Episode #300: How Italy changed me

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Italy doesn’t just charm you – it transforms you. In this reflective episode, we explore how years of wandering through Italy’s regions, traditions, and everyday rhythms slowly reshape the way you travel, live, and see the world. You’ll hear how food, family moments, craftsmanship, seasonal rhythms, and the country’s beautiful contradictions all play a role in changing not just how you travel, but who you become.

Contents

Summary

As we celebrate the Untold Italy Podcast's 300th episode, host Katy Clarke shares the personal stories of how Italy has inspired curiosity, tradition, and unforgettable memories. From early childhood Italian language lessons and the first taste of Italy in Lake Garda while zipping around Europe, to slow-paced adventures with family and discovering the true charm of Rome, Katy shares the joys, challenges, and unexpected lessons Italy offers.

What you'll learn in this episode

How Italy becomes a catalyst for personal change – why Italy has inspired countless stories of transformation – from the emotional journeys in Eat Pray Love and Under the Tuscan Sun to the host’s own evolving connection with the country – and how food, landscape, and culture create space for healing, reflection, and joy
There is a slow-burning impact of returning to Italy over time. How repeated visits shape a deeper appreciation of Italian life – from early school memories of the Renaissance and first trips in the 1990s without internet guidance, to understanding the contrast between home and Italy and how these experiences accumulate to form a lifelong bond
Curiosity is the key to truly experiencing Italy. The role of wandering, getting lost, and exploring lesser-known regions in discovering Italy’s true diversity – whether it’s tasting regional pasta styles, noticing dialect differences, or appreciating the dramatic contrasts between places like Puglia, Piedmont, Umbria, Tuscany, and the Adriatic coast
Travel style changes with time and family needs. The shift from fast-paced sightseeing to slower, more meaningful travel – including rediscovering Rome after an underwhelming first visit, adapting trips for children, savoring small-town life, and creating cherished family memories through simple local experiences, from music festivals to tasting balsamic vinegar
Italy’s attention to detail and tradition leaves a lasting mark. A look at the craftsmanship, food heritage, seasonal rhythms, and centuries-old customs that shape daily Italian life – as well as the contradictions that make Italy real, from poetic beauty and strong family culture to bureaucracy, imperfections, and its uniquely lovable chaos

Timeline Overview

05:52 How travel in Italy shifts perspectives, inspires personal growth, and sparks a deep emotional connection – from atmosphere and culture to everyday beauty
07:51 Reflections on formative experiences in Italy that shaped a lifelong appreciation for the country’s culture, flavors, and rhythms of life
13:31 Rediscovering Rome’s hidden joys. Stories of finding delight in the unexpected corners of Rome – from quiet neighborhoods to everyday rituals that reveal the city’s true character
19:37 Insights into how Italian travel often strengthens family bonds, from shared meals to multigenerational traditions passed down over time
21:32 Timeless craft and living with balance – exploring Italy’s deep-rooted artisanal traditions and the cultural emphasis on slowing down, savoring the moment, and appreciating beauty in daily life

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Da Michele – pizzeria in Naples (and now other locations) made famous by Eat, Pray, Love
Cortona – where Sierra first went to Italy to study
Isola Tiberina – the island that sits in the Tiber River between the historic center and Trastevere in Rome
Palazzo Massimo – former palace now containing a museum of classical art
Santa Margherita Ligure – glamorous yet relaxed seaside town on the Italian Riviera, offering pastel-colored waterfronts, seafood restaurants, and easy access to Portofino
Seghezzo – amazing store (providore) in Santa Margherita Ligure

Food / Drink

cime di rapa – broccoli rabe used in Puglian dishes, often with Orecchiette pasta
Egg pasta served with truffles – a specialty in Piedmont
Pasta al pesto – Ligurian dish made with pesto made from special basil
Pandoro and Panettone – traditional Italian Christmas cakes

Words / Concepts

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia – the iconic, bestselling book by Elizabeth Gilbert
Under the Tuscan Sun – book by Francis Mayes, turned into a movie
Gregorio Dati and Buonaccorso Pitti – Florentine merchant and diarist from the 1400s
Four Seasons in Rome – subtitled ‘On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World', this memoir by Anthony Doerr is about his year spent in Rome with his young twins in tow
Ferragosto – yearly celebrations and public holiday in Italy on 15th August – when many Italians take all of August off

Experiences, Podcast episodes