For those moments when you can’t be in Italy, podcasts provide a lifeline. Hearing directly from the country can be a welcome bit of escapism even when your next trip might be far off in the future. Voices from Italy and more can provide a virtual link right back to Bel Paese, and share some tips for experiencing Italian culture at home.
These Italy podcasts cover everything from learning Italian to art, culture, and food, and can transport you back to Italy right from the comfort of your couch.
Learn Italian with Lucrezia
Italian teacher Lucrezia has a hugely successful YouTube and an adorable Instagram account to teach students about the language. If you are on the go, her Learn Italian with Lucrezia podcast is a great way to get in more language listening time and learn some essential vocabulary and grammar.
The Bittersweet Life
Run by lifelong friends, the Bittersweet Life is one of the most established Italy podcasts. Tiffany is based in Rome, while Katy is a former Rome ex-pat herself. The podcast covers a wide range of art and culture topics, but many find a way to wind back to Italy-inspired topics.
GOLA
If you want an in-depth crash course in some of Italy’s lesser-known foods and culinary traditions, by Katie Parla and Dr. Danielle Callegari. They have so far covered everything from espresso to olive oil, looking at the cultural history of the foods and how they relate to Italian society.
Italian Wine Podcast
If you are looking to expand your drinking horizons, this podcast from wine writer Monty Waldin will introduce you to some of the major players in Italy’s wine scene today.
A History of Italy
You don’t have to be a history buff to get sucked into these little snippets of the Italian past. The short podcast episodes are designed to be informative without being overwhelming. They span everything from the Roman Empire to the unification of the country, and a bit on more modern historical events as well.
Radio Food Live
Maria Pasquale, cookbook author and the blogger behind HeartRome, hosts a weekly English-language program on Radio Food Live. Speaking with makers, cookers, and cultural writers from all over Italy, the show focuses on dishes, seasons, and local businesses and is filled with insider tips on experiencing Italy to its fullest. The show usually airs live online but past episodes are available as podcasts.
Fatal Charm of Italy
Rick Zullo’s podcast features a new guest every week to answer questions about traveling in Italy, living in Italy, or even conducting research on Italian ancestry. The episodes are there to guide and inspire you for your next trip and can even help with some Italian pronunciation.
Ciao Bella
Hosted by Rome insider Erica Firpo, Ciao Bella features conversations with artists, chefs, and creatives from all over Italy.
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Do you have any other favorite Italy podcasts? Let me know and I will add them to my “to listen to” list.
Want more ideas on how to experience Italy from home? Here are the best Italian museums to visit online.
Feature Photo by Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash.
Hi Natalie, I’d love for you to listen in to my podcast Ciao Bella, a focus on Italy’s 21st century creators, innovators, artists and more. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ciao-bella/id1458895042
Ciao Bella is my go to podcast when cooking in my kitchen on Saturdays,
Ciao ciao Karen
Natalie,
I hope this note finds you well. I discovered your blog because I was looking for English language blogs from Italy. Many of us in the US are apprehensive about the near future and how the C19 epidemic will affect our lives.
Any eye-witness accounts of day to day life during the epidemic would be greatly appreciated here. I know it’s not exactly glamorous travel writing. But I think it could find a wide readership here as we look to Italy for hints of what’s coming our way.
Safe travels,
Chris
Thank you for this! More appreciated than ever right now.
I really enjoy this podcast and would like to share it:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podcast-from-italy-la-tavola-marche/e/67390589
https://latavolamarche.podbean.com/
Podcast from Italy: Ashley & Jason Bartner
Life in Le Marche, Italy – Two American expats share adventures of running an organic farm & inn, recipes, daily life & more! @latavolamarche /latavolamarche
Grazie!
I hope you don’t mind another addition! My husband and I have started a podcast devoted to Italian literature and travel. Each week we choose a work and discuss it (so far: Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarch, Ferrante, Montale, and St. Francis) and then talk about relevant places in Italy with tips for travel. It’s a fun conversation, not a dry lecture (you don’t need to do the reading in advance!), and meant to inspire both reading and traveling! Our mott during the pandemic has been: Read Now, Travel Later! Check it out at http://www.literaryitaly.com and let me know what you think!