Kimberly's Italy - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

94. Siena's Lure is Like a Dream Realized Apr 26, 2023

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Most people love Siena for many reasons, but I fell in love, at first sight, with Piazza del Campo. I can still visualize every single detail that lured me in on my first visit many years ago. For any artist, or art history buff, just standing in the main piazza, being physically surrounded by the color siena, while in the city of Siena, is like a dream realized!

There is clearly more to Siena than it's main piazza, but I promise you, that colorful circle of stone and brick will not disappoint. The Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Siena's Duomo, is one of a kind. Tommaso is a fan, and he hasn't even seen it in person yet. The flooring which is comprised of mosaic panels has been called the most beautiful floor ever made. Most of it is covered to prevent further wear from the millions of feet that have traipsed over these teeny pieces of marble, yet they are uncovered twice a year, so a travel tip is to plan your visit around that!

93. Primavera / Spring in bel'Italia!! Apr 19, 2023

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Spring is a refreshing time of year basically everywhere, but there is something extra special about spring in Italy. It may be partly due to the abundance of wildflowers and wisteria, but also the vivid colors that come to life in the beautiful landscapes that cover the entire country.

Early spring usually has less tourists in the countryside, but the weather can be a bit cool and damp, or warm and dry! We can not rely on the old standard of when the rainy season is anymore, so just go with the flow and enjoy the spring no matter what it brings – you will still be in Italy after all!

Tommaso also shares some current travel news regarding what's being implemented this spring in some parts of Italy. It's always wise to know as much as you can before you arrive, hence Travel Tips are always a good thing!

92. Celebrating 2 Years with Homemade Ravioli! Apr 12, 2023

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2 years, 92 episodes, 3,036 minutes, 127 countries, and countless reasons why Kimberly's Italy Podcast will keep sharing our love of all things Italian! We have not suffered “Pod Fade” due to the enthusiastic feedback we get from our listeners around the globe.

We decided we should celebrate this 2 year milestone with ravioli which Tommaso made from scratch, and as importantly, we invited Kitten Club 2 members to join us. It was a culinary feast enjoyed by all, and what's better than talking about our awesome Italian vacation while dining on spinach and ricotta stuffed ravioli and drinking Aperol Spritzs???

Link to Page on our website:

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com/ricotta-and-spinach-ravioli/

91. A Venice Connection... Bellini anyone? Apr 05, 2023

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We share the story of our friend Edie's connection to the world famous Harry's Bar in Venice. We invited her to our recording studio and thought it only right to drink a Bellini while recording, since this refreshing drink was invented by Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of Harry's Bar.

This understated, but world renowned bar, welcomes you as if you were part of it's rich history. It is truly one of a kind, and the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage feels the same since they declared it a National Landmark in 2001.

It's nice to have friends with such connections, but if you listen to the entire episode, you will hear how Kimberly and Edie are connected as well in America's history. Small world stories indeed!

90. One crazy day in Napoli! Mar 29, 2023

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From a morning ferry to the port of Napoli, then into taxi driven by a Napolitano with no regard for red stoplights or speed limits, into the chaos of the Central Train Station, dropping off our luggage hoping to see it again, and finally into the streets of old Napoli with the goal of feasting on pizza in it's birthplace, all of which we did on the last day of the festival Tutti Santi.

Did I mention there were about 9 million people on the streets with us? It was mayhem in all it's glory. It was Napoli at it's best!

We didn't have enough time to wait in line at Pizzeria Antica da Michele (the alleged birthplace of pizza), but we somehow managed to find a table for 7 outside in a perfectly Napolitano atmosphere. Yes, we ate pizza, drank Aperol Spritz and sat next to a Banksy. It was a perfect day!

89. A Picture Perfect Stay on Procida! Mar 22, 2023

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This island deserved the honor of being named the Italian Capitol of Culture in 2022. They could have added Hospitality, Generosity, Kindness and Happiness to the title in my opinion!

We had the most perfect stay with the striking views from our terraces, the colorful palette of the island's architecture and the sound of fishing boats leaving the harbor at first light. The friendly locals and the seafood cuisine were yet even more perks to an island that I want to describe as, perfectly idyllic.

Even during a very busy travel season, you can still escape the crowds here if you know where to do just that. You can also walk the entire island, stopping at each little inlet for a swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Procida's big sister of Ischia is a short boat ride away, yet another bonus this teeny island has to offer.

88. Amalfi and Pompeii a trip to savor. Mar 15, 2023

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Arriving to the village of Amalfi by boat, allows you to see the majestic beauty of the entire Amalfi Coastline. Once we arrived to our sweet accommodations, a glass of wine on the terrazza was just what we needed to confirm that this is indeed one of the most stunning landscapes on the planet.

As one should do, we ate pizza under lemon trees, sipped on limoncello like you've never had before (unless you have already been to Amalfi) and swam in the sea, in late October no less.

Then onto Pompeii with a uniquely charming and friendly driver, where we were completely absorbed in a 2 hour tour of Pompeii, by yet another friendly and insightful tour guide.

The Amalfi Coast offers so much, you just need to know where, when and how to savor it.

87. Capri...perfect hike, perfect lunch, perfect day! Mar 08, 2023

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The most intoxicating part about Capri for me, is the geography. The jagged coastline and grottos formed by the sea and time, make for a stunning landscape. Yet, in addition there is tropical flora, cactus, azure water and the bluest of skies, which all makes for a captivating visual treat. In this episode we talk about 2 of the 7 main hiking trails on the island, and why they are such a treasure, for both the history and a feast for the eyes. Capri has inspired poet, painters and writers for hundreds of years, so perhaps you should join crowd, but preferably not at the height of the season.

86. Capri in Off-Season Pure Bliss Mar 01, 2023

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If you can only visit Capri during the high season, you can still find quiet places to stay and stroll the piazzetta at night, when the day trippers are long gone. However, if you can go the end of October, do so! We were the only tourists in the restaurants, shared the beach at Marina Piccola with five Italians, and had the Arco Naturale hiking path to ourselves. The tropical foliage and the island's dramatic cliffs combine to make it one of the most visually stunning places on earth. It was Capri at it's finest, and my favorite visit yet.

85. You Asked, We Deliver A Roman Sauce to Die For! Feb 22, 2023

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We have received multiple requests for another pasta recipe, which we promised to do over a year ago! To make it up to you, we are sharing Sugo di Roma, a very tasty tomato based sauce from a friend of a friend in Rome, via Milano. This happens to be (one of) Tommaso's favorite sauces, due to the distinct taste that results from the yummy combination of ingredients that simmer on the stove top for hours. It is a definite commitment to make according to our instructions, but you can make an afternoon out of it... listen to music, drink some wine and invite some friends over to share this labor of love. Buon Apetito!!!

Links:

New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/19/world/europe/milan-italy-duomo-cathedral.html

Sugo de Roma Recipe

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com/sugo-di-roma/