Real Life in Italy - June 2026

On this episode we’re talking about our real lives here in Italy; in particular, what we've been up these past few weeks, through the first half of June.

Among other things, you’ll hear about... 
- the worms that ruined our week;
- where to get the best Chinese food in Florence; and 
- why a hairball was the best thing to happen to us all month!

We'll discuss a museum in Florence, pet care in Italy, Republic Day, and why Matt tried to imitate Roy Orbison.

This is the last episode of teh season before we take a break; but we'll be back "on the air" on 14 July.

Want to know more about us and our travel services? Find us at: 

www.LittleRoadsEurope.com

www.facebook.com/LittleRoadsEurope

We craft small-town driving itineraries for travelers to Italy, Ireland and Scotland.

And our "alter-egos" as musicians:

www.OrsiniVirtuosi.it

Transcript

Real Life in Italy June 2026 podcast notes

Note: This is not a complete transcript, but rather the show notes we write in advance to prepare for the episode. 

INTRO: 

Welcome to Little Roads Unfiltered: Italy and Beyond

Today we’re talking about our lives here these past few weeks… 

Among other things, you’ll hear about…:

- the worms that ruined our week

- where to get the best Chinese food in Florence

- why a hairball was the best thing to happen to us all month!

[music up then down to 20%]

This is Matt Walker          …and I’m Zeneba Bowers - 

We’re recording while sitting on the terrace of our tiny home in Italy - so you’ll get a sense of the sounds of life in our little town - complete with church bells, motor scooters, cats meowing, and trains and the town’s daily siren… ecc ecc

“ … we’ll be talking about our recent, Real Life here in Italy, in today’s chat - here on Little Roads Unfiltered: Italy and Beyond.”

[Music up then fade out]

For those of you who don’t know us: We are professional musicians and also travel writers and consultants, living and working here in Italy for over 6 years now. 

If you want to learn more about us and our lives, you can find us on our website LittleRoadsEurope..com, on our socials, and here on this podcast, which we’re going to do unedited, as if you’re sitting here chatting with us - 

…and by the way, the intro music ecc ecc — 

So let’s get to talking about what we’ve been up to these past few weeks…

- trip to Florence: May 30 - Democrats Abroad, invited to attend event. 

Decided on a whim to go, pretty surprised to see hotel rates in Florence between €450-800 for pretty standard hotels. Managed to find one, using some hacks we have developed over the years, for about €150, but this is one reason we like to plan things far in advance. 

Took a two hour tour of the Museo degli Innocenti. We never do group tours, so that was interesting. I really appreciate the Italian law that guides must be trained and certified, because they are always so knowledgeable. And also, that they must speak into a mic that is carried via earphones to everyone in the group, so there is no screaming in the museum. 

Really powerful museum, abandoned children. Medieval and Renaissance art focused on orphans and patron saints of orphans and protectors. Display on right now about girls abandoned there, half-coins, heartbreaking. Unbelievable that after they experienced the Black Plague and literally lost half their population, they still divided themselves among class like this, we are doing the same today 

After the reception, where we met a lot of nice people, we went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant, which was fabulous. Fresh foods, veg in season, complete and total change. Still drank wine though 

- worms eating our table (thought it was flying ants at first) - 

Neighbor came over to advise - speaks zero English (mostly Sorianese rather than Italian)

“tarli” = wood worms - we got the worm killer stuff, then the candle things to smoke ‘em out.

Next day covered holes with wood wax

- Republic Day 2 June:  Italy voted to become a republic (rather than a kingdom)

BTW: Ask Us Anything: A listener asked us “What is vet care like there?”

Mobile vet, great but not always available because… cinghiale accidents, ecc

Another guy just down the street from us, 5 minute walk.\

Anyway: On Republic Day, Hoover got sick, lots of vomiting. Went to vet, reminiscent of Mr Weasely, who looked extremely like Hoov. 

Vet let us come even though he was not really open, just there to feed cats in recovery. Panic attack for Zen. Walking down cobblestone alleyways, with 19 pound (8.7 kg) Hoover in tow. 

Hoover was a total dick at the vet. Hissing, fighting, clawing. We are so used to him at home being “giant and compliant”, never a claw, literally never heard him hiss, extremely docile, you would think he was declawed. Suddenly turned into a damn lion. Did NOT like the anal thermometer, only got worse from there.

Vet gave treatment and prescriptions… We spent the next couple of days just sitting here watching Netflix and waiting for him to vomit or take a crap. Very romantic! Very grateful to have the kinds of schedules now where we can do this, never could in our orchestra job. 

Diverted ourselves also when: Cut a track for my Grandma, who is in hospice, “Blue Bayou”. 

Of course Socksie sleeps all day, but the moment we try to record she is desperate for attention and ruins every track. 

- Infiorata [Pitigliano, we were there for our “Explorer Service”]

OUTRO: 

I think that’s a good place to wrap it up here - we hope you enjoyed joining us for this last wrap up of our lives here in Italy, before we go on a break !

 We’ll be back “on the air” on 14 July

If you enjoyed what you’ve heard, please give us a like or a good rating on your favorite platform, and tell your friend about us… 

And don't forget our “Ask us anything”, where you can send us questions and we’ll answer them in a later episode. 

We talk about a wide variety of topics here on this podcast, from travel tips to slice-of-life stories - once we’re back next month, we’ll be posting a new episode every Tuesday. 

So catch us next time - we’ll see you down the Little Roads… CIAO!