184. Bergamo’s Citta Bassa, A Northern Italian Treasure

184. Bergamo’s Citta Bassa, A Northern Italian Treasure

Author: Kimberly Holcombe April 2, 2025 Duration: 28:30
Kimberly and Tommaso share their experiences in Città Bassa, the lower city of Bergamo. They highlight the area’s unique piazzas, shopping streets, and cultural landmarks. They also touch on Bergamo’s sister city relationship with Greenville, South Carolina. Key Points: Introduction to Città Bassa: Unlike Città Alta, Città Bassa is the working part of the city, with wide, tree-lined streets. The Funicular Ride: Quick and easy access from Città Alta, offering views of the city and landscape. Piazza Pontida: Historical Significance: Originally referred to as Cinque Vie, a convergence point of five streets where merchants would sell their goods. Architectural Features: Porticos and arcades dating back to the 15th century. Modern Charm: Now a piazza with shops, cafes, and trattorias. Borgo Palazzo Neighborhood: Parrucchieri Paradise: Numerous hair salons (Parruchieri in Italian), nail salons, and other beauty treatments are located on Via Borgo Palazzo. Tommaso humorously suggests renaming the street Via Parrucchieri. Culinary Experience at Caprizza Bergamo: Pizza Recommendation: Despite nonchalant staff, the Napolitana style pizza was excellent. Menu Highlights: Kimberly enjoyed buffalo mozzarella with yellow cherry tomatoes and Parmigiano-Reggiano, while Tommaso had a Parma ham and mozzarella pizza. Via Pignolo: Street Details: Hand-laid bricks and cut stone designs on the sidewalks and streets. Craftsmanship Appreciation: Noticing and appreciating the craftsmanship in every street and sidewalk. Venetian Walls and Viale della Mura: Ancient Walls: Built in the mid-1500s and remarkably well-maintained. Scenic Views: Walking along Viale della Mura, offering views of the city. Bergamo and Greenville, South Carolina: Sister Cities Primary Goal: To promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation. Commonalities Between Bergamo and Greenville: Textile Industry: Historical professional and personal relationships. Science and Education: Bergamo Science Festival and Greenville’s Imagine STEAM event. Music: Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo and the Greenville Symphony. Follow us on Social Media Instagram Facebook 

There's a particular magic to Italy that goes far beyond its famous landmarks, a rhythm of life that you only really start to feel once you've lingered in a local piazza or navigated a bustling market. Kimberly's Italy Travel is an invitation into that deeper experience, guided by Kimberly Holcombe, whose own story began with a life-changing move to Milan years ago. That journey didn't just create memories; it reshaped her perspective, and she shares that genuine, lived-in understanding in every episode. You'll hear personal stories from her travels, often punctuated by the kind of comical, real-world lessons that no standard guidebook ever mentions. This podcast serves as a rich audio companion, weaving together passionate discussions about regional cuisine, layers of local history, and the vibrant arts that define Italy's culture. It’s about the sensory details-the taste of a perfectly simple dish, the echo in an ancient alleyway, the warmth of a conversation with a new friend. Listeners gain practical, invaluable travel tips born from direct experience, all while feeling like they're sharing a coffee and a laugh with a knowledgeable guide. Through these conversations and reflections, the aim is to transport you, offering not just a list of destinations, but a feeling for the places and people that make Italy endlessly captivating.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Kimberly's Italy Travel
Podcast Episodes
127. A Dinner Table for 50 on the Arno [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:41
It was our first time at the quintessential Tuscan dream dinner... one long table for 50 people, outdoors, at night, on the edge of the Arno River in Florence. The guests were from around the world, all gathered to celeb…
126. Bisteca Fiorentina, Midnight Spritzs... What's not to Love? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:12
A full day in beautiful Florence / Firenze included the perfect lunch in Piazza Santo Spirito, and then an energetic walk straight uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo to combat the amazing gnocchi, compliments of Osteria San…
125.  Not Your Average First Night In Florence!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
Our first night in Firenze was anything but mellow and relaxing. Instead, it involved a faulty jacuzzi and a cast of characters to fix it. Luckily, it all worked out in the end, and we had a new friend in Francesca and h…
124. Chilling at a Tuscan Farmhouse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:03
We were so lucky to spend a few days at a quintessential Tuscan farmhouse, but this one comes with a whole lot of dog love! 8 dachshunds and 1 yellow lab who luckily never left our side. Everything we ate and drank came…
123. A Building Dedicated to the Dead?  It's Amazing!!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:32
We are back in the fabulous little city of Pisa and we genuinely want to convince you that you should spend hours in the Duomo and the Camposanto. There are many buildings and interiors that I hold dear, but the Camposan…
122.  Pisa's Color Palette is Reason Enough to Visit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
The famous tower that leans is why most people visit Pisa, however there is so much more to explore in this small and multi-hued city. The color palette is muted yet beautiful, and the architecture is a cohesive mix of R…
121. 2023 Road Trip: 1st Stop Torino... Amazing!!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:46
We are so happy we chose Torino for our first stop on our 3-week road trip in Italy. It is not on the greatest hitÕs list, which right there, says enough! It is a working, living city that accepts tourists, but on it's t…

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