Dream of Italy

*/ ?>

Latest Episodes:

Episode #17: Experience Authentic Italy in 2025 with Angelo Cartotenuto of LivTours Nov 16, 2024

Kathy McCabe, host of Dream of Italy, welcomes Angelo Carotenuto, founder of LivTours (formerly LivItaly). They discuss how tourism in Italy has evolved, with Carotenuto emphasizing the importance of booking experiences well in advance, particularly for major attractions like the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Kathy and Angelo explore his unique tour offerings, from Vespa sidecar rides in Rome to early morning Vatican visits and after-hours access to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice.

Carotenuto shares his philosophy on creating meaningful travel experiences, drawing from his background as a tour guide with acting experience. He emphasizes that travel to Italy is deeply emotional and transformative, with tourists often arriving with dreams and expectations shaped by media, history, and cultural influences. Kathy and Angelo also spend time covering practical advice for visiting Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year and highlights the importance of exploring lesser-known neighborhoods like Prati for authentic dining experiences.

Kathy and Angelo discuss:

How optimal booking window for Italian tours is now 4-6 weeks in advance, with many travelers planning even further ahead.
The unique experiences LivTours offers like like women-focused historical tours, artisan workshops in Florence, and traditional rowing lessons in Venice.
Why 2025 Jubilee Year in Rome will bring increased visitors but shouldn't significantly disrupt regular tourism activities.
How early morning and after-hours tours provide exceptional opportunities to experience major attractions without crowds.
Why the Prati neighborhood in Rome offers authentic dining experiences away from tourist crowds, including restaurants like Sorpasso and Cacio e Pepe.
Why quality of tour guides is crucial to the travel experience, with the best guides combining historical knowledge with storytelling abilities.
How to save 10% on LivTours tours and experiences with code: DREAMOFITALY10

Episode #16: Italian Culinary Adventures in Modena with Rhonda Vilardo Jul 06, 2024

Join host Kathy McCabe and Rhonda Vilardo of Italian Culinary Adventures as they discuss one of their very favorite cities in Italy- Modena in the region of Emilia Romagna. Modena lives and breathes food, especially balsamic vinegar and parmigiano reggiano. Kathy recently filmed two episodes of season 3 of the TV series Dream of Italy in Modena and Rhonda and Kathy discuss Michelin-star chef Massimo Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore and their culinary and philanthropic empire in this charming city. Rhonda explains how she takes guests through the many layers of Modena exploring food, wine and culture, meeting food producers and learning hands on the special culinary traditions of this corner of Italy. If you are dreaming of visiting Modena, you don't want to miss this episode of the Dream of Italy Podcast!

Episode #15: Bring Italy to Your Doorstep with Olivia Becker Jun 18, 2024

Pistachio cream tastes like that breakfast you enjoyed in Milan.

A drizzle of balsamic vinegar catapults you back to a memorable lunch in Modena.

A bite of pasta transports you back to a perfect dinner in Umbria.

Olivia Becker of Dalla Fonte knows the important role food plays in our memories. She talks to host Kathy McCabe about how Dalla Fonte brings customers Italian food directly from small businesses and local suppliers in tiny towns in Italy, truly living up to its name which means “from the source.” Olivia, who has Italian-American ancestry, connects with many female-led business owners and entrepreneurs keeping traditional food alive while keeping an eye on innovation. Jordan almonds (“confetti”) were a staple in Olivia’s Abruzzese family and are synonymous with parties and celebrations still today for many Italians. She includes confetti from the Pelino factory in Sulmona, Abruzzo, in operation for over 300 years, as part of a special box created as an interactive experience for Season 3 of the TV series Dream of Italy. Olivia's curated boxes bring the best of Italy, authentic Italy, to your doorstep.

Save 20% in Dalla Fonte's store with code: DREAMOFITALY

Episode #14: Buying Short Term Rentals in Italy with Brad Allan of BradsWorld Jan 27, 2024

YouTube star, dog-lover and all-around great guy, Brad Allan, originally from Texas, lives his dream of Italy in Montepulciano with his wife Olivia. Host Kathy McCabe enjoys a great chat with Brad and his new life in Italy! His thoroughly educational channel gives tips on how to move to Italy and how purchase property either for your personal use or to turn into short-term rentals as Brad has. Brad has a booming business renting out elegant apartments to travelers to Tuscany. He's also loving the Tuscan lifestyle as are his dogs! If you dream of moving to Italy with a smart way to finance it, this episode is for you.

Episode #13: Fractional Ownership in Florence with Italy Perfect Jan 17, 2023

Don't we all dream of owning a home in Italy? What if you could be part owner of a stunning apartment in Florence with little of the usual hassles of buying a house in Italy? Your Italian dream might be closer than you think...

Host Kathy McCabe welcomes Lisa Byrne of Italy Perfect who has been renting villas and apartments in Italy for years and is now offering fractional ownership (four weeks per year) of a stunning apartment in dreamy Florence: They discuss:

How fractional ownership works and why you are truly a deeded owner
Why Florence is the perfect location for a fractional ownership in Italy
What the price is for Italy Perfect's Maestro fractional ownership
What the advantages and disadvantages of fractional owneership are
Why purchasing a fractional ownership can have less risk than buying a house in Italy
How you can rent out the Maestro apartment when you are not there
And much more...

For more details, visit www.italyperfect.com

Enter to win a 4-night stay in Florence: www.dreamofitaly.com/winflorence

Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2023/01/11/podcast-episode-13-fractional-ownership-in-florence-with-italy-perfect/

Episode #12: Overcoming Challenges in Claiming Your Italian Citizenship May 04, 2021

In our previous episode (#11), we discussed how many who have Italian ancestry can claim Italian citizenship, jure sanguinis, by right of blood. In this episode, we dig deeper as sometimes this process isn't as straightforward as it first might seem.

Host Kathy McCabe welcomes Bianca Ottone of My Italian Family. They discuss: + Why more and more Americans are pursuing dual citizenship + Why naturalization records are the most important + How Bianca and her company helped Kathy explore her heritage in Campania + How to navigate around the "1948 rule" which might seemingly deny your claim to citizenship - and how Kathy is doing it+ How adoption affects the ability to claim citizenship + How to navigate around name discrepancies, whether they were made on purpose or by mistake + How to find the Italian town(s) your ancestors are from, even if you are not sure of all of their details

Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2021/05/04/podcast-episode-12-overcoming-challenges-in-claiming-your-italian-citizenship-with-my-italian-family/

Episode #11: How to Use Your Italian Ancestry to Claim Citizenship May 04, 2021

Italy bestows Italian citizenship jure sanguinis, by right of blood. So that means many Americans who have Italian blood can be dual citizens and hold citizenship in the U.S. and Italy, allowing them to live in Italy full-time and access many benefits - and even pass it on to their children.

Host Kathy McCabe welcomes Melanie Holtz of ItalyAncestry.com to discuss genealogy and how tracing your ancestry can lead to Italian citizenship and an EU passport. They discuss: + How Melanie's own ancestors were "on the run" - and that's sometimes a common story - when they emigrated to the U.S. + How Italian records can tell you so much of the story of your ancestors + Why so many Italian records are available in Salt Lake City, of all places + What are the advantages of claiming Italian citizenship+ Why the wait at some U.S. consulates is up to eight years! to process citizenship paperwork, but there's a very fast way to get your citizenship granted - on the ground in Italy + What the cost is to go through the citizenship process and ways to save money

Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2021/05/04/podcast-episode-11-how-to-use-your-italian-ancestry-to-claim-italian-citizenship-with-italyancestry-com/

Episode #10: Grow An Italian Garden With Seeds From Italy Apr 13, 2021

When you're not in Italy, what better way to live like an Italian but to grow a garden at home? Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential the Mediterranean diet and gardening is a wonderful way to be tied to the land, no matter where you are.

Host Kathy McCabe welcomes Lynn Byczynski and Will Nagengast of Seeds From Italy. They share the importance of heirloom seeds to the Italian culture and how to get gardening at home. They also discuss: + Why seeds are so important to Italians and Italian-Americans + How they came to run a business importing seeds specifically from Italy + Why basil seeds produced in Bergamo are called Italiano Classico+ What is a Cucuzza? + When is the best time to start a garden in the United States + Which Italian flowers are easiest to grow + And much more...

Visit www.growitalian.com and use code: dreamgarden to save 10%

Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2021/04/12/podcast-episode-10-grow-an-italian-garden-with-seeds-from-italy/

Episode #9: Your Crowdsourced Italian Travel Dreams Dec 18, 2020

When the pandemic started this spring, I put out a call to our listeners to send in audio segments for a special crowdsourced episode on the places, people and experiences we are dreaming of during this difficult time.

I asked listeners to start off with, "When I dream of Italy, I dream of..." and the answers I received are as diverse and beautiful as il bel paese itself!

From a story of smiles and soul medicine found in Sicily to a funny tale of being locked in an Italian restaurant bathroom, this episode will enchant and surprise you until the day we can return to Italy!

Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2020/12/17/podcast-episode-9-your-crowdsourced-italian-travel-dreams/

Episode #8: Share Your Dream of Italy During This Difficult Time Apr 30, 2020

I believe in Italy. I’m betting on Italy. Italy has saved me again and again. It has been my constant. And I believe in dreams and their ability to become reality.

As Italy begins to slowly open up and the future still remains uncertain, all we can hold onto these days are our dreams…so let’s write about and talk about our Italian dreams!

I know Dream of Italy viewers, readers and listeners have had some of the most incredible experiences in Italy. We’ve published 170 issues of our award-winning travel publication but YOU know about so many hidden gems that I (or the fabulous contributors to our publication) don’t know about and what better time to share them!?

For years, I have dreamed of putting together a crowdsourced issue of Dream of Italy and now that we also have the Dream of Italy Podcast, for those who don’t like to write but can talk (haha), we’re compiling a crowdsourced podcast episode as well.

I need your help. There’s no better time to share our love for Italy and get lost in a little project that has us digging deep into great memories.

Please submit a 350-word articles, series of photos, recipe or podcast soundbite up to 40 seconds long on the theme of When I Dream of Italy, I Dream of… to potentially be included in our issue or episode. The deadline is May 20, 2020.

For more details, visit www.dreamofialy.com/sharemydream

Episode #7: Exploring Florence While Staying at the Grand Hotel Minerva Feb 05, 2020

Florence simply enchants us…and so much of the Florentine experience is where you stay. Host Kathy McCabe has a favorite Florentine hotel and it is the Grand Hotel Minerva. At the hotel’s stunning rooftop pool Kathy sat down with her friend sales and marketing director Andrea Bargigli to talk about what makes the Minerva unique and how to explore Florence from a new perspective. Whether you are visiting the city of art for the first time or 14th, you don’t want to miss the tips that Kathy and Andrea share.

The Grand Hotel Minerva would like to give Dream of Italy fans a special offer. Use the promo code DREAM when booking at grandhotelminerva.com to receive:

+ Early check in and late check out, subject to availability

+ Upgrade, subject to availability

+ Free minibar throughout the stay

+ Signature Negroni Cocktail Class (Kathy’s favorite cocktail!)

+ Seasonal Chef Surprise upon arrival

+ Complimentary dinner for 2 (wine excluded) with booking of a 3 night suite stay

Valid through December 27, 2020 for both Flexible and Non Refundable Rates

Episode #6: Author Frances Mayes on Moving to Italy Nov 16, 2019

Have you ever thought about packing up, leaving your life as you know it, and moving to Italy? Frances Mayes, author of Under The Tuscan Sun, did just that when she and her husband Ed purchased a villa in the hilltop Tuscan town of Cortona, resulting in a bestselling book and movie! Frances recently joined Kathy in filming the Dream of Italy: Tuscan Sun Special for PBS Host Kathy McCabe visited with Frances again at her iconic home Bramasole, to talk specifically about the challenges and rewards of the growing trend of moving to Italy. They discuss:

+ What one thing you must do before deciding to move to Italy + Why restoring a house can help you learn to speak Italian + Where else Frances would live in Italy if not in Cortona + Why “the piazza” is the most important place in Italy + How and why Frances splits her time between the U.S. and Cortona + What Frances enjoyed most about filming the Dream of Itay: Tuscan Sun Special + What you simply must when you visit Cortona + And much much more!

Episode #5: Steve Perillo on How Travel to Italy Has Changed Oct 09, 2019

If you lived in or grew up in NJ/NY or CT in the past 40 or 50 years then the name Perillo needs know explanation. Mario Perillo and his groundbreaking commercials for his Italian tours made him more famous than the Pope in some homes! His son Steve has carried Periilo Tours forward. Host Kathy McCabe sits down with Steve for an all encompassing conversation on how travel to Italy has changed as well as Steve's little-known non-travel talent. They discuss:

+ How the Perillos began their family business + Why travelers tastes have changed and how the industry is responding + Why the person who flies an airplane is called a captain (Steve is the king of trivia) + How to create memorable tours and experiences for the average American, not just the 1% + What secret talent Steve has that few know about + How television changed the tour business, especially for Perillo + Why if you’re married it may be better to travel with a group (you have to hear the reason!) + Why 10,000 people owe their lives to Perillo Tours (you even more need to hear this reason! + What makes a great tour guide + And much much more!

Click here for show notes

Episode #4: How Tuscan Women Cook Sep 21, 2019

As in most any society, the women have the power – at least in the kitchen. Have you ever dreamed of learning to cook in a traditional Italian kitchen? Tuscan Women Cook, in the small Tuscan village of Montefollonico, brings travelers to Tuscany for hands-on learning in the kitchens of the masters – Tuscan grandmothers or nonni. Host Kathy McCabe pays a visit to Montefollonico to meet owner Coleen Kirnan and nonna Laurello Torresi to learn the secrets of how Tuscan Women Cook. They discuss:

+ How American Coleen came to own a cooking school in Tuscany + Why Montefollonico is off the tourist map + How experiencing authentic Italian life is the best travel experience + Why Italian recipes usually only have a few ingredients + How Tuscan cuisine (cucina povera) is tied to the region’s poor roots + How to make panzanella, gnocchi and riccarelli biscotti + What the secret ingredient is for the best fried zucchini flowers + And much much more!

Click here for show notes

Episode #3: Planning for Serendipity in Travel to Italy May 26, 2019

Should you take an escorted tour to Italy, plan a trip on your own or something in between? The age-old question when traveling to Italy. Luckily, travel industry insider Steve Born of Globus and Monograms has some answers. Host Kathy McCabe and Steve talk about how you simply must make time for serendipity in Italy and how to do that. They also discuss:

+ How his company is venturing deep into undiscovered Italy + How to skip the lines at Italy's most noteworthy sites + How travelers are becoming more sophisticated + How food and culinary experiences play such an important rule + Why train travel is such an excellent option to see much of Italy + What Italians really think of American travelers+ And much much more!

Click here for show notes

Episode #2: Family Travel - Taking the Kids to Italy May 26, 2019

Italians simply love children and that's one reason that Italy is an amazing destination for family travel and multi-generational trips. Our friend Rosanne Cofoid of La Dolce Via Travel is an expert at planning family trips to Italy. Host Kathy McCabe and Rosanne really get into some very specific travel tips which you will want to take note of, even if you don't have kids. They discuss:

+ What age is the right age to take your children to Italy + How to use the pace of the Italian day to plan your itinerary + What to look for in a hotel or villa rental and specific recommendations in Florence, Venice, Rome + How Italy is a great choice for kids who have food allergies + What one thing to keep in mind each day + Whether you should rent a car or not + Why your kids will remember this trip forever + And much much more!

You are going to want to review all of the suggestions and tips we share so click here for show notes

Episode #1: Author Frances Mayes on Life Under the Tuscan Sun May 26, 2019

If you've ever thought of chucking it all and buying a little fixer upper in the Tuscan countryside, then author Frances Mayes needs no introduction. She is of course the author of the best-selling book Under the Tuscan Sun which inspired the movie starting Diane Lane. Frances practically invented the dream of moving to Italy either full or part time. Host Kathy McCabe checks in with Frances at her famous villa Bramasole and they discuss: + What Frances has been up to lately - publishing three books in three years! + Why women are so drawn to Italy and that is the basis for her new novel Women in Sunlight+ How we all have 2nd, 3rd and more chances in life - and how Italy can be your "2nd chance" + Why her husband Ed has been such a key part of her success + Why Cortona is still so magical and her travel tips for visiting + Where else in Italy Frances would consider living + What are the two things you should do when you arrive in a new Italian town (amazing travel tips!) + How she traveled the length of Italy for her new book See You in the Piazza+ And much more!

Click here for show notes

You will enjoy this information and joy-packed episode!

This is the first of two Frances Mayes podcasts - the second will be out at the end of the summer. Frances also joins Kathy in the Dream of Italy: Tuscan Sun Special coming to PBS TV stations and Create TV in the United States and online internationally.

Introduction: Why I Dream of Italy - Welcome to the Podcast May 26, 2019

You might know Italy travel expert Kathy McCabe from her PBS TV travel series Dream of Italy as well as the award-winning travel publication and membership website Dream of Italy that she founded in 2002. Now Kathy is launching this new podcast to help feed all of our Italian dreams - whether we are dreaming of moving to Italy or designing an authentic, once-in-a-lifetime

Kathy explains how her own Dream of Italy was born at a dining room table in New Jersey listening to her grandfather's own dream of seeing his father's hometown of Castelvetere sul Calore in southern Italy. Kathy's mission to fulfill his dream takes magical and tragic twists and turns and leads her to founding Dream of Italy as a travel and living resource for all of us who dream of Italy. Our new podcast will mostly be produced on the road in Italy where we talk to Italians and expats alike.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected