Kimberly's Italy - TopPodcast.com

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142. Introducing Lago di Garda! Apr 10, 2024

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Everyone as heard of Lake Como, but it’s bigger cousin to the east is a beauty and should probably be added to your list of dream vacations in bel’italia. We will dedicate a few episodes to Garda when we get back to our recording studio, but we share enough here to give you a glimpse into this sweet place.

We drove the entire perimeter of the lake and can assure you it’s worth renting a car so can see and experience all that we did. They have public boats as well so you can stop in most villages but it’s a large lake so you will spend more time on the boats, which is obviously not a hardship!

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141. Back in Italy! via Copenhagen and Palma! Apr 02, 2024

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We recorded this episode upon our arrival in Lake Garda after a busy week of planes, trains and automobiles….well, to be honest we took a metro instead of a train! We share a few travel tips on Apple Air Tags, what to do with a long layover in a different city and how to make sure a specific Airbnb is right for you.

We flew from Palma, Mallorca to Milano, picked up a rental car with 5 minutes to spare before they closed for the evening, got onto the highway in the pouring rain and within 20 minutes were in the best AutoGrill (highway rest stop) and took advantage of their 50% off sale on wine!

Another travel tip might be to suggest to not arrive in Italy the night before Easter, since just about everything is closed for both Sunday and Monday, which I now know is called Pasqueta, meaning little Easter.

Link to my Apple Air Tag Page on our website!

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140. : The City of Genova: Pesto, Palaces and Blue Jeans! Mar 20, 2024

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The busy and vibrant port city of Genova is steeped in Maritime history, yet also lays claim to being the birthplace of both Christopher Columbus and the modern-day architect Renzo Piano.

Our journey through Genova wouldn’t be complete without savoring the city’s culinary masterpiece, Pesto Genovese! It is reason enough to visit the city, but fortunately there are architectural wonders to visit between your pesto tastings with very grand and refined palazzos which adorn Via Garibaldi.

To experience the authentic Genova, you can walk the myriad of “caruggi” (alleyways) that are home to some of the original trattorias featuring pesto naturally, and perhaps some of these same caruggi are where blue jeans were first made.

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139. Be the Visitor Italians Will Appreciate (or Admire & Respect!) Mar 13, 2024

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We decided to share with our listeners the suggestions Kimberly gives her clients while traveling in Italy. Whether it’s your first time or your 10th visit to this amazing country, common courtesies go a long way, and may just get you the best table in the ristorante!

Italians excel at dressing well and appreciate when tourists make the effort also. You can still look good in comfortable (and hip) sneakers and believe me when I tell you, they will notice your shoes!

The more your travel, the more you learn about each culture and in turn, you also learn how to respect that country’s customs. Hence, our travel tips of how to be a respectful visitor in Italy.

138. Dreaming of buying a Tuscan fixer-upper and living La Dolce Vita? Mar 06, 2024

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In this episode we have an entertaining chat with author Angela Correll who bought an ancient house in the teeny village of Montefollonico in the Val d’Orcia area of Tuscany. With a population of just 400, you can imagine the humorous experiences she and her husband have had over the last few years.

Angela wrote a book on this adventure called Restored in Tuscany. There is more depth to the book than just the renovation, but I love her way with words and the hilarious manner in which she describes life in a place so small, yet filled with a cast of characters that truly turn it into that Dolce Vita we all dream of.

Click here to see where you can buy the book.

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137. Planning a trip from a TikTok Video??? Feb 28, 2024

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We have more travel news and updates for 2024 and we also want to share some cautionary advice regarding the misinformation which is rampant online. There are thousands of self-proclaimed Italian Travel Experts and Influencers out there who are not as knowledgeable as they try to appear, yet they do look good in a bathing suit!

There are new rules being implemented in various parts of Italy and we want you to be aware of them, so you don’t get fined. We assume our listeners don’t fall into the category of Disrespectful Tourists, but you should know what not to do in Lake Garda just in case!

136. Travel News for bel’Italia 2024 Feb 21, 2024

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This episode dishes out some travel news, updates and new rules implemented for 2024. Italy is trying to deal with the volume of tourists while maintaining it’s standing as the 4th most popular European country to visit.

Venice has been faced with the possibility of being on Unesco’s World Heritage Danger list, so they finally implemented a 5 € entry fee which most people agree is not nearly enough to make a difference – and it will only be in place for 29 specific dates. However, baby steps is better than nothing. We will share the website below so you know exactly how to get your QR code to enter the city, and most importantly to find out the 29 days the fee will be required.

We also share the news about the fabulous Orient Express and Dolce Vita train routes. The price may not be in your budget, but it’s always fun to dream big!

Kimberly's Italy is your source for all aspects Italian travel.... Ciao, Ciao!

Venice Access Fee

https://cda.ve.it/it

135. The Classy, Colorful and Tasty City of Parma Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

Tasting boards in Parma can’t be beat if you are a fan of ham or cheese, or both! To taste the difference between 24 or 36 month cheese is always a treat, but then throw in the various types of parma ham for meat lovers – pure heaven! Parma is capitol of the Emilia-Romagna Food Valley and it also boasts the honor of a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy title.

This small and refined city is also home to Palazzo Pilotta which houses the stunning Reading Room named after their former Duchess, and Napoleon’s 2nd wife, Maria Luigia. The Palazzo’s crown jewel, Il Teatro Farnese is one of the most extraordinary examples of theatrical architecture from the XVII century. It was almost totally destroyed in WWII, yet gratefully it has been restored to it’s former glory.

We believe you can enjoy several days in this sophisticated and appetizing city!

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Our Website:

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com

134. Culinary Paradise in Parma Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

Tommaso’s first time in the Italian city of Parma was basically Prosciutto Paradiso! The city’s historic center is very charming, colorful, clean and full of well dressed, and well-fed Italians. We entered every salumeria, cheese shop and combinations of the two, all of which made us both want to live in this sweet little city.

The historic center is brimming with all kinds of culinary goods, but the Parma ham takes center stage. Who knew there are so many types of Prosciutto each with it’s own name and DOP label. The locals seem to take great pride in their city’s moniker of Citta di Gastronomia / The City of Gastronomy.

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com

Kimberly's Italy is your source for all aspects Italian travel.... Ciao, Ciao!

133. Behind the Wheel of a 1969 Fiat Cinque Cento… What a Day! Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

Hopefully most of you know what a Fiat Cinque Cento looks like, however if not, they are the smallest cars imaginable, yet they are as cute as can be! Cinque Cento means 500 hundred in Italian, and when referring to a car, that means 500 horsepower.

We rented two vintage Cinque Centos for the day in Tuscany, one from 1969 and one from 1974. It was hard to believe that the little engine was as efficient as 500 horses, but it did indeed make it up each mountain and hugged each switchback! It was loud, and bumpy yet fun as could be. Afterall, how often do you get to drive a teeny car on back roads with a landscape comprised of cypress trees lining each curve, vineyards and olive orchards in the distance, and medieval village on the crest of every mountain top? It was a very memorable day indeed!

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com

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