Podcast
The Italy Travel Podcast - An Only A Bag Podcast
Hosted by Darcy Melton | Nathaniel Mellor · EN
New episodes every Wednesday and Friday!
Your guide to Italy travel! Hosts Darcy and Nathaniel—two tourists-turned-locals—offer advice like how to get off the beaten path (like going south), how order coffee like a local (at the bar), and most importantly, where to find authentic Italian food and gelato. Visit Italy with us every week from home or in the car. Whether you’re planning an Italy vacation or looking to move here, Darcy and Nathaniel guide you along the way. Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts and check out our website onlyabag.com for articles!
Thanks for listening!
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
AI Trip Planning — Part 1: Understanding AI
1w ago01:01:26Tap to summarizeToday, we're talking about something we've actually wanted to talk about for a few years. It's something that we knew would inevitably evolve, just as with any other AI application. After hearing and reading stories of AI chatbots and trip planners making up fake destinations, misrepresenting walking areas and how long it takes to get from point A to B, or recommending closed restaurants and hotels, we thought it was finally time to take a dive into discussing planning your trip using AI. But before we are able to even get into the trip planners in particular, we first wanted to layout some of the pitfalls and drawbacks of using AI. While it doesn't have much—or really anything!—to do with Italy, we felt that it was important enough to warrant its own episode. You can join our Patreon for free! Want a shout out on the podcast? Check out our paid tiers. patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcastFor articles written by us about Italy, check out our website onlyabag.com 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). Thanks for listening! xDarcy and Nathaniel
Transcribe →Off The Beaten Path: An Ecological Wonder and Rome Untouched
2w ago00:46:55Tap to summarizeIf you're like us, you might have already been here without knowing you were here. And where is here? Parco della Caffarella, or, Caffarella Park. Near the Appian Way, this park sits as a haven for all manner of wildlife, an active pasture for sheep, and a place to relax outside the hubbub of Rome. Links:Caffarella Park (scroll down for information about the electric minicar): https://www.caffarella.it/il-parco/ List of flora: https://www.caffarella.it/il-parco/da-conoscere/la-vegetazione-del-parco-dellappia-antica-e-della-valle-della-caffarella/List of Fauna (including birds): https://www.caffarella.it/il-parco/da-conoscere/la-fauna/Appia Antica Regional Park's Page on Caffarella Park: https://www.parcoappiaantica.it/itinerari/la-valle-della-caffarella/You can join our Patreon for free! Want a shout out on the podcast? Check out our paid tiers. patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcastFor articles written by us about Italy, check out our website onlyabag.com 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). Thanks for listening! xDarcy and Nathaniel
Transcribe →Off The Beaten Path: Two Peaceful Gardens in the Middle of Rome
2w ago00:37:42Tap to summarizeSpring has sprung (and we're a little late) but in that season of renewal (spring and our brand-new name and cover art) we thought we'd look at some little-known parks in Rome that are right in the middle of everything, but hidden. We've often talked about how difficult it can feel to find green space or a place to relax in Rome's historic center. In this episode, we tell you about two gardens near the Trevi Fountain that overlook the crowds: the gardens of the Palazzo Quirinale and Villa Aldobrandini. You can learn more about Palazzo Quirinale and buy tickets here: palazzo.quirinale.itThe Villa Aldobrandini is a free park open from 7:00am to sunset. You can join our Patreon for free! Want a shout out on the podcast? Check out our paid tiers. patreon.com/cw/theitalytravelpodcastFor articles written by us about Italy, check out our website onlyabag.com 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). Thanks for listening! xDarcy and Nathaniel
Transcribe →Sorrento: Getting There Via Ferry vs. Train
3w ago00:52:10Tap to summarizeIn this episode we'll talk about how to get to Sorrento and the pros and cons of traveling there by ferry vs. train. We'll also talk about the difference between two trains from Naples to Sorrento which are often confused with each other, the Circumvesuviana train and the Campania Express train. Having just been to Sorrento via ferry and left by train, we've also got a couple of fun anecdotes. We're always here to make the mistakes and find solutions so you don't have to!Taxi rates in Sorrento are standardized, but can be a bit confusing. The most important things to know are:- The initial charge is €6.00 with surcharges for each 50 meters (between €0.30 and €0.15).- Each piece of luggage costs €1.00.- There is an addition €3.00 nighttime charge for rides between 10:00pm and 7:00am. - There is a holiday surcharge of €2.00.- The minimum fare, no matter the distance, is €12.00.- If the taxi is hired to take you outside of Sorrento and drop you off there, therefore returning to Sorrento empty, there is an addition 20% fee. For reference ,hiring a car from a private company (rather than a taxi) to take you to the Naples airport typically costs around €155. As mentioned, we have some articles about getting to Sorrento from Naples on our website, onlyabag.com.Naples to Sorrento.Naples Airport to Sorrento. As mentioned in this episode, we'll be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast" as well as our podcast cover art next week. 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
Transcribe →Sorrento: An Introduction to the "Vibe" and our First Impressions
3w ago00:42:57Tap to summarizeWhile we've talked about great deal about the Amalfi Coast, we only recently realized on a short trip up to Sorrento that we've never talked about it by itself, despite the fact we've been there so often. Today, we've decided to rectify that! In this episode we talk about the general vibe of Sorrento, our first impressions upon seeing it through the eyes of tourists, and who we think Sorrento is the best fit for in terms of vacations needs (versus Positano or Capri). The restaurant we recommended in this episode is called "L'Angolo Del Gusto Di Astarita Bruno E Ferdinando." It's just past the Ristorante Sant'Antonino, on Via Santa Maria delle Grazie. The gelato shop we mentioned in this episode is called Raki, which has two locations, one on Via S. Cesareo and the other on Sorrento's main street Corso Italia.As mentioned, we have some articles about getting to Sorrento from Naples on our website, onlyabag.com.Naples to Sorrento.Naples Airport to Sorrento. As mentioned in this episode, we'll be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast" as well as our podcast cover art next week. 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
Transcribe →Headlines: Controversial Lawyer "Bonus," two recent robberies, and could marijuana be legalized in Italy?
4w ago00:39:53Tap to summarizeWe're continuing this month's headlines episodes today talking about a contentious new bonus for immigration lawyers in Italy, a bank robbery in Naples with possible connections to other high profile robberies, and a jewelry store robbery in Rome. We'll also tell you about a protest by Riccardo Magi, secretary of +Europa, and Radicali Italiani (Italian Radicals), for the legalization and regulation of marijuana in Italy. Edit: In this episode, we mislabel the political party, Radicali Italiani (Italian Radicals), as an activist group. As mentioned in this episode, we'll be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast" as well as our podcast cover art next week. 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
Transcribe →Headlines: Deepening Jet Fuel Crisis, Increasing Food Prices, and Upcoming Strikes
4w ago00:40:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode we're following up on the jet fuel crisis and train travel options. We're also talking about how the jet fuel crisis could be affecting food prices in Italy. And, as always with our headlines episodes, we'll tell you about upcoming strikes that could affect your trip to Italy. Travel insurance could potentially be helpful in the case of canceled flights or trains, but it's also important to know that Europe has protections in place for flights that are canceled (this means European carriers and flights flying out of Europe). If you'd like to here more about your rights on flights, listen to our episodes "Know Your Airline Rights: Part 1" and "Know Your Airline Rights: Part 2" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you're looking for travel insurance, a good place to start is with World Nomads Travel Insurance* and Travelex Insurance Services*, both have several options for insurance and can provide a quick quote. *These are affiliate links, we do not represent these companies. If you receive a quote or book services through these links, we will receive a small commission from the company at no extra cost to you. Strike Resources:A good resource for upcoming and updated strikes is striketracker.app. Specific information about some of the upcoming strikes can be found using the following links:Reggio Calabria Trains rfi.itMilan ATM ATM.itEasy Jet Notice of Your Rights ENAC/ENAV guaranteed flights in the case of a strike enac.gov.itTrenitalia guaranteed trains in the case of a strike trenitalia.comItalo info for late or cancelled trains italotreno.comAs mentioned in this episode, we'll be changing our name to "The Italy Travel Podcast" as well as our podcast cover art next week. 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
Transcribe →Jet Fuel Shortage: What to Expect and How to Plan For It (Part 2)
Apr 1700:40:43Tap to summarizeIn our last episode, we talked a bit about what the fuel shortage is and why it's happening. In this episode, we're talking about what it could mean for the future and how it could affect your trip to Italy. We'll also give you tips on how to protect yourself from canceled or delayed flights and ways to mitigate the effects of the fuel shortage on your trip. If you'd like to here more about your rights on flights, listen to our episodes "Know Your Airline Rights: Part 1" and "Know Your Airline Rights: Part 2" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 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
Transcribe →Jet Fuel Shortage: What it Means For Your Trip (Part 1)
Apr 1500:33:00Tap to summarizeToday we're talking about the recent jet fuel shortage at some of Italy's biggest airports: Milan Linate, Bologna, Venice, and Treviso. Since some of you might be coming to Italy in the next few weeks/next month or two, we wanted to also offer a little explanation as to why this is happening, what is affected, and where things might go from here (more restrictions or fewer). 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
Transcribe →Off the Beaten Path: Capua's Ancient Amphitheater
Apr 1000:52:34Tap to summarizeWe'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 | BookingPalazzo Caracciolo Naples: historic center Expedia | BookingArt Resort Galleria Umberto: Spanish Quarter Expedia | BookingPinto Storey Hotel: in Chiaia Expedia | BookingAs 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
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