Kimberly's Italy Travel

A family run vineyard in Tuscany where there is as much art as great Brunello. The world just does not get much better than this. This road trip was so wonderful it is really hard to describe. Let us take you away, grab a glass of wine, sit down, close your eyes and let us take you to Toscana!

One of the highlights on the drive from Como to Tuscany included “the best paninno ever” from Italy's famed Auto Grills. A dream-like villa that we had all to ourselves (off season perk!) and a late night stroll through Montepulciano after a delightful dinner at the local osteria. Day one in Tuscany was as it should be – perfecto!

The first few days of my epic Italian road trip from north to south. 1970 kilometers, 26 hours total of driving, two different cars, several cappuccino stops and lots of laughs. Speeding tickets? Don't know yet! Part One is the first three days in Lago di Como with three women who had never been. Will they go back...Si!!!!!

Join us as we record harborside in Monopoli on the Adriatic Coast. We spent three days in Puglia based out of Monopoli staying in the historic district. The days and nights were filled with fabulous sights, great food, tasty wines and warm and friendly people!

I just escorted two groups to Italy over three and one half weeks. I was SO IMPRESSED how Italy was handling COVID! We have a lot to cover in the next couple months, lots of great stories about our trip to this wonderful country. Let's start!

Kimberly is in Italy on a three and a half week trip, From lake Como to Puglia. In this episode she interviews the owners of one of her favorite hotels in Lake Como, a renovated boat house.

FINALLY, I’m off to Italy!!! I will be gone for three and a half weeks with two seperate groups of guests. I am basically going from Lake Como to Puglia. I’ll tell you where I am going and whom I’ll be meeting. We are travelling Covid safe, staying at small intimate places. ANDIAMO!

Italians love to express themselves, and they love to "speak" with their hands. Kimberly explains her view of this wonderful habit and tells you where to watch on You Tube so you can become and expert! ( Hint: Marco in a Box)

Every nook and cranny of Venice holds a piece of history, and not just your average history of a 1200 year old city! Venice was built over water for one thing, and is also the lucky recipient of many cultural influences in architecture, art and cuisine. Walking around Venice at night is one of our favorite pastimes because you can absorb the history that much better in the quiet beauty of Venice while she sleeps.

And for our third Piccolo Pezzo (Short Episode) we want to share with your a pasta recipe, because who doesn't love a new recipe? This is one of our easy and quick to make weekday recipes that make a boring Tuesday all that much better. Life is better with pasta, si?

Enchanting, alluring, magnificent Venice should be visited by everyone at least once in their life. It is unlike any other city in the world, but to really see all her beauty, you need to go off season. My first suggestion is to turn off your phone and just get lost! The maze of canals and footpaths will always lead you to a trattoria, where after a lingering and delicious Venetian lunch, you may or may not ask for directions back to the Grand Canal.

We have a 10 minute interview with Luisa from Bergamo, Italy. She teaches Italian via Skype so you can watch her pronunciations on those very long words and see her hand gestures at the same time. They say Italian is 20% words and 80% hand gestures!

Our friend Conrado continues this second episode on his years in Lucca, and shares his favorite (meat laden) dishes, and where to find them. You will also hear about the month long music festival each July with an incredibly diverse range of musicians, performing outside in the Piazza de Napoleone no less.

We present Piccolo Pezzo, which are 5 to 10 minute “mini episodes”. We will upload these every other Tuesday, to fill in while you await our normal length episodes on the alternate Tuesday. Piccolo Pezzo (Small Pieces) will be random suggestions, travel tips, fun facts or just some Italian quirks that we want to share with you.

We interview our friend and former Lucca resident, Conrad Hunter. Lucca's medieval and Renaissance walls used to keep out invaders, now they keep out the sights and sounds of more modern day life. Walking through the car-free Lucca center is one of it's most cherished attributes. After a tasty Tuscan lunch you can walk or bike the entire perimeter of the city atop it's walls, and after dinner, walk the streets of this safe and quiet gem, and feel like a local.

For a perfect day trip from Firenze, we take you on back roads to the medieval village of San Gimignano. Besides the fourteen stone towers that frame the skyline of this teeny-car free village, there also happens to be perhaps the best gelateria in all of Italy! We also share where to find the 12th century castle that played a huge part in saving the heritage of Italy's Renaissance artwork.

Remember to follow us on Social Media! Grazie Mille! Instagram Facebook In this episode, Kimberly and Tommaso delve into the culinary landscape of Firenze, sharing insights on local cuisine, dining etiquette, and must-visit neighborhoods. They also explore the rich history and traditions that shape Florence’s unique food culture. Key Points: Florentine Food Culture: Sampling Italian food is like sightseeing for your palate. Italian dining courses: antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno, and dolce. There are rules to the road in Italy when it comes to food, wine, and coffee. Dining Etiquette: Bread is for scooping up sauce (fare la scarpetta), not for butter or olive oil. Wine should be enjoyed with your pasta (primo). Espresso is the appropriate after-dinner coffee, not cappuccino or latte. Episode Highlight: Bistecca alla Fiorentina Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a must-try Florentine steak. The steak comes from Chianina cattle. It is aged for a minimum of four weeks. A kilo (2.2 pounds) is the minimum size, costing around $140-$150. Central Market (Mercato Centrale) The market offers a variety of meats, fish, produce, and local staples. The upstairs food court is open late for dining. Due to tourism, sitting outside the market with food is now prohibited. Tripe (cow stomach) is a traditional Florentine dish available at the market. Wine Culture Sangiovese is the primary Tuscan grape, meaning “the blood of Giove.” Wines include Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Chianti. Florentines traditionally pair Chianti with Bistecca Fiorentina. Vinsanto, an after-dinner wine (digestivo), is enjoyed to prolong conversations. Neighborhoods Oltrano: Located on the other side of the Arno River, home to Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens. Santo Spirito: Features a piazza and church designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, with local restaurants. Fiesole: A suburb on a hill offering panoramic views of Florence, with Etruscan ruins. Join Kimberly and Tommaso next time as they explore day trips around Tuscany, sharing more of their travel adventures.

Remember to follow us on Social Media! Grazie Mille! Instagram Facebook Kimberly and Tommaso kick off a two-part series about Florence (Firenze) Tuscany, sharing historical insights and personal experiences. They highlight iconic art and architecture and also discuss the city’s cultural pride. Key Points: Firenze is best explored off-season to avoid crowds. The Renaissance took shape in Italy in the 14th century. Cosimo Medici transformed Firenze into an economic hub, encouraging the flourishing of art and science. The Renaissance and Art: Donatello’s bronze David changed the trajectory of Renaissance art. Michelangelo’s David was presented at Palazzo Vecchio in 1504. The Florentines take great pride in their city’s cultural significance and history. First Impressions of Firenze: The Duomo is usually visible above the city’s uniformly-heighted buildings. The graphic ornateness of the Duomo is made up of white marble, green stone, and red limestone. The three colors of the Duomo mirror the colors of the Italian flag. Architectural Significance of the Duomo: The Duomo is the most significant architectural achievement of the Renaissance. Filippo Brunelleschi was a central figure in its construction, who brought perspective into drawing and building. Brunelleschi never left any drawings of the dome, but Leonardo da Vinci studied the dome and made drawings of how it was built. Exploring Firenze: The original Gates of Paradise doors are in the Museo. Michelangelo’s House, Casa Buonarroti, is now a museum displaying his works. Piazza Santa Croce is a rectangular piazza with restaurants and the Santa Croce church. Santa Croce Church: Santa Croce contains the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Gino Bartali, a 20th-century Florentine cyclist, aided Jews during World War II. A Perfect Day in Firenze: Our friends Lolita and Frank’s perfect day includes visiting Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo. Zeki, an art store since 1348, offers materials used by Renaissance painters. Osteria delle Nono and Trattoria Antico Fattore are favorite dining spots.

The Emerald Coast in Sardinia is nature at it's best. Blue-green waters with white sandy beaches, a dramatic rocky coastline, an archipelago of 7 islands and rocks that date back millions of years! It also happens to be one of Europe's most expensive playgrounds, but that's more in terms of the very large yachts and villas owned by those that want to take advantage of this beautiful area. We share how to enjoy all of it within your budget.

We continue with our road trip to Cinque Terre from the Tuscan mountaintop village of Vezzanello. After the breathtaking hike above the five villages on the Ligurian coast, we return to the beautiful northwestern corner of Tuscany, which isn't quite as popular as other parts of the region. And that makes exploring the surrounding medieval villages all that much sweeter! Lets go!

We take you on a little road trip from the teeny Tuscan village of Vezzanello to Cinque Terre on the Ligurian Coast. However, first we share with you why you need to go to local festivals that celebrate just about anything, from mushrooms to snake catchers. Vezzanello and it's neighboring villages are gems where you may be the only tourist. How sweet is that? Then onto stunning Cinque Terre, where we suggest what not to do!

Hear about the stunning mountains that surround Lake Como, and all they have to offer. You can choose from a variety of trails: easy walking paths through medieval villages slightly above the lake, or more athletic hikes up to idyllic mountain accommodations that serve regional cuisine and the best night sleep you might ever have! A bird's eye view of the lake, fresh mountain air and alpine cuisine make for a very memorable trip.

We share more of our favorite idyllic villages that you can reach by boat, and those to visit by car, if you can hold your own driving with Italians! From the grandeur of Villa d'Este in Cernobbio to the botanical gardens in Varenna, there is so much beauty to discover on Lago di Como. Incredibly friendly people, delicious cuisine and breathtaking beauty is what makes it such a special place.

Lago di Como – la mia favorita! It's renowned for it's beauty for good reason, but there's much more to it and that is exactly what we'll discuss. I'll share where to find the perfect lakeside trattoria for a well deserved meal after walking the historic foot paths through ancient villages. Then you can call my friend Giacomo who will pick you up in his classic boat. And that's just day one!

A bit more of the city that started my long love affair with bel'italia. I'll share with you a few tidbits of what not to order, why you should climb the 919 steps to the rooftop of the Duomo, how walking through the main cemetery is almost as good as a museum, and how to spot the red flags (that I missed) when befriending someone associated with the mafia... Life in Milano is anything but dull!

Milano is often overlooked compared to the more well known Italian cities, and that is fine with the locals! It's big and busy, but filled with beautiful architecture and very well dressed people thanks to the fashion industry that fuels the city. Try speaking the few words or phrases you know in Italian to a Milanese and the next thing you know, you are having a cappuccino with them and politely being corrected on your Italian.

Kimberly Holcombe will introduce you to her long standing love of Italy and the Italian people. She explains how she moved to Milan many years ago to further her fashion photography career, and how those years impacted her life to this day. A few hysterical stories of finding her way pre-internet, and the life changing cappuccino, only enriched her love affair the country and the people, who in her mind, truly know live la dolce vita.

Buongiorno! Please take a listen to this 3 minute trailer which explains what the Kimberly’s Italy Podcast will be all about. Grazie mille e ciao ciao!