Ciao Bella is digital magazine and podcast focused on keen insider insight on contemporary Italy.

Consider Ciao Bella to be the next embrace of Italian hospitality and passion, with thoughtful and meaningful features, interviews, reviews and podcast episodes on Italy, Italian culture and the people behind it all. Explore the Mediterranean through real time and authentic stories on travel, heritage, hospitality, art, design and cuisine, and then listen to these incredible stories on Ciao Bella podcast.

Meet Erica Firpo

Erica Firpo is an experienced travel and lifestyle journalist, and podcaster based in Rome. Italian and American, Erica gets to the heart of Italian culture in Ciao Bella, and keeps sharing la dolce vita as contributor to AFAR, Washington Post, Insider, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, BBC Travel, The Guardian, Fathom, and more. She’s authored penned over a dozen travel books including Fodor’s, Insight Guides and Lonely Planet. Read more at EricaFirpo.

Travel Consulting with Unlocked Rome

UnlockedRome is the travel collaboration with husband Darius Arya, an intrepid archaeologist and Ancient World expert. Together, they curate insider experiences in the worlds of art, archaeology, fashion, food, and more. With than two decades of Italy and Mediterranean travel experience and fathomless art, history and culture knowledge, they unlock the ins and outs of Italian culture, cuisine and hospitality – from off-beat adventures to luxury stays in 20 regions of Italy, as well as the Southern Mediterranean.

Interested into talking about your trip? Book a 30-minute casual chat where Erica will go over your Italy itinerary and share tips to make your experience amazing. Cost: 90€.

Want to get serious? Book a 60-minute conversation where we’ll go so in-depth in trip planning, suggestions for tours, guides, restaurants, etc, you’ll feel like you’ve already traveled. Cost: 250€. Each conversation is followed with a detailed email and personalized Google map.

UnlockedRome will also create bespoke itineraries upon request.