Italy Answered: Your Guide to Authentic Italian Experiences
Why Italy Feels Like Home: Angela Isherwood on Heritage & Travel
What makes Italy feel like home—even when you weren't born there? In this episode of Italy Answered , Lisa Morales speaks with Angela Isherwood, founder of Olive & Atlas Travel Design, about Italian American heritage, family traditions, and how a lifelong connection to Italy eventually shaped her approach to travel. Raised in Milwaukee in an Italian American family with roots in Sicily, Naples, and Calabria, Angela grew up with traditions centered on food, family, and time spent together. When she first visited Italy as a teenager, traveling south toward Sorrento stirred an unexpected feeling: she had arrived home. Today, that connection influences the bespoke journeys she creates through Olive & Atlas. For Angela, meaningful travel isn't about checking destinations off a list. It's about slowing down, understanding Italy's distinct regions, connecting with local people, and having the freedom to be fully present. In this conversation, we explore: • Growing up Italian American and carrying traditions forward • Why Southern Italy immediately felt like home• What “bespoke” and “luxury” really mean in travel • Experiencing famous destinations without sacrificing authenticity• The reality behind la dolce vita • Why Italy's regional identities matter• What travelers can bring home from Italy beyond souvenirs • Passing Italian heritage on to the next generation• Angela's vision for Olive & Atlas and traveling deeper in Italy Read the full article and follow along with the edited transcript: www.liveinitalymag.com We'd love to hear your feedback. Email us at lisa@liveinitalymag.com
