2022•49 min•Ep. 112
Carnevale makes a triumphant return to Venice in 2022. This world-famous mid-winter festival is a highlight of the European social scene and is known for elaborate costumes, decadent parties and street entertainment. Learn about the centuries' old traditions, stories and customs behind today's celebrations from local guide Elisabetta whose family has lived and thrived in Venice for many generations. You'll find full episode show notes, including where to find the official festival sites and foll...
Feb 17, 2022•49 min•Ep. 111
Italy is one of the world's most romantic countries, I'm sure you'll agree! As we're very close to the anniversary of the martyrdom of San Valentino - otherwise known as Valentine's Day - we take a look at the story and legend of the saint who has the honor of being the patron saint of lovers. And, to inspire your romantic travels, and perhaps a honeymoon!, we share some of our favorite romantic spots in Italy. Is your favorite place on our list? You'll find full episode show notes, including al...
Feb 11, 2022•22 min•Ep. 110
How much do we know about the women of Ancient Rome? Not as much as we should sadly as the stories and history of this era were told by the ruling elite of the time, who were almost exclusively male. In this fascinating conversation with Angelo Carotenuto, founder of Liv Tours , we discover some of the heroines and female protagonists of Ancient Rome. Angelo and his team have created new tours that uncover the stories of influential women throughout history in Rome, Florence and Venice. You'll f...
Feb 04, 2022•39 min•Ep. 109
Sorrento is a popular base for many visitors wanting to see the Amalfi Coast and surrounds. In fact, it is so strategically positioned that you could easily spend a week doing day trips from the coastal city. Our favorite local guide and friend of the podcast Pierpaulo shares some of the trips and experiences you can enjoy when you stay in Sorrento - from Pompeii to bustling Naples and the island of Capri plus others you may not have thought of. You'll find full episode show notes, including all...
Jan 28, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 108
Sicilian food is one of life's great pleasures. Drawing on the layers of history and occupants of the island over many centuries, it has character, nuance and flavor that sets it apart from dishes from the Italian mainland. Sicily expert Karen La Rosa joins us to discuss the mouthwatering tastes you can expect to enjoy when you visit the island - from the important local produce, cheese and pasta dishes to its iconic favorite sweet - cannoli! Discover the tastes of Sicily on our inaugural Untold...
Jan 21, 2022•48 min•Ep. 107
Many of us fell in love with the villages of the Cinque Terre but did you know that this region holds a whole host of treasures? Exploring beyond this pretty pocket of Liguria is a delight and it's one of our favorite regions in Italy. Joining us is local cook, blogger and food guide Enrica Manzoni from A Small Kitchen in Genoa who shares some of the incredible things to see and do in Liguria. From an orange blossom festival, to fairytale castles and countless colorful seaside towns, you're goin...
Jan 14, 2022•57 min•Ep. 106
Piedmont is a northern Italian region on the border with France that is renowned in Europe for wonderful food and wine. Somehow it flies under the radar for many visitors despite its close proximity to Milan and potential for gastronomic adventures. You're bound to get hungry as we take a quick bite of the dishes of Piedmont, featuring truffles, pasta and chocolate. Local Olivia Windsor explains the importance and significance of these dishes to the local culture and how to match them with the c...
Jan 07, 2022•51 min•Ep. 105
Itinerary planning for our Italy trips is such a fun activity but sometimes we get caught up in the places and destinations we want to see rather than the experiences we want to have. Let's get you focused on those things that you'll remember fondly for years to come as we chat with Glam Italia author Corinna Cooke and discover uniquely Italian experiences to include in your Italian itinerary. You'll find full episode show notes here > untolditaly.com/104 Support the show Join our mailing lis...
Dec 31, 2021•57 min•Ep. 104
Buon Natale! Merry Christmas friends. Time to say farewell to 2021 and look forward to an exciting year of possibilities in 2022. But not before some of our favorite guests share typical Christmas dishes from their region. You'll find the dishes mentioned (including some recipes) in the full show notes for this episode here > https://untolditaly.com/103 Support the show Join our mailing list and get our FREE Italy trip planning checklist - subscribe here | Join us on tour: Trip schedule | Dis...
Dec 17, 2021•23 min•Ep. 103
