Experience Italy With Friends

EP39 Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

Today’s episode is about a topic that may not sound quite as exciting as wandering through Rome or sipping wine in Tuscany… but it’s one that comes up constantly in my conversations with clients: travel insurance.
Do you really need it?
Is the coverage from your credit card enough?
What about the insurance the airline offers when you book?
And if you’re healthy and don’t travel with medical issues… is it worth the cost?
So today, we’re having a practical, honest conversation about travel insurance — what it actually covers, what people often misunderstand, and how to think about risk realistically when planning a trip abroad.
But more than anything, this episode is really about helping travelers make informed decisions so they can protect both their trip and their peace of mind.
Resources:
Travel Insured International | Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
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Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.

EP38 The Magic of Florence

In this episode, we’re finally diving into one of Italy’s most iconic cities - Florence.
While it’s known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to some of the world’s most famous art and architecture, Florence is also something more - a city that can feel deeply personal depending on how you experience it.
We talk through:
What makes Florence feel different from other Italian cities
How to choose the right neighborhood for your stay
What to prioritize (and what you don’t need to do)
How to use Florence as a base for exploring Tuscany
And how to think about your time there, whether you have a day or a week
But most importantly, we explore how to experience Florence beyond the checklist and how to find those “magic moments” that make the city so unforgettable.
If you’re planning a trip, or dreaming about one, this episode will help you see Florence in a whole new way.
Resources:
Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
Join our FB Group “Experience Italy with Friends,” where you can ask questions and share experiences of your own!
Subscribe, Review, and Partner:
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.

EP37 Do Italy Your Way

Planning a trip to Italy can feel exciting… but also overwhelming.
With so much information out there, from social media to well-meaning advice from friends, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to plan the “perfect” trip based on what everyone else says you should do.
Slow travel. Off the beaten path. Authentic experiences.
But what do those really mean, and more importantly, are they right for you?
In this episode, we take a step back from specific destinations and talk about how to think about your trip to Italy. From understanding your travel style and readiness, to breaking down popular travel trends, we share a simple framework to help you design a trip that truly fits you.
Because there’s no one right way to experience Italy ….only the way that’s right for you!
Resources:
Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
Join our FB Group “Experience Italy with Friends,” where you can ask questions and share experiences of your own!
Subscribe, Review, and Partner:
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.
 

EP36 Our Journey Across Matera & Puglia

In this episode, we’re heading south to a part of Italy that many travelers don’t get to right away, but once you do, it stays with you.
Our journey through Matera and Puglia was full of surprises, from the ancient cave dwellings of Matera to the storybook trulli of Alberobello, and the dramatic cliffs of Polignano a Mare.
It was a trip that felt different. More rugged, more authentic, and in many ways, more unexpected than we imagined.
In this episode, we’re sharing our experience: what we loved, what surprised us, and how to think about including this region in your own itinerary.
Resources:
Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
Join our FB Group “Experience Italy with Friends,” where you can ask questions and share experiences of your own!
Subscribe, Review, and Partner:
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.

EP35 Cycling Through Italy

Cycling is deeply woven into Italian culture, from legendary races like the Giro d’Italia to the quiet countryside roads that wind through vineyards, olive groves, and historic villages.
After watching the iconic Strade Bianche race near Siena, Davide was inspired to explore how cycling became such an important part of life in Italy and why experiencing the country by bike can be so special.
In this episode, we talk about the history of cycling in Italy, the legendary riders and races, the incredible landscapes that make Italy a cyclist’s dream, and how travelers can incorporate biking into their own Italian adventures.
Whether it’s a leisurely e-bike ride through Tuscany or a multi-day cycling tour, exploring Italy on two wheels offers a unique way to see the country up close.
Resources:
Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
Join our FB Group “Experience Italy with Friends,” where you can ask questions and share experiences of your own!
Subscribe, Review, and Partner:
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.

EP34 Italy's Liquid Gold: Olive Oil

Today we’re diving into something found on every table, in every kitchen, and deeply woven into Italian culture.
Italy’s liquid gold: olive oil.
After touring a frantoio in the Chianti region and learning firsthand how olive oil is made, we discovered it’s far more complex, and far more similar to wine, than we ever imagined.
In this episode, we’re joined by Katy Lapini from Frantoio Pruneti to explore the culture of olive oil in Italy: how it’s grown, harvested, produced, tasted, and why it means so much more here than most people realize.
Resources:
Pruneti Italy | Pruneti U.S. | Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
Use promo code: AMICIVACATIONS when ordering on Pruneti.
Join our FB Group “Experience Italy with Friends,” where you can ask questions and share experiences of your own!
Subscribe, Review, and Partner:
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.

EP33 Venice City of Wonder

We’re kicking off Season 3 with a destination that almost everyone dreams about but one that also raises a lot of questions: Venice.
It’s a city built on water, filled with history, elegance, and mystery… and it’s also one of the most visited places in the world. So, is it worth it? And if you go, how do you experience the best of it?
We recently returned from a winter weekend in Venice during the early days of Carnevale, and it felt like the perfect time to share a fresh, real-life perspective.
In this episode, we talk about the magic of Venice, how to decide if it fits your itinerary, where to stay, what to see and do, and how to experience the city in a more meaningful and balanced way.
Resources:
Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
Join our FB Group “Experience Italy with Friends,” where you can ask questions and share experiences of your own!
Subscribe, Review, and Partner:
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.
 

EP32 Inside Italian Food Culture

Today, as our season finale, we’re talking about our favorite topic, FOOD! But not just what’s on the plate.
Italian cuisine is deeply tied to history, family, and daily life. It’s a way of connecting, expressing love, and passing traditions from one generation to the next. So much so that Italian cuisine was recently recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In this episode, we go inside Italian food culture: why it’s so different, why it tastes better, and why it matters so much here.
We’re joined by American chef Matthew Cook, who moved to Italy over a decade ago and now teaches Italian cuisine and wine in Florence, while hosting hands-on cooking experiences in Lucca. He shares a thoughtful, grounded perspective on what truly makes Italian food Italian.
If you love Italy, travel, and understanding a place through its food, this episode is for you.
Resources:
Chef Matthew Cook | Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
Join our FB Group “Experience Italy with Friends,” where you can ask questions and share experiences of your own!
Subscribe, Review, and Partner:
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.
 

EP31 Italy's Olympic Spotlight

Today we’re diving into something exciting happening here in Italy — the 2026 Winter Olympics. And this is not your typical Olympics.
Milano and Cortina are sharing hosting duties. The events will take place across the Alps and the Dolomites, and the Olympic torch will travel through all 20 Italian regions.
It’s a huge moment for Italy!
Resources:
Olympic Torch Relay | Olympic Tickets | Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
Join our FB Group “Experience Italy with Friends,” where you can ask questions and share experiences of your own!
Subscribe, Review, and Partner:
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.

EP30 Rediscovering Piemonte

Today, we’re excited to take you somewhere elegant, delicious, a little mysterious… a region that’s been part of our story since the very beginning of our relationship.
We’re calling this episode ‘Rediscovering Piemonte’ because even though our recent trip to Torino inspired it, our history with this region goes way back. And every time we return, we find something new to fall in love with.
From the grand boulevards of Torino to the foggy Barolo hills and the peaceful northern lakes, Piemonte is one of Italy’s most underrated gems and we’re excited to share why it deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Resources:
Get Inspired | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Follow: Instagram • Facebook
Join our FB Group “Experience Italy with Friends,” where you can ask questions and share experiences of your own!
Subscribe, Review, and Partner:
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please rate and leave a review to support our adventure!
If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.