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•Transcript available on Metacast Hello and welcome back! In this episode we are back to talking about Florence! Headed to Florence but short on time? We've got you covered with tips on what to see in Florence, what to skip, what's free in Florence, and what's worth the price. While we mentioned in episode 3, Florence can be a day trip, an ideal trip to Florence could be 4-6 days. Enough time to see the galleries, catch a few sunsets from the rose garden at the Piazzale Michelangelo, and stroll the Ponte Vecchio. If ...
Jul 24, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Benvenuti a La Settimana Infernale, or Week of Hell, named for the intense heatwave lazily moving across southern Europe. Here's an update on what's happening in Rome, what to do if you're visiting during the anticyclone causing the heatwave, and what is an anticyclone?
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hello, hello! Welcome back to Episode 3 of Season 2. In this episode, we're talking about Florence. Specifically, we are taking about how to get there (planes, trains, and automobiles (buses)), and how to get around. We're also offering a very brief history. Not necessarily of Florence, but of Italy as a whole, and how the local dialect of Florence ended up as Italy's national language. In this episode, we mentioned Trainline, a way of purchasing train and bus tickets in a surprising...
Jul 17, 2023•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hello and welcome back to Episode 2! Before we get to talking about the North, Florence specifically, we wanted to very briefly go over a few points of interest about Rome that we haven't previously mentioned. In particular, we wanted to talk about how to stay cool on those heat-wave days that send Rome past the triple digits, and which day trips are feasible (and which aren't). In this episode, we mention a few parks: Villa Borghese (Near Flaminio) Piazza Vittorio Emmanuele (Near Termin...
Jul 08, 2023•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hello and welcome back! We apologize for having been gone for so long. While Only A Bag has always been on our minds, we couldn't figure out the time to sit down and finally record another episode. And then we found the time! Here's episode one of Season 2. We lightly delve into "northern" Italy vs "southern" Italy, and how it might affect your trip to Italy. At one point, we mentioned a bakery in Siena, which is here: https://goo.gl/maps/Js4UEQfURAr1JEr5A We have als...
Jul 02, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back! (If you prefer to read the podcast as an article, you can find it here !) Now that you've learned all you can about getting started with house sitting, we thought we could share our favorite house sitting websites. These might not be the best, but these are the ones we've had the most luck with, or the most pleasant interactions with homeowners through. Like always, we hope you enjoy! Nathaniel and Darcy Here are some links to the mentioned websites! If you use an affiliate...
Nov 07, 2022•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to another episode of our housesitting series! If you prefer to read our advice, you can find the article on our website ! In this episode, we talk about the "house." For us, this means cleaning the house when we leave, how to treat the house when we're there, and what to do in the absolute certainty that you break something. We hope you enjoy! Want to jump right into house sitting? Here are some links to our favorite websites! Trusted House Sitters: Affiliate Link | N...
Oct 22, 2022•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back! If you prefer to read our advice, you can find the article on our website ! Now that we've talked about setting up your profile for various house sitting websites, in this episode we discuss our tips on how to get your first sit! We hope you enjoy! Want to jump right into house sitting? Here are some links to our favorite websites! Trusted House Sitters: Affiliate Link | Non-Affiliate Link Nomador: Non-Affiliate Link MindMyHouse: Non-Affiliate Link House Sitters UK: Affiliate L...
Oct 06, 2022•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast (For the article version, click here . And as always, we love feedback about our website! Welcome back! In this episode of House Sitting: Miniseries, Darcy and I discuss setting up your profile, what to include and what to leave out, and sending that first message! We hope you enjoy! Nathaniel and Darcy Want to jump right into house sitting? Here are some links to our favorite websites! Trusted House Sitters: Affiliate Link | Non-Affiliate Link Nomador: Non-Affiliate Link MindMyHouse: Non-Affili...
Sep 24, 2022•19 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast 
