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Destination: Italy

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The Airbnb Amphitheater

Buona sera from Lucca! I’m at the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro — a beautiful square that’s actually not square at all. This is the “Place of the Amphitheater,” a round piazza that echoes the Roman arena that stood here 2,000 years ago. I’m here with Chiara and Luca, two guides from Bikes and Bites food tours — and we’re discussing the very modern phenomenon of Airbnb.

All over Europe, you can see the impact that Airbnb has had on historic neighborhoods like this one. As an advocate for travelers, I appreciate the value and cultural intimacy that Airbnb provides — but I also acknowledge the reality that Airbnb drives up the cost of living for locals, changing the character of places we’ve long known and loved.

What about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the ethics of Airbnb.

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The Land of a Thousand Bell Towers — Each the Most Beautiful of All

Buona sera from Siena. I’m here with Anna Piperato, a Rick Steves Italy guide — and it’s just so good to be here. I love this city and its gorgeous red-brick square, Il Campo.

Join us now as we consider the concept of “campanilismo” — the home-sweet-home spirit of local patriotism that makes the sound of your town’s bell tower the most beautiful sound of all.

 

 

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Perched Above Siena with a Porcupine and a Macchiato

Join me now from a secret hideaway above Europe’s finest square — Siena’s Il Campo. I’m here with my friend and guide, Roberto Bechi, just enjoying a caffè macchiato and experiencing one of Italy’s great cities.

Twice every summer, all of Siena hurls itself with medieval abandon into the world’s wildest horse race — the Palio — and this square is overcome by pandemonium. As Roberto explains, in Siena you’re born…then there’s the Palio…and then you die.

Planning a trip to Siena? You can pick up the latest edition of the Rick Steves Florence & Tuscany guidebook here. Happy travels!

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Florence’s Rustic Gem: Trattoria la Burrasca

I’m so happy that Florence’s Trattoria la Burrasca is still good. I was worried that it had gotten touristy over the years, scaring away the locals — but it’s still a great trattoria. Join me in this clip with my friend Elio, in one of Italy’s small, humble kitchens that work wonders.

This is my kind of place: family-run, offering a people-to-people connection, and personality-driven. Here’s how I wrote it up in my Rick Steves Italy guidebook:

   [$$] Trattoria la Burrasca is a rustic gem on a cruddy street with a time-warp atmosphere — a dozen rickety tables under a single vault. Elio and his hardworking staff offer a traditional menu featuring fine steak and good-value seasonal specials of Tuscan home cooking (Tue-Sat 12:00-15:00 & 19:00-22:30, closed Sun and Mon, reservations smart, Via Panicale 6, north corner of Mercato Centrale, tel. 055-215-827).