TE Talks! History, Travel, and All Things Italian

Join Rob and Emily as they have a lively conversation delving into one of the greatest protagonist of Renaissance art: Michelangelo. They both scratch the surface of this great genius who was often referred to as "The Divine" and share each other's point of view about the great master of sculpture and much much more. 

TE Talks takes you to Florence where Rob and Angelo have an invigorating discussion about which city is more important, Rome or Florence? After a little bit of friendly banter they both get serious and down to business discussing the Renaissance and where it all really started. The Cathedral of Florence was truly a great expression of the city which to many, is considered the cradle of our modern...

This is actually one of the first podcasts that we taped over 1 year ago.  Gracelyn and Rob decided to delve into what makes the Renaissance tick in terms of how well educated were people. The Renaissance is not only a movement of art but also philosophy. They ask the question about the aristocracy and the elite of the church and also of the artists and how well these people were educated? How wer...

Join Rob and Thomas as they discuss a subject that is often overshadowed when going through the Eternal City of Rome, the medieval times or more often referred to as the middle ages! Their conversation starts towards the end of the Empire with the Emperor Constantine and finishes up with the great Charlemagne. Really it is just the tip of the iceberg but it's a great start if you want to lear...

The pandemic broke out and an incredible exhibit dedicated to Raphael which was supposed to be the greatest ever created to celebrate the life of Raphael was closed down. 2020 was the year to celebrate the 500th anniversary of his death and since he died on his birthday one can also consider this to be the 537th anniversary of his birth. So many people were looking forward to seeing this show and...

Join Rob as he explores one of the most beautiful cities in the world with our favorite native Venetian Giovanna! They go into fascinating details about how Venice was a major center of trade that had to deal with potential problems of pandemics in the past. They came up with many innovative ways to protect the city and today they celebrate this with the festa del Redentore and a huge firework dis...

How to see Rome in a day! Only have 24 hours to see the Eternal City? If you have limited time and you want to see as much as possible, listen as Rob and Gracelyn go over the inherent challenges that we all face when doing the top selling tour ever in Rome. This lovely conversation goes smoothly from the logistics of sightseeing in Rome and Italy to regaling us all with some wonderful stories of t...

One of the most beautiful but least known of the famous 7 hills of Rome: The Aventine! Listen in to the fascination conversation with John and Rob as they discuss many aspects of this amazing place and broach the subject of slavery in ancient Rome. You can learn how this hill was a place that represented the plebs and eventually evolved through time to be THE place to live for the elite ,even toda...

Rob and Caterina go over one of the most fascinating and beautiful decorative techniques that the ancient Romans ever created: Opus Sectile. It takes a desire to created images up from mosaics to a whole new level. They cover many things of the ancient world from the Basilica of Junius Bassus and vacation homes in Ostia to how this work influenced the Medieval and Renaissance world. Please listen...

An ancient pilgrimage route that stretches across Europe from England to Rome and then extends beyond to Jerusalem. This is the road that ancient pilgrims took to get to the Eternal City. People still use it today. Join Rob for a special podcast where he is joined by TE Guides Eugenia, Cinzia and Guia who have just come back from a vacation of 7 days on this famous road. Listen in to this amazing...

Join Rob and Guia as the go over one of the fascinating 7 hills of Ancient Rome. The Quirinal has always been a place of great importance from the first king of Rome until today because it has the palace of the president, the “White House” of Rome if you will. Guia covers it all for us and then she and Rob go on a special journey of the great historical Baroque Rivalry of Gian Lorenzo Bernini and...

Did you know that Rome is surrounded by ancient walls that date back the 275 A.D.? Some of the greatest marvels of the world are within the historic center but there are sights to see right outside the walls that some can argue are even better! Thomas and Rob have a fascinating conversation about two of the most iconic ancient/medieval churches of the Eternal City, Saint Lorenzo and Saint Agnese o...

Rob and Gracelyn have a wonderful time chatting about one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire, the port city of Ostia. Rome may have conquered most of the known world but did you know that Rome would never have been able to survive without the city of Ostia? Take a sightseeing stroll with your mind and ears as Gracelyn explains to Rob how daily life was for the people of Ostia, why it...

Rob and Enrica discuss about the famous neighborhood of Trastevere. A place in Rome that is filled with wonderful monuments, churches and artwork but more than all this, it is truly defined by its residents and their inclusivity. The people of Trastevere and what they have created through the centuries is what makes this place truly unique. Listen in and take a sightseeing stroll through Trastever...

Feeling hungry? Since we love to talk about all things Italian at TE Talks, today we are talking with the Famous Foodie Sisters Benny and Valeria. Rob joins them for a fascinating discussion about Wine, Olive Oil, Cheese and Desserts! These lovely ladies have made a new career specializing in Italian food! Prepare yourself for a food sight-seeing experience with your imagination. You will definite...

Listen in to a fascinating conversation between Federica and Rob as they discuss one of Rome's most interesting monuments: Castel St. Angelo. They discuss its very beginnings as the mausoleum for one of Rome's greatest Emperor's (Hadrian) and continue their discussion covering how the building miraculously survived the centuries and how it later became a "christianized"  m...

Hadrian is truly one of the most fascinating Emperors of Ancient Rome. He came into power when the Roman Empire arguably was at its greatest height and guaranteed the continuous survival of the Empire for many centuries to come. Rob and Luca delve into his life from the very beginning and discuss his brilliant choices in affairs of state, running the Empire and being involved in some of the most m...

Listen in to an unforgettable conversation between Guia and Rob talking about the history of the Torlonia family, how they rose up in wealth during the 1700 and 1800's and what they had to do to be accepted into the nobility of Rome. A daunting challenge especially since they never had a Pope in their family. This is a lovely two part podcast where we delve into the evolution and history of h...

Listen in to an unforgettable conversation between Guia and Rob talking about the history of the Torlonia family, how they rose up in wealth during the 1700 and 1800's and what they had to do to be accepted into the nobility of Rome. A daunting challenge especially since they never had a Pope in their family. This is a lovely two part podcast where we delve into the evolution and history of h...

Enjoy being part of a diverting conversation between Mario and Rob who have been friends and worked together for many years. Their subject is one of the most interesting things that people want to know about when they come to Rome: the Underground. Join them for an adventure discussing the famous sites beneath the earth like San Clemente and the unknown off the beaten sites like the hypogeum of Vi...

Dig in for part two of Episode 5 of our TE Talks podcast with Dr. Robert Huber and the Renaissance in Rome. We start where we left off describing what Rome the city looked like in the mid 1400’s but then the conversation goes a bit off track and becomes truly delicious. We learn why Rome was known as the “Citta delle Donne” and how prostitution was thriving in this city. We learn about Benvenuto C...

Listen in on this invigorating conversation with Through Eternity Founder Rob Allyn and Robert Huber discuss all things Renaissance in particular it's architecture. This has become a two part episode because Mr. Huber delves into his argument that although the Renaissance was indeed a "rational" time which is reflected in its architecture, it was also an age of mystical beliefs, alc...

Join Rob and Caterina as they go over why the Jewish Quarter was the first tour that she ever did and why she decided also to do it as a virtual tour presentation too. The Jewish Community in Rome is without a doubt one of the most interesting communities in Rome. The Jewish people have been here for over 2000 years and we discuss how much they have contributed to Roman Society today. Notwithstand...

Take a journey with some British Aristocrats  over 300 years ago. Thomas and Rob  talk about the famous Grand Tour of Europe and how Rome and its famous fountains and piazzas fit into this magnificent experience for  the nobility of England and much of Northern Europe. We  delve into the the area where they lived between the Trevi Fountain and Piazza del Popolo and the heart of their  "Englis...

Celebrate Easter with our special guest, and TE guide, Federica, while she interviews Rob Allyn about his new virtual tour of St Peter's Basilica, new things they have learned about the Vatican City, and reminiscing on what it was like when they visited the world's largest church for the first time.