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Do you treasure unforgettable travel moments sparked by incredible food? From life-changing mozzarella in Naples to family seafood feasts in Sicily, discover how Italy’s flavors, friendships, and timeless settings come together to create moments that truly feed the soul.
Summary
In this heartfelt episode of Untold Italy, founder Katy Clarke reflects on the deep connection between food, memory, and the places that shape them. From revelatory bites of mozzarella in Naples and Puglia to family-filled pasta meals along the Ligurian Riviera, and the perfect cannolo savored in Sicily, she shares how these moments capture the soul of Italian life — where emotion, connection, and taste come together to create lasting memories.
What you'll learn in this episode
- Katy reflects on the power of food memories in shaping travel experiences across Italy, from first impressions on early trips to the moments that have stayed with Katy through the years
- We explore how taste, emotion, and human connection create vivid memories – from creamy mozzarella in Naples and homemade cheese in Puglia to seafood feasts in Sicily and lemon-scented lunches near Sorrento
- Highlighting the role of family, friendship, and local hospitality in transforming meals into unforgettable shared experiences that feed both heart and soul
- Sharing insights into Italy’s regional food culture, from truffle dishes in Umbria to secret pasta spots in Emilia-Romagna and the joy of discovering hidden culinary gems
- Katy reflects on how travel, food, and memory intertwine – reminding us that the best moments in Italy aren’t just tasted but deeply felt and remembered
Timeline Overview
- 05:13 Nostalgic Italy Trip Journal
- 08:11 Puglia Mozzarella Tour Memories
- 10:43 A Perfect Day in Italy finished off by perfect food
- 14:59 Vineyards, Tours, and Food Adventures
- 18:44 Truffle Treasures: Pizza & Omelette
Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned
Places
- Monte Baldo – stunning mountain ridge overlooking Lake Garda, known for its panoramic hiking trails, wildflowers, and breathtaking cable car views from Malcesine
- Spaccanapoli – historic street in Naples
- Cilento – beautiful, lesser-known coastal region south of the Amalfi Coast, celebrated for its pristine beaches, ancient Greek ruins at Paestum, and traditional Mediterranean cuisine
- Noto – jewel of Sicilian Baroque architecture in southeastern Sicily, famed for its honey-colored stone buildings, elegant palaces, and the grand Noto Cathedral
- Avola – Renaissance city in Sicily near Syracuse
- Santa Margherita Ligure – glamorous yet relaxed seaside town on the Italian Riviera, offering pastel-colored waterfronts, seafood restaurants, and easy access to Portofino
- Sestri Levante – charming Ligurian town nestled between two bays, known for its laid-back atmosphere, sandy beaches, and excellent local seafood and pesto dishes
- Emilia-Romagna – the food heart or Italy, home to tortellini, traditional balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano, to name but a few
- Bagni di Lucca – a group of 25 villages in Northern Tuscany, famous for its hot springs. Not to be confused with Lucca, 30 km away
- Ortigia – charming city in Sicily
Food / Drink
- Bardolino wines – Bardolino and Bardolino Superiore are red wines from the province of Verona, east of Lake Garda
- mozzarella – found in many varieties – from the buffalo mozzarella of the Cilento Coast to the creamy burrata of Puglia and even smoked versions, as Katy had on her lemon grove lasagna
- trofie al pesto – classic Ligurian dish of trofie pasta with freshly made pesto
- cannolo – the famous Sicilian sweet that is best tried fresh in Sicily
Words / Concepts
- Mangia: How to Eat Your Way Through Italy – book by Untold favorite Maria Pasquale (learn more in episode 248)
- Iceland – UK budget supermarket specializing in frozen food
- Aphantasia – the inability to voluntarily visualize mental images
- caseificio – a dairy
- Masseria – stemming from the Latin word massa, meaning “fortified agricultural village, these are found all over Puglia as gorgeous places converted into wonderful places to stay in the countryside
- Joe Banana Limos – tour company based on the Amalfi Coast offering private luxury tours and transportation on the Amalfi Coast as well as all over Italy
- Full Belly Tours – fantastic food tour company based in Rome with Untold legend Nesim Bekalti (hear more from him in episodes 231, 211, 181, 182 and 169)
Related content on Untold Italy
Podcasts
- Ep 289 – Beyond Cannoli – Sweets to Seek out in Sicily
- Ep 248 – Mangia! How to Eat Your Way Through Italy with Maria Pasquale
- Ep 244 – How to eat like a Roman
- Ep 233 – A Taste of Puglia – Local Dishes and Flavors to Try
- Ep 181 and 2 – A Tale of Roman Pastas – Part One and Part Two
- Ep 169 – How to find authentic restaurants in Rome
- Ep 163 – Pesto, Pasta and the dishes of Liguria
- Ep 152 – Dishes to try in Bologna and the Emilia Region
- Ep 138 – Things Kids Love About Travel in Italy
- Ep 108 – Day Trips from Sorrento
- Ep 107 – Tastes of Sicily
- Ep 046 – Foodie adventures in Puglia
- Ep 038 – The captivating Cilento Coast
- Ep 031 – Exploring Sicily’s Val di Noto
- Ep 021 – Savoring Sorrento – a food lovers guide to Italy’s city by the sea
Articles
- Discover the Magic of Lake Garda: Itinerary Ideas for an Idyllic Stay
- Sorrento Travel Guide
- Exciting day trips from Sorrento
- The Must-Try Food of Naples
- Sicily Travel Guide
- Traditional Foods of Sicily
- Liguria Travel Guide
- Liguria Food Guide
- Emilia-Romagna Travel Guide
- What to Eat in Emilia-Romagna
- Puglia Travel Guide
- Puglia Food Guide
- Best Agriturismo Puglia: Top Masserie and Farm Stays
- Rome Travel Guide
- Famous Roman Dishes to Try When You Visit the Eternal City
- Tuscany Travel Guide
- What to Eat in Tuscany: Regional Tuscan Cuisine
- 7 reasons to take a private tour of Italy
- Italian Cheese Guide: Top 15 Varieties to Try
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