Program 381: Italy By Train; Italy North and South

Release Date: 10-11-2014

On-Air Description

In Italy, the journey is always an adventure.  On the next Travel with Rick Steves, author Tim Parks helps us appreciate how the Italian rail system works, and why it's more than mere transportation.

Plus, a pair of tour guides from opposite parts of Italy highlight the differences you'll notice  — and even enjoy — between the north and the south of their country.

Hear how modern Italy still comes with plenty of opportunities to savor the view, on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.

Guests

  • Tim Parks, author of "Italian Ways: On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo"  (Norton)
  • Riccardo Panareo and Aldo Valerio, tour guides based in Italy
  • Gene Openshaw, art and history specialist, and co-author of "Rick Steves' Europe 101"

Related Links

  • Tim Parks wrote the best seller "Italian Neighbours" about his experience settling into Italy, and he's also authored a number of novels. His website includes information about his latest book, "Italian Ways:  On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo."
  • Wikipedia lists Tim Parks' bibliography, and works he has translated from Italian to English.
  • The New York Times reviewed Tim Parks' latest book, "Italian Ways."
  • Tim Parks occasionally writes for the New Yorker magazine, and appears in its podcasts.
  • Further advice for coping with the scheduled rail strikes in Italy.
  • A guide to the traditional pizza served in Naples, from the Serious Eats website.
  • SSC Napoli is the big soccer team from Naples.
  • Travel and Leisure describes the Italian Lake District and Sicily.
  • One of the Italian hill towns that caller Ruth in the web extra explored was Torre Alfina.
  • Gene Openshaw co-authors Rick's art and history book, "Europe 101."
  • Gene Openshaw's chart of Renaissance notables in "the Class of 1500."

Callers

  • "The Catholic Church controlled the south until the time of the Unification, while the north was held variously by the other European countries. How did this impact both cultures?"  (Nancy in Loveladies, New Jersey)
  • "We love Italian pizza. We didn't seem to notice a difference in the types of pizza served in northern and southern Italy.  Did we miss anything, or does one region prefer some toppings over others?" (Kathie in Dexter, Oregon)
  • "I try to get to Italy as often as possible -- almost every year for the past decade.  When I go, I make a big circle, visiting both the north, where I have family, and the south, which I have come to love, too.  The sense of humor in the north I find to be more subtle and dry than that of the south. The people are more reserved and have higher expectations that objects and systems should and will function.  The cuisine is a little heavier, in general, but wonderful.  In the south, I have noticed more use of gestures, more lively interactions among the people, less insistence on following all regulations (including while driving).  It seems like the farther south, the greater regard for generous hospitality I find.  And the food is also delicious! The sense of humor is a little more slapstick, but also hilarious."  (e-mail from Susan in Santa Cruz, California)
  • "My heritage is rooted in southern Italy at a small town called Spinete in the Molise region. When I visited, I explored Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri. I was serenaded at a bus stop in Rome. Everyone was friendly!" (Mary Ann in Southgate, Kentucky)
  • (in web extra)  Caller reports highlights of a recent trip to central Italy's hill towns, and plans to return to the north.  "I rented a villa in Torre Alfina, Lazio for three weeks, exploring 21 hill towns in 21 days.  Also went to the Amalfi coast, Capri, and Pompeii with our whole family. We loved every moment and want to return to explore the Valtalina Valley, where my husband’s roots are. What else could we wisely incorporate in a trip to the north?"  (Ruth in West Chester, Pennsylvania)

Incidental Music

  • John Zorn, "The Sicilian Clan," Naked City / Nonesuch
  • Campbell Brothers, "Morning Train," None But the Righteous:  Masters of Sacred Steel (collection) / Rope A Dope Records
  • Cincinnati Pops, Paul Patterson, mandolin, Erich Kunzel, cond., "'Allegro' from 'Mandolin Concerto' (Vivaldi)," Bella Tuscany (collection) / Telarc
  • * Barrio Jazz Gang, "Chok-A-Blok Avenue," Saint Germain Café: The Finest Electro-Jazz Compilation (collection) / Wagram (France)
  • Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, “Les feuilles mortes,” from the soundtrack to the Joseph Kosma film, “Les portes de la nuit,” Musiques de films de Marcel Carné  / EMI Classics 
  • Angel Romero, "'Siciliana' from 'Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 3'  (Respighi)," Bella Tuscany (collection) / Telarc
  • I Giullari di Piazza, “Fischiettando (trad. Sicilian tarantella),” Earth Sun & Moon / Lyrichord
  • Giulio Regondi Guild, "Leisure Moments No. 2," The Great Regondi, vol. 2 / Bridge Records
  • Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (Lorin Maazel, cond.),   “Act 3-Prelude, ‘Io de sospire,’” Puccini:  Tosca  / Decca  (1999)
  • * The Philharmonia, John Wallace, trumpet, “Concerto in D:  Sonata (Torelli),” Vivaldi Concerti and Baroque Trumpet Music / Nimbus
  • The Philharmonia, John Wallace, trumpet, “Overture to 'Giardino di Rose' (Scarlatti),” Vivaldi Concerti and Baroque Trumpet Music / Nimbus
  • Novalia, “Ebla,” A Mediterranean Odyssey (collection) / Putumayo
  • Gotan Project, "La Cruz del Sur,” Inspiracion-Expiracion / XL Recordings
  • Salvatore Macheda, "A'mbasciata," Il Canto di Malavita (collection) / Play It Again Sam
  • Ricercare Ensemble für Alte Musik, Zürich, cond. by Jordo Savall, “Pastime with Good Company (King Henry VIII),” Essential Renaissance (collection) / EMI Classics

*Music used during the internal breaks between segments

Dated References

  • In the open to segment A, Rick compares the efficiency of high speed rail lines in Italy to the older, slower train lines found in the south of Italy.  Tim Parks then describes Italy's high speed rail travel.  At 10:23, Tim describes the interiors of the 1980s-era intercity trains.
  • At 18:40, Rick promotes the ability to listen to Tim Park's previous interview on program 351 in the show's website archives.
  • Riccardo, at 28:18, describes how the Roman Catholic Church remains influential in Italy today.   At 29:15, Aldo explains that many Italian are no longer frequent church goers, but are very superstitious.  Aldo describes, at 29:55, how his southern Italian family made Padre Pio his personal patron saint.
  • At 44:20, Riccardo jokes that German chancellor Angela Merkel doesn't want Italians to continue living at a slow-going pace of "piano, piano." He explains this further in the context of European economic policies at 45:57.  Rick refers to Europe's economic crisis at 45:26, and notes it is fueled in Italy by tax dodging and differences between the economies of the north and the south.  Rick remembers, at 46:30, when roads in the south of Italy were spared of tolls, and gas prices were lower there than in the north of the country.
  • At 48:57, Rick refers to a centuries-long rivalry between Siena and Florence, which is played out among their soccer teams. 
  • At 50:21, Riccardo worries that modern values will cause disrespect for the elderly, even in Italy.

Program Extras

Pgm 381 extra - A listener in Pennsylvania talks with Rick, Aldo and Riccardo about her trip to 21 Italian hill towns in 21 days, and her desire to return to explore her husband's family origins in the north. (runs 5:45)