Almost every hotel in Italy has some amount of stars, 1-5. On first glance, this can look straightforward, however, dig a little deeper, and you might find that the hotel you want isn't necessarily the one with the most stars. More than that, we also dig a little deeper into what to expect from a hotel in Italy, whether it's the elevator, the quality of the room, or even the breakfast spread. If you're thinking about booking something for Italy, we'd love it if you could use our ...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Horse racing, kidnapping, and trips to the sea; this is the history of Ferragosto. Since 18 BCE Italians have celebrated this holiday whose origins are dubious at best.
Jul 31, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Since ancient Roman times people have celebrated a holiday called Ferragosto. What does that mean for modern Italians and tourists? Empty cities, closed shops, and crowded beaches. We'll tell you all you need to know for your August vacation in Italy. As always, thank you for listening! If you have any questions, send us a message on Instagram ( @only_a_bag ), or contact us through our website ( onlyabag.com )!...
Jul 31, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode Darcy guides us (mainly Nathaniel) on the brief history of some of Italy's more famous cocktails like the Aperol spritz, the Campari and soda, and the Negroni. We also discuss the lack of beer culture, and the blooming cocktail culture that expands beyond the use of Campari and Aperol. As always, thank you for listening! If you have any questions, please leave a comment (on Spotify), send us a message on Instagram ( @only_a_bag ), or send us a message through our website ( on...
Jul 24, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you sit at a table and then order, or order first and then sit at a table? What about that age-old rule of no cappuccinos after 11am? And have you ever been curious as to why Italians eat their meals in a specific order, or why they often use the excuse of "I just took a coffee" to decline eating anything else? This episode has you covered! We cover digestion, café/bar culture, and even a few drinks you can expect to see on the menu. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love...
Jul 24, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you want to know how to "act Italian" at restaurants? What to avoid (such as eating and walking around)? How about the dos and don'ts of pizza? Well, this episode has you covered with all of that and so much more! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love it if you were to rate us, follow, subscribe, comment, etc. It means the world to us and keeps us going! If there's anything you'd like us to cover specifically, you can find us at onlyabag.com or on instagram @only_a_b...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you need to order a primi and secondi? Why can't you order pizza for lunch? What's the coperta? Navigating the way an Italian menu is set up can complicated—we're here to help! Thank you all so much for listening, we really appreciate it! If there's anything you'd like us to cover, please reach out on www.onlyabag.com . And if you'd like to compliment Darcy on our brand-new cover, you can find her at darcymeltonfineart.com or @darcymeltonfineart on Instagram!...
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thanks for listening to this mini-sode! A full-length episode will be out on Friday, and next week we will return to our normally-scheduled Wednesday episodes. We had intended to be back in full-force today, but we returned from the States an unintentional day late due to canceled flights, so the jet lag is still hitting hard. This month will focus on restaurant etiquette, how to order, what's okay and not okay to do, and even what kinds of drinks to expect at every Italian bar. As always, t...
Jul 10, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Headed to the Amalfi Coast? How do you even get there? What is the Amalfi Coast? How many towns are there, and what is the difference between the Sorrentinian Coast and the Amalfi Coast? This, and so much more is covered in today's episode! As always, thank you all so much for listening! If you liked the episode, we would love it if you followed us wherever you listen to podcasts! If you have any questions, you can find us at onlyabag.com ....
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast While visiting Naples could easily take a week by itself, there's so much more to the area than the city. Just off the coast you can find the resort island of Capri, the thermal springs island of Ischia, and the "blue collar" island of Procida. How to get there? What to see? And when did these islands first host people? These questions and more are answered in today's episode! As always, thank you all so much for listening!
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Does Italy have nude beaches? Can you spend the night on the beach? What's the deal with all of those umbrellas that look the same? We answer all of those questions and so much more in this episode! As always, thank you so much for listening!
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Palazzi under the sea, a cursed island, and the queen's bath, you can swim there and we'll tell you how. While the Roman Empire once spanned countries and coastlines, very few ruins are near the shoreline in Italy. In this episode, we delve into three locations where you can actually swim among Roman ruins (or places to have a chill beach day), while also offering a hefty dose of history. If you liked this episode, or the podcast, we would love it if you could follow us! As always, thank...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Does Italy really hate tourists? Does the new €5 fee at Venice affect you? Why are people protesting against it? What about all these new rules like no flip-flops in Cinque Terre, or no swimsuit in Sorrento? In this special episode, we dive into all the things that people are saying (and writing) about Italy, in order to help put those fears at ease! As always, thank you for listening!
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast While many people go to Pompeii while visiting Naples (and for good reason) there's so much more! In this episode we briefly look at Pompeii, Herculaneum, Pozzuoli (the Campi Flegrei), and lead into our next episode where we will talk about the islands around Naples and where to swim among Roman ruins. Thank you all so much for listening! If you have any comments or feedback, you can find us at onlyabag.com ....
May 29, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back for Part 3 of 3! I hope we don't sound too tired—what began as a quick 45-minute episode ended up as a two-hour megalith! In this episode, we discuss the culture of Naples, what those hand gestures might mean, and why Italians often say "I can't understand anyone from Naples." If you have any questions, or anything you'd like us to make an episode on, please let us know at onlyabag.com ....
May 22, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to Part 2 of 3! In this episode, we take a look at some classic Napolitano dishes—some of them might sound very familiar to you, such as pizza! Or, the ever popular, spaghetti with olive oil and garlic. If there's anything you'd like us to cover, or any other questions you might have, please let us know! You can find us at onlyabag.com .
May 22, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back! We're sorry we were gone for so long. Life jumped out at us in so many ways, and while we were in the States visiting, we just couldn't seem to find the [quiet] time to sit down and record a few episodes. However, now that we're back, we're planning on releasing a new episode every week on Wednesday. In this episode, Part 1 of 3, we start talking about Naples. Specifically, the history! While it's not quite as full of battles, giant buildings, and togas as Rome,...
May 22, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you asked a friend, "In one hour, tell me everything that's important about visiting Rome," this would be pretty close to their response. If you'd like to support the podcast, one great way to do so is to sign up for Trusted Housesitters through our affiliate link here . Not sure what house sitting is? Well, we'd love to be the ones to introduce you to the best way to travel through the articles here , or our podcast episodes here . Thank you all so much for ...
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode we delve into the people using broad generalizations, what kind of transportation to expect (or not expect), why the south feels so chaotic, what's with all the 1980s apartment buildings, and did we say "witchcraft"? Why yes, we did. If you'd like to support the podcast, one great way to do so is to sign up for Trusted Housesitters through our affiliate link here . Not sure what house sitting is? Well, we'd love to be the ones to introduce you to the best ...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this second episode we cover the differences in coffee (shorter and punchier), food (dry pasta is southern), and the Mediterranean Diet. As well as a whole slew of other sidetracks. If you'd like to support the podcast, one great way to do so is to sign up for Trusted Housesitters through our affiliate link here . Not sure what house sitting is? Well, we'd love to be the ones to introduce you to the best way to travel through the articles here , or our podcast episodes here . Th...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is going to be a two-part episode, with this as part one: a rambling history and some general ideas of what to expect. The next episode will [hopefully] focus more on concrete expectations! To support Only A Bag, you can sign up for one of the travel-oriented credit cards below. None of them have a yearly fee, which is one of the reasons we like them so much. (To learn more about the cards, you can either listen to the 3rd episode in the series, or search online for reviews about the card.)...
Sep 27, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Points, Miles, Cash Back: Which is best for you? And do you really need a credit card? We finally purchased a second microphone, so this special episode mini-series might sound a little uneven while we work ou the kinks. If it sounds especially atrocious on your headphones/phone/speakers, please let us know! To support Only A Bag, you can sign up for one of the travel-oriented credit cards below. None of them have a yearly fee, which is one of the reasons we like them so much. (To learn more abo...
Sep 15, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Checking accounts, debit cards, and how to access your money abroad without paying extraordinary fees. We finally purchased a second microphone, so this special episode mini-series might sound a little uneven while we work ou the kinks. If it sounds especially atrocious on your headphones/phone/speakers, please let us know! To support Only A Bag, you can sign up for one of the travel-oriented credit cards below. None of them have a yearly fee, which is one of the reasons we like them so much. (T...
Sep 15, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast How to convert currency, let your bank know you're traveling, and everything else you need to know before you hit the road! We finally purchased a second microphone, so this special episode mini-series might sound a little uneven while we work out the kinks. If it sounds especially atrocious in your headphones/phone/speakers, please let us know! To support Only A Bag, you can sign up for one of the travel-oriented credit cards below. None of them have a yearly fee, which is one of the reason...
Sep 15, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Perugia is a city of great food, and an abundance of it. It's almost impossible to find a bad restaurant, but just in case, we offer some of our favorite restaurant—especially for those of you who are getting tired of Italian food. If you'd like to support the podcast, one great way to do so is to sign up for Trusted Housesitters through our affiliate link here . Not sure what house sitting is? Well, we'd love to be the ones to introduce you to the best way to travel through the arti...
Sep 07, 2023•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Perugia, a relatively unknown city in the north; a just-as-beautiful relative of Tuscany at a fraction of the price. (At some point Nathaniel mistakenly said Montepulciano is in Umbria, when it is in fact in Tuscany, so, sommelier classes aren't going so well.) As always, if you'd like to support us, you can do so by using this link to sign up for Trusted Housesitters ! We also mentioned we'd look for a link to a tour that we've heard of and trust, and this is one that has been o...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast The larger-than-life stretch of towns along the Ligurian Coast with their pastel homes and craggy coves have inspired tourists for years. In this episode, we delve into what those towns are, what sets the apart, how to get there, how to walk between them, and some of our favorite food. To support us, consider signing up for Trusted Housesitters through our affiliate link—we'd deeply appreciate it! And for those of you who want to grab a pair of hiking shoes (or any other last-minute gear pur...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast While the Palio and the Duomo are two of Siena's major draws, they're not the only reason to visit this hilltop town. In this episode we cover getting there, the history of the Palio, why the Duomo is so interestingly built, and why you should try panforte and cantucci. Plus, some of the best day trips! To support us, you can use this Trainline link to buy your bus and train tickets (for anywhere, to just Italy!) or our Tiqets link to purchase things like entry to the Duomo (only 9€!). A...
Aug 15, 2023•2 hr 30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Using Florence as a home-base for your Italy trip? Here are the top 17 places to visit in one-day from Florence. We're talking about places from 40 minutes one-way on the fast train to Bologna to 3 hours, for those bucket-list locations like Venice and Cinque Terre. If you'd like to support us, you can do so by purchasing your next train or bus trip through Trainline, an easy-to-use aggregate of train and bus fares. It's the way we search for and buy our tickets! You can find our aff...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sandwiches, pastries, gelato, wine to-go, and what is lampredotto? We've got you covered with a list of our favorite food in Florence. If you prefer reading, you can find our review of La Strega Nocciola, our current favorite gelateria in Florence, here ! As always, thank you for listening! If you'd like to support us, you can do with by purchasing your next train trip through Trainline, an easy-to-use aggregate of train and bus fares. You can find our affiliate link by clicking here ! A...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast 
