The Fatal Charm of Italy

I'm a former American expat in Rome, talking about the beautiful, messy, delicious, chaotic life in the Caput Mundi. I explore many areas of Italian culture and point out the things that a foreigner in Italy might find peculiar. Often, however, I discover that... what I first considered peculiar, usually made sense after some time.

Gay Travel in Italy

When you talk about gay travel in Italy, you must begin the conversation with the Puglia region. It’s the top gay summer destination for Italy’s gay community, and furthermore, it’s recognised as one of Europe’s top 5 gay destinations. So what draws LGBTQ visitors to Puglia, and for that matter, why would anyone want to go to this more remote corner in Italy, not often on the tourist map? In this episode of my Fatal Charm of Italy podcast, I spoke with Scott Maxwell. He's from the Big Gay Podcast from Pulia, and he talks to me about travel to Pulia in general, and some specific recommendations for gay travel in Pulia, and throughout Italy.

01-07
37:23

Tuscany Food Tours with Judy Witts Francini - FCI 048

On this episode I'm joined by Judy Witts Francini, who lives in Tuscany, midway between Florence and Siena. I guess I might describe her as an “Italian Food Concierge,” because she seems to be involved in every aspect of regional Italian cuisine; from shopping at the local markets, to cooking classes, to creating unique foodie experiences for curious travelers.

06-16
36:58

Visiting Venice with Monica Cesarato - FCI 047

We're visiting Venice with Monica Cesarato, blogger, chef, food tour leader, and an unofficial ambassador for the city. We talk about the current state of tourism in the post-pandemic era, and she tells us about a few sites that aren't on the typical tourist itinerary. Ciao! (and yes, that's a Venetian word)

02-20
28:43

Columbus and Italian Heritage Month - FCI 046

Evert October I find myself reflecting—and maybe scratching my head a little bit—about the connection between Columbus and Italian Heritage Month. At first glance, the connection seems obvious enough. But it’s my contention that if we dive a little deeper into this discussion, the relationship gets cloudier.

10-10
14:32

My Cheap Italian Home with Kristina and Michelle - FCI 045

My Cheap Italian Home is a house hunting platform for expats dreaming of the beautiful life in Italy. Great deals to be found!

05-08
29:44

The Italian Approach to Wellness and Beauty with Amy Parsons - FCI 044

The Italian approach to wellness and beauty is rooted in traditions and generational knowledge. Craftmanship and a commitment to quality. Today I speak about these ideas with Amy Parsons from Mozzafiato.

03-22
25:06

Fascism and Feminism in Italy with Jennifer Anton - FCI 043

Fascism and Feminism in Italy under Mussolini can find some scary comparison today. Just in time for International Women's Day.

03-02
29:51

Eating Healthy While Traveling with Lisa Ortigara Crego - FCI 042

Eating healthy while traveling in Italy present some odd challenges. Surrounded by all the abundance, how do you make smart choices?

10-17
37:01

The Fasting Mimicking Diet From Eat Like An Italian

The Fasting Mimicking Diet was conceived by the “Guru of Longevity,” Dr. Valter Longo. He is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of aging studies and related diseases. He’s come up with a program that “mimics” fasting without causing undue hardship.

05-01
19:48

The Coronavirus Crisis in Italy - FCI 041

The coronavirus crisis in Italy is getting worse, and having an effect on everyone, especially in the tourism industry, even if they're not infected.

03-19
01:21:27

FCI 040 - Ways to Tour Italy with Victoria De Maio

Diverse options for traveling to Italy, from large tour groups to independent travel, we discuss the pros and cons of different ways to tour Italy.

02-05
38:08

FCI 039 - Top Sites to See in Rome with Elyssa Bernard

Top Sites to See in Rome with Elyssa Bernard on The Fatal Charm of Italy Podcast. Elyssa tells us what to see after we've seen the Vatican and Colosseum.

01-11
41:10

FCI 038 - Move to Italy the Right Way with Damien O’Farrell

I am speaking with Damien O'Farrell, a Global Mobility Specialist, focusing on tailor-made solutions for corporate and individual clients who want or need to relocate to Italy. Damien covers all aspects of how to make a new life for yourself in the land of dolce vita... and how to do it the right way.

11-09
32:55

FCI 037 - In the Cucina with Adina Antonucci

An Interview with Adina Antonucci, creator of Adina Cucina, a blog dedicated to creating simple Italian recipes that are both healthy and delicious. We talk about the differences regarding food culture in Italy as compared to the United States.

10-31
35:38

FCI 036 - Writing About Italian Ancestors with Carol Faenzi

On this episode, I talk with Carol Faenzi about writing about Italian ancestors, and traveling back to Italy to find our roots through the stories handed down across generations. Join us as we discuss her great-grandfather, a stonecutter and opera tenor who traveled to the New World and back in search of a better life for his family.

08-11
39:46

FCI 035 - Italian Pronunciation Guide

Rick Zullo discusses some of the most common mistakes made by English speakers when learning Italian. There is also a brief interview with his three year-old daughter, Demetra.

02-15
22:18

Le practiche relative alla Green Card

Quando si tratta di iniziare le pratiche relative alla Green Card, é meglio affidarsi ad un avvocato, oppure no?

12-28
10:49

Palm Beach Podcasting

Here is the demo that we made in class for the Palm Beach Podcaster at the Mandel Public Library in downtown West Palm Beach. Interviews with attendees and a really bad intro by the teacher (that's me).

09-11
07:00

FCI 034 - Unique Rome Tours with Beth from Select Italy

There are some unique tours of Rome that will help the curious traveler get to know the Eternal City on a deeper level. Today on the show I talk with Beth Rubin from Select Italy Tours about some of the different offerings for an "off the beaten path" experience while visiting Rome and Italy.

06-13
25:31

FCI 033 - Digging Up Roots In The Boot With Laura Watson

Italian genealogy expert Laura Watson from Digging up Roots in the Boot explains the process of researching your family tree, planning a heritage tour, and claiming your Italian citizenship. She also talks about life in Calabria as an American expat.

05-16
33:02

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