Jacqueline Alio, a historian and author, returned to Sicily with her family in the 1980's and found the city of Palermo under the impact of Mafia power. In subsequent years the people protested tirelessly for government intervention and help. The city is now a safe and beautiful place again in which to live and to visit. Jacqueline also describes the periods during the rule of the Arabs and then the Normans in the middle ages and their lasting influences on government, culture and cuisine. Your mouth will be watering as she describes traditional Sicilian foods and their regional peculiarities ..read more

Marta Cucchia fell in love with the traditional techniques of Umbrian hand weaving and has continued to carry on this historic craft, which three generations of women in her family before her have kept alive. Her great grandmother, Giuditta Brozzetti, started the studio in 1921 in Perugia and now, under Marta's care, it is one of the last in Umbria to practice and promote this age-old craft. Marta describes her techniques, the motifs and types of looms she uses and the 13th century church in which her studio is located. The Giuditta Brozzetti studio website: www.brozzetti.com Marta Cucchia's ..read more

Paola Messana was a successful international journalist living in many of the world's largest cities.  When she retired, she found her way to a small village in Sardegna where she bought and renovated a house into a B&B.  She then purchased a small farm outside of the town with olive and fruit trees and a view over the Mediterranean Sea.  She has discovered a sense of peacefulness and serenity caring for her farm and recommends such a life to others. Paola has Russian and Italian heritage and so it is not surprising that she feels at home in an Italian village where many Rus ..read more

Marzia Caputo grew up in the Veneto town of Vicenza. Her mother and father met in Vicenza when her mother left Calabria to begin a business in a less Mafia dominated region. Marzia describes her favorite sites in her town and the surrounding region and shares stories of growing up in Vicenza, meeting an American who became her husband and her transition to life in the USA. The antique poem Marzia recited: Veneziani gran signori  Padovani gran dottori Veronesi tutti matti Vicentini magna gatti  Marzia's email: marziamedia@outlook.com Northwest Italian Radio Show: https://1150kknw.com ..read more

Tony La Stella is a classically trained singer and accomplished musician and entertainer.  He is also one of the hosts of the Northwest Italian Radio Show, bringing entertaining and informative Italian topics to their listeners. Tony tells us about his musical career from  musical theatre and opera to his current stage performances with his band.  Be sure to listen to the end of the episode for a special musical treat! The Northwest Italian Radio Show, www.WCIR.biz Tony's contact information: www.TonyLaStella.com  or lastella1@gmail.com Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, l ..read more

Episode 2. Francesca Raspanti is an Italian guide with a full range of credentials to offer her groups, most importantly, a passion for the land where she lives and the town in which she was born. Francesca joins me from Montepulciano, Italy and discusses many subjects, including how her family, community and country have dealt with the covid-19 crisis, the stringent courses and testing required to become a licensed Italian tourist guide and some of the differences between Italian and non-Italians who take her tours.  Francesca's contact information: info@tu-tuscanytours.com http://france ..read more

The Podcast host, Andrea Aldrich tells about a special town in Sardegna, Italy. She was introduced to this village by her two guests, Megan Hastings and Adam Cone, who took a leap of faith several years ago and bought a little stone house in the town of Cuglieri without seeing it in person first. They describe the unconventional way they found the house. The three of them share stories and insights about the town, its citizens, the beauty of the location and its unique characteristics. Snapdragon Restaurant, Vashon Island WA, 206-463-1310, vashonsnapdragon.com Wild Mermaid, Vashon Island, WA ..read more

Author and lecturer, Mary Beth Moser, Ph.D., describes her journey of discovery as she searched for her cultural heritage in the extraordinary Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Sud Tirol. Among the many topics that she discusses are the region’s unique history, the languages known as dialects, the traditional foods and wine, the stories of the family connections she made, the Trentino immigrants in America and how she has been able to continue her affiliation with other Trentini in the US. Mary Beth's website, Ancestral Connections: www.AncestralConnections.net A poem spoken in the dialec ..read more

Jacqueline Alio, historian, author and guide, returns for a second episode to tell the fascinating and often tragic stories of the women who have influenced the history, myth and religion of Sicily. From the myths of Persephone and Aphrodite, the saints of Agatha and Lucy, the queens of the middle ages and the rebels and heroines of more current history, we hear their stories and learn of the impact they had on the people of Sicily. Jacqueline's website: http://www.palermoguide.net/ Link to Amazon page for her books: Jacqueline Alio Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours ..read more

Rita Cipalla is a journalist whose work has appeared in many prestigious publications. Looking for a city with a vibrant cultural vibe, she moved to Seattle from Washington DC in the 1990’s and launched her business, Cipalla Communications. Working  primarily with nonprofits, she uses simple, clear language and storytelling techniques to communicate her client’s message. Rita continues her work as a freelance journalist and contributes feature stories to various publications, including L'Italo-Americano and Washington State's History Link.  A few years ago Rita began searching for he ..read more