Total Tuscany

Episode 15: Restoring Tuscany

Tuscany is home to magnificent landscapes and historic villas and hamlets.  Restoring these centuries old masterpieces is no easy task.

In this Total Tuscany podcast you will meet Fulvio Di Rosa, an architect and developer who is restoring Tuscany with great passion and a vision that respects and honors the past.

Exclusive to Tuscany for the last twenty years, Fulvio is working with famed American author Frances Mayes. 
After hearing him describe his work and his passion, you'll understand Frances would select him to take on the restoration of her second home in Cortona. 

Have you ever wanted to own property in Tuscany? It's easier that you think thanks to Fulvio's masterpiece, Borgo di Vagli.  This 14th century medieval hamlet has been restored and now offers fractional ownership for lovers of Tuscany from all over the world.  

Restoring Tuscany is no easy task, it takes time, it takes patience, it take vision and most of all it take a man like Fulvio Di Rosa.   

Episode 14: Packing For Tuscany or Any Travel Adventure

Let's be honest with ourselves, the most stressful part of a big trip is not the planning, it's not the airport connections, it's not even the language barriers.  No, it's PACKING for the trip that can lead to sleepless nights and anxiety attacks.  How much should I bring? How much will I be bringing back?  Is my suitcase over 50 pounds!  

Anne McAlpin is a packing expert!  She is our guest on this weeks Total Tuscany podcast. Anne knows her stuff!  Her advice, don't stuff just anything into your suitcase.  If you make a plan you can lighten your load considerably! How trusted is Anne in the packing world?  Well she's been on Oprah, HGTV, CNN, The View and now the Total Tuscany podcast!  

After listening to Anne, you will no longer need to stress about what to pack and how much to pack. If you remember to pack light, then you will remember to pack right!  Remember as you start to pack for your next trip, you can never bring too little, 9 times out of 10 if you really need something you can find it where you are going, even Tuscany!

Episode 13:Renting A Villa In Tuscany

We are pretty opinionated when it comes to picking a place to stay when traveling to Tuscany.  Stay out of the hotels!  Immerse yourself into the culture by renting a vacation home or apartment.

We've a had great luck renting from Parker Villas, the company has been around of 21 years and rents 1st class properties all over Italy, not just Tuscany. Renting a home sight unseen can be a bit nerve racking but in this conversation with Mario Scalzi, the founder of Parker Villas, you will feel a lot more comfortable making the decision.  

Listening to this podcast you will hear Mario discuss:

• The trust factor when renting a villa
• Advantages and disadvantages to villa rental
• What questions to ask before renting
• Cost savings vs. a hotel
• What size of group is perfect for villa rental

You'll be inspired, you'll be motivated and you'll be ready to start planning that first or next trip after hearing how passionate Mario is about all the properties his company represents.  

Episode 12: Rick Zullo

When it comes blog's about Italy, Rick Zullo is a pretty famous guy!  His blog, Rick's Rome was recently named best living in Italy blog by Italy Magazine.

Rick's been camped out in Rome for the last four years.  He met his wife there and he's developed quite a career as a writer, in fact you can purchase some of his kindle books on this page, after hearing him you'll understand why they are fun reads!

Rick is not all about Rome, right now he's on a blog tour.  Let's be honest that's a fancy way to call a vacation that is going to last a month!  One of his most recent stops was in Tuscany and that's where Pat and I caught up with him.  In this episode of the Total Tuscany podcast, you'll hear Rick talk about:

• His life before Italy
• The two Tuscany's he has experienced
• To take a guide or not take a guide when exploring Tuscany
• His books
• His blog tour
• Tips on the expat life

Rick is fun and engaging and living the dream life of an American living abroad.  After hearing him today you will be visiting his website religiously.

Please leave us some comments about his podcast or any other, your feedback is important to us!

Espisode 11: The Fight For Airfare

Unless you are just loaded with a lot of money, most--if not all of us are looking for the best possible deal when it comes to finding flights to Tuscany.   As I write this, flights to Florence and Pisa are outrageous!  I feel like taking a shot of Grappa every time I see the price flash up on my computer screen. 

In this weeks Total Tuscany podcast we turn to expertise of George Hobica, President and founder of AirfareWatchdog.com.  His insight and advice will be beneficial for those of you who are in the planning stages of your next trip. We discuss:

• Using "Alternative" Airports"
• The benefit of email alerts
• Is there a magic number
• A long layover for a better deal isn't all bad
• The best days to fly
• Does "searching" a lot increase your price and how often to search
• Peak, shoulder and down times to fly

Remember, if you are looking for the "best" deal you are going to have to be flexible!  Our advice, have dollar amount in mind that you want to spend, if you find it, buy it!  We would love hear you tips for for finding the best deal, tell us in by leaving a comment!

Episode 10: Gelato Festival 2014

Gelato was born in Florence and quickly spread throughout Italy.  Tempting the taste buds of Italians and tourists for centuries.  Visit Florence today and you will be hard pressed to walk 500 feet and not see 10 to 20 different flavors staring at you through the windows of one of the many gelato shops. Good thing you walk a lot in Italy, it takes the guilt away!

When you visit Italy, food will consume a  major portion of your trip, you will find that a scoop of gelato will be a daily occurrence.  Italian gelato makers take great pride in their creamy creations, from the variety of flavors to the presentation.  This pride turns into fierce competition.

Starting May 1st in Florence, it's the 2014 Gelato Festival!  This year, the festival will take place all summer long moving to other cities in Italy and Europe.  In today's Total Tuscany podcast you meet the creator of the Gelato Festival, Gabriele Poli where he discusses:

• The History of Gelato
• The criteria of competition
• Taste and Presentation
• Gelato vs. American ice cream

How may people go to the Gelato Festival?  How much gelato is there in Italy?  Listen to Gabriele and the numbers may astonish you!

Episode 9: 500 Touring Club

There are tours to take when your go to Tuscany... And then there are ADVENTURES!

The 500 Touring Club offers visitors to Tuscany an experience of a lifetime, an afternoon driving around in a classic Fiat 500!  Is there anything really more Italian than that?  We don't think so!

In this episode of the Total Tuscany Podcast you will meet Andrea Rashbrook, an Australian expat who found her husband in Florence and a business that provides lasting memories.  In our conversation we cover many topics like:

• How old is the Company
• The personality of each car
• Types of tours and excursions
• The driving experience (double-clutch)
• Price structure for each adventure offered

After listening to the podcast, watch the videos below to get to see the pure joy will experience when you take in the unique Italian experience in Tuscany.

Going to Tuscany soon?  Contact Andrea today and make sure to set up your driving experience!

Episode 8: Exploring Pisa And Beyond

I happened to find Martina Manfredi on Twitter and started exploring her website, www.tuscanyatheart.it. I knew when when I watched her promotional video that she would be a great interview, who opens with a White  Stripes song? Super Cool!

We are guilty of, as I am sure a lot of tourists to Tuscany are of not spending enough time in or appreciating Pisa the way it should be.  The city doesn't get the same amount of respect as Florence, Siena or even its close neighbor Lucca.  It's "Leaning Tower" and move on.

In this episode of the Total Tuscany Podcast, Martina takes takes us on a tour of Pisa, beyond the Leaning Tower.  Here are a few things you will hear about:

• Travis makes a confession to Martina about all his trips to Tuscany
• There is more to the tower and its surroundings than just the "leaning" part
• Martina's business as a private tour guide
• Exploring smaller villages outside of Pisa

Martina is engaging and enthusiastic about her home and here knowledge is something you can tap into as you plan your first or next trip to Tuscany.  Enjoy the conversation!

#007: Too Much Tuscany

Is there such a thing as Too Much Tuscany?  If you ask us, no!  But in this episode of the Total Tuscany podcast, Valentina Dainelli explains the name of he blog, Too Much Tuscany.

Valentina was born and raised in Tuscany but also spent time in New York and London.  She tells us traveling and living abroad was nice but returning to home is where she finds peace, happiness and an her inspiration to tell her stories. In this episode you will hear about:

• The meaning behind Too Much Tuscany
• Where to go... Off the beaten path so so say
• Tuscany may be small but how much have we really seen?
• Should you take the train, bus or rent a car when traveling through Tuscany?
• What is the most overrated place in Tuscany?

Valentina's personality is refreshing!  Her knowledge of Tuscany will inspire you as  you plan your first or next trip.  Hit play, close your eyes, sit back and let Valentina take you away to Tuscany!

#006: Learning To Speak Italian

Travis and Pat have a secret to tell you, neither of them can speak Italian!  Sure they know a couple of words and phrases but not enough to hold a conversation or ask really important questions.  Learning a new language is kind of like a weight loss program or an exercise regimen, you start with good intentions but quit when you don't get the results you are looking for.  

In this episode of the "Total Tuscany" podcast, you will meet Cher Hale, the creator of the "Iceberg Project".  It's Cher's platform for us to learn to speak Italian that is fun and with a community. When you hear Cher's voice you will know right away that she is passionate about the Italian language, culture and people.  In this episode you will hear about:

• The Iceberg Project
• Key steps you need to take to learn a new language
• Free online language courses
• Starting An Italian Language Group
• Cher's opinion (and ours) on Rosetta Stone
• The 31 Day Challenge To Learning Italian
• Cher's ideal day in Italy
• Much, much more

Links and programs Cher talks about in this podcast include:

• Memrise
• Duolingo
• italki
• Mango Languages
• Studentessa matta

Travis and Pat are both going to take Cher's 31 Day Learn Italian Challenge and encourage you to take the challenge with us!  Enjoy the podcast and please share it with your friends!