Experience Italy With Friends
Experience Italy with Friends is a travel and lifestyle podcast where we will explore our favorite destinations and hidden gems, share key travel tips and cultural insights, and provide real-time updates about our new life in this remarkable country. Join Italy travel expert, Tanya Raso, and her Italian husband and producer, Davide Raso, on a journey that is sure to inspire you and prepare you to create immersive and authentic experiences of your own in beautiful Italy. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and learn how we can help bring your Italian dream trip to life at www.amicivacations.com.
Listen on:
Meet the hosts!
Tanya Raso is an American travel enthusiast and travel planning expert specializing in designing authentic and immersive experiences across Italy. She has been traveling to Italy for over 25 years with her Italian husband and producer, Davide. Tanya founded Amici Vacations after a career as an accounting and finance executive and enjoys sharing her passion for Italy and travel expertise with clients all over the world.
Davide Raso is a professional music and podcast producer that has built an extensive resume working with musicians, journalists, and sports personalities, such as St. Paul Peterson (Prince), Kevin Bacon (Footloose), Sindbad (comedian), Dave Lee (WCCO Radio), and Jon Krawczynski (Timberwolves). He has also been a Radio Broadcast Engineer for KBEM Jazz 88 where he live-mixed and broadcasted events such as Twin Cities Jazzfest and Taste of Minnesota.
Episodes
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Today we explore the most eaten Italian food in the world – Pizza!
Everyone loves pizza – “that’s amore!”
There is so much to learn about pizza, and we talk about:
The history and the birthplace of pizza,
Pizza toppings and pizza dough,
The various styles of Italian pizzas,
Italy’s pizza culture, and
How it compares to the pizza found in the United States.
Resources:
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.
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
EP12 Italy’s Wine Culture (feat. Alfonso Aiello)
Today's episode is inspired by the fact that we now live in the heart of wine country.
Wine is the foundation and essence of Montepulciano and, quite honestly, it is an integral part of the Italian lifestyle across the country. After all, it’s produced in all 20 regions.
Today’s episode is special in that we have our first guest speaker, Alfonso Aiello – an expert and distributor of Italian wines.
We’ll talk about everything you need to know to fully experience Italy’s wine culture, including:
An overview of Italy’s wines,
The ins and outs of wine tastings,
How to choose a winery, and
Tips to discover your favorite Italian wine.
Resources:
Wine Folly | A New Life in Italy Podcast |Smart Move Italy | 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.
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
EP11 Exploring Castiglion Fiorentino
If you’ve been following our story, you’re aware that we’ve been on a journey since last September to find a place to call home and begin our new life here in Italy.
This first episode of 2025 is dedicated to our third and final trial location in Tuscany – the beautiful hilltop medieval village of Castiglion Fiorentino. This area of Tuscany was relatively new for us, and it was fun to spend a month exploring this charming village and the neighboring towns of Arezzo and Cortona during the holiday season.
Listen to learn why it’s an amazing place to both visit and live!
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.
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Our final episode of the year showcases the southeast corner of the region of Tuscany known as the Val d’Orcia. The countryside area is quintessential Tuscany as it is made up of charming medieval hill towns and rolling hills dotted with cypress trees, farmhouses, vineyards and olive groves. It’s magical!
We’ve been in love with this area of Tuscany for over 25 years, so it was clear to us that we had to test out living in the Val d’Orcia as part of our new life in Italy. We spent a month living in Montepulciano and exploring the Val d’Orcia countryside and absolutely loved it.
Listen to learn why we think it’s an amazing place to both visit and live!
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.
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Before we head into the holiday season, we thought this week’s episode would be a great time to talk about planning your 2025 dream trip to Italy. Make use of that quality time with family and friends to talk all about it!
You may also have heard that the Vatican is hosting a little event called the Jubilee in 2025, so we’ll first discuss how that may impact your plans.
And assuming you decide that 2025 is the year for you, we’ll discuss the many ways to go about planning your trip:
Plan it entirely by yourself
Sign up for an organized tour
Enlist the help of travel professionals
It’s another episode packed with useful information that we hope inspires you to start planning your dream vacation to this amazing country now.
Resources:
Vatican Jubilee Website | Why Amici Vacations | Get Inspired | 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.
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
EP8 Getting Around Italy
This week's episode is inspired by the fact that since we’ve moved to Italy, we’ve been doing a lot of travel all over the country – a true planes, trains, and automobiles life!
We answer the most frequently asked questions about how to most efficiently and economically get around the country – both within cities and between cities.
It’s an episode packed with useful information and everything you need to know to successfully move you to each beautiful destination throughout your Italian adventure.
Resources:
Italian Road Signs | 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.
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
This week's episode showcases the charming Tuscan city of Pistoia. It's an historical city in the northwestern part of the region that we discovered almost exactly a year ago when we began our search for potential cities to live.
It was love at first sight and it quickly made our short list!
We've now lived in Pistoia for a month and can't wait to tell you all about our experience. We'll discuss what Pistoia has to offer both as a place to visit during your travels in Italy as well as a place to call home.
Resources:
Visit Pistoia Official Tourist Portal | 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.
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
This week's episode is dedicated to answering the most frequently asked questions I receive from my clients as their travel advisor.
We’ll discuss the key topics and tips needed to help prepare you for your trip as well as keep you comfortable during your travels.
This includes:
Booking flights, passports and visa information
Travel insurance and cell phone readiness
Cash and credit card advice
Packing tips, and
Staying safe and healthy while in Italy
Our goal is to make sure you're ready to have the best travel experience in Italy!
Resources:
What to Pack | 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.
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Since we've spent the first two weeks of our new life in Italy in Calabria, this episode is dedicated to this beautiful region in the south of Italy.
We discuss our personal connection to the region, provide a brief history of Calabria, and showcase what Calabria has to offer from a tourist point of view.
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.
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Monday Sep 09, 2024
Today's episode is for those considering a move to Italy or those just interested or curious to hear about our journey to achieve "La Dolce Vita". We talk about:
why we decided to move to Italy
the process we went through to evaluate the requirements and prepare for the move, and
our first week living here in Calabria.
It’s been a long and crazy journey, and we’re excited to share it with you!
Resources:Smart Move Italy | 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.