Florence & Me

Katie Portanova

Ciao! I’m Kate Portanova, your host, Tuscany Travel Guide & Slow Italy Trip Planner, and lifelong lover of all things Florence. This podcast is your ticket to discovering the authentic side of Florence and Italy—one story, one dish, and one piazza at a time. Whether you’re dreaming of sipping espresso in a bustling café, wandering cobblestone streets filled with history, or connecting with locals to experience la vera Italia, you’re in the right place. Join me as I share our journey of returning to Italy in the near future. Return to Italy has begun!

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Thursday · 22 min
How Many Days Do You Really Need in Tuscany?
How many days do you really need in Tuscany? Three days? Five? A full week? If you want my quick answer, I’d give Tuscany 5–7 days if you can. But I think there’s a much more important question to ask: What kind of experience do you want to have with the time you have? In this episode of Florence & Me, I’m talking about one of the biggest mistakes I see people make when planning a trip to Tuscany—treating an entire region like one more stop on an Italy itinerary. We’ll talk about what 3, 5, 7, 10, or even 14 days in Tuscany can look like, how many home bases you actually need, Florence vs. the Tuscan countryside, and why changing hotels every couple of days can turn your vacation into a whole lot of logistics. I’ll also share why seven days is my personal sweet spot—and why an empty afternoon might be one of the best things you can put on your Tuscany itinerary. Because experiencing Tuscany isn't about how many villages, wineries, and famous sights you can squeeze into your trip. It's about giving yourself enough time to actually be there. To return to the same bar. Have the two-hour lunch. Take the passeggiata after dinner. Talk to someone you wouldn't have met if you were rushing to your next reservation. Stay longer. Rush less. Connect more. See less. Feel more. 🌿 Planning your first slow trip to Tuscany? Download my free Slow Tuscany Starter Kit. 🇮🇹 Already have an Italy itinerary? My Italy Itinerary Review gives you a second set of eyes before your trip. I'll personally review your route, timing, home bases, experiences, and logistics, then we'll spend 60 minutes together figuring out what works—and where you might want a little more breathing room. Find both at Truly Italy.
August 27 · 20 min
Slow Travel in Italy: Why Seeing Less Makes a Better Trip
Florence. Rome. Venice. Tuscany. Cinque Terre. Amalfi. When you're planning a trip to Italy—especially one you've dreamed about for years—it's easy to feel like you need to see as much as possible. But somewhere between packing, changing hotels, catching trains and racing to the next reservation, your dream vacation can start to feel like another productivity exercise. In this episode of Florence & Me, I'm talking about why we feel so much pressure to "make the most" of our time in Italy—and what might happen if we stopped trying to see everything. I share stories from my everyday life in Florence, our recent stay in the Tuscan village of Radicondoli, and the simple moments I still remember years later: familiar faces, long lunches, conversations, aperitivo and returning to the same places again and again. Because experiencing Italy deeply isn't necessarily about seeing more. Sometimes, it's about giving one place enough time to become personal. See less. Feel more. In This Episode We talk about: Why Italy itineraries become overpacked so easily The pressure to "make it worth it" when you've spent years dreaming about Italy What my everyday routines in Florence taught me about belonging Why returning to the same café, bar or restaurant can completely change your experience What Stefano and I discovered by slowing down in Radicondoli Why an intentionally empty afternoon isn't wasted vacation time The difference between visiting a Tuscan village and experiencing village life Why a two-hour Italian lunch is absolutely okay How fewer home bases can create a richer trip Why some of the people you meet may become more memorable than the landmarks What slow travel in Italy has taught me about being present in everyday life I also share one of my favorite reflections from a past Truly Italy guest, Skip, who described Tuscany as not only a "feast for your eyes," but a "feast of people"—the warmth, caring and pride he experienced through the people, food, wine and countryside. If you're dreaming about Tuscany but don't want your trip to become a checklist of towns and attractions, start with my free Slow Tuscany Starter Kit. It's designed to help you plan Tuscany with fewer places, more breathing room and more meaningful connection to where you are. → Get the Free Slow Tuscany Starter Kit Already have an itinerary but wondering if you're trying to fit too much into it? I also offer personal itinerary help and custom Italy trip planning through Truly Italy. → Explore Italy Trip Planning with Truly Italy As you're planning your trip, try asking yourself: What would happen if I left this afternoon empty? You won't know the answer until you're there. And that might be the point. Stay longer. Rush less. Connect more. See less. Feel more.
August 12 · 13 min
The Apartment We Almost Bought (And Why My Body Said No)
We almost bought an apartment in Tuscany. It was charming, affordable, and close enough to our dream of moving back to Italy that it was easy to picture ourselves saying yes. But while my mind was focused on timelines and possibilities, my body was sending a very different message. In this episode, I share why Stefano and I walked away from the apartment we almost bought in Radicondoli—and what that decision revealed about urgency, fear, scarcity, and learning to trust myself again. Because moving to Italy is not only about finding the right property. It is about creating a life that feels safe, intentional, slow, and truly ours. If this episode resonates, follow Florence & Me and join me at https://www.trulyitaly.tours for The Road Less Expected—substack on Italy, slow travel, and building a life towards Tuscany.
August 6 · 23 min
Why We're Moving to Italy — The Real Story of What We're Preparing to Leave Behind
Twelve years ago, Stefano and I left Florence chasing a better living in the US. We found it, for a while. In this episode I'm telling you the real reason we're moving back to Tuscany, and it's not the version you see on my socials. I talk about the panic attacks I've had at airports, not knowing if my husband would make it through customs. The friendships I've kept since 2002. Losing my brother's best friend way too young this past February, and what that taught me about not second-guessing the life you actually want. And the trade-off we're walking into: Italy still doesn't pay well, and we're not in our 20s anymore. We haven't left yet. We're still hunting for an apartment in the small Tuscan town we want to call home. This is the honest, uncertain middle nobody talks about when they talk about moving abroad. If this resonates, grab my Free Slow Tuscany Starter Kit here— a first step toward planning your own slow travel life in Italy.
July 10 · 17 min
Slow Travel in Tuscany: What A Slow Day In A Tuscan Village Actually Feels Like
What does slow travel in Tuscany actually feel like? In this episode I take you inside one real day in Radicondoli, a tiny hilltop village in southern Tuscany, from waking up without an alarm to a three‑hour dinner with locals and everything in between. I walk you through the morning cappuccino at the village bar with familiar faces, a walk that turned into a proper hour‑long hike around the hill, a big pasta lunch at home, an afternoon nap with zero guilt, watching the sunset from our favorite bench, and aperitivo that turned into dinner that turned into grappa and limoncello with the owners and locals. This episode is for anyone who has ever come home from a trip more exhausted than when they left, and who quietly knows that one village, one week, and nowhere to be might be exactly what they need. – Free Slow Tuscany Starter Kit: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/slow-tuscany-starter-kit – Slow Week in Tuscany guide: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/slow-week-in-tuscany – Slow Italy Trip Planning Sessions: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/slow-italy-trip-planning – Tuscan Village Week 2027 interest list: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/tuscan-village-waitlist
July 3 · 19 min
Slow Travel in Tuscany: How to Choose your Base in Tuscany
If you've got 17 towns pinned in Tuscany and no idea which one to actually stay in, this episode is for you. I walk you through exactly how to choose the right base for your slow week in Tuscany: what your base actually needs to do (not just look pretty), a simple checklist to evaluate any town, the three types of bases and who each one is best for, and the most common mistakes I see when people plan their Tuscany trips. I also share why Radicondoli ticks every single box for a slow week, a base from my own past retreats that didn't quite work, and three simple questions to help you stop scrolling and actually decide. By the end you'll feel clear on where you want to land in Tuscany, not still drowning in tabs. Links in show notes: – Slow Week in Tuscany guide: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/slow-week-in-tuscany – Slow Italy Trip Planning Sessions: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/slow-italy-trip-planning – Tuscan Village Week 2027 interest list: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/tuscan-village-waitlist New to slow travel in Tuscany? Grab my free Slow Tuscany Starter Kit here: [link]
June 18 · 13 min
Slow Travel in Tuscany: How to Plan One Slow Week in Tuscany (Without Seeing Everything)
If your Tuscany plans currently include four bases, seven hotel changes, and a color‑coded spreadsheet, this episode is for you. I walk you through how to plan one calm, slow week in Tuscany with a single home base and a simple rhythm, so you come home rested instead of wiped out. We’ll talk about the most common planning mistakes (too many cities in too few days, “when will I be back?” brain), how to choose a good base village, what a real slow day in Radicondoli looked like for me and Stefano, and how to set up a 7‑day Tuscany itinerary with slow mornings, one main thing per day, and unhurried evenings. I also cover when you actually need a car in Tuscany, realistic drive times between hill towns and bigger cities, and how to protect the “slow” when you’re tempted to add just one more place. If you want a ready‑made version of this: Here's my Slow Week in Tuscany guide 60‑minute Slow Italy trip‑planning sessions Hop on my interest list for my June 2027 Tuscan village week. New to slow travel in Tuscany? Grab my free Slow Tuscany Starter Kit here: ⁠[link]⁠
June 11 · 18 min
Katie's Italian!!!!!! Our Next Steps back to Italy
In this episode I take you with me to downtown Chicago, into the Italian consulate, and inside the day I officially stepped into Italian citizenship after more than 20 years of trying. I share: The long, messy path to citizenship (starting all the way back in 2002) The church in Florence that’s been my anchor and the moment it “told” me I was home What really happened at the consulate appointment (and why it wasn’t the swearing‑in I expected) How it feels to finally be on the path to an Italian passport What citizenship changes for me, for Stefano, and for Truly Italy Our plan to move back to Tuscany, buy an apartment near Radicondoli, and build village‑based trips from the inside How this will shape future village weeks, slow travel guides, and the kind of support I can give you from the ground If you’re dreaming about a deeper life in Italy, planning your own slow trip, or sitting with your own “one day I’ll move abroad” story, this episode is for you. Links mentioned: – Slow Week in Tuscany guide: [link] – 1:1 Slow Italy trip planning sessions: [link] – June 2027 Tuscan village week interest list: [link] – My Substack for more personal updates: [link]
May 21 · 16 min
Why I Paused My Tuscany Trips
Most Italy trips are built around rushing: too many cities, not enough days, and a suitcase that never stays unpacked. After years of hosting trips, I realized I was helping people re‑create the very pattern she no longer believed in. In this episode, I share why I chose to pause my old Italy trips and design something completely different: a slow, one‑week stay in a single Tuscan village. I talk about: The moment she saw that “dream trips” were leaving people exhausted The small, quiet moments guests remembered most (and what they had in common) Why she walked away from a busy model that was working on paper but not in her gut What this new June 19–26, 2027 Tuscan village week actually looks and feels like Who this kind of trip is really for (and who it isn’t) If you’re tired of checklist travel and secretly craving a week where you can just land, this episode will help you see a different way to be in Italy. To quietly raise your hand for our June 19–26, 2027 Tuscan village week and get first details when they’re ready, join the interest list via the link : https://www.trulyitaly.tours/tuscan-village-waitlist Follow along on my blog: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/why-i-paused-my-trips. Get up to info on our moving plans and my citizenship plans on my newsletter: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/email-newsletter
March 30 · 20 min
The Village That Changed Everything
What is it really like to live in a small town in Tuscany, Italy? We went to a small town in Tuscany, Italy thinking it would simply be another place to explore… but what we found was something much deeper. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of our two weeks in a quiet Italian village—the slow mornings, the familiar faces, and the unexpected feeling of being welcomed in. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to experience slow travel in Italy, or what living in a small Italian town truly feels like, this episode gives you a glimpse beyond the typical tourist experience. Somewhere between shared meals, local conversations, and moments of stillness… something shifted. This episode is about more than a place. It’s about authentic travel in Italy, finding connection through culture, and what happens when you slow down enough to feel what you’ve been missing. Follow along on my blog: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/our-next-steps Want a slow week guide for Tuscany? get it here! Feeling overwhelmed about your upcoming trip? check out my 1:1 itinerary review sessions here. Get up to date on our moving plans in my newsletter: https://www.trulyitaly.tours/email-newsletter
Dec 23, 2025 · 10 min
The Road Back to Italy: My Citizenship Process + Why I’m Shifting My Travel Plans
Ciao tutti! In this inaugural video-style episode, I check in from home with a heartfelt update on life, Truly Italy, and the road back to Italy—this time with a husband, cats, and a lot more logistics than 2009. I share where I'm in the Italian citizenship process (through marriage), what I'm learning along the way, and why I'm building both a podcast and YouTube channel to document every step (and help others who want to do the same). I also explain why I'm postponing some trips, what’s next for my Tuscany vision, and details on an exciting new collaboration: a women’s retreat near Milan in September 2026. If you’ve ever wanted to move abroad, start over, or simply travel with more courage—this one’s for you.a presto, Kate Hamacha's website: https://www.haamacha.com/Women's Retreat September 21-25, 2026- details coming soon!Truly Sardinia: September 5-12, 2026 - https://www.trulyitaly.tours/truly-sardiniaDo you have questions or topics you want me to talk about? Email them here: katie@trulyitaly.tours
Dec 22, 2025 · 10 min
The Road Back to Italy: My Citizenship Process + Why I’m Shifting My Travel Plans
In this quick life update, I'm sharing what’s happening behind the scenes with Florence & Me and Truly Italy. I talk about my Italian citizenship process (through marriage), the real steps of preparing to move back to Italy, and what you can expect from the podcast + new YouTube channel—short, honest videos documenting the journey. I also open up about postponing some 2026 trips, why Tuscany remains my “signature” focus, and a new women’s retreat collaboration planned for September 2026 near Milan. Expect practical updates, encouragement for anyone dreaming of taking the leap to Italy, and plenty of candid side notes—cats, budgeting, and all. A presto! Kate Hamacha's website: https://www.haamacha.com/ Women's Retreat September 21-25, 2026- details coming soon! Truly Sardinia: September 5-12, 2026 - https://www.trulyitaly.tours/truly-sardinia Do you have questions or topics you want me to talk about? Email them here: katie@trulyitaly.tours
Sep 26, 2025 · 8 min
Decaf Coffe or Un Espresso?
Both are correct. Here's a short episode on how to order a caffe' decaffeinato. :) Enjoy! Do you have questions or topics you want me to talk about? Email them here: katie@trulyitaly.tours Is an authentic trip to Italy calling your name? Here are our Truly Italy Experience in 2026. June 6-14, 2026 - ⁠Truly Tuscany ⁠ September 5-12, 2026 - ⁠Truly Sardinia ⁠ a presto, Kate
Aug 29, 2025 · 18 min
Calling All Italy Lovers: Let’s Find Our Way Back Together
Yes, I've been on radio silent all summer. Nothing to worry about. Listen how I'm changing course and learning how to keep Truly Italy and Italy in my heart day by day. Also anyone who wants to connect with me regarding just talking about italy, reminiscing about your study abroad days, or the time you living in Italy for a year, I'd love to hear from you. In the meantime, what do you think about our plan??? You got to listen to find out. :) Join me on a Truly Italy Experience in 2026. June 6-14, 2026 - Truly Tuscany September 5-12, 2026 - Truly Sardinia a presto, Kate
May 30, 2025 · 21 min
I Belong Here: Becoming a Local in Florence
In this heartfelt episode, Katie Portanova shares her deep connection to Florence, Italy, exploring her journey from a visitor to a local resident. She reflects on the transformative moments that shaped her experience, the importance of slowing down, and the friendships that enriched her life. Katie emphasizes the difference between being a traveler and a tourist, advocating for authentic experiences that foster genuine connections with the culture and people of Italy. She invites listeners to consider joining her in future travel experiences that prioritize meaningful interactions over mere sightseeing. Join Katie on a Truly Italy Experience in 2026. Truly Tuscany Experience June 6-14, 2026 Truly Sardinia Sailing Experience September 5-12, 2026 One of my fave restaurants in Florence: I Mangiarino Want to get expert Tuscany advice monthly? Sign up here.
May 23, 2025 · 5 min
Italy Taught Me to Waste Time Well
In the states we know how to multi-task way too much. In Italy, wasting time is an art. Spending time with friends is a gift. Lingering at lunch is pure joy. Listen to why I still wish wasting time was in my every day life. Follow me and my writings on Substack here Be the first to know about my Travel Experiences in Tuscany & Sardinia here Hope to see you on one of my trips soon! :)
Apr 25, 2025 · 10 min
My Favorite Piazzas in Florence
My heart lives in all these piazze for a reason. I'm now giving you a reason to visit them. Hope you enjoy this episode! Want my Ultimate Tuscany Insider Guide for FREE?? Get it here: https://www.trulyitaly.tours//ultimate-tuscany-guide
Apr 11, 2025 · 7 min
Coffee Culture in Italy
Today I talk about types of coffee, when to have caffe and what's the difference between sitting and taking your coffee and standing. I hope you enjoy this episode! Any questions email here: trulyitalytours@gmail.com Want my Ultimate Tuscany Insider Guide? Get it here for free: https://www.trulyitaly.tours//ultimate-tuscany-guide
Mar 14, 2025 · 20 min
5 Historical Towns to Visit in Tuscany
In this episode, I share my passion for exploring the hidden historical gems of Tuscany, focusing on lesser-known medieval towns, castles, and travel tips for travelers. I highlight specific locations such as San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Volterra, Pienza, and San Galgano, providing insights into their unique charms and historical significance. I offer practical advice on the best times to visit, transportation options, and local specialties to try, making this a great guide for history lovers and slow travelers alike. Want to join us on a week long Tuscany Experience? Hop on my email list to be the first to know about our upcoming trip! https://www.trulyitaly.tours//email-newsletter
Feb 21, 2025 · 21 min
The History of Wine Doors
Have you ever wondered why there are so many wine doors in Florence? Or why you can't find them in Florence? In this episode I share the history of these wine doors, Buchette del Vino, thanks to this amazing book by Diletta Corsini & Lucrezia Giordano. So many cool insights I didn't even know about. Enjoy! Get your copy of Wine Windows in Florence and Tuscany, here! ✨ Let’s Stay Connected! ✨ Love diving into the heart of Florence and slow Italian travel? Join my email list for exclusive travel tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and first access to my immersive Italy experiences! 📩 Sign up here →https://www.trulyitaly.tours//email-newsletter Let’s keep your Italian daydreams alive—right from your inbox! 💌🇮🇹

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Florence &amp; Me

Episodes 22

Florence & Me