Experience Italy With Friends

In this episode, we're doing something a little different and sharing some practical Italian for travelers. You absolutely do not need to speak fluent Italian to have an amazing trip to Italy. But learning a few words and phrases can help you feel more confident, make everyday situations easier, and often lead to warmer and more meaningful interactions along the way. We talk through: Why learning...

Today’s episode is about a topic that may not sound quite as exciting as wandering through Rome or sipping wine in Tuscany… but it’s one that comes up constantly in my conversations with clients: travel insurance. Do you really need it? Is the coverage from your credit card enough? What about the insurance the airline offers when you book? And if you’re healthy and don’t travel with medical issues...

In this episode, we’re finally diving into one of Italy’s most iconic cities - Florence. While it’s known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to some of the world’s most famous art and architecture, Florence is also something more - a city that can feel deeply personal depending on how you experience it. We talk through: What makes Florence feel different from other Italian cities How to...

Planning a trip to Italy can feel exciting… but also overwhelming. With so much information out there, from social media to well-meaning advice from friends, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to plan the “perfect” trip based on what everyone else says you should do. Slow travel. Off the beaten path. Authentic experiences. But what do those really mean, and more importantly, are they right...

In this episode, we’re heading south to a part of Italy that many travelers don’t get to right away, but once you do, it stays with you. Our journey through Matera and Puglia was full of surprises, from the ancient cave dwellings of Matera to the storybook trulli of Alberobello, and the dramatic cliffs of Polignano a Mare. It was a trip that felt different. More rugged, more authentic, and in many...

Cycling is deeply woven into Italian culture, from legendary races like the Giro d’Italia to the quiet countryside roads that wind through vineyards, olive groves, and historic villages. After watching the iconic Strade Bianche race near Siena, Davide was inspired to explore how cycling became such an important part of life in Italy and why experiencing the country by bike can be so special. In th...

Today we’re diving into something found on every table, in every kitchen, and deeply woven into Italian culture. Italy’s liquid gold: olive oil. After touring a frantoio in the Chianti region and learning firsthand how olive oil is made, we discovered it’s far more complex, and far more similar to wine, than we ever imagined. In this episode, we’re joined by Katy Lapini from Frantoio Pruneti to ex...

We’re kicking off Season 3 with a destination that almost everyone dreams about but one that also raises a lot of questions: Venice. It’s a city built on water, filled with history, elegance, and mystery… and it’s also one of the most visited places in the world. So, is it worth it? And if you go, how do you experience the best of it? We recently returned from a winter weekend in Venice during the...

Today, as our season finale, we’re talking about our favorite topic, FOOD! But not just what’s on the plate. Italian cuisine is deeply tied to history, family, and daily life. It’s a way of connecting, expressing love, and passing traditions from one generation to the next. So much so that Italian cuisine was recently recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. In this episode, we go...

Today we’re diving into something exciting happening here in Italy — the 2026 Winter Olympics. And this is not your typical Olympics. Milano and Cortina are sharing hosting duties. The events will take place across the Alps and the Dolomites, and the Olympic torch will travel through all 20 Italian regions. It’s a huge moment for Italy! Resources: Olympic Torch Relay | Olympic Tickets | Get Inspir...

Today, we’re excited to take you somewhere elegant, delicious, a little mysterious… a region that’s been part of our story since the very beginning of our relationship. We’re calling this episode ‘Rediscovering Piemonte’ because even though our recent trip to Torino inspired it, our history with this region goes way back. And every time we return, we find something new to fall in love with. From t...

Living abroad means constantly discovering things that make you pause, smile, and sometimes scratch your head — those little cultural quirks that make Italy so wonderfully different. In this episode, we’re talking about ‘Things That Make You Go Hmmm’ — the funny, surprising, and occasionally confusing things Americans notice in Italy. From bidets and emergency cords in showers to grocery etiquette...

Today, we’re heading to one of the most iconic cities in the world, Rome - The Eternal City. It’s a must-see for most travelers to Italy, but it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t plan it right. So, in this episode, we’ll help you think through some of the big questions: Should you go? Where should you base yourself? How long should you stay? And we’ll talk about how to get beyond the crowds...

Fall has officially arrived in Italy, and with it comes a whole new kind of magic. The crowds thin out, the air turns crisp, and the food… well, it somehow gets even better. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the many, many reasons that autumn is such an incredible time to visit Italy, from the harvest festivals and cozy comfort foods to the golden landscapes and peaceful piazzas. So, grab an e...

Today, we’re talking about something that’s at the heart of daily life here in Italy: the bar. And no, not the kind of bar you might be thinking of! In Italy, the bar is where life happens. It’s where you start your day with a quick espresso or cappuccino, and where you wind down with friends over a spritz before dinner. We’ll take you from the history of coffee in Venice to the invention of the a...

Today we’re taking you to one of our favorite corners of Italy: the Amalfi Coast along with the neighboring treasures of Naples, Sorrento, Capri and beyond. We’ve been visiting this stretch of Campania since 2009, and every visit deepens our love for its sun-drenched cliffs, pastel towns, and islands that have captivated emperors and movie stars alike. I just returned from yet another magical visi...

This episode is extra special because it marks one full year since we made the leap and moved to Italy in search of la dolce vita. But what does that really mean? And now, a year later, did we actually find it? Today, we’re reflecting on that journey, and we’re joined by a special guest who helped us turn our dream into a reality - Samantha Wilson from Smart Move Italy. Sam’s going to share her ow...

It’s Mid-August in Italy… the beaches are packed, the cities are quiet, and lunch might just last all afternoon. This week we’re diving into Ferragosto — where it comes from, how Italians celebrate, and why it’s the perfect excuse to slow down and savor summer. We’ll also share a few updates on the 2025 travel season, including how the Jubilee has unfolded so far and what to know if you’re plannin...

In today’s episode, we’re heading north, way north, to the Alps for an epic adventure. And, joining us are two very special guests: our son, Luca Raso, and his girlfriend, Molly Ricker. They’ve just returned from completing the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc, a 170-kilometer trek that winds through France, Italy and Switzerland. They will share their highs and lows, relive the stunning views, and pr...

Today, we're taking you to one of our absolute favorite places in Tuscany — Siena, a city steeped in medieval history and tradition. We’ve been visiting Siena for over 25 years, and somehow, it never loses its magic. But there’s one event that makes Siena truly come alive — the Palio. It’s wild, passionate, and deeply rooted in tradition. In this episode, we’ll share why this city is so close to o...

Today’s episode is all about our recent adventure to the island of Sardinia. I say adventure, because it was definitely not a relaxing vacation! It was 10 days spent touring the island from north to south and packing in as much fun and culture as possible. Sardinia has been evolving from an undiscovered island to a luxury coastal hotspot to an authentic cultural and adventure destination - attract...

In today’s episode, we talk about our life here in Italy so far. It’s been 9 months since we made the big leap over the pond, and we thought it was a good time to reflect and provide an update. Has it been everything we dreamed it would be? Is it even better? What have been some of the challenges? Press play and find out! Resources: Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Inst...

Today’s episode is all about Italy’s calcio culture – also known as football or soccer depending on where you are from. Calcio is the most popular sport in the world and that also holds true in Italy with over 1.4 million registered players and over 14,000 teams. But Calcio is more than a sport in Italy, it’s almost a religion or a cult depending on who you ask. In this episode: we will touch on t...

In today’s episode, we’re heading south to the region of Campania. While most known for its breathtaking Amalfi Coast, the region is also popular for its charming islands that lie west of the mainland in the Tyrrhenian Sea. You’ve likely heard of the jet-set island of Capri, but we’re going to focus on the lesser known, but larger, island of Ischia. We just spent a week exploring this charming aut...

In today’s episode, we’ll talk about the metropolitan city of Milan and the beautiful area of Lake Como. While the two destinations couldn’t be more different, they are often side-by-side in an itinerary for visiting the region of Lombardy. We’ll discuss everything you need to know to get the most out of these destinations during your trip to Italy. Resources: Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Plan...