ITALIAN, FOR SURE | Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture

What month Italian cities are ghost towns and how Italians can spot American tourists are just some topics we'll cover in this ITALIAN, FOR SURE episode about how Italians (vs Americans) travel.Recorded at the WeRoad headquarters in Milan right before Catrin steps away for maternity leave, host Catrin Skaperdas sits down with WeRoad's Brand Marketing Director Margherita Galluzzo to pull back the curtain on the quirks, traditions, and psychology behind Italian vacation habits. They have an entertaining, candid conversation about Italian travel culture inclusive of:Why Italian cities turn into complete ghost towns in AugustThe mandatory 20+ vacation days in Italy vs. the American hustle to earn time off Italy's obsession with "making the bridge" around bank holidaysHow Italians approach itineraries with flexibility while Americans plan every minuteGenerational shifts in how Italians travelThe difference between a casual "gita" and a true "vacanza"The stereotypes Italians use to spot American tourists in ItalyWhy booking a solo trip feels intimidating to ItaliansThe pain of Italians trying to find decent espresso outside of ItalyTourist-trap food menus in ItalyChapters:00:00 Intro4:57 How vacation days work in Italy9:35 Why you shouldn’t visit Italian cities in August13:59 Most popular times of year that Italians travel14:34 How Italians treat bank holidays16:55 How Italians vs Americans approach trip planning21:37 Italian travel habits across the generations23:49 “Vacanza” vs “Gita”25:09 How Italians can spot American tourists in Italy27:00 Top travel destination for Italians28:42 What WeRoad offers travelers30:07 Solo travel: Italians vs Americans35:33 Food habits of Italians while traveling39:16 Tourist traps in Italy42:17 OutroWeRoad creates groups of an average of 11 people between the ages of 18 and 49 to set off and discover the world. To date, over 300,000 travelers have shared incredible adventures with WeRoad in more than 150 destinations.Discover WeRoad trips and travel itineraries at www.weroad.comThis interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From committing the Italian sin of cutting pasta to understanding that the concept of time is different in various parts of the world, this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE is a hilarious riot of cultural clashes between the UK and Italy.Recorded right before Catrin’s trip to Sicily with her parents, comedian Tino Giaccotto and host Catrin Skaperdas pull back the curtain on Tino's hilarious life between the UK and Italy.They have a zero filter, maximum laughs conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:Roasting British dining chains that pretend to be ItalianUnpacking why Italians eat with surgical precisionStories about being mistaken for a delivery driverWhy cutting pasta is a tragedyThe realities of visiting your home countryLanguage learners being talked to like toddlersAwkward small talk comparisonsThe "game" of “Are They Gay or Italian?”How "Italian time" tests Catrin’s patienceTino's ritualistic first stop the second he touches down in SicilyChapters:00:00 Intro03:19 The realities of going home for people living abroad 04:27 How time works in Italy vs the UK08:59 Italians vs Americans eating12:29 Are they gay or are they Italian?16:58 Tipping culture in the UK vs Italy22:54 Using slang terms with foreigners27:17 People assuming Tino was a delivery person28:46 Small talk in the UK vs Italy30:30 OutroConnect with Tino on Instagram: www.instagram.com/tinogiaccotto_comedianThis interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Making the highest-quality Italian rice, from soil mapping techniques and aging processes to pioneering blockchain technology in modern agriculture, is something Meracinque co-founder Silvia Tovo knows all about.In this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE, host Catrin Skaperdas sits down with Silvia for a fun, deep dive into the world of Italian food, specifically rice culture - including choosing the correct rice for risotto, the real rice-dish star of Milanese cuisine (which isn't what most people think), and how food culture takes shape across Italy.Together, they talk about:Verona, Mantova and Italian food cultureHow Silvia built Meracinque with her four sistersHow Italian rice and its specific varieties are different than other rices around the worldThe rice she produces, carnaroli rice ("the king of rice"), and how it differs from the arborio varietyPopular rice dishes around Italy and when in the year you eat themThe breakdown of how rice is planted, harvested, dried, and aged for a full year, and why aging makes all the difference in qualityWhat it’s like working with four sistersThe adversity Silvia and her sisters face being a women owned business, especially in this sectorWhat it’s like selling rice to different marketsThe pros and cons of running a food business in ItalyChapters02:01 Intro03:08 Verona, Montava, and Italian Food Culture06:28 The birth story of Meracinque08:43 Characteristics of rice: carnaroli vs arborio12:09 Different rice dishes around Italy14:57 What rice dishes Italians eat and when they eat them throughout the year16:08 Rice cultivation process start to finish21:08 Pros and cons of running a family-owned business23:58 What it’s like to be a women-owned business in this industry28:22 Selling Italian rice outside of Italy35:27 Difficulties of running a business in Italy40:56 OutroMore about Meracinque:Founded in 2016, MeraCinque is an innovative agricultural company run entirely by Silvia and her four sisters—Margherita, Benedetta, Anna, and Maria Vittoria. Inheriting a deep passion for the land from their agronomist father, the sisters united to produce an exceptional, 100% sustainable Carnaroli Classico rice. Their name tells their story: "Mera" for meraviglia (wonder), their lifelong family nickname, and "Cinque" representing the five sisters bringing a new balance and harmony to Italy's traditional farming industry.Learn more about Meracinque on their website: https://www.meracinque.com/This interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Italians hate people from Milan, what there is to do and see in Milan (including hidden gems), and quick trips to take from Milan are just some of the things talked about on this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE - a perfect episode for foreigners living in or visiting Milan!It’s a rare treat to hear from someone who was born, raised, and still lives in Milan today. ITALIAN, FOR SURE guest, Alice Todaro, is the perfect person to take us behind the scenes of Milan and shares why she once hated Milan (and why she loves it now), as well as how the city has dramatically changed over the years.Alice - Milan local and Founder of @daysofmilan - reveals to host Catrin Skaperdas why Milan is ultimately her "best friend" and the two of them talk about the following:What you actually need to see if you’re visiting Milan for the first timeA completely hidden, secret museum most tourists pass right byHow Alice used to "escape Milan" while still physically being in the cityThe West Side vs. the East SideThe reality of safety in Milan from two women living thereA rapid-fire game sharing Alice’s favorite local restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, vintage shops, and aperitivo spots!What people eat in MilanChapters02:06 Intro02:20 why Alice is the perfect person to speak with us about Milan03:41 Why Alice left Milan and why she came back (why she hated Milan at one point and why she loves it now)06:06 WHAT DID I ASK - MISSING AUDIO - how has Milan changed over the years, maybe?08:08 Why Milan is a great place to live for foreigners or Italians that moved back after living abroad12:41 Why people hate Milan14:53 Why Catrin likes Milan16:03 Why Catrin likes Milan17:59 what someone should see if they were visiting Milan for the first time25:30 West side vs East side of Milan28:48 the safety of Milan33:08 Alice shares her “favorites” in Milan37:20 Where Alice recommends going for a quick trip outside of Milan, near by38:37 Typical night out in Milan43:28 What people eat in Milan48:15 OutroMore about @daysofmilan:Daysofmilan is more than just a guide; it’s a companion for anyone navigating life in Milan, whether they’re here temporarily or for the long term. Our mission is to make the journey of discovering Milan smoother and more enjoyable by providing curated insights into the city’s treasures — ranging from hidden gems tucked away in quiet streets to the bustling hotspots locals and visitors alike adore. Beyond that, we aim to foster connections and help expats integrate seamlessly into the local culture, creating a community that celebrates both Milan’s heritage and its growing global influence. At Daysofmilan, we believe that exploring a city should be an enriching experience, not an intimidating one. Our goal is to empower expats with the tools, information, and inspiration they need to thrive in Milan and make it their own.Connect with Alice on Instagram: www.instagram.com/daysofmilanThis interview is available to watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and available to listen-only everywhere else you can get podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the high-paced streets of Milan to the high-speed-train-less tracks of Sicily, we are navigating through Italy and its regional differences. In this episode of ITALIAN, FOR SURE, we also tackle Italy's hilarious relationship with Hollywood, from the elite world of Italian voice dubbers to why nobody can pronounce Matthew McConaughey, and the wildest movie title translations you've ever heard.We also chat about the ultimate Sicilian food debate (Arancino vs. Arancina), unpack the difference between Northern and Southern Italy (such as hospitality), before wrapping up with a fun look at why phonetic Italian is so straightforward to learn compared to the rule-breaking nightmare of the English language.* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *Sicilian Turin resident Samuele Brusca - Content Creator, Co-Founder of Samuele Brusca Academy and TEDx Speaker - and host Catrin Skaperdas bring you an entertaining and educational episode about Italian culture inclusive of:Why Catrin thinks Milan is a good landing spot for someone from Long Island moving to ItalyWhat differentiates a regional language from a dialectIf people in Italy speak English, how well, and why that might beDubbing culture in ItalyDifferent Italian regional accents accentsHow Italians pronounce famous foreign actors names wrongThe pronunciation of Italian lettersFilms that have their names “translated” from English to something in ItalianIs it an arancino or arancina?Difference between kindness and familiar-ness in the north vs south of ItalyHow Sicily doesn’t have high speed trainsSicilians are prideful about being from SicilyChapters1:09 Intro3:50 differences between Milan and Turin6:58 how Sicilian and Neapolitan is an actual a regional language, not a dialect10:32 Italians speaking English in Italy13:49 Movie dubbing in Italy15:03 Regional accents across Italy18:55 How foreign actors names are pronounced in Italy 23:51 Funny movie title translations28:01 Arancino or arancina debate33:10 North vs South of Italy38:02 Sicilian pride42:00 Outro See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.