Rita Cipalla is a journalist whose work has appeared in many prestigious publications. Looking for a city with a vibrant cultural vibe, she moved to Seattle from Washington DC in the 1990’s and launched her business, Cipalla Communications. Working  primarily with nonprofits, she uses simple, clear language and storytelling techniques to communicate her client’s message. Rita continues her work as a freelance journalist and contributes feature stories to various publications, including L'Italo-Americano and Washington State's History Link. 

A few years ago Rita began searching for her Italian heritage on her father’s side which led her to the small but historically important town in southeast Sicily, Palazzolo Acreide. She shares her journey with us in this episode of Italy Inside Out.

Cipalla Communications, https://cipalla.com/http://www.italoamericano.org/
Washington History Link, https://www.historylink.org
Perugia Sister City Organization, https://seattle-perugia.org/
L’Italo-Americano, http://www.italoamericano.org/

Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

Paola Messana was a successful international journalist living in many of the world's largest cities.  When she retired, she found her way to a small village in Sardegna where she bought and renovated a house into a B&B.  She then purchased a small farm outside of the town with olive and fruit trees and a view over the Mediterranean Sea.  She has discovered a sense of peacefulness and serenity caring for her farm and recommends such a life to others. Paola has Russian and Italian heritage and so it is not surprising that she feels at home in an Italian village where many Russian people have vacation residences.

Paola Messana's Contact Information:  [email protected]
Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) presents Cinema Italian Style every year at this time. This year, because of the pandemic, the festival will be virtual which has brought a whole new set of production challenges for SIFF. During the festival, new films are shown by established film makers and the debut of new film makers. This engaging interview with Beth Barrett, Artistic Director for SIFF, discloses the history of the organization and the changes made throughout its 47 year existence, the emergence of the Italian film festival, the search for new films each year and a synopsis of some of her favorites in this year's lineup.

SIFF, Cinema Italian Style:  https://www.siff.net/year-round-cinema/film-festivals/cinema-italian-style

Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

When Sandra Schmidig and her husband, Ulisse, left Switzerland to search for a warm place to produce organic food, they were told to look in the Val d'Orcia area of Tuscany.  In this picturesque area they found a farmer ready to retire who had 200 acres to sell at a price they could afford. With his mentoring and their hard work, the farm grew from one chicken and one sheep into an amazing agricultural endeavor that includes a restaurant, olive groves, vineyards, many farm animals and fields of ancient grain. They produce honey, olive oil, wine, pasta, goat and sheep milk cheeses. They also offer cooking classes, truffle hunts and camping accommodations. The latest project is a cookbook soon available for sale on the website.

Podere il Casale:  https://podereilcasale.com/en/

Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

Tony La Stella is a classically trained singer and accomplished musician and entertainer.  He is also one of the hosts of the Northwest Italian Radio Show, bringing entertaining and informative Italian topics to their listeners. Tony tells us about his musical career from  musical theatre and opera to his current stage performances with his band.  Be sure to listen to the end of the episode for a special musical treat!

The Northwest Italian Radio Show, www.WCIR.biz
Tony's contact information: www.TonyLaStella.com  or [email protected]
Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

Marta Cucchia fell in love with the traditional techniques of Umbrian hand weaving and has continued to carry on this historic craft, which three generations of women in her family before her have kept alive. Her great grandmother, Giuditta Brozzetti, started the studio in 1921 in Perugia and now, under Marta's care, it is one of the last in Umbria to practice and promote this age-old craft. Marta describes her techniques, the motifs and types of looms she uses and the 13th century church in which her studio is located.

The Giuditta Brozzetti studio website: www.brozzetti.com
Marta Cucchia's email: [email protected]

Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

The Podcast host, Andrea Aldrich tells about a special town in Sardegna, Italy. She was introduced to this village by her two guests, Megan Hastings and Adam Cone, who took a leap of faith several years ago and bought a little stone house in the town of Cuglieri without seeing it in person first. They describe the unconventional way they found the house. The three of them share stories and insights about the town, its citizens, the beauty of the location and its unique characteristics.

Snapdragon Restaurant, Vashon Island WA, 206-463-1310, vashonsnapdragon.com
Wild Mermaid, Vashon Island, WA, 206-408-7424, facebook

Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

Marzia Caputo grew up in the Veneto town of Vicenza. Her mother and father met in Vicenza when her mother left Calabria to begin a business in a less Mafia dominated region. Marzia describes her favorite sites in her town and the surrounding region and shares stories of growing up in Vicenza, meeting an American who became her husband and her transition to life in the USA.

The antique poem Marzia recited:
Veneziani gran signori 
Padovani gran dottori
Veronesi tutti matti
Vicentini magna gatti 

Marzia's email: [email protected]
Northwest Italian Radio Show: https://1150kknw.com/show/italian-radio-show/
Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

Chris Zimmerman is well known for his knowledge of Italian wines. In this episode he shares the stories and experiences he gained traversing the Italian peninsula representing wines from many regions of Italy. From Piedmont to Puglia, Friuli to Sardegna and all regions between, Chris knows the grapes grown and the wines produced. We also learn of the history of wine production in Italy and an explanation of the Italian classification system for Italian wines.

Chris's email: [email protected]
Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected] or [email protected]

Giuseppe Muziarelli tells us about the history of his hometown, Contignano, located in the iconic area of Tuscany, known as the Val d'Orcia. His family has farmed this land for several generations and he and his wife Paola have converted unused farmhouses into lodging in order to turn the property into the lovely agriturismo, La Montalla. Giuseppe traces the history of his town to the middle ages as a stop on the pilgrim's route to Rome and the Holy Lands. He describes the crops grown on his organic farm and the resulting products of pasta and olive oil.

The agriturismo, La Montalla: lamontalla.com
Giuseppe's email: [email protected]
Podcast Sponsor: Travel in Italia, leading small group tours on the mainland and islands of Italy, http://www.travelinitalia.com, [email protected]