Special guest Manuel Maiese joins the Italian Life team talking about the wonders of seeing Tuscany to the Ligurian Sea from the mountains above. Maneul, of Wild Trails, is hosting our Jaw Dropping Hikes week April 24-30 including the amazingly fun, local, walking celebration of Marce della Villa! News of the day about efforts to stop overtourism, Is it Real or Ai, and so much more.

With our hub so close to Viareggio, home to one of the best Carnevale festivals in all of Italy, we danced and dodged our way through the festivities to give you the pros and cons and the insider tips on how to make this amazing festival, a bucket list item that you won't miss next year. And the funniest Is it Real or AI ever? You be the judge! Listen in.

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.