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.
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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
7 days ago
7 days ago
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.
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
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.
Wednesday Nov 19, 2025
Wednesday Nov 19, 2025
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.
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
Living abroad means constantly discovering things that make you pause, smile, and sometimes scratch your head — those little cultural quirks that make Italy so wonderfully different.
In this episode, we’re talking about ‘Things That Make You Go Hmmm’ — the funny, surprising, and occasionally confusing things Americans notice in Italy.
From bidets and emergency cords in showers to grocery etiquette, fashion rules, and everything in between, we’ll share what still catches us off guard, what we’ve learned to love, and a few that still make us go... really?!
Whether you’ve visited Italy before or are planning your first trip, this is a fun look at everyday life; the charming, the curious, and the “only in Italy” moments that make living here unforgettable.
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 Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Today, we’re heading to one of the most iconic cities in the world, Rome - The Eternal City.
It’s a must-see for most travelers to Italy, but it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t plan it right.
So, in this episode, we’ll help you think through some of the big questions: Should you go? Where should you base yourself? How long should you stay?
And we’ll talk about how to get beyond the crowds and clichés to experience the real city.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, Rome always has something new to discover.
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 Oct 08, 2025
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
Fall has officially arrived in Italy, and with it comes a whole new kind of magic. The crowds thin out, the air turns crisp, and the food… well, it somehow gets even better.
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the many, many reasons that autumn is such an incredible time to visit Italy, from the harvest festivals and cozy comfort foods to the golden landscapes and peaceful piazzas.
So, grab an espresso, or maybe a glass of vino. and join us as we celebrate la dolce vita in its most colorful season.
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 Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Today, we’re talking about something that’s at the heart of daily life here in Italy: the bar. And no, not the kind of bar you might be thinking of!
In Italy, the bar is where life happens. It’s where you start your day with a quick espresso or cappuccino, and where you wind down with friends over a spritz before dinner.
We’ll take you from the history of coffee in Venice to the invention of the aperitivo in Turin and Milan… and along the way, we’ll share how these rituals have become the heartbeat of daily life in Italy.
It’s one of the many little things in Italy that create la dolce vita!
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.
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Today we’re taking you to one of our favorite corners of Italy: the Amalfi Coast along with the neighboring treasures of Naples, Sorrento, Capri and beyond.
We’ve been visiting this stretch of Campania since 2009, and every visit deepens our love for its sun-drenched cliffs, pastel towns, and islands that have captivated emperors and movie stars alike.
I just returned from yet another magical visit, and I’m re-energized to share my passion, insights, and tips for creating your own unforgettable journey.
Stay tuned to hear all about it!
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.
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Friday Aug 29, 2025
This episode is extra special because it marks one full year since we made the leap and moved to Italy in search of la dolce vita.
But what does that really mean? And now, a year later, did we actually find it?
Today, we’re reflecting on that journey, and we’re joined by a special guest who helped us turn our dream into a reality - Samantha Wilson from Smart Move Italy.
Sam’s going to share her own story, and what she’s learned from helping so many others take the leap and move to Italy.
Resources:
Sign Up for the Smart Move Italy Bootcamp | A New Life in Italy Membership | 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 Aug 13, 2025
Wednesday Aug 13, 2025
It’s Mid-August in Italy… the beaches are packed, the cities are quiet, and lunch might just last all afternoon.
This week we’re diving into Ferragosto — where it comes from, how Italians celebrate, and why it’s the perfect excuse to slow down and savor summer.
We’ll also share a few updates on the 2025 travel season, including how the Jubilee has unfolded so far and what to know if you’re planning a trip before the end of the year.
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.