Ep. 20: Why These Travelers Skipped the Crowds To Find the Heart of Italy

Ep. 20: Why These Travelers Skipped the Crowds To Find the Heart of Italy

Author: Danielle Oteri May 29, 2025 Duration: 46:25

In this episode, I share personal conversations with two independent and savvy travelers - Matt Littlejohn and Caroline Rausch. Matt's Italy trip began with a Zoom call with me during the COVID lockdowns, which gave me an idea for a new business offering that, over time, evolved into my signature Trip Consultations. His recent trip to Naples was preceded by months of reading books and watching movies in anticipation of his trip, which he explains made it richer for both him and his family.

I met Caroline shortly after I formalized Trip Consultations into a service and launched it on another Italy podcast. We worked out the details for a trip to Cilento and Calabria to search for family roots. Caroline is a master planner who loves considering every detail, but the most memorable thing that happened on her trip is an experience that could never be anticipated — and it will give you chills!

I’m sharing these conversations because both Matt and Caroline love research and planning, and yet they hit the same walls that everyone hits when trying to travel beyond Venice, Florence, Rome, the Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi Coast. I enjoyed geeking out with them and hope you will also enjoy listening and take inspiration from how their deep dives into history and culture made their trips unforgettable.

00:00 Introduction 00:10 Matt Littlejohn: The First Consultation

01:37 Caroline Raush: Heritage Trip to Calabria

02:33 The Importance of Research in Travel

03:41 Matt's Journey to Naples

08:03 Falling in Love with Naples

09:46 The best part of Naples: The People

16:46 “One of the best things I ever saw”

22:26 Exploring Naples: A Blend of History and Modernity

23:01 Planning the Perfect Trip: Research and Preparation

24:30 Buying a suit in Naples

26:04 Discovering Calabria: A Journey to the Roots

27:08 Falling in Love with Italy By Cheating on France

29:22 Deep Dive into Italian Culture and History

30:44 Uncovering Hidden Gems

38:41 The Magic House in Calabria

42:06 Reflections on Travel and Culture

45:05 Conclusion: Crafting Meaningful Journeys



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danielleoteri.com/subscribe

There’s a certain magic to traveling in Italy that goes beyond checking sights off a list-it’s in the texture of daily life, a shared meal, or a story passed down through generations. Tante Belle Cose captures that feeling. Hosted by Danielle Oteri, founder of Feast Travel, this podcast feels like a series of deep, rewarding conversations with a friend who truly knows the place. You’ll hear immersive narratives that transport you to a sun-drenched piazza or a quiet vineyard, alongside genuinely practical advice for navigating the nuances of Italian culture, food, and history. The episodes are thoughtfully crafted; some serve as a guide to planning your journey, while others simply pull you into the rich tapestry of Italian life, planting seeds for future adventures. Danielle’s expertise as a guide and storyteller makes each listen both an escape and a toolkit. Tuning into this podcast is more than just research-it’s an invitation to appreciate the many beautiful details, the *tante belle cose*, that make Italy so captivating. For those who dive deeper, there’s also access to a dedicated travel community moderated by Danielle, offering continued connection and insight beyond the audio.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 42

Danielle Oteri's Italy
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 9: Five Things To Know Before Planning Your Italy Trip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:48
When I sat down to update our free guide, Five Essential Things to Know Before Planning Your Italy Trip, I realized it deserved more than a refresh—it needed to become a podcast episode that could be easily shared. With…
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Last week, I helped one of my relatives harvest olives at Borgo La Pietraia. Giovanni reflected on his memories of when women collected olives entirely by hand and would place them in the folds of their aprons. We discus…
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Vittoria Colonna was the most influential woman of the Renaissance, known for her 'male brains' and collaborations with Michelangelo. The discovery of a mummy in Naples may explain what happened to her body when she died…
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Duration: 30:19
Subscribe on Substack to join our Travel Planning Community.Before entering the travel business, I was a professional art history nerd. I was a lecturer at the Met Cloisters for 16 years and had the opportunity to hone m…
Episode 2: The Miracle of the Panarda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
Episodes are always free, but to join our Italy trip-planning community, subscribe on Substack at danielleoteri.com. In this episode, I sit down with Francis Cratil and Cathy Lee, owners of Le Virtù, a South Philadelphia…
Episode 1: Welcome to Tante Belle Cose, an Italy travel podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:46
In the inaugural episode, I’ll preview three types of episodes: 1) practical travel advice from Italy experts, 2) engaging stories that enrich the travel experience, and 3) trip consultations recorded at Red Sauce Studio…