In this episode of Total Tuscany, hosts Travis Justice and Pat Campagna embark on a culinary voyage to the heart of Florence, Italy, where they are warmly welcomed into the delightful FormaggioTecca Terroir. Owned and operated by the charismatic Rebecca Christophersen and her husband Pierre, this wine and cheese shop is a haven for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the rich tastes and aromas of Tuscany and France. Rebecca is not just a purveyor of fine wines and artisan cheeses; she's a...

Welcome to an insightful exploration of Bruna Carvalho's remarkable journey from the hustle and bustle of city life to the serene embrace of nature in the picturesque hills of Tuscany. In this podcast episode, Bruna shares the profound experiences and pivotal moments that shaped her decision to leave behind the urban chaos and embark on a transformative path toward creating a haven of tranquility, La Gualda Vecchia.  City Life vs. Nature's Calling: Growing up amidst the urban sprawl of São...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Total Tuscany with Travis Justice and Pat Campagna. We bring you the stories of individuals who have embarked on unique journeys and found their passion in the heart of Italy. In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Sara Amrhein, an extraordinary artist known for her exquisite polymer clay handmade jewelry. Join us as we delve into Sara's creative process, her inspirations, and the fascinating tale of her relocation from the United States to the...

Tuscany, with its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and, of course, delectable cuisine, has always been a source of fascination for many. In the heart of this Italian region, a culinary enthusiast and expert, Chicca Maione, takes center stage, sharing her passion for Tuscan cooking through her platform, cookingintuscany.cc. Recently, Chicca enjoyed joining Travis Justice and Pat Campagna on the Total Tuscany Podcast, where the trio delved into Tuscan cuisine, culture, and more. Chicca...

On the last episode of the Total Tuscany Podcast, we visited with Claudia Callegari and introduced you to her wine club. She provides a unique service and offers quarterly selections of Tuscan wine from boutique wineries and selections you may need help finding in the United States. Since that recording, we have traveled to Tuscany and met personally with Claudia. Her passion for Tuscan wine is more evident in person than on the podcast. She took us to two different vineyards, each with a...

On this episode of the Total Tuscany Podcast, we have the pleasure of introducing a true connoisseur of Tuscan wines, Claudia Callegari, who will take us on a journey through the sun-soaked hillside vineyards and coastal plains that have made Tuscany world-renowned for its winemaking prowess. With her extensive experience and intimate knowledge of this acclaimed wine region, Claudia has an uncanny ability to unearth the hidden gems that are virtually impossible to find outside of Tuscany. As...

So for this episode of the Total Tuscany Podcast, we are changing the name to the Total Sicily Podcast.  Our fascination with Sicily started several episodes ago when Pat began the process of getting his Italian citizenship. After that, Omaha, Nebraska, Mayor Jean Stothert joined us to discuss her trip to Tuscany, which also included a stop in Carlentinni, Sicily, as part of a Sister City program.  Pat has developed a friendship with a professional guide, Eleonora Formica. Eleonora has become...

When Americans travel to Italy, they often need clarification about the practice of tipping.  In the States, it's common to tip anywhere between 15 and 30% when at a restaurant, bar, or cafe. The standard is 20%.  Total Tuscany Podcast hosts Travis Justice and Pat Campagna have been to Italy several times, even they are somewhat confused about when and when not to tip in Italy after all this time.  It's hard to believe we have been doing this podcast for almost nine years now, and we are...

Omaha, Nebraska, Mayor Jean Stothert had never been in Tuscany. Recently the three-term Mayor found an opportunity to visit Sicily and Tuscany.  Mayor Stothert and 80 other Omahans visited Carlentini, Sicily. The two cities share a friendship agreement that will eventually become a Sister City agreement. The bond between Omaha and Carlentini goes back to the early days of mass immigration to the United States. Sicilian families, many from Carlentini, found employment working for the railroad...

Our good friend Helen Farrell is back on the Total Tuscany Podcast. Helen will join us monthly to talk about the latest edition of the Florentine Magazine. It's an English publication dedicated to all things Florence and Tuscany.  There is a work of art that is pushing boundaries in Florence. A modern sculpture and contemporary art piece by Emanuele Giannelli is called "Mr. Arbitrium." The daily crowds marvel at its size and ponder its meaning which is up for interpretation like all great...

What a summer in Florence! Ungodly heat, a government in shambles, and the tourists have returned in the full flock! The streets of Florence are jammed packed, and business seems to be booming again for those who suffered so much during the COVID-19 pandemic.  While flipping through Instagram a couple of weeks ago, we came upon a post from the Florentine that floated the idea of a tourist tax in Florence based on a similar concept in Florence. Of course, the first thought out of our mouths...

Andrew Cotto talks about his new role as the Editor-in-Chief of Italian America Magazine.

You are never too old to go back to school. Now with online learning, it’s easier than ever. What if we could tell you can start your journey to becoming an Italian wine expert from the comfort of your own home?  You can because the Commonwealth Wine School makes dreams come true.  Located in the heart of Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Commonwealth Wine School is dedicated to providing you with the best in wine, spirits, and sake education. Whether you are a beginner,...

Italy attracts all kinds of travelers. Those who visit on a fixed budget. Those who vacation and spare no expense.  And those who fall somewhere in the middle.  Imagine if you will that you have unlimited funds and you could do and buy whatever you want in Tuscany. Sounds like a dream, right? As you are about to hear in this edition of the Total Tuscany Podcast, dreams do come true! The dream maker is Filippo Gargani, owner of Italy’s Finest and Tuscan Villas.  Italy’s Finest is a 20 years...

As human beings, it’s only natural to be curious about where we came from. The United States is a nation of immigrants as people from different countries and cultures founded the nation. In fact, Between 1882 and 1954, an estimated 12-million immigrants went through the immigration portal at Ellis Island.    According to the Library of Congress, more than four million Italians immigrated to the United States by the 1920s. Are you ready for this? That represented more than 10-percent of...

Italy can be therapeutic.  People from all walks of life flock to Italy for all sorts of reasons. We've never met a person who left the country and didn't say to themselves, wow! That's the way life should be.  Andrew Cotto recently returned from Italy, where he was on a three-week "work" trip drumming up stories. Andrew is a fantastic journalist; one of his stories from this trip will be coming out in Italy Magazine. He will be pitching several more articles to other travel sites and...

Italy is open for business.  The Covid-19 pandemic of the last year and a half has crushed travel and tourism in Italy. We've shared the stories of hardship on previous podcasts.  There is hope on the horizon. Slowly but surely, people are returning, including the co-publisher of Total Tuscany, Pat Campagna. Pat recently spent close to a week and a half exploring his family roots.  The name Campagna is a dead giveaway that he's Italian.  But not from the mainland. On this trip, Pat skips...

On this edition of the Total Tuscany podcast, we invite you to rediscover one of the most popular travel destinations in the region, San Gimignano.    www.totaltuscany.com  

If you believe all the news stories and headlines, buying a house for as low as 1-euro in Italy is simple. But is it?  We have been doing this podcast for several years now. We travel to Italy (when there’s not a pandemic) yearly. I would say it’s our goal to have a home or an apartment in Tuscany someday. But where do you start? Who do you turn to? Well, our guest on this edition of the Total Tuscany Podcast knows a thing or two about purchases homes and real estate in Italy.  Chris Sobolev...

The two of the most popular things to do when you go to Tuscany are drink wine and take a cooking class. Well, since we can't travel right now, what if there was a way to put a sommelier and a Tuscan chef right in your kitchen?  COVID-19 has reinforced our need for connection to people. Linda Sorgiovanni from Italy Customized wants to come into your home, virtually. Linda collaborates with her friend Claudio Bisanzio on a unique cooking class and wine tasting with you and your family and...

If you can’t go to Tuscany for Christmas, why not bring Tuscany to you for the holidays?  On this edition of the Total Tuscany Podcast, Arriana Cini from KM Zero Tours has the perfect gift to put under your tree. A Tuscan gift box with 100% locally sourced goods from Tuscany.  The idea for the gift box is not a new one, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for her business to survive until tourists return the plan and production were expedited. Order your KM Zero Christmas box...

In our current “new normal” of COVID-19 and physical distancing, sitting on the back porch with a good book sounds pretty relaxing. It won’t take you long to realize your reading a masterpiece by Author Laura Morelli. A historical fiction account of Michelangelo’s The David. Florence, 1500. Fresco painter Jacopo Torni longs to make his mark in the world. But while his peers enjoy prestigious commissions, his meager painting jobs are all earmarked to pay down gambling debts. When Jacopo hears...

The streets of Florence are quiet right now. Italians are looking forward to the day when their surroundings take on a new life, and crowds can gather and feel safe as they look in awe at the architecture. Sit in an osteria and drink wine and eat excellent local cuisine. Or visit the cafe for an afternoon espresso. When the heavy burden of COVID-19 goes away, our friend Federico Bonechi wants you do know that you have a place in Florence that feels like home.When we first visited Federico...

Italy is under lockdown. Many friends and the people you've heard on this podcast are directly affected by the Coronavirus outbreak in Italy. When we visited Florence just five months ago, we spent time with Anthony Frevelleti and his wife, Becca. We ate a fantastic meal together at Ristorante Accademia. Drank several bottles of amazing wine, and then walked the streets, enjoying all the Christmas lights and decorations. Good times! Today the Freveletti's are confined to their home outside of...