In this episode of Italy Answered, Lisa Morales sits down with Sara Digiesi, Chief Executive Officer of BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe, for a conversation on sustainable hospitality, women’s leadership, and Italy’s evolving role on the global stage.

From her roots in southern Italy to leading nearly 185 properties across the country, Sara shares her journey through marketing, distribution, sustainability, and executive leadership. She explains what ESG truly means in hospitality, why “net positive hospitality” requires giving back more than you take, and how leadership must extend beyond profit to people and place.

Together, they discuss:

● What hospitality leadership in Italy looks like today

● The meaning of “net positive hospitality”

● Supporting autistic guests, families, and inclusive travel

● Sustainable growth beyond traditional tourism models

● The evolution of boutique and experiential luxury travel

● What women bring to executive leadership roles

● The emotional experience of carrying the Olympic torch

This episode is part of the Chat with an Expert series and is presented alongside a full, follow-along transcript on Live in Italy Magazine — ideal for readers who prefer to listen and read together.

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 📖 Read the full transcript on Live in Italy Magazine

💛 Support independent storytelling on Patreon

What does it really mean to move to Italy—and find love along the way?

In this episode we sat down with Sara of Sara in Italia and her husband Vincenzo for an honest conversation about moving to Milan, navigating cross-cultural marriage, and building a life abroad beyond the postcard version of La Dolce Vita.

Sara shares her journey from the Midwest to Milan, including studying abroad in Rome, securing a work visa, adjusting to Italian work culture, and the realities of living in Italy as a foreigner. Vincenzo offers the Italian perspective, reflecting on career opportunities, cultural differences, and what it means to build a relationship across languages and traditions.

Together, they talk openly about:

• Moving to Milan for yourself—and finding love along the way

• Cultural differences in marriage and daily life

• Italian work culture versus expectations of La Dolce Vita

• Social media, storytelling, and setting boundaries online

• What foreigners should know before moving to Italy

• What each country gets right—and what’s missed when you leave

This episode is part of the Chat with an Expat series and is presented alongside a full, follow-along transcript on Live in Italy Magazine, making it ideal for non-English speakers and readers who prefer to listen and read together.

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

📖 Read the full transcript on Live in Italy Magazine

💛 Support independent storytelling on Patreon

Navigating Italy’s visa and residency options can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re considering investment, relocation, or retirement abroad. In this episode of Italy Answered, we’re joined by Italian immigration lawyer Marco Bersani, who breaks down Italy’s legal pathways with clarity and approachability.

This conversation goes beyond headlines to explain how Italy’s immigration system works in practice, and who each option is really designed for.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Italy’s Golden Visa (Investor Visa) works and who qualifies
  

• The Elective Residence Visa and why it appeals to retirees and long-term residents
  

• Options for professionals and digital workers relocating to Italy
  

• Why Italy’s public healthcare system is a major factor for foreign residents
  

• Common misconceptions about residency, taxation, and long-term planning
  

Marco’s insights are practical, transparent, and grounded in real client experience, making this episode especially valuable for anyone considering a move to Italy — whether for lifestyle, work, or family reasons.

🔗 Read the full article on Live in Italy Magazine 🎧

If you’ve ever searched for luxury properties in Italy on YouTube, chances are you’ve come across breathtaking villas, castles, and countryside estates presented by Danilo Romolini of Romolini Immobiliare | Christie’s International Real Estate.

In this episode of Italy Answered, we sit down with Danilo to talk about far more than real estate listings. Born and raised in Italy and immersed in his family’s business from a young age, Danilo shares how transparency, trust, and storytelling have shaped one of Italy’s most recognizable luxury real estate brands.

Together, we explore:

• Why most buyers in Italy are motivated by lifestyle and legacy, not short-term investment
  

• What makes regions like Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, and Emilia-Romagna so appealing
  

• How historic villas, castles, and even vineyards function as lifestyle investments
  

• The role of digital platforms like YouTube in building global trust with international buyers
  

• What foreign buyers should know about mortgages, pricing, and accessibility in Italy
  

Whether you’re dreaming of a future move, curious about buying property abroad, or simply want an inside look at Italy’s luxury real estate market, this conversation offers honest insight and long-term perspective.

🔗 Read the full article on liveinitalymag.com/

Fifth-generation Barolo winemaker Sara Vezza of Josetta Saffirio joins Italy Answered from the rolling hills of Piemonte’s Langhe. In this episode, Sara shares her journey from hands-on learning in the vineyards to leading one of Italy’s most admired sustainable wineries.

She opens up about family heritage, the challenges of being a woman in wine, and why sustainability at Josetta Saffirio is more than a goal—it’s a way of life. We also explore how changing tastes among younger generations are shaping the future of Italian wine, the art behind Barolo “1948,” and the powerful balance between motherhood and leadership.

🎧 Read the full article in Live in Italy Magazine’s 2nd Annual Wine Guide: https://liveinitalymag.com 💛 Support our storytelling: https://www.patreon.com/liveinitalymag

Elizabeth Graceffo of My Italian Decor joins us from California to celebrate Italian American Heritage Month. A granddaughter of Sicilian immigrants, Elizabeth grew up surrounded by family, food, and traditions that shaped her identity.

In this episode, she shares how gatherings around the table influenced her values, how years living in Florence deepened her connection to Italy, and how she turned her love of craftsmanship into a business bringing Murano glass, leather, ceramics, and more to the U.S.

We also explore the challenges facing Venetian artisans today, why buying with love matters more than trends or price, and what’s next for My Italian Decor.

🎧 Read the full article here: https://liveinitalymag.com 💛 Love what we do? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/liveinitalymag

Risa and Tanner of the popular YouTube channel Our Story to Tell join us from Vicenza, Italy, to share their journey of raising two young daughters abroad. High school sweethearts turned global travelers, they’ve lived in Germany, Japan, and now Italy — navigating cultural transitions, language learning, and the realities of expat life as a family.

In this episode, we explore what inspired them to leave the U.S., how their daughters are growing up bilingual (and even multilingual), and the challenges and rewards of moving abroad with children. Risa and Tanner also open up about their YouTube journey, balancing online storytelling with family privacy, and what’s next for their life in Veneto.

🎧 Read the full article here: https://liveinitalymag.com

💛 Love what we do? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/liveinitalymag

Chef Mirko D’Agata joins us from Montreal to talk about his journey from Turin (Torino)—with Sicilian roots—to becoming one of the world’s top pizzaioli. In this episode, we explore his love of fermentation, the values behind true Neapolitan pizza, and how No. 900 became a culinary benchmark in Canada and beyond. This is Part 2 of Live in Italy Magazine’s “Finding the Canadian Dream” feature as part of Italian Heritage Month.

Mirko shares his AVPN experience, why marinara pizza is a test of skill, and how he’s shaping the next generation of pizzaioli through education and tradition.

🎧 Read the full article here: https://liveinitalymag.com

 💛 Love what we do? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/liveinitalymag

Chef Daniele Corona joins us from Toronto to share his journey from Naples to the heights of Canada’s culinary scene. In this episode, we explore how Daniele became the only Italian chef in Canada to earn Michelin stars at two different restaurants—most recently for his own DaNico.

From early memories with his nonna to his commitment to sustainability, Daniele opens up about guest experience, culinary identity, and what it means to truly represent Italy abroad. This is Part 1 of Live in Italy Magazine’s “Finding the Canadian Dream” series for Italian Heritage Month.

🎧 Read the full article here.

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Author John Bersani joins us from Tuscany to share his journey from upstate New York to the heart of Chianti. In this episode, John reflects on growing up Italian American, building friendships in Gaiole, and the inspiration behind his new cookbook-memoir 20 Amici, 40 Ricette.

We explore what it means to live authentically between two cultures, the joys (and realities) of small-town Italian life, and how food becomes a powerful connector across generations and borders.

🎧 Read the full article here.

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