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 August
• The mandatory 20+ vacation days in Italy vs. the American hustle to earn time off
• Italy's obsession with "making the bridge" around bank holidays
• How Italians approach itineraries with flexibility while Americans plan every minute
• Generational shifts in how Italians travel
• The difference between a casual "gita" and a true "vacanza"
• The stereotypes Italians use to spot American tourists in Italy
• Why booking a solo trip feels intimidating to Italians
• The pain of Italians trying to find decent espresso outside of Italy
• Tourist-trap food menus in Italy

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

4:57 How vacation days work in Italy

9:35 Why you shouldn’t visit Italian cities in August

13:59 Most popular times of year that Italians travel

14:34 How Italians treat bank holidays

16:55 How Italians vs Americans approach trip planning

21:37 Italian travel habits across the generations

23:49 “Vacanza” vs “Gita”

25:09 How Italians can spot American tourists in Italy

27:00 Top travel destination for Italians

28:42 What WeRoad offers travelers

30:07 Solo travel: Italians vs Americans

35:33 Food habits of Italians while traveling

39:16 Tourist traps in Italy

42:17 Outro

WeRoad 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.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.

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 Italian
• Unpacking why Italians eat with surgical precision
• Stories about being mistaken for a delivery driver
• Why cutting pasta is a tragedy
• The realities of visiting your home country
• Language learners being talked to like toddlers
• Awkward small talk comparisons
• The "game" of “Are They Gay or Italian?”
• How "Italian time" tests Catrin’s patience
• Tino's ritualistic first stop the second he touches down in Sicily

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

03:19 The realities of going home for people living abroad

04:27 How time works in Italy vs the UK

08:59 Italians vs Americans eating

12:29 Are they gay or are they Italian?

16:58 Tipping culture in the UK vs Italy

22:54 Using slang terms with foreigners

27:17 People assuming Tino was a delivery person

28:46 Small talk in the UK vs Italy

30:30 Outro

Connect with Tino on Instagram: www.instagram.com/tinogiaccotto_comedian

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.

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 culture
• How Silvia built Meracinque with her four sisters
• How Italian rice and its specific varieties are different than other rices around the world
• The rice she produces, carnaroli rice ("the king of rice"), and how it differs from the arborio variety
• Popular rice dishes around Italy and when in the year you eat them
• The breakdown of how rice is planted, harvested, dried, and aged for a full year, and why aging makes all the difference in quality
• What it’s like working with four sisters
• The adversity Silvia and her sisters face being a women owned business, especially in this sector
• What it’s like selling rice to different markets
• The pros and cons of running a food business in Italy

Chapters

02:01 Intro

03:08 Verona, Montava, and Italian Food Culture

06:28 The birth story of Meracinque

08:43 Characteristics of rice: carnaroli vs arborio

12:09 Different rice dishes around Italy

14:57 What rice dishes Italians eat and when they eat them throughout the year

16:08 Rice cultivation process start to finish

21:08 Pros and cons of running a family-owned business

23:58 What it’s like to be a women-owned business in this industry

28:22 Selling Italian rice outside of Italy

35:27 Difficulties of running a business in Italy

40:56 Outro

More 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 time
• A completely hidden, secret museum most tourists pass right by
• How Alice used to "escape Milan" while still physically being in the city
• The West Side vs. the East Side
• The reality of safety in Milan from two women living there
• A rapid-fire game sharing Alice’s favorite local restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, vintage shops, and aperitivo spots!
• What people eat in Milan

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:16 Why Alice is the perfect person to speak with us about Milan

02:37 Why Alice left Milan and why she came back

05:02 How Milan has changed over the years

07:04 Why Milan is a great place for foreigners to live

11:37 Why people hate Milan

13:40 Why Catrin likes Milan

15:37 What someone should see if they were visiting Milan for the first time

23:08 West side vs East side of Milan

26:26 The safety of Milan

30:11 Alice shares her “favorites” in Milan

34:23 Where Alice recommends going for a quick trip outside of Milan

35:40 Typical night out in Milan

40:31 What people eat in Milan

45:18 Outro

More about @daysofmilan:

Days of Milan 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 Days of Milan, 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/daysofmilan

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.

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 Italy
• What differentiates a regional language from a dialect
• If people in Italy speak English, how well, and why that might be
• Dubbing culture in Italy
• Different Italian regional accents accents
• How Italians pronounce famous foreign actors names wrong
• The pronunciation of Italian letters
• Films that have their names “translated” from English to something in Italian
• Is it an arancino or arancina?
• Difference between kindness and familiar-ness in the north vs south of Italy
• How Sicily doesn’t have high speed trains
• Sicilians are prideful about being from Sicily

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:50 Differences between Milan and Turin

06:58 How Sicilian and Neapolitan is an actual a regional language, not a dialect

09:23 Italians speaking English in Italy

12:27 Movie dubbing in Italy

13:44 Regional accents across Italy

17:51 How foreign actors names are pronounced in Italy

22:47 Funny movie title translations

26:40 Arancino or arancina debate

30:47 North vs South of Italy

35:39 Sicilian pride

38:40 Outro

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Unlocking the real world of elite Italian drinking culture requires moving past the "lighter fluid" stereotypes to explore the rigorous science, hidden history, and strict family dynamics behind crafting authentic, single-varietal grappa - and don't forget about the lethal production testing required to keep consumers alive.

* Join the ITALIAN, FOR SURE Trip to Italy! https://italianforsurepodcast.beehiiv.com *

Francesca Nonino, sixth generation of the Nonino family, and host Catrin Skaperdas have an entertaining and informative conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:

• What is grappa
• What makes grappa authentic
• How grappa was discovered
• Catrin's first experience with grappa
• What grappa not to drink
• The test that grappa producers need to do in order to ensure it won’t kill you
• How Grappa fits into Italian culture
• Why you need to read the label when you buy/drink grappa
• The process of making grappa
• How the first single variety grappa was born
• Running a woman-run business Italy
• Being a woman in the grappa industry in Italy
• Pros and cons of running a family owned business in Italy
• Francesca Nonino’s journey and passion for her family and her company
• The Nonino family story
• The story of the first female master distiller in Italy
• History of grappa
• Drinking culture in the U.S. vs Italy
• The biggest mistake you can make when drinking grappa
• Francesca’s thoughts on Made in Italy

Chapters

2:15 Intro

4:20 What is Grappa

6:54 Catrin’s first experience with Grappa

9:41 How Grappa is part of Italian culture

12:15 Why it’s important to read the Grappa label

16:40 The process of making grappa

21:44 Francesca Nonino’s memory with her Nonno

23:24 The birth of the single variety grappa

26:38 Running a woman-run business in Italy

29:29 The story of the first female master distiller in Italy

31:10 Dynamics of running a family run business in Italy

38:08 Marketing Grappa in the United States

44:18 Drinking culture in the Us and Italy

47:18 The biggest mistake you can make when drinking grappa

49:21 The truth about made in Italy

51:37 Outro

More about Francesca Nonino:

Francesca Bardelli Nonino, sixth generation of the Nonino family, is Head of Web Communication and co-responsible for the U.S. market alongside her aunt Elisabetta at Nonino Distillatori.

After earning a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Management — enriched by a semester at Yonsei University in Seoul and an internship at illycaffè — she joined the company as a Brand Ambassador. Alongside her professional role, she further developed her expertise through two master’s programs in Social Media Communication and User Experience, a certified bartender course, the AIS sommelier certification, and the WSET Level 3 qualification.

In February 2021, she was selected by LinkedIn to officially join its global LinkedIn Influencer program, a network of leading entrepreneurs, academics, and managers. In May of the same year, she was recognized as “The Grappa Influencer.”

In 2022, she received the America Award for promoting an iconic Made in Italy product overseas. In June 2023, she won the “Digital Night – Talents Transforming the Digital World” award for modernizing the communication of a historic product, followed in October by the “Impact Marketing Award.”

In August 2024, she was included in Wine Enthusiast’s global “Future 40” list, highlighting professionals shaping the future of the beverage industry, and was also named among the Top 100 communicators by Forbes Italia. In 2025, she received the Italy Ambassador Award in the Food & Beverage category, dedicated to content creators who promote Italy in the digital world. In 2026, she was awarded the Dominae Prize, recognizing women who represent Made in Italy globally.

Her next goal is to learn the art of artisanal distillation from her mother and grandfather and become a Master Distiller.

Connect with Francesca on Instagram: www.instagram.com/francesca.nonino

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.

In Italy, without a comma in-between a first name and a middle name [e.g. Catrin, Austin], the two names become one, legally binding first name [e.g. Catrin Austin]. Did you know that? Or how about the fact that a woman cannot legally thaw eggs she’s had frozen in Italy to use them unless she is in a documented heterosexual relationship; Blows your mind, right?

Milanese local Giulia Lavinia Futura Baroni and host Catrin Austin Skaperdas have an entertaining and uncensored conversation about Italian culture inclusive of:

• Middle Names
• Popular Given Names, like Giulia: If you grew up in Italy during the 1990s, half of your friends were named Giulia.
• Religion in a Modern Society: While Italian-Americans fiercely preserve old-school Catholic traditions, modern young families in Northern Italy are increasingly raising their kids completely detached from the Church.
• Dating, Sex, and Circumcision: An unfiltered look into Italy's view regarding sexual culture, dating rules, and modern intimacy.
• Fashion in Milan: Milanese fashion is effortless elegance.
• Egg Freezing: We look at the practical, emotional, and financial realities of freezing your eggs in Italy.
• Surrogacy: Surrogacy is illegal in Italy.
• Italian Food: Why Italians don't all balloon in weight despite eating pasta and pizza nearly daily comes down to ingredient quality, processing standards, and walking culture.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains open conversations regarding sex, anatomy, and reproductive topics.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The views expressed are personal experiences and opinions of non-healthcare professionals. Always consult a qualified medical professional for any health-related questions or treatments.

Recording Date: This episode was recorded in 2024. All personal reflections reflect the timeline of recording.

Chapters:

00:02:08 Intro

00:03:32 Middle names in Italy

00:08:15 Common given names in Italy

00:14:35 Religion in Italy

00:23:47 Dating in Italy

00:39:17 Sex in Italy

00:43:30 Circumcision: Italy vs U.S.

00:47:19 Fashion in Milan, Italy

00:54:28 Egg freezing in Italy

00:58:38 Surrogacy in Italy

01:00:56 Italian food

01:05:23 Outro

This interview of ITALIAN, FOR SURE 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.