Experience Italy with Friends is a travel and lifestyle podcast where we will explore our favorite destinations and hidden gems, share key travel tips and cultural insights, and provide real-time updates about our new life in this remarkable country.
Join Italy travel expert, Tanya Raso, and her Italian husband and producer, Davide Raso, on a journey that is sure to inspire you and prepare you to create immersive and authentic experiences of your own in beautiful Italy.
Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and learn how we can help bring your Italian dream trip to life at www.amicivacations.com.
When you picture a trip to Italy, chances are you’re thinking about Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany and all the places you want to explore. But what about simply going to the beach?
After a busy summer and fall, we escaped to Porto Venere for a few days by the water and managed to squeeze in one final beach day of the season. It got us thinking about just how different a beach vacation in Italy can be.
In this episode, we’re talking about:
The many different kinds of beaches you’ll find around Italy
Where to go for a true beach vacation, a coastal escape or a little beach time within a bigger Italy trip
How Italians “do” the beach and how beach clubs actually work
When to go and what to expect during and outside peak beach season
Whether you’re dreaming of Sardinia, the Tuscan coast, Puglia, Calabria or simply a few hours by the sea, we’ll help you think about what kind of beach experience fits your next Italian adventure.
3 Sept 2026
EP41 Renovating an Historic Palazzo in Tuscany
Buying and renovating a historic home in Tuscany sounds pretty romantic. And parts of it absolutely have been. But behind the dream are contractors, permits, crooked walls, plumbing surprises, long lead times, countless decisions and a whole lot of patience.
After months of planning and renovation, we’re finally living in our historic palazzo in Montepulciano, and in this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of the entire experience.
We talk about how our idea of the perfect Tuscan home evolved, what we learned about buying and renovating in Italy, the realities of working with historic buildings and local trades, and how the palazzo itself influenced the final design. We also share the unexpected business idea that came out of the experience for Davide.
Whether you’re dreaming of buying a home in Italy, contemplating a renovation of your own, or simply curious about what it really takes to turn the Tuscan dream into reality, this episode is an honest look at the adventure behind the romance.
Because the dream may be romantic... but getting there is definitely a story.
23 Jun 2026
EP40 Italian for Travelers
In this episode, we're doing something a little different and sharing some practical Italian for travelers.
You absolutely do not need to speak fluent Italian to have an amazing trip to Italy. But learning a few words and phrases can help you feel more confident, make everyday situations easier, and often lead to warmer and more meaningful interactions along the way.
We talk through:
Why learning a little Italian can enrich your trip
Basic pronunciation tips to help you sound out words with confidence
Essential phrases for cafés, restaurants, shopping, transportation, and pharmaciesHelpful communication and emergency phrases
And some of the cultural nuances that make knowing when to use a phrase just as important as knowing the words themselves
But most importantly, we hope this episode shows that you don't need perfect Italian to connect with people and enjoy your time in Italy. A few words, a smile, and a willingness to make an effort can go a surprisingly long way.
Resources:
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If you’re looking for expert advice or assistance in creating your own immersive and authentic experience in Italy, visit us at www.amicivacations.com or send us an email at info@amicivacations.com.
If you're interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast, contact us at info@amicivacations.com.
Published and produced by Avalanche Sound Productions.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
17 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
34
Social presence
94
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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