Even if it weren’t for her role as Tony Soprano’s sometimes-aggravating sibling, Aida Turturro would still have an impressive resume, appearing in “Celebrity” (Woody Allen), “Angie” (co-starring with Gina Davis) and most recently “Romance and Cigarettes” (Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslett and Christopher Walken). Our pilgrimage starts in New York where Aida splits her time between her place in Manhattan and her home in Montauk. Then it’s on to Rome, Naples, The Amalfi Coast, Capri and the port city of Bari which leads us to the town of Giovanazzo, ancestral home of the Turturros. Aida, who doesn’t speak Italian, has arranged for her friend Rosella from Tuscany to be our translator. On the layover in Rome, Aida raids the airport shops for lingerie. It’s only 7 a.m. and it’s one of the proclivities she can exercise…being Tony’s sister and all.

           
Maxine Albert: What are the must-haves you take when you travel?
Aida Turturro:  I need to have my hair stuff, my creams, my scrubs and my moisturizer. I’m a bit of a product whore; I like my products to be with me. I’m a pajama girl. I have my comfy feel-good pajamas, my lay-around-the-house-schmatta pjs, and then I have nice sexy pajamas–my nighties. I’m a big shopper. Some people go for alcohol, I go for lingerie. It makes me feel grounded.

           
MA: What was your favorite of all the places we dined in Italy?
AT: Oh, the one in Bari, the fresh fish place [Osteria di Gambero] near the port. It was the total opposite of L.A.—no one was looking around and watching who walked in. One of the waiters was so sweet. He didn’t speak English but thought I had been in “The Godfather.” We had a little thunderbolt attraction across the room. Then he noticed a little stain on my…[Aida points downward.]
           
MA: Cleavage?
AT: He came over with stain cleaner.

MA: So attentive those Italian waiters!
AT: It was like in a movie, a sweet little moment. It just made you feel the beauty about love, flirtation, kindness…what’s the word?

MA: Amore.
AT: Amore. Let’s leave it at that.
           
MA: What were you feeling when you saw Giovanazzo for the first time?
AT: I was so nervous. Then my cousin, Manlio, ran up to the car with a bouquet of flowers saying “you look-a like me” and we both hugged. Tears ran down our faces.  I met so many people who are creative, like my dad who was a painter and my cousin John [Turturro–actor/director] and Nick [Turturro–actor]. I felt like I’d known them my whole life. My aunt took me to the graves of my great grandparents. The mayor made me an honorary citizen of Giovanazzo.

MA: Do you speak Italian now?
AT: I tried singing with those Berlitz tapes when we were driving along the Amalfi coast. Now Rosella translates when I phone my relatives.

           
MA: I read that you were rated one of the top 20 best house guests. What makes you a great house guest?
AT: I always bring special things that I know people will like. I always help out and make sure to contribute. There is a lot of work when you are a host. I’m considerate.

           
MA: So you’re not much like your character Janice on “The Sopranos”?
AT: Some people think Janice can be mean or tough. I’m very nice, but there is a side of me if you piss me off that makes Janice look calm.

           
MA: The Sopranos is about organized crime, but people don’t know that in real life you are a top “organizer.”
AT: I love organizing homes, organizing a life in every way, from closets to whatever. When you clean out things, you clean out your mind. I approach it as a therapy session; people can get very emotional.
A lot of people tell me I changed their life. It’s very rewarding.

           
MA: Do you still see cast members of “The Sopranos”?

By Maxine Albert