Photos courtesy of Kathy McCabe, left.

In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak with Kathy McCabe, host and executive producer of the travel series “Dream of Italy,” showing on PBS stations around the U.S. through spring 2017. The television series is inspired by the award-winning subscription travel newsletter and website, Dream of Italy, which McCabe founded in 2002, publishing more than 125 editions to date. The newsletter is recommended for its savvy travel advice by National Geographic Traveler, USA TODAY, U.S. News and World Report, BusinessWeek and more. McCabe and “Dream of Italy” were featured in The New York Times in June 2015, and she is widely quoted in the international media on Italian travel topics.

Episode Quote:

“Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy.” – Bertrand Russell

Tweetables (Please Share):

“It was not cool to be Italian, for a long, long time.  It was pretty rough for a long time for Italian American immigrants.” – Kathy McCabe (click to tweet)
“Many many people wished that they had Italian blood.” – Kathy McCabe (click to tweet)
“When I went back to Italy for the first time, I felt like I was in my grandparents living room.” – Kathy McCabe (click to tweet)
“We often discuss what America gives us and what it takes from us as Italian Americans.” – Dolores Alfieri (click to tweet)
“There’s a great hunger for Italy.” – Kathy McCabe (click to tweet)
“The Italians have such deep deep pride in what they do.” – Kathy McCabe (click to tweet)

Episode Summary:

Some of the key points discussed in this episode include:

• Italian Americans, and people from other ethnic groups, are yearning for a return to their family roots.
• More and more people traveling overseas are looking for an authentic experience, off the beaten path.
• How immigration is changing the demographics of Italy.
• The differences between Northern and Southern Italians.
• Isolation in the modern age and the desire for true connection.
• Sites not to miss when visiting Italy.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode: