The Italy Travel Podcast - An Only A Bag Podcast

We're off the beaten path again in this episode and we're talking about the Amphitheatre of Capua. This amphitheater dates back to the first century BCE and was the site of the first gladiator school. We'll tell you about everything from the massive size a classic shape of the amphitheater that was the model for the Coliseum to the civil war that ultimately destroyed a significant part of it.

A lot of the Amphitheatre of Capua still stands and you can visit it today! Check out the Ministry of Culture website, cultura.gov.it, for tickets to the Amphitheater, the Gladiator Museum, Mithraeum, and National Archaeological Museum of Ancient Capua. As of April 2026, when this episode publishes, the Archaeological Museum is temporarily closed for renovations.

Capua and the city of city of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, where the amphitheater and other sites are located, is an easy day-trip from Naples. If you're looking for hotels in Naples, here are our recommendations. These are affiliated links, we are not employed by these businesses, if you use our affiliate links, we will receive a small commission.

Starhotels Terminus: near the station Expedia | Booking

Palazzo Caracciolo Naples: historic center Expedia | Booking

Art Resort Galleria Umberto: Spanish Quarter Expedia | Booking

Pinto Storey Hotel: in Chiaia ⁠Expedia⁠ | ⁠Booking⁠

As mentioned in this episode, we'll be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast" as well as our podcast cover art in about 2 weeks. Plus we started a Patreon! To learn more about these changes you can listen to our "⁠⁠⁠Fireside Chat episode⁠⁠⁠" and you can check out our Patreon here, ⁠⁠patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcast⁠⁠⁠!

If you'd like to support us by using affiliate links, but don't have the time to hunt them down, we have put them all in one place! Head over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.onlyabag.com/affiliate-links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and you can see all of the companies we have partnerships with and you can use them to support Only A Bag (which we deeply appreciate). 

If you'd like to support the podcast in other ways, you can donate to Only a Bag on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and follow Only a Bag wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can send us a message on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks for listening! 

xDarcy and Nathaniel

We're back and we're off the beaten path again! Today we're talking about the ancient landfill-turned-mountain of Monte Testaccio in Rome's Testaccio neighborhood. What awaits you at the top are beautiful views of Rome, the sense of accomplishment that you've scaled a pile of trash, and underfoot—all along the way—you'll see carefully broken pottery, neatly stacked and placed to create paths, walls, and the entirety of the mountain you're standing on.

To book and for more information, you can visit: https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/monte-dei-cocci

If you're looking to book a hotel in Rome, we recommend the three below for their location and safety. These are affiliate links, and while we don't represent any of the companies listed, we do recieve a small commission which goes towards supporting Only A Bag. We appreciate your support! 

Palazzo Cardinal Cesi: Expedia | Booking

Trastevere Roma | UNA Esperienze: Expedia | Booking

Palazzo Montemartini Rome: Expedia | Booking

As mentioned in this episode, we'll be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast" as well as our podcast cover art in about 2 weeks. Plus we started a Patreon! To learn more about these changes you can listen to our "⁠⁠⁠Fireside Chat episode⁠⁠⁠" and you can check out our Patreon here, ⁠⁠patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcast⁠⁠⁠!

If you'd like to support us by using affiliate links, but don't have the time to hunt them down, we have put them all in one place! Head over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.onlyabag.com/affiliate-links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and you can see all of the companies we have partnerships with and you can use them to support Only A Bag (which we deeply appreciate). 

If you'd like to support the podcast in other ways, you can donate to Only a Bag on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and follow Only a Bag wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can send us a message on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks for listening! 

xDarcy and Nathaniel

In this episode we're continuing our revisit of Siena. We run a little long on talking about what to eat, but if you've listened to this podcast before, then you know that's nothing new! If you're new here, "welcome!" we love food and talk about it a lot. We also talk about some of the major sites to see in Siena and few off the beaten path ones as well.

If you're looking for more info about the sites we mention in this episode, you can check out their official links here:

Duomo di Siena (the Cathedral of Siena) operaduomo.siena.it

Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia

Website: museocivico.comune.siena.it

Tickets: operalaboratori.vivaticket.it

Santa Maria della Scala Museum santamariadellascala.com

Bottini di Siena siena.b-ticket.com -This is a link to the ticket office of the commune di Siena, where you can purchase tickets to the Bottini di Siena as well as the Santa Maria della Scala Museum and civic museums as well as a condo ticket.

Accademia Musicale Chigiana (Academy of Music) chigiana.org

If you're looking for hotels in Siena, you can check out our hotel recommendations below. These are affiliate links and if you book through them we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Villa Elda Boutique Hotel - San Prospero Neighborhood ⁠Expedia⁠ | ⁠Booking⁠

Palazzo Ravizza - Castelvecchio Neighborhood ⁠Expedia⁠ | ⁠Booking⁠

B&B Il Corso - Centro/Historic Center ⁠Expedia⁠ | ⁠Booking⁠

Residenza d'epoca San Martino 29 - Leocorno Neighborhood ⁠Expedia⁠ | ⁠Booking⁠

Hotel Italia - Porta Camollia ⁠Expedia⁠ | ⁠Booking⁠

Borgo Grondaie - near the train station (convenient if you have a car) ⁠Expedia ⁠| ⁠Booking⁠

As mentioned in this episode, we'll be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast" as well as our podcast cover art in about 3 weeks. Plus we started a Patreon! To learn more about these changes you can listen to our "⁠⁠Fireside Chat episode⁠⁠" and you can check out our Patreon here, ⁠patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcast⁠⁠!

If you'd like to support us by using affiliate links, but don't have the time to hunt them down, we have put them all in one place! Head over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.onlyabag.com/affiliate-links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and you can see all of the companies we have partnerships with and you can use them to support Only A Bag (which we deeply appreciate). 

If you'd like to support the podcast in other ways, you can donate to Only a Bag on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and follow Only a Bag wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can send us a message on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks for listening! 

xDarcy and Nathaniel

We last talked about Siena almost 2 years ago, so we thought what better to talk about during this rainy period than a city famously under the Tuscan sun? In this episode, we go over the basics of getting there on trains, buses, or by car, getting around (mostly walking in historic center), and the best neighborhoods to stay in.

If you're looking for hotels in Siena, you can check out our hotel recommendations below. These are affiliate links and if you book through them we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

Villa Elda Boutique Hotel - San Prospero Neighborhood Expedia | Booking

Palazzo Ravizza - Castelvecchio Neighborhood Expedia | Booking

B&B Il Corso - Centro/Historic Center Expedia | Booking

Residenza d'epoca San Martino 29 - Leocorno Neighborhood Expedia | Booking

Hotel Italia - Porta Camollia Expedia | Booking

Borgo Grondaie - near the train station (convenient if you have a car) Expedia | Booking

As mentioned in this episode, we'll be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast" as well as our podcast cover art in about 3 weeks. Plus we started a Patreon! To learn more about these changes you can listen to our "⁠Fireside Chat episode⁠" and you can check out our Patreon here, patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcast⁠!

If you'd like to support us by using affiliate links, but don't have the time to hunt them down, we have put them all in one place! Head over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.onlyabag.com/affiliate-links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and you can see all of the companies we have partnerships with and you can use them to support Only A Bag (which we deeply appreciate). 

If you'd like to support the podcast in other ways, you can donate to Only a Bag on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and follow Only a Bag wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can send us a message on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks for listening! 

xDarcy and Nathaniel

Today's episode is a sort of kitchen sink of news. We're talking about some things happening in Italy that may seem worrying from the Hepatitis A outbreak in Naples to two unrelated explosions in Rome. We also have an update on the Teatro Sannazaro after the fire and we'll take a look at rising gas prices.

In happy news, Only a Bag is having a glow-up! We'll be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast" as well as our podcast cover art in about 4 weeks. Plus we started a Patreon! To learn more about these changes you can listen to our "Fireside Chat episode" and you can check out our Patreon here, patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcast!

If you'd like to support us by using affiliate links, but don't have the time to hunt them down scattered across the website, a listener suggested (thank you!) putting them all in one place, so we have! Head over to ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.onlyabag.com/affiliate-links⁠⁠⁠⁠ and you can see all of the companies we have partnerships with and you can use them to support Only A Bag (which we deeply appreciate). 

If you'd like to support the podcast in other ways, you can donate to Only a Bag on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and follow Only a Bag wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can send us a message on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠

Thanks for listening! 

xDarcy and Nathaniel

In this episode we're talking about upcoming strikes at the end of March through April 2026. Listed below are links for more information on strikes from official websites.

We're also talking abut the recent Constitutional Referendum that has been the talk-of-the-town (and country) in the last week. We'll give you a brief explainer on what it was and how it has affected Italy.

In other headline news, we will be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast"! We're doing our best to give you all a heads up so the name and Podcast cover (the little tile that you click find our show) will change in about four weeks.

We also now have a Patreaon! You can join for free or with one of our paid tiers. Check it out at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcast

To learn more about it and why we've decided to have this glow-up you can listen to our Fireside Chat episode that came out just before this one.

If you'd like more information about strikes at the end of March and in April of 2026, you can click the links below for each striking transport company's official website.

Milan ATM.it

Naples EAVSRL.it

Turin torino.arriva.it

Puglia FSEonline.it

If you'd like to support us by using affiliate links, but don't have the time to hunt them down scattered across the website, a listener suggested (thank you!) putting them all in one place, so we have! Head over to ⁠⁠⁠www.onlyabag.com/affiliate-links⁠⁠⁠ and you can see all of the companies we have partnerships with and you can use them to support Only A Bag (which we deeply appreciate). If you'd like to support the podcast in other ways, you can donate to Only a Bag on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and follow Only a Bag wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can send us a message on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠

Thanks for listening! 

xDarcy and Nathaniel

How else to better announce a name change (and minor updates) than an episode dedicated to it?

That's right, a name change! In 4~ weeks, on April 22nd (Earth day, woohoo!) we will officially change our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast". But before we did so, we wanted everyone to have a chance to familiarize themselves with the new name, check out this episode, and even offer their feedback if there's something we missed!

You can check out our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcast

You also might notice it has the new "Podcast Art"! While this is nearly finalized—there are a few little details we wanted to add—we were too excited not to share it with you all!

As always, thank you all so much for listening and being part of this exciting community!

xDarcy and Nathaniel

PS. And fret not! This is not the episode for today. Today, we're talking about Headlines, so go check out the Headlines episode that published just after this!

This week we're in the Cilento, on Wednesday we talked about the Certosa di San Lorenzo di Padula, today we're talking about the medieval town of Teggiano.

In this episode, we're talking about everything from Teggiano's origins in the 11th century and the drama filled Conspiracy of the Barons in the 15th century to the city's modern day charm. We'll also tell you about the practicalities of getting there. We're in southern Italy where public transportation is limited, but that means unique experiences are in abundance! Get off the beaten path with us this week as we explore Teggiano.

If you're looking for a guided tour of the city of Teggiano, you can check out our friend Viviana's website ⁠Guida Turistica's where she offers guided tours of Teggiano and places all over the Cilento and Campania!

The Princess of Costanza Festival is every year around August. You can check out the website here principessacostanza.com.

If you're looking to book a hotel in Teggiano, we recommend the hotels below

Antichi Feudi Dimora D'Epoca Expedia | Booking

Hotel La Congiura dei Baroni Booking

Casa Rurale Faraone in the valley of Teggiano Booking

These hotel links are affiliate links, and while we don't represent any of the companies listed, we do receive a small commission, which goes towards supporting Only A Bag. We appreciate your support! 

If you'd like to support us, but you don't have the time to hunt down all of the affiliate links scattered across the website, a listener suggested (thank you!) putting them all in one place, so we have! Head over to ⁠⁠www.onlyabag.com/affiliate-links⁠⁠ and you can see all of the companies we have partnerships with and you can use them to support Only A Bag (which we deeply appreciate). If you'd like to support the podcast in other ways, you can donate to Only a Bag on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and follow Only a Bag wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can send us a message on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠

Thanks for listening! 

xDarcy and Nathaniel

NOTE: Our original upload had Nathaniel talking over himself—a cut audio part that never got cut, apparently! As of 13:20GMT we've updated the episode. If around the 9~minute mark you hear Nathaniel talking over himself, you might need to re-download the episode. Sorry for the confusion, everyone!

This week we're headed back to the Cilento to talk about two fairly "hidden" locations that should be on anyone's southern Italian tour: the Certosa di Padula and the town of Teggiano.

The Certosa—or Charterhouse—is a Carthusian monastery boasting beautiful gardens, frescoed ceilings and walls, and some of the most ornate and painstaking cut-marble floors we've ever seen. Plus, it has this absolutely wonderful spiral staircase resembling a conch, and another much more grand sweeping staircase outside. I know what you're thinking, going all the way there for some staircases and gardens? Not at all! The Certosa di Padula is also home to the world's largest cloisters.

But if we're being honest, it's so much more than that. If I had to described it, I'd say it stands as a sort of temple to "what once was". A place of silence, a place of incredible wealth and power, and a place of community. And if you're in the area, it's well worth the visit.

For more information about the Certosa, you can check out their website: https://certosadipadula.org/

And if you're looking for a guided tour, you can check out Guida Turistica's website where she offers guided tours all over the Cilento and Campania—including the Certosa!

If you're looking to book a hotel near the Certosa di San Lorenzo di Padula, we recommend the hotels below

Villa Cosilinum in the medieval town of Padula Expedia | Booking

Grand Hotel Certosa just steps from the Certosa itself Expedia | Booking

Ca' del Conte - Maison de Charme in the valley of Padula Expedia | Booking

These hotel links are affiliate links, and while we don't represent any of the companies listed, we do receive a small commission, which goes towards supporting Only A Bag. We appreciate your support! 

If you'd like to support us, but you don't have the time to hunt down all of the affiliate links scattered across the website, a listener suggested (thank you!) putting them all in one place, so we have! Head over to ⁠www.onlyabag.com/affiliate-links⁠ and you can see all of the companies we have partnerships with and you can use them to support Only A Bag (which we deeply appreciate). 
If you'd like to support the podcast in other ways, you can donate to Only a Bag on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review and follow Only a Bag wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can send us a message on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Thanks for listening! 
xDarcy and Nathaniel

We're continuing the theme of "Architectural Madness" in this episode as part of our second installment of our Off the Beaten Path series. Today we're talking about La Scarzuola, a castle-like sculpture garden and architectural complex in Umbria.

If you'd like to visit La Scarzuola, you can make reservations and read more about it at lascarzuola.com.

If you're looking to stay in a small town near La Scarzuola, we recommend these hotels:

Hotel Vannucci in Città della Pieve Expedia | Booking

Ca' de' Principi in Piegaro Expedia | Booking

If you're looking to book a hotel in Orvieto, we recommend these hotels which are all located in the city center:

Hotel Virgilio - Expedia | Booking

Palazzo Piccolomini - Expedia | Booking

Hotel Corso - Expedia | Booking

If you're looking to book a hotel in Perugia, we recommend the hotels below:

Locanda della Posta Boutique Hotel - on the main street of the historic center - Expedia | Booking

Hotel Fortuna - just off the main street in the historic center - Expedia | Booking

Hotel Priori Secret Garden - in the historic center near shops and a local pastry shop -  Expedia | Booking

These hotel links are affiliate links, and while we don't represent any of the companies listed, we do receive a small commission, which goes towards supporting Only A Bag. We appreciate your support! 

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and follow Only a Bag wherever you listen to podcasts!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can send us a message on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠onlyabag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Want to help the podcast? You can check out all of our affiliate links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! If you book through any of them, we receive a small commission, and it helps to keep us going! 

You can also donate to Only a Bag on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep the podcast going! As always, thank you all so much for listening.

x Darcy and Nathaniel 

Only A Bag