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
200. TWO HUNDRED Episodes !!!  & Don’t Miss Italy’s Unforgettable Holiday Feasts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Please Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! In this special 200th episode, Kimberly and Tommaso celebrate a milestone while discussing their upcoming move to Italy. They share insigh…
198. Reliving Italy’s Best Meals: Pure Joy! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:23
Please Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! In this episode, Kimberly and Tommaso apologize for the delay in their latest release. They then dive into a discussion about their favorite m…
196.  Our All-Time Favorite Places in Italy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:33
Please Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠! Kimberly and Tommaso discuss their all-time favorite places in Italy. They reminisce about past travels and discuss their favorite islands, lakes, and…
195. Skeptical of AI while Planning your Trip?  We are too! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:06
Please Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠! In this episode of Kimberly’s Italy, Kimberly and Tommaso discuss topics from tourism’s impact on the Dolomite mountains to online travel scams and cybers…
194. Italian Food Rules: The Pizza & Pasta Police Are Real [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:42
Please Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠! In this episode, Kimberly and Tommaso discuss the significance of preserving Italian recipes and the consequences of not adhering to culinary traditions. Pizz…
193.  Capri Without the Chaos: Your Peaceful Italian Escape [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:24
Please Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ! In this episode of our podcast, Kimberly and Tommaso share tips on visiting the island of Capri, including accommodations, activities, and dining experiences. They…
192. Ischia, Italy: Survive the Drive, Discover Paradise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:13
Please Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook Kimberly and Tommaso share their adventures on the island of Ischia, from a comical car rental experience to a serene beach day. They address weather concerns for traveler…