Amici Vacations

03/05/2025

EPISODE 12 IS ALL ABOUT OUR FAVORITE TOPIC:
Italy’s Wine Culture (with special guest, Alfonso Aiello)

Today's episode is inspired by the fact that we now live in the heart of wine country.

Wine is the foundation and essence of Montepulciano and, quite honestly, it is an integral part of the Italian lifestyle across the country. After all, it’s produced in all 20 regions.

Today’s episode is special in that we have our first guest speaker, Alfonso Aiello – an expert and distributor of Italian wines.

We’ll talk about everything you need to know to fully experience Italy’s wine culture, including:
o An overview of Italy’s wines,
o The ins and outs of wine tastings,
o How to choose a winery, and
o Tips to discover your favorite Italian wine.

LISTEN NOW at https://experienceitalywithfriends.podbean.com/e/ep12-italys-wine-culture-feat-alfonso-aiello/

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please support us by sharing it with your network!

03/03/2025

So fun if not a little surreal!

03/03/2025

🤗❤️🇮🇹

02/26/2025

We were thrilled to be asked to share our move-to-Italy story and had so much fun chatting with Sam on A New Life in Italy. Be sure to check it out!!

Her podcast is informative for those considering a move to Italy or those just wanting to live vicariously through others!

Why wait until retirement to follow your dreams? 🌟

Tanya and Davide's midlife revelation led them to Italy, where they found purpose and passion in their new business (Amici Vacations) and lifestyle.

Catch the latest episode of A New Life in Italy podcast to hear their story and get inspired! Available on your favorite streaming platform or via www.sentiremedia.com/show/anewlifeinitaly/taking-the-leap-how-tanya-davide-moved-to-italy-and-built-a-new-life/ . 🎙️

Have you considered building a business in Italy? Share in the comments below!

02/19/2025

WE KICKED OFF A NEW SEASON!

LISTEN TO EPISODE 11: Exploring Castiglion Fiorentino
If you’ve been following our story, you’re aware that we’ve been on a journey since last September to find a place to call home and begin our new life here in Italy.

This first episode of 2025 is dedicated to our third and final trial location in Tuscany – the beautiful hilltop medieval village of Castiglion Fiorentino. This area of Tuscany was relatively new for us, and it was fun to spend a month exploring this charming village and the neighboring towns of Arezzo and Cortona during the holiday season.

LISTEN NOW to learn why it’s an amazing place to both visit and live!

https://experienceitalywithfriends.podbean.com/e/ep11-exploring-castiglion-fiorentino/

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please support us by sharing it with your network!

01/24/2025

The Siena Cathedral
I have visited so many churches across Italy – I mean there are only dozens in each city! All are old and noteworthy in some way, but there are a few that really stand out and I have a new favorite – the Siena Duomo (Cathedral).

It doesn’t have the huge dome of Florence’s Cathedral or the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica but is far more approachable in my opinion. I love its Tuscan-Romanesque-Gothic style, the many marble statues, and the remarkable mosaic floor that paints further stories of religious and Tuscan life. It's truly a marvel and having visited Siena many times without making the time to go inside the Duomo, I can now say “don’t make that mistake; make sure to go inside and enjoy the splendor of this cathedral.”

I recently had the opportunity to attend Sunday mass, and it was a special experience to participate in a local event vs. just visit as a tourist. Afterwards, however, I took the opportunity to explore and try to capture its beauty.

The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It is believed to have replaced an earlier one dedicated to the Virgin Mary built around the 9th century on the site of a temple to Minerva and was consecrated in 1179.

The façade was designed by Giovanni Pisano, who also decorated it between 1284 and 1297 with marble sculptures of Philosophers, Prophets and Sybils all intended to glorify the Madonna. The inside is equally renowned and boasts a painted dome, 26 pillars of striped marble, masterpieces by Italy’s greatest artists (Donatello, Michelangelo and Bernini), an ornate pulpit, beautiful chapels and library, and 56 inlays of Florentine mosaic floor – one of the largest ever made.

01/22/2025

The beauty of Siena!

We’ve been staying in Siena at our last Airbnb before moving to our more permanent home in February.

I was quickly reminded of why I’ve been in love with this city for over 25 years, BUT I was able to do something new – climb the Facciatone. It’s what’s remaining of the extension of the cathedral that was abandoned during the plague. Part of it was made into the Museum - Opera Duomo Siena, but the rest remains open, and you can climb it for an amazing view of the city and surrounding countryside.

You need to buy a museum ticket as that is where the entrance to the Facciatone is accessed. I found the museum to also be worthwhile as it contains many of the original statues and a stained-glass window from the duomo.

Then Piazza il Campo is always a favorite and it was fun to see it fairly empty on a Sunday morning.

12/07/2024

LISTEN NOW TO EPISODE 10: Life in the Val d’Orcia

Our final episode of the year showcases the southeast corner of the region of Tuscany known as the Val d’Orcia. The countryside is quintessential Tuscany as it is made up of charming medieval hill towns and rolling hills dotted with cypress trees, farmhouses, vineyards and olive groves. It’s magical!

We’ve been in love with this area of Tuscany for over 25 years, so it was clear to us that we had to test out living in the Val d’Orcia as part of our new life in Italy. We spent a month living in Montepulciano and exploring the Val d’Orcia countryside and absolutely loved it.

Listen now to learn why it’s an amazing place to both visit and live! https://experienceitalywithfriends.podbean.com/e/ep10-life-in-the-val-dorcia/

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please support us by sharing it with your network!

11/20/2024

EPISODE 9 IS NOW OUT: Plan Your 2025 Trip to Italy Now!

Before we head into the holiday season, we thought this week’s episode would be a great time to talk about planning your 2025 dream trip to Italy. Make use of that quality time with family and friends to talk all about it!

You may also have heard that the Vatican is hosting a little event called the Jubilee in 2025, so we’ll first discuss how that may impact your plans.

And assuming you decide that 2025 is the year for you, we’ll discuss the many ways to go about planning your trip:
• Plan it entirely by yourself
• Sign up for an organized tour
• Enlist the help of travel professionals

It’s another episode packed with useful information that we hope inspires you to start planning your dream vacation to this amazing country now.

Listen Now! https://ExperienceItalyWithFriends.podbean.com/e/ep9-plan-your-2025-trip-now/

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please support us by sharing it with your network!

11/08/2024

EPISODE 8 IS NOW OUT: GETTING AROUND ITALY!

This week's episode is inspired by the fact that since we’ve moved to Italy, we’ve been doing a lot of travel all over the country – a true planes, trains, and automobiles life!

We answer the most frequently asked questions about how to most efficiently and economically get around the country – both within cities and between cities.

It’s an episode packed with useful information and everything you need to know to successfully move you to each beautiful destination throughout your Italian adventure.

Listen Now! https://ExperienceItalyWithFriends.podbean.com/e/ep8-getting-around-italy/

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please support us by sharing it with your network!

11/03/2024

Ok, so like everyone, I’ve seen so many posts about this place. I wasn’t sure if I should succumb to the hype and try it, but I felt I owed it to you all. And, to be honest, as a person that places a high value on authenticity, I was actually hoping to report NO, it isn’t worth the hype.

BUT, I have to vote YES!

Let me explain. Yes, it’s become a chain and while I’d prefer it to be a mom-and-pop shop, here’s what I loved:
1) great bread - some panini are more bread than content; this was thin and flaky
2) a menu with great choices - one of my biggest stresses about going to a make-to-order deli is knowing what to ask for; this made it easy to be creative
3) quality ingredients - it was delicious!

Expensive you ask? Yes, but not crazy compared to other places and it’s actually big enough to share (if you’re with someone willing to do so!)😉.

Buon appetito!

10/23/2024

LEARN ABOUT PISTOIA: A TUSCAN GEM!

This week's episode showcases the charming Tuscan city of Pistoia. It's an historical city in the northwestern part of the region that we discovered almost exactly a year ago when we began searching for potential cities to live.

It was love at first sight and it quickly made our short list!

We've now lived in Pistoia for a month and can't wait to tell you all about our experience. We'll discuss what Pistoia has to offer both as a place to visit during your travels in Italy as well as a place to call home.

Listen to Episode 7: https://experienceitalywithfriends.podbean.com/e/ep7-pistoia/

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please support us by sharing it with your network!

10/21/2024

Livorno – A beautiful port city in Tuscany!

We finally had the opportunity to properly explore the city of Livorno and were pleasantly surprised by all that it had to offer. It’s a large but walkable city and in many ways reminded us of a smaller version of Naples, another port city. So many great sights to see: the impressive and authentic central market and outdoor market, Little Venice, the Old Fortress, the New Fortress, the Republic Square and the beautiful church of Santa Caterina da Siena. We finished our day strolling along the checkerboard Terrazza Mascagni and having a wonderful seafood lunch along the water.

Highly recommend adding this city to your itinerary, whether stopping in Livorno on a cruise or staying in Tuscany. You can easily combine it with Pisa!

10/20/2024

Ciao Amici!

I'm loving these posts by dear friends of ours and wanted to be sure to share them with all of you! Make sure to follow Due Spaghetti to learn fun tips about Italian cooking, culture, and travel!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/GT5s2nYEHE8KAXC2/

Olive oil is good for you, Stefano's dad used to tell us.

10/17/2024

Another great visit to the Cinque Terre in the books!

I have posted about this great place before, but it’s so beautiful that I can’t resist doing another! I first fell in love with the Cinque Terre in 1997 and then Davide and I visited in 1998 as one of our first trips together. It’s definitely one of our favorite places in Italy!

After weeks of rain in Tuscany and Northern Italy, we couldn’t wait to get to the sea on a nice, sunny day. We started in Monterosso where we could visit our favorite restaurant and hotel, and then Davide suggested we hike to Vernazza. It was a good thing I packed some sneakers! I don’t think he realized what he signed up for – LOL – it was a lot of climbing but it was worth it for the most beautiful views. The final reward was gelato and a spectacular sunset in Vernazza. The perfect day trip! A long one though as we left Pistoia around 7:30 a.m. and returned around 10 p.m.

10/10/2024

We had such a great day in Florence! We were able to visit and see so much:
- Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
- Chiesa Ognissanti and the amazing Last Supper by Ghirlandaio
- The charming Oltrarno neighborhood
- An amazing trattoria for lunch
- A beautiful property overlooking the Arno
- The Giardino Bardini
- A fun bar for aperitivo

And meet with key business partners.

A productive day of “work” and can’t wait to build it into future itineraries!

10/08/2024

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TRAVELING IN ITALY? CHECK OUT EPISODE 6 TO GET ANSWERS!

This week's episode is dedicated to answering the most frequently asked questions I receive from my clients as their travel advisor.

We’ll discuss the key topics and tips needed to help prepare you for your trip as well as keep you comfortable during your travels.

This includes:
• Booking flights, passports and visa information
• Travel insurance and cell phone readiness
• Cash and credit card advice
• Packing tips, and
• Staying safe and healthy while in Italy

Our goal is to make sure you're ready to have the best travel experience in Italy!

Listen to Episode 6: https://ExperienceItalyWithFriends.podbean.com/e/ep6-faqs/

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode and please support us by sharing it with your network!