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COME TO ROME WITH KATY AND TIFFANY!
In the first week of November 2026, we are hosting our 4th annual intimate, week-long trip to Rome for small group of our wonderful listeners.
This is a special opportunity to discover a side of Rome that most tourists never see—with us!
We’ll take you to see the true hidden gems and secret sites of the city, places we love and have explored together, and even places so unknown, we’ve only just discovered them ourselves!
You’ll also experience many iconic Roman sites you’re sure to have on your bucket list. By the time you leave, you’ll have an understanding of Rome that could never be found in a guide book or on the average tour.
The trip includes a luxurious six-night stay at the exquisite 4-star Hotel Donna Camilla Savelli, five incredible tours with us, our personalized expertise and guidance, a dazzling kick-off rooftop aperitivo, a final meal all together at our favorite Roman trattoria, a live episode, private chauffeured transportation into the city, and so much more.
Find out more here!
Episodes About Rome
Author Interviews
More Episodes by Topic

Life doesn’t have a script. At least, it doesn’t have to. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the challenges and joys of moving abroad and moving home. Whether you’re living overseas, or not — or not yet — join us weekly for unadulterated conversation. Get to know Rome. Laugh at our embarrassments and insights. Most of all, imagine the possibilities for your own life (and meet some famous authors along the way).
In cities like Rome, tourists are part of the city’s identity, its reality, its way of life. When they go away—and don’t come back—the city will inevitably change and adapt. Will the countless AirBNBs turn back into regular rentals, and will that in turn cause locals to move back to the historic center? Will the souvenir shops that have crowded out the artisanal workshops close their doors? Will restaurants that once hawked mediocre fare to tourists be forced to raise their standards in order to lure Romans to dine?
On this episode from our archives, we hypothesize about what’s in store for Rome in the post-Covid age, at least until the tourists return en masse. And we also muse upon the question: who is Rome for—at least, the historic center? With so few locals living and working in the center, has it become a kind of “Disneyland” for tourists, and will the sudden lack of tourists change that?
(Now that we are several years past Covid and Rome’s tourists have returned two- or three-fold, I wonder if our predictions from this years-old episode will hold up! Find out by listening in.)
***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are now airing an episode from our vast archives! Enjoy!***
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COME TO ROME WITH US: Our 4th annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure, taking place from 1 to 7 November 2026, is officially sold out! If you’d like to be on our first-dibs mailing list to make sure you don’t miss out on future trips, just send us an email!
AD-FREE LISTENING: After well over 10 years on the air with little-to-no advertising, in 2026 we have finally made the difficult decision that this completely independent and self-funded show is no longer sustainable without it. HOWEVER! If you join us on Patreon, for as little as $3 per month, you will have access to all new episodes completely ad-free!
ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.
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NEW TO THE SHOW? Don’t be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET
BOOK: Want to read Tiffany’s book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.
TOUR ROME: If you’re traveling to Rome, don’t miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!

A podcast for expats, travelers, seekers, and dreamers.
What began as a podcast about what it means to live abroad has become a dynamic examination of what it means to live. NPR veteran Katy Sewall and long-time expat in Italy Tiffany Parks guide you on a vulnerable, entertaining, and irreverent journey to discover a more wondrous and adventurous life. Our topic-based conversations, famous guests, and visits to Rome will tweak how you see the world, keep you company, and challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. Whether you live abroad, dream of living abroad, or just want to live life more fully wherever you are, join us for lively conversation every week. Learn more here.Â



