Dream of Italy

In our previous episode (#11), we discussed how many who have Italian ancestry can claim Italian citizenship, jure sanguinis, by right of blood. In this episode, we dig deeper as sometimes this process isn't as straightforward as it first might seem.

Host Kathy McCabe welcomes Bianca Ottone of My Italian Family. They discuss: + Why more and more Americans are pursuing dual citizenship + Why naturalization records are the most important + How Bianca and her company helped Kathy explore her heritage in Campania + How to navigate around the "1948 rule" which might seemingly deny your claim to citizenship - and how Kathy is doing it+ How adoption affects the ability to claim citizenship + How to navigate around name discrepancies, whether they were made on purpose or by mistake + How to find the Italian town(s) your ancestors are from, even if you are not sure of all of their details

Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2021/05/04/podcast-episode-12-overcoming-challenges-in-claiming-your-italian-citizenship-with-my-italian-family/

Italy bestows Italian citizenship jure sanguinis, by right of blood. So that means many Americans who have Italian blood can be dual citizens and hold citizenship in the U.S. and Italy, allowing them to live in Italy full-time and access many benefits - and even pass it on to their children.

Host Kathy McCabe welcomes Melanie Holtz of ItalyAncestry.com to discuss genealogy and how tracing your ancestry can lead to Italian citizenship and an EU passport. They discuss: + How Melanie's own ancestors were "on the run" - and that's sometimes a common story - when they emigrated to the U.S. + How Italian records can tell you so much of the story of your ancestors + Why so many Italian records are available in Salt Lake City, of all places + What are the advantages of claiming Italian citizenship+ Why the wait at some U.S. consulates is up to eight years! to process citizenship paperwork, but there's a very fast way to get your citizenship granted - on the ground in Italy + What the cost is to go through the citizenship process and ways to save money

Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2021/05/04/podcast-episode-11-how-to-use-your-italian-ancestry-to-claim-italian-citizenship-with-italyancestry-com/

When you're not in Italy, what better way to live like an Italian but to grow a garden at home? Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential the Mediterranean diet and gardening is a wonderful way to be tied to the land, no matter where you are.

Host Kathy McCabe welcomes Lynn Byczynski and Will Nagengast of Seeds From Italy. They share the importance of heirloom seeds to the Italian culture and how to get gardening at home. They also discuss: + Why seeds are so important to Italians and Italian-Americans + How they came to run a business importing seeds specifically from Italy + Why basil seeds produced in Bergamo are called Italiano Classico + What is a Cucuzza? + When is the best time to start a garden in the United States + Which Italian flowers are easiest to grow + And much more...

Visit www.growitalian.com and use code: dreamgarden to save 10%

Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2021/04/12/podcast-episode-10-grow-an-italian-garden-with-seeds-from-italy/

When the pandemic started this spring, I put out a call to our listeners to send in audio segments for a special crowdsourced episode on the places, people and experiences we are dreaming of during this difficult time.

I asked listeners to start off with, "When I dream of Italy, I dream of..." and the answers I received are as diverse and beautiful as il bel paese itself!

From a story of smiles and soul medicine found in Sicily to a funny tale of being locked in an Italian restaurant bathroom, this episode will enchant and surprise you until the day we can return to Italy!

Show notes: https://dreamofitaly.com/2020/12/17/podcast-episode-9-your-crowdsourced-italian-travel-dreams/

I believe in Italy. I’m betting on Italy. Italy has saved me again and again. It has been my constant. And I believe in dreams and their ability to become reality.

As Italy begins to slowly open up and the future still remains uncertain, all we can hold onto these days are our dreams...so let’s write about and talk about our Italian dreams!

I know Dream of Italy viewers, readers and listeners have had some of the most incredible experiences in Italy. We’ve published 170 issues of our award-winning travel publication but YOU know about so many hidden gems that I (or the fabulous contributors to our publication) don’t know about and what better time to share them!?

For years, I have dreamed of putting together a crowdsourced issue of Dream of Italy and now that we also have the Dream of Italy Podcast, for those who don’t like to write but can talk (haha), we’re compiling a crowdsourced podcast episode as well.

I need your help. There’s no better time to share our love for Italy and get lost in a little project that has us digging deep into great memories.

Please submit a 350-word articles, series of photos, recipe or podcast soundbite up to 40 seconds long on the theme of When I Dream of Italy, I Dream of... to potentially be included in our issue or episode. The deadline is May 20, 2020.

For more details, visit www.dreamofialy.com/sharemydream