How to get Italian citizenship and moving to Italy are the two topics expats want to know everything about. In this podcast episode you'll hear answers to all your questions, updated for 2024. What exactly do you need to do to get Italian citizenship? And if you are moving to Italy for an extended period of time, what kind of visa would meet your needs and requirements? Would it be the Digital Nomad Visa, an elective residency visa, or maybe a self-employment visa. Listen to this podcast...

This week on the Flavor of Italy podcast, we're shifting gears from food to something just as delicious, the historic Italian car, the Fiat 500. I know we usually talk about culinary delights, but trust me, the Fiat 500 is a tasty little icon in its own right. On your next trip to Italy, why not hop into a Fiat 500 - in Italy affectionately known as the Cinquecento - for a tour. All the details in this episode, plus you'll find out how this delightful little car has been used for everything...

A Culinary Journey in Lecce, in the heart of Puglia, Italy. Here lies the enchanting city of Lecce in the region's very tip of Italy's boot, renowned for its stunning baroque architecture and rich culinary traditions. Silvestro Silvestori has established The Awaiting Table, a unique cooking school that goes beyond traditional culinary education and a cooking class in Puglia. Since 2003, Silvestro has been sharing his deep-rooted knowledge and passion for the cultural and sociological aspects...

The Flavor of Italy Podcast, ranked #3 in Italy and in the top 2.5% worldwide, is a captivating food, wine, travel & culture Italian podcast! As I celebrate this 200th Italian podcast episode, I'm already looking forward to the next 100 episodes. I'm eager to hear from you listeners about what Italy topics you'd like me to explore. Whether it's a deeper dive into the regional cuisines and wines of Italy, travel, design or culture, your suggestions are invaluable. Have a listen to this...

Exploring Mediterranean Vegetarian Cuisine An Interview with Paola Gavin, a celebrated cookbook author with four published works and a regular contributor to Tablet.com. Gavin’s cookbooks are known for their deep dives into the historical and cultural backgrounds of Vegetarian Mediterranean ingredients, often accompanied by beautiful, historical artwork. A Journey Through Italy: A Love for Food and Art Paola Gavin's journey into the world of culinary arts and the Vegetarian Mediterranean...

Unveiling one of Italy's Culinary Gems: La Tavola Marche, and a Journey Off the Beaten Path to the Marche region Italy. Nestled in the heart of Italy, amidst the undulating hills and fertile valleys of the Marche region Italy, lies a culinary sanctuary awaiting discovery. La Tavola Marche, aptly translating to "The Marche Region Table," is not just a destination but a lifestyle meticulously crafted by Ashley and Jason Bartner. The decision to settle in the Marche region Italy was no...

Sardinia is a picturesque Italian island steeped in history, renowned for its extraordinary Sardinian food, and celebrated as one of the world's prominent Blue Zones, where longevity is a defining feature of life. It's a destination that beckons exploration, not only for its captivating past but also for its vibrant present. Join me  on a journey through Sardinia's rich history, tracing its origins from ancient times to its present-day status as an autonomous region of Italy. From the...

Looking for something unique to do on your travels to Italy, totally tourist free?  One thing I'm asked all the time is: "what can I do while I'm in Italy that's unique and tourist free?" I always suggest getting involved in an initiative that will benefit the Italian community and get you immersed in an activity with Italians.  Most everyone is familiar with the Komen Race for the Cure, an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness, and offer breast cancer education and health tips for...

Packing Tips for International Travel + Mastering the Art of Packing Light: Essential Tips for Stress-Free International Travel In the fast-paced world of international travel, the ability to pack efficiently and travel light is a skill that can make or break your journey. In my latest Flavor of Italy podcast episode, seasoned traveler Sarah Murdoch shared her packing tips for international travel including the art of packing light, drawing from her extensive experience exploring the globe....

In the heart of Brooklyn, amidst the bustling streets and diverse communities, lies a treasure trove of culinary heritage. It's here that Daniel Paterna, a proud Italian-American with deep roots in his ancestral homeland, has crafted a masterpiece that transcends mere recipes - it's a celebration of family, tradition, and Daniel's rich Italian-American culture.  In "Feast of the Seven Fishes," Daniel shares not just recipes, but stories that resonate with authenticity and love for his...

An intriguing article in a supplement to the Italian newspaper, the Corriere della Sera, highlighted Porto, Portugal as the top European travel destination of 2024. Coincidentally I was heading there soon after I saw the article. Porto unveiled a delightful array of delicious wines, and seafood delicacies, from succulent grilled cod to savory sardines. However, what truly stole the show was the Portuguese bread, and especially the Broa de Avintes bread. It's nothing short of extraordinary!...

Homes for sale in Tuscany Italy? + A Tuscan Home Makeover  In this week's episode of my Flavor of Italy podcast, I chatted with Dena Fenza, a prominent figure on Instagram known for her recipes, style tips, and lifestyle content. With nearly 150,000 followers, Dena has captivated audiences with her unique blend of Italian-American heritage and New York living.  During the interview, she shared her fascinating journey, from her roots in Brooklyn to her decision to build a life in Italy. ...

At cheesemaker La Maremmana in Tuscany, just 2 hours north of Rome, buffalo milk is transformed into a myriad of buffalo cheeses by master cheesemaker Francesco, hailing from the famed dairy region of Battipaglia. La Maremmana produces a range of fresh buffalo cheeses, including hand-stretched buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, yogurt, and burrata. Additionally, inspired by French traditions, aged cheeses grace their repertoire. Rūma: A Taste of La Maremmana in Rome  Expanding their reach beyond...

Traditional Italian Risotto Recipes at Tenuta San Carlo. In this episode Tenuta San Carlo owner, Ariane Lotti, and I explored the Organic Marvels of Tenuta San Carlo: A Journey into Sustainable Rice Farming. Normally we think of rice growing and production in Northern Italy, in the Po Valley, but just two hours north of Rome along the coast you'll find the Tenuta San Carlo rice farm, a wonderful agritourism, and delicious risotto recipes. In the heart of Southern Tuscany lies this haven of...

Unlocking the Charms of Molise: Italy's Best-Kept Wine Secret Italy, renowned for its illustrious wine heritage, harbors hidden gems beyond the well-trodden paths of Tuscany and Piedmont. Among these treasures lies Molise, Italy's second smallest wine region, nestled between the Adriatic coast and the Apennine Mountains. Despite its diminutive size, Molise boasts a rich viticultural history dating back to ancient civilizations and a burgeoning wine scene characterized by indigenous grape...

The Historical Narrative of Horse Meat Recipes & Cuisine in Italy: When it comes to culinary customs, the journey across different cultures often presents moments of profound divergence. These encounters with unfamiliar foods can evoke a sense of cultural shock, prompting reflections on the intricate relationship between food and society.  Horse meat holds a unique place in the culinary landscape of Italy, where it is revered as a wholesome and nourishing delicacy, positioned somewhere...

Italian American food and cuisine is a flavorful fusion of Old World Italian traditions and New World influences, shaped by generations of Italian immigrants and their descendants in the United States. It embodies the rich culinary heritage of Italy while incorporating local ingredients and tastes.  Italian American food blogger and recipe creator Michele Di Pietro and I dove into the history of Italian American cuisine, and some of the cuisine's best known recipes. We chat about the...

Sicilian Cooking Classes at the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in the Heart of Sicily.  Tucked away on an estate in the countryside south of Palermo is the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School, a unique center dedicated to preserving and sharing the great food culture of Sicily. The spirit of the school, now run by Fabrizia Lanza, the founder’s daughter and scion of a renowned family of winemakers, goes back generations. Visitors to Sicily often sense it to be a place unlike anywhere else—lost...

Andrea Semonella, a Genoa local and co-founder of the popular website Discover Genoa, is dedicated to exploring the city. With a passion for food, Andrea and his wife, Marta, share their firsthand experiences and recommendations for the best places to eat in Genoa. We delved into their journey, and the hidden gems of Genoa's culinary scene, and some unique aspects of the city's street food and markets. This is the episode for you if you're interested in delving into the intricacies of...

If you think of Romeo and Juliet when you think of Verona you'd be right: Juliet's balcony is right in the city center. Or maybe Verona conjures up all the amazing Veneto wines produced in the area: it's another of Verona's incredible features. BUT: right now it's CARNIVAL SEASON and you may not know it but Verona is perhaps the oldest Carnival Celebration in all of Italy, if not the world! It gets started early in the third week of January with the selection of the new "Papà del Gnocco"...

Blogger couple Ilene and Gary Modica of Our Italian Journey share why they chose Lucca in Tuscany for their retirement home almost from the moment they entered this charming walled city.  Lucca is a city on the Serchio river in Italy’s Tuscany region. It’s known for the well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling its historic city center and its cobblestone streets. Broad, tree-lined pathways along the tops of these massive 16th- and 17th-century ramparts are popular for strolling and...

Part 2 is a deeper dive chat with the delightful author of Pasta Every Day, Meryl Feinstein. Our original recording was close to two hours, and it could have gone on longer, as Meryl is such a pleasure to chat with and full of wise insight on life, and getting your hands into Pasta. Meryl shares her insider tips on pasta-making: everything from the kind of salt she uses, to pasta equipment. For Meryl "pasta is a social thing" - a way to make friends - it's "meant to be shared". And at the...

Meryl Feinstein is charming and humble and a clever, creative, accomplished pasta maker and cookbook author. In just five years from when Meryl first created the Pasta Social Club she's moved on to write her delightful Pasta Every Day cookbook, with a fresh approach to pasta recipe creation. The book is full of exquisite photographs that transport you to another delicious place, page after page. I first connected with Meryl through her Pasta Social Club Instagram profile back in 2019 and...

Recently one of my Substack newsletter subscribers, a wheelchair user, asked if I'd do a podcast episode all about Italy accessibility information for wheelchair users and those with a mobility/physical disability. So here it is! This episode is a deep dive into wheelchair accessible hotels, tours, trips, guides, travel packages, mobility equipment, accessible bathrooms - everything you need to know if you're a wheelchair user traveling to Italy.

You've probably wondered about the importance of a wine glass, and whether it really matters which glass you choose. I know I have! The short answer is yes – and no. Today sommelier Cynthia Chaplin and I delved into wine glasses, an apropos topic during the holiday season and with New Year's Eve right around the corner! The bottom line is the best all-purpose wine glass shape is the tulip - perfect for your red wines AND your New Year's Eve festive bubblies. And there's one tulip glass...