191.  Ischia, Italy: Discovering This Island Paradise!

191. Ischia, Italy: Discovering This Island Paradise!

Author: Kimberly Holcombe July 9, 2025 Duration: 25:27
Please Follow us on: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook  Kimberly and Tommaso share their experiences on the island of Ischia, near Napoli, Italy. They discuss Ischia’s geography, history, cuisine, beaches and the island’s appeal. Key Points: Initial Impressions of Ischia: Kimberly revisits Ischia after 30 years since her last visit, noting its idyllic scenery and vibrant colors. Tommaso recalls having the best pizza of his life upon arrival. Ischia is relatively small, about 46 square kilometers, yet offers diverse landscapes. Geography and Driving Challenges: The island has one main ring road, making travel slow due to curves and narrow roads. Driving can be difficult due to log jams caused by buses and parked cars. Kimberly and Tommaso canceled their rental car after one day due to the intense driving conditions. Historical and Geographical Makeup: Ischia is a volcanic island with fertile soil, home to diverse Mediterranean plants. The island was first inhabited by Greeks in the 8th century B.C. The Aragonese castle, built in 474 B.C., is a significant historical site. Tourism and Local Life: Ischia has a population of 60,000 residents and attracts 6 million tourists annually. The island offers a variety of accommodations from resorts to hotels in condensed villages. The cuisine is seafood-heavy, with excellent pizza and salads. Beaches and Weather: Ischia boasts sandy beaches, a unique feature compared to other islands like Capri. The island’s beaches are a major draw for mainland Italians. Tommaso provides a weather update, noting the extreme heat in Italy and warmer-than-usual Mediterranean temperatures. They advise listeners to stay hydrated and prepared for the heat. Next Episode: Kimberly and Tommaso will share the challenging but funny driving experience, as well their very interesting visit to the Aragonese Castle and luxurious day at a beach club.

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
180. Montepulciano a special village in Tuscany. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:05
Arrival in Montepulciano: Kimberly and Tommaso’s journey to Montepulciano began with a typical and comical Tuscan drive. Navigating steep, rain-soaked, ancient stone streets tested their driving skills. The parking garag…
Italy Travel Updates: ETIAS, Pompeii, Florence & More! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:26
Kimberly shares crucial travel updates for Italy, including the delayed EU entry-exit system, changes at Pompeii to manage crowds, the opening of Florence’s Vasari Corridor, and new regulations for Airbnb rentals. This e…
179. Cortona all the way to the top!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:47
In this episode of Kimberly’s Italy, Tommaso and I explore the unique charm and benefits of traveling off-season to lesser-known destinations like Cortona in the Tuscany Region of Italy. We dive into the rich experiences…
178. A Charming Evening in Cortona [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:01
In this episode, we take you on a journey to the medieval village of Cortona, Italy, where we experienced a delightful and unexpected Christmas celebration in December. Join Kimberly Holcombe and Tommaso il favoloso as t…
177. The Tour di Negroni [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:51
In this episode of our podcast, Kimberly and Tommaso offer insights that contrast with the often-misleading online travel information. They also share a few history-rich experiences in Rome, which eventually lead to the…
176. Winter Road Trip Rome  #2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:12
In this episode, join us as we dive into our recent adventure in Rome. From ancient pathways to culinary delights, we explored the city with curiosity and appreciation for its rich history and vibrant culture. Highlights…
175. Winter Road Trip - Rome #1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:05
Hello listeners, Welcome back to another episode of Kimberly’s Italy! We’re so glad you’re joining us again. Before diving into today’s content, we want to explain a recent delay in releasing episodes. Unfortunately, we…
Buon Anno 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:44
In this special New Year’s Eve episode of “Kimberly’s Italy,” Kimberly and Tommaso are broadcasting from the picturesque setting of Lake Garda. Sipping on a 2019 Brunello wine, they recount their recent Italian adventure…