Ciao Bella

In the heart of Rome's Trastevere neighborhood is an enclave of amazign interior design. Triple F  is Federica Formilli Fendi's passion project and should be national treasure. For years, Fendi has sought out vintage design pieces, and now she shares them with the public. Join Erica as she talks with Federica about her lifelong passion for vintage furniture and her unique ability to mix different...

"If you build it, they will come"; even if you have to fly them in yourself. This was Francesco Pantaleone's mentality as he returned to his native Palermo after years in New York City to launch the city's first contemporary art gallery. In this episode, Erica and Francesco talk about building an out-this-world constellation of contemporary art and artists in Palermo   For show notes and more visi...

All roads lead to Rome, or start from here in the case of Walks, Italy's leader in small group tours. In this episode of Ciao Bella, Erica sits down with Stephen Oddo, co-founder and CEO of Walks, a tourism empire that marries modern "digitourism" with classic small group tours. Steven talks about entrepreneurship, the Walks philosophy, and how his company is collaborating with local communities i...

From Italy to America and back again, for Cristina Mariani May, co-CEO of Banfi, the wine business is 100% Italian and American. With a 100 year-old grasp on importing Italian goods to America, Banfi has also been producing one of the top Brunellos for nearlly five decades. In this episode, Erica heads to Castello Banfi near Montalcino to talk family business and Tuscan heritage with Cristina.   F...

Growing up in a historic five-star hotel on the shores of Lake Como, Jan Bucher is no stranger to the complexities and curiosities of luxury hospitality. As general manager of Bellagio's Villa Serbelloni, Jan has accepted the four-generations-old torch that is running one of Como's, and accordingly, the world's, grandest hotels. Join Erica and Jan for a conversation on Clooney, culture and Como.  ...

Sara Maestrelli shares the journey from creation to design of Violino d'Oro , her family's new hotel in Venice. Hosts Erica Firpo  talks with Sara Maestrelli about the intricate process of transforming historical buildings into modern hospitality spaces while preserving their heritage. Tune in to discover the secrets behind the lady in the palazzo and the art of creating a home away from home in t...

News Flash: Italy has finally greenlit the Digital Nomad Visa! Your dreams of living in Italy are about to become reality. In this short episode,  Thea Duncan , Italy relocation expert, joins Erica to break down what the new digital nomad visa is and what it means to you.   For show notes and more visit Ciao Bella   INSTAGRAM: @ericafirpo TWITTER  @moscerina  

Murder, mayhem and Sicily, that's author Jo Piazza 's stranger than fiction reality which inspired her to write her latest book "The Sicilian Inheritance".  In this episode, Jo joins Erica to talk hill towns a 100-year-old family tale, and the best things in being Italian American.   JoPiazza.com #TheSiclianInheritance   For show notes and more visit Ciao Bella   INSTAGRAM: @ericafirpo TWITTER  @m...

In an industry where the brightest stars fall the fastest, Campari has been a constant. A landmark of culture and pioneer of innovation, the brand's trademark location in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II embodies its legacy of quality, family, and, above all, italianità. Erica sits down with Tommaso Cecca, head mixologist of  Camparino in Galleria, for a conversation on Campari's unmatched hi...

Panettone passion, it's a thing. And chef Roy Shvartzapel elevates this passion into a mission to liberate panettone from its Christmas confinement. From his Southern California panettone production  ThisisfromRoy , chef Roy is transforming panettone into a perennial pleasure.  Grab a slice as Erica joins Roy to hear his panettone story and how he is making the Italian Christmas cake a year-round...

Palazzo Strozzi is an amazing Renaissance monument, and since the 2006 opening as  Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi , it's an destination for blockbuster exhibits with a lean towards contemporary art. In this episode, Erica talks with General Director Arturo Galansino about Palazzo Strozzi, the importance of today's art in Florence, and the mesmerising Fallen Angels show by Anselm Kiefer.   For show not...

Davide Bollati, the visionary behind Davines , shares the inspiring journey of transforming haircare to a sustainabiliity pioneer. With a passion for both beauty and environmental consciousness, Davide has redefined industry standards, pioneering eco-friendly practices and natural ingredients. Through his leadership, Davines has become synonymous with innovation, ethics, and social responsibility....

On the heels of her celebrated cookbook, Alpine Cooking, author Meredith Erickson spent six years researching and conjuring a Dolomites-inspired aperitivo. The result is DolaDira, rhubarb  and all natural Alpine ingredients inlcuding gentian and elderflower, plus a gorgeous visual campaign that captivated Erica from its corrugated bottle and vintage typeface. Join Erica and Meredith for a conversa...

For five centuries, the Planeta family has been growing Sicily, Italy's largest island and a land of incredible wine, creativity and legend. Today, the 17-generation dynasty of Planeta is cultural hub of wine, food, contemporary art and hospitality. Travel to Menfi with Erica and meet Francesca Planeta for a conversation on family, winemaking and 360 sustainability.   For show notes and more visit...

Slow Food, Fast Cars, and an incredible, nourishing culture. Erica welcomes back the fabulous Lara Gilmore to talk Modena.  From the day Lara arrived in the Emilia Romagna city , it has been the source of inspiration for  her.  Lara and Erica catch up on her latest book Slow Food, Fast Cars , stories and recipes from Casa Maria Luigia (the luxury bed-and-breakfast she shares with husband and chef...

From the outside looking in, there is a lot to be said about Italy, all of which changes when you've had the time to truly immerse yourself in the contemporary Bel Paese. In this episdoe, Ciao Bella production manager Jenna Spray turns the tables and grabs the mic for an interview with Erica and more about deconstructing the myths of Italy.   For show notes and more visit  Ciao Bella   INSTAGRAM:...

If you tell you me you don't like panettone (aka the Italian Christmas cake), then I'll tell you that you've never had a true, artisanal panettone. This episode is a crazy converstaion about what makes panettone the best, how to eat and why it is iconic. Join Erica with Italy's very best panettone bakers   Giovanni Giberti of Pavè Milano , Nicola Olivieri of Olivieri1882 , Rome's Giorgia Proia of...

Napoli's National Archaeological Museum (MANN) is one of the world's most important archeological museums in the world and its collection of Ancient Roman artefacts is the very best. Join Erica as she talks with Director Paolo Giulierini about initiatives to bridge the gap between antiquity and modern-day accessibility and education, propelling MANN into a new era of pioneering museum culture. For...

Caroline Caporossi is a leading social entrepreneur–founder of Modena-based Association for the Integration of Women and Roots ,  two community projects she founded with chef Jessica Rosval.  Molded by a social services career in that has spanned two continents, Caroline has made her Modena life all about empowering migrant women in Italy through culinary education and job support. Join Erica to l...

After a chance encounter with Massimo Bottura in Modena, chef Jessica Rosval began Italian culinary journey that began at Osteria Francescana and has led to . recognition as one of the best chefs in Italy. Jessica commands the kitchen at Bottura's award-winning Casa Maria Luigia and is at the helm of CML's newest restaurant Al Gatto Verde. She shares her story on kitchen community and  advocacy fo...

Atop the historic FIAT factory in Torino's Lingotto neighborhood and on the test track is Torino's latest contemporary art scene. The Agnelli Collection may have started out as 25 Baroque-to-modern masterpieces collected by tycoons Giovanni and Marella Agnelli, but  two decades after its opening, Pinacoteca Agnelli has a new programmatic vision that elevates women in art and maximizes the potentia...

From the plains of the Midwest to the fashion houses of Milan, designer and creative director Edward Buchanan is a powerhouse whose Bottega Veneta capsule collection vaulted the brand into ready-to-wear luxury accessories success. He's been behind the scenes of Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, J.Crew, Bottega Veneta and MaxMara, and designer of his very on Sansovino6 . In this episode, Erica and Edwa...

Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudegno is Italy's Patron Saint of Art,  and everything she does is art inspired. From her multi-thousand piece collection to encouraging young talent, Patrizia is an art world tour de force. Join Erica in Torino for a chat with Patrizia on collecting, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaundengo and Torino, Italy's art scene. Dive into the menu of events and projects happening at...

To be or not to be…what if the pondering was instead, "Being without being"? Super star chef Massimo Bottura's newest venture confronts that philosophy exactly. Join Erica on the ground at Bottura's latest restaurant Al Gatto Verde in Modena to hear how a painting inspired the chef's out-of-the-box concept–and what you should expect if you make a visit yourself.  For show notes and more visit  Cia...

Contemporary art may be the last thing that comes to mind when you think of Rome, but gallerist Paulina Bebecka is out to change that.  In this episode, gallerist and director-at-large of the famed Postmasters Gallery, Bebecka joins Erica to talk contemporary art, NFTs, Rome and Italy.   For show notes and more visit https://ciaobella.co/podcast Ciao Bella INSTAGRAM: @ericafirpo TWITTER  @moscerin...