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Riccardo and Andrew welcome Simone, co-owner of Bella Touring Tuscany to dive into the myths and realities of over-tourism and whether Americans are less welcome in Italy than before. We help you navigate and give great ideas for how to plan your next vacation. Word of the day, News of the day and Simone takes her first shot at "Is It Real or AI?" Listen in!

Well we don't get to all five of them, but lively conversation here about how to plan (and not plan) you're next Italian adventure. Check out our free guide to unlock Tuscany and avoid all five of these mistakes here: https://unlocktuscany.com/ Iole and Andrew banter about the best small airports, what's real and what's AI and of course, the word of the day! Listen in.

We all agree: Umbria has the "it" quality. Want to know more about it? Listen in! We have some fun with Is it Real or AI, news o of the day and word of the day. If you want to discover Umbria, this is it!

Wrapping up the holiday season, we take a look back at the famous rom-com and debate the merits of house swapping as a method for an Italian Adventure. Pro or con? Riccardo and Andrew are joined by Pisan Chemist Iole to hash it out. Learn the difference between Prendere and Adare and of course, play "Is it Real or AI?" Listen in!

Does the bella vita really exist? How much is marketing and how much is something you can really embrace and experience? The phrase, "well, that's Sh*taly" exists for a reason. Our guest is Chris, an American expat raising two daughters in Italy and is about to launch a podcast called Shitaly, where the love for Italy is balanced with the reality of living here. For those dreaming of living here one day, and even for those who realy do... this fun look at the complexities may resonate or even enlighten. This is your turn to Play Is it Real or AI! Do we have our first celebrity endorsement? Listen and vote!

Riccardo is back, and Andrew revisits his obsession with Sardinia, the focus of a podcast earlier this season. That podcast was the first that we “planned” Andrew's trip on air. Now Riccardo and Andrew break down the travel plans, the goals and if the dream of Sardinia was matched by the reality. We have our first video Is it Real or AI! Check it out on instagram. News of the day and so much more.

Lucca is tops in Tuscany for tourist growth, according to recent statistics. Come here once and you'll see why. But we talk about how to explore the city off the main street and the same tours of the same seven places that every tour takes you on. With Artful Italia Founder Sheri Doyle, we talk about the truly unique adventures that await. We even have a new audio tour, just for art and shopping (and some really good snacks as well). As always we have "Is It Real or AI?" -- news of the day (Party at the Pope's house!) and so much more.

Restauranteur, food writer and self-described "cook" Stefano joins the Italian Life crew to talk about the passions and obsessions of Italians with food. Just what is "Italian" cooking? Butter in Cacio e Pepe?! NO! No? We cover it all. More is it Real or AI, news of the day and so much more.

Special guest, world traveler, writer, musician and more, Alan Gaskill joins the show talking about how to dive into the experiences of Italy when you come here. Talking all things Italy to help get your mind in the right place a truly make memories that last a lifetime. Real or AI is back! News of the day? Nobody wants to come to the US... but are Americans facing backlash abroad? We'll talk about it all and more.

Lucca is like a new pop single, climbing the charts of "must-see" tourist destinations. Every day we see the streams of tourists wandering in and out, while missing the essence of what makes Lucca such a magical, mystical, historic town. Two locals join me talking all things Lucca. We'll give you the inside information about things you'll see if you use our first audio tour. Tips for restaurants, Puccini gossip, walk where Julius Caesar did and of course, we'll argue about gelato. It's impossible not to. Check it out here if you're coming to Lucca or already here: https://italianlife.co/audio-tour/ Listen in and we'll it like it is!

We're back! Season 4. So many new things happening, some we tease and some we dive in. None more interesting than a chance to experience the Olive Harvest in Tuscany this year with us. Meanwhile, we're talking about "God's Influencer," playing "Is it Real or is it AI?" and a new word of the day. Listen in!

The sun is out, rains have mostly moved on and the beaches are opening up! But we've got our eyes on the island of Sardegna! Christina talks about her experience doing a photography shoot in the posh area of Olbio and Costa Smeralda, while Andrew lets us in the research he's done on turning the island into a weekend getaway from Tuscany. Is this his Italian versin of "Going to the Hamptons?" News of the day, "Is it Real or AI?" and so much more. Listen in!

Special Guest Sheri Doyle, founder of Artful Italia, joins Christina and Andrew to talk about what "Made it Italy" really means and how you can experience it first-hand. We check in on the new citizenship laws that make it much harder for "American Diaspora" wanting to live here (we didn't know such a thing existed!?). Wine Windows, Is it Real or AI, who wins? and so much more. Listen in!

The Nasone – ubiquitous water fountains in many cities and towns, so named because they look like a "big nose" — are a source of constant curiosity for tourists, especially when the water just runs out freely as some still do. Where is that water coming from?! In Lucca the locals bring their bottles to fill out and take home. Why so special? We've got your answers and much of what you read online is well, wrong! We've also got tips on a beautiful hike along the historic Acquedotto Nottolini that leaves the La Mura and ends up in the hills, or even in Pisa for those that like to adventure (and walk a long way!). "Is it real or AI?" is back, as is our news of the day and word of the day! Listen in!

We're getting into the height of tourist season, so if the Cinque Terre is a "must-see" (and we get it... it's worth it!)... then you need this ultimate guide! We tell you how to get there, how to experience the beauty, and most importantly how to navigate the big crowds and still have a dream vacation. Appropriately our News of the Day is on Over Tourism in Italy! Riccardo tries to win "Is it Real or is it AI?" and as always, a relevant Word of the Day. Listen in!