Kimberly's Italy - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

46. Amalfi Coast Introduction, one of the most stunning coastlines in the world May 03, 2022

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One of the most stunning coastlines in the world lies just south of Napoli, and arriving there via the infamous Amalfi Coast Drive, is one of the more exhilarating drives in the world. You can leave it to a professional however, or take a boat instead. Either way, your entrance to this magnificent coastline will not be forgotten. The dramatic mountains, lush with vineyards and lemon orchards, drop steeply down the intense blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Add to all this beauty, several idyllic villages dot the coast and make for perfect day trips via the local boats. Lunch in one village, and dinner in the next, with a lemon orchard visit / limoncello tasting in-between...what's not to love about this itinerary?

45. Festa! A Celebration Episode! Apr 26, 2022

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As Italians celebrate 77 years of Liberation in April, we celebrate our first year of this podcast. Thanks to listeners in over 70 countries, and all our new virtual friends, we feel compelled to give a shout out to everyone who shared their critiques, compliments and humor with us during our inaugural year. And by the way, what took place on April 25th, 1945 in a random little village on Lake Como, is quite the tale, so have a listen and then you can understand why the Italians revere this holiday as they do.

About Me

I am Kimberly Holcombe and I am a travel planner and lover of all things Italian. I lived in Italy for six years as a fashion photographer, and fell head over heels for the people and the culture. I plan private trips to anywhere in Italy for individuals, couples, families and small groups of friends.

Get in touch, lets talk about a magical trip!

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com

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One Year Anniversary Newsflash and Thank You All!!! Apr 19, 2022

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One Year Anniversary Newsflash and Thank You All!!!

44. Epic Road Trip Final day in Rome, the perfect last day, of the perfect Italian road trip Apr 12, 2022

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The perfect last day, of the perfect Italian road trip. A full day in Rome that ticked off all that we wanted to see, do, taste, and smell (cheese and flower market). You could spend 2 weeks walking through Rome and still not see it all, but we did our best in just 4 days. Rome is filled with so much rich history and is so visually stimulating, that you just can't get enough! However, a lot of visitors leave the city feeling frustrated at the crowds or the tourist trap restaurants, so the more you know about where to stay and when to (and when not to) do and see certain places, the more you will love this crazy, beautiful and enchanting city.

About Me

Get in touch, lets talk about a magical trip!

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com

Connect with me

43. Epic Road Trip - A stellar day spent mostly in the 1st century BC Rome! Apr 05, 2022

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Starting with Augustus's Mausoleum from 28 BC, to the Ponte Fabricio from 62 BC, to Teatro Marcello finished in 13 BC makes you think twice about all that has taken place since. Walking across the Tiber River in 2021, on a bridge that was built 2083 years beforehand is not something you get to do every day.

Several buildings, theaters, porticos and even the bridge that crosses the Tiber, are from the 1st century BC. It's almost impossible to remember the dates and history of these sites as you are standing on them, or walking over them, but one thing is for sure, you will always remember that you did.

Rome is a very special city for so many reasons, but in my opinion, the fact that all of these historical sites are still there, and so well maintained (considering the amount of people from around the world who descend upon Rome year after year) is a testament to the Italian people. They respect their history and their pride is clearly evident.

Get in touch, lets talk about a magical trip!

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com

42. Epic Road Trip-We were three full levels below what is current day Rome! Mar 29, 2022

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What are the chances you run into your friends on a Saturday afternoon at the Roman Colosseum? Well, it happened and luckily our Milanese friend suggested a visit to her favorite building in the city, three layers of history, and centuries, on top of each other. A somewhat under the radar archeological gem just a 10 minute walk from the Colosseum.

Basilica San Clemente was built in the 12th century, however another basilica from the 4th century was discovered underneath it only 164 years ago. As you walk through this excavated structure one floor below, you can't help but think you are standing on the same stone floors that were put in place 17 centuries earlier. Yet, there is even one more floor below this second basilica. After descending steep and narrow stone stairs, we entered a nobleman's dwelling from the 2nd century. We were three full levels below what is current day Rome, and you have to believe there is yet even more beneath that!

Get in touch, lets talk about a magical trip!

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com

41. Our (delicious) conversation with Paolo, a Tuscan chef Mar 22, 2022

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The day after the savory dinner Paolo prepared for 12 of us (previous episode), we sat down in the recording studio and discussed his trajectory in life that let him to where he is today. What a travel-filled path it was, filled with cuisines from around the world that influenced his skills in the kitchen. Most Italians have it in their DNA to be able to whip up a tasty pasta with whatever is in the frigo, however Paolo chose to dive deeper into the culinary traditions that make the Italian cuisine a global favorite. He suffered through cheese tasting / cheese making courses and studied all phases of oenology / viniculture (vino!).

To summarize Paolo's take on his profession... I first speak with people about a dinner or a food tour, and they become my client. I then give them a cooking class and prepare a meal, and they become my guest. After the meal and conversation, they become my friend, and this is La Dolce Vita.

Kimberly and Paolo finally met in person last October in Val d'Orcia, Tuscany after a 4 year email friendship. To be able to spend a long and delicious weekend with Paolo on our home turf, and to record his story, was a special visit indeed.

Get in touch, lets talk about a magical trip!

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com

Trailer: Interview with Paulo Mar 18, 2022

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Trailer to Episode 41

40. A Tuscan chef comes to visit...a dinner party for the ages. Mar 15, 2022

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Having a world class Tuscan chef come to your home for a long weekend is both wonderful and intimidating. Italians love their food and are very opinionated about it (rightly so!), and each of them has their little nuances about ingredients and preparation. My friend Paulo who is from Tuscany was in the New York and Chicago doing a series of private dinners for clients he had met over the years in Tuscany. A window of opportunity opened and we planned a Saturday dinner party for 12, prepared by Paulo here on the island of Jamestown in Rhode Island.

Although the four course dinner for 12 was the main event, Tomasso and I had the distinct pleasure of having two additional pastas prepared for us over the course of twenty four hours. Bookending those twenty four hours were two dinners that we had to prepare…no stress there!!

Great food leads to happy people, happy people lead to new friendships… and so was the outcome of this fantastic weekend. This type of thing doesn’t happen often, and when the opportunity arises we… you just have to take it and run with it!

Buon Apetito Amici!!!

Who is Kimberly?

Get in touch, lets talk about a magical trip!

https://www.kimberlysitaly.com

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