Eye On Italy

Episode 62: Dreaming of Italy with Kathy McCabe & Rebecca Winke

In this episode, hosts Sara and Jessica talk with Kathy McCabe and Rebecca Winke about their work on the upcoming PBS series, “Dream of Italy.” Special Guests: Kathy & Rebecca are 2nd & 3rd from left Kathy McCabe is the host and executive producer of the new PBS travel series, Dream of Italy, which is inspired by the award-winning subscription travel newsletter of the same name that Kathy founded 12 years ago. The show & newsletter introduce travelers to authentic experiences that put them in touch with locals and the history and culture of Italy. The newsletter has been recommended by National Geographic Traveler, USA TODAY, BusinessWeek, U.S. News + World Report and other media outlets. Rebecca Winke moved to Italy from Chicago in 1993 and shortly thereafter opened an agriturismo in a renovated farmhouse at the foot of Mount Subasio near Assisi, Umbria. She spends her time taking care of guests at Brigolante, and writing about Umbria and Italy for a number of travel websites and print magazines. She also co-wrote the Umbria Slow app and was associate producer for the upcoming PBS travel series, Dream of Italy. Links from the show: Dream of Italy – Kathy’s subscription travel newsletter Dream of Italy show schedule information Dream of Italy PBS series preview @dreamofitaly – Kathy on Twitter Brigolante – Rebecca’s guest apartments Rebecca Winke – Rebecca’s portfolio Umbria Slow App – Rebecca’s Umbria app @brigolante – Rebecca on Twitter Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating of the podcast on iTunes. Did you know Sara and Jessica both have ebooks for sale on Amazon? Check out Sara’s book How to Order an Italian Coffee in Italy, and Jessica’s book Italy Explained: Italian Trains.

Episode 61: Getting Educated About Italian Wine with Hande Leimer

In this episode, hosts Sara and Jessica talk with sommelier Hande Leimer about Italian wine. Special Guest: Hande Leimer is a certified sommelier & the founder of vino roma, a wine education business in Rome. She was born in Istanbul, and had lived in the USA, and Germany before settling in Italy, where she shifted her career from marketing and IT to wine. She became a member of the Italian Sommelier Association, where she gained her sommelier title, and opened vino roma. Links from the show: vino roma – Hande’s wine education studio @vinoroma – Hande on Twitter Franciacorta Aperitivo at Vino Roma in Rome – From Sara’s blog Discovering Italian Wine in an Enoteca Regionale – From Sara’s blog Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating of the podcast on iTunes. Did you know Sara and Jessica both have ebooks for sale on Amazon? Check out Sara’s book How to Order an Italian Coffee in Italy, and Jessica’s book Italy Explained: Italian Trains.

Episode 60: Digging into Roman Archaeology with Darius Arya

In this episode, hosts Sara and Jessica talk with archaeologist Darius Arya about what lies underfoot in Rome and elsewhere in Italy. Special Guest Darius Arya, Ph. D, is an archaeologist and professor based in Rome. He co-founded & is the executive director of the American Institute for Roman Culture, and has appeared in several documentaries on the Discovery, History, and National Geographic Channels. American Institute for Roman Culture: romanculture.org Darius on Twitter: @saverome Darius on Instagram: @saverome AIRC on Twitter: @AIRomanCulture AIRC on Facebook: American Institute for Roman Culture Links mentioned in the show: US tourists caught carving names into Rome’s Colosseum UNESCO extends Pompeii deadline Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating of the podcast on iTunes.

Episode 59: Understanding the Italian Mafia with John Dickie

In this episode, hosts Sara and Jessica talk with historian and author John Dickie about organized crime in Italy. Special Guest John Dickie is a professor of Italian Studies at University College London, and an internationally recognized specialist on many aspects of Italian culture – including organized crime. He is an award-winning author whose books include “Cosa Nostra,” “Mafia Brotherhoods,” & his latest, “Mafia Republic.” (The latter two were released in the United States as one combined book called “Blood Brotherhoods.”) John’s website: John Dickie John Dickie on Twitter Links Mentioned in the Show “Italy gasps as inquiry reveals mob’s long reach” – New York Times Addio Pizzo and Addio Pizzo Travel, for visitors to Sicily

Episode 58: Dream of Venice with Charles Christopher

In this episode, hosts Sara and Jessica talk with photographer Charles Christopher about his new book, “Dream of Venice.” Special Guest Charles Christopher works in Hollywood as a motion picture and TV still photographer for clients that include Universal Pictures, NBC, Lifetime, Hallmark and Syfy. His travel and cityscape photographs have been featured in exhibits up and down the West Coast. Charles’ first book of photography, DREAM OF VENICE, is a visual tribute to the strange floating city, accompanied by original texts from a diverse group of Venetophiles, including Julie Christie, Woody Allen, and Frances Mayes. Charles’ photography website: The Eyes of Charles Christopher “Dream of Venice” available on Amazon.com Dream of Venice on Twitter Dream of Venice on Facebook