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Kimberly's Italy Travel

Kimberly's Italy Travel

Von: Kimberly Holcombe
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 Welcome to Kimberly's Italy, a travel podcast focused on all things Italian. My love affair with Italy started with a move to Milan many years ago, and the enriching experience became part of my DNA. Our episodes highlight some of our own travels and the comical lessons we learned along the way. You can be the beneficiary of invaluable travel tips, and at the same time enjoy a few laughs. We share our passion of the Italian cuisine, history, art, architecture, and the welcoming nature of the Italian people, whom define this incredible country. You can reach me at: Kimberlysitaly.com© 2025 Clever Dog Digital, LLC All Rights Reserved Kochen Kunst Lebensmittel & Wein Reiseliteratur & Erläuterungen Sozialwissenschaften
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  • 204. Tips for your first trip to Italy and/or a refresh!

    204. Tips for your first trip to Italy and/or a refresh!
    Jan 21 2026
    Please follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! In this episode, Kimberly and Tommaso share essential tips for a smooth first trip to Italy. They offer advice on everything from arrival to transportation and local etiquette. This episode helps travelers avoid common mistakes and enjoy their Italian experience. Key Points for First-Timers: Arrival and Taxis: When you arrive at the airport, look for official white taxis with city emblems or company names. Do not accept rides from unauthorized individuals offering cheaper fares. Have your hotel address ready and practice the correct pronunciation beforehand to tell it to the driver. Using translation apps can help. Hotel Expectations: Be ready for smaller hotel rooms, beds, and cars compared to what you might expect. Air conditioning may not be as strong or as flexible as in other countries. It might have temperature limits or seasonal availability. Coffee Culture and Etiquette: To order coffee, pay at the “Cassa” (cash register) first, get a receipt, then take it to the barista. A “latte” in Italy is mostly steamed milk. Research coffee options like espresso, macchiato, ristretto and cappuccino. Avoid ordering milk-based coffees like lattes or cappuccinos after 11:00 AM. Italians believe milk after this time slows digestion. Standing at the coffee bar is common and often cheaper than sitting at a table. Do not bring a laptop to work if you sit down. Train Travel: Italian trains are generally timely, reliable, and clean. Book seats in advance due to high visitor numbers. If you buy a paper ticket at the station, validate it at a freestanding machine before boarding. Failure to do so can result in a fine. Online tickets come with a QR code. Have it ready when you pass through electronic gates to the track. Choose the correct train number, not just the destination, to avoid getting on the slow regional trains. Travel with small carry-on suitcases or backpacks. Large suitcases should be stored at the end of each car. Rental Cars and Driving: Obtain an International Driver’s License before your trip. Most rental agencies require it. Rent from known companies like Europcar, Hertz, or Avis. Avoid cheaper, lesser-known options. Before driving off, video record the entire car to document any existing damage. Kimberly and Tomasso share a story about this. Be aware of ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) signs, which restrict traffic in historic city centers. Driving in these zones can lead to high fines. Parking is indicated by colored lines: white for free, blue for paid (use kiosks), and yellow for reserved spaces. General Etiquette and Recommendations: Be polite and patient. A simple “Buongiorno” or “Buonasera” with a smile goes a long way. Dress appropriately. Italians pride themselves on fashion, so avoid casual attire like t-shirts and flip-flops in cities. Embrace later dinner times. Locals typically eat later, so dining at 6:00 PM will likely mean you will be dining only with other tourists. Remember that staff members deal with many tourists daily, all season long. Be understanding and thankful.
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    31 Min.
  • 203. New Italian Adventures to Try In 2026

    203. New Italian Adventures to Try In 2026
    Jan 7 2026
    Please follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Links for the Show: Fondazione FS Italiane National Railway Museum Strada dell’Olio DOP Umbria Via di Linari In this episode, Kimberly Holcombe and Tommaso share insights from their friends who recently traveled to Italy during the Christmas holiday. They discuss historical train routes, exciting activities like driving a Ferrari through Tuscany, and adventurous hiking and biking options. Join us in this episode for unique ways to experience Italy beyond the typical tourist paths. Key Points: Christmas in Italy: Venice was less crowded than Rome during the holidays. Italian locals gather in Rome for Christmas, making it more crowded. Venice had crowds during specific events like the Santa Claus gondolier parade. Uber Black in Rome: Friends used Uber Black successfully in Rome, despite previous reliability concerns with standard Uber. Uber Black offers larger, luxury vehicles with professional drivers. Historical Exploration: Friends regretted not researching the history of Italian landmarks before their trip. Tommaso suggests spending ample time before the trip researching historical facts so they are better prepared once there. New Travel Options for 2026: Historical Train Journeys: Italy’s historic railways, managed by La Fondazione FS Italiane. Binari Sensa Tempo (Timeless Tracks): Offers dozens of itineraries across the country. The National Railway Museum is in Pietrasara, outside Naples. The Christmas Market Train (Treno de Mercantini di Natale) runs from Sulmona to Roccaraso in Abruzzo. A day-long excursion from Torino to Canelli offers wine tastings in Piemonte. The train features Centoporte (100 Doors) carriages from the 1920s to the 1980s. Sommeliers offer tastings of regional wines like Barolos. Olive Mill Trains: Frantoi Aperti (Open Olive Mills) trains run every weekend through mid-November. Organized by Strada dell’Olio DOP Umbria (The Olive Oil Road). Visitors can taste fresh extra virgin olive oil and learn about production. Guided tastings led by professional tasters are available on board. The route runs from Arezzo to other Umbrian towns like Spoleto and Assisi. Promotes mindful travel and reduces carbon emissions. Luxury Driving: Drive a Ferrari through the hills of Tuscany. Prices are around 4,000 euros per day, or 2,000 euros per person for two. Multi-day excursions include high-end hotels. Adventure Hiking: Via Di Linari: An ancient 93-mile trail through medieval monasteries, abbeys, and a national park. The trail snakes through Emilia-Romagna and the Apennine Mountains into Tuscany. Best hiked in spring or fall, taking about nine days to complete. Sections are no more than 12 miles long. The website Camini Emilia Romagna provides detailed itineraries and accommodation options. Monasteri Aperti: Monks open their doors to hikers for hot meals on certain autumn weekends. Biking Expeditions: Flat, scenic rides connecting food capitals like Parma and Bologna to Venice. Explore historic sites like Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sardinia: Features rugged coastlines and routes for all levels. Sicily: Combines history and natural beauty, with cycling through the Valley of the Temples and around Mount Etna. Egadi Islands (Isola Egadi): Offers idyllic cycling vacations. Isola di Levanzo is ideal for mountain bikers. Isola di Favignana has paved roads and gravel paths. Isola Marettimo is for serious mountain bikers, featuring a small idyllic village.
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    35 Min.
  • 202. Why Italian Christmas is Unlike Any Other

    202. Why Italian Christmas is Unlike Any Other
    Dec 24 2025
    Please follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠! In this episode, Kimberly and Tommaso wish everyone a Buon Natale and a Happy New Year. They share their past Christmas experiences in Italy, highlighting the unique ways Italians celebrate the holiday season. The episode reflects on how these traditions bring people together and how a few of their friends are currently experiencing Italy for Christmas. Key Points: Tomaso’s Holiday Message and Shout-Out: Tomaso extends sympathy to Australian listeners for a recent tragedy. Tomaso also gives a shout-out to participants of the Sydney to Hobart sailing race on Boxing Day. Christmas Eve Traditions: Kimberly and Tommaso share their plans their Christmas Eve dinner with handmade fusilli, bresaola and fresh mozzarella. They pair their meal with a special pesto from Geneva and a bottle of wine by a roaring fire. Listener Reviews and Italian Phrases: Tomaso thanks two listeners, Traveling Zia and Miller Sherry, for their reviews on Apple Podcasts. Kimberly shares various ways to say “that’s very nice” in Italian. Kimberly’s First Christmas in Italy: Kimberly recounts her first Christmas in Italy driving from Milano to Sicilia in a 25-year-old Fiat Cinquecento. She describes how Italians decorate their cities with lights strung across buildings, fostering a sense of connection. She remembers seeing a huge Christmas tree made of hundreds of red poinsettias in Taormina. An Expat Christmas Dinner in Milano: Kimberly organized a Christmas dinner for expat friends and models stuck in Milano for the holidays. Each person made a dish from their home country, creating a diverse and humorous meal. A friendly Italian neighbor invited everyone to his Nonna’s apartment for traditional panettone and pandoro. Christmas in Italy in 2024: Kimberly and Tommaso describe their trip through Italy in December 2024, visiting Rome, Montepulciano, Cortona, Arezzo, Modena, Bergamo, Castelrotto, and Treviso. They experienced outdoor festivals, concerts, flag throwers, and Christmas markets, emphasizing the community spirit. Tomaso notes the non-commercial aspect of Italian Christmas celebrations, focusing on regional specialties. Friends’ Christmas Trip to Italy: Kimberly’s friends from Boston are currently traveling in Venice and Rome for Christmas. They saw hundreds of gondoliers dressed as Santa Claus (Babbo Natale) on the Grand Canal. Murano chandeliers light up Piazza San Marco, a skating rink in Campo San Polo, and artisan craft demonstrations on Murano and Burano. Their friends will also experience Rome’s sights, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the new Metro station that has artifacts like a museum. A Look Ahead: Kimberly and Tommaso thank listeners for their patience with bi-weekly episodes. They promise to return to weekly episodes when they move to Italy, sharing their experiences of living there. They end the episode wishing everyone a New Year filled with love, peace, pasta, tiramisu, and Brunello!
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    33 Min.
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