Dream of Italy

We start in the heart of Tuscany - Chianti - with a visit to Castello di Ama to learn how true Chianti wine is made. At Busatti in Anghiari, we watch 100-year-old looms craft fine fabrics. Then it is off to Panzano for a wild boar hunt and a visit with philosophical butcher Dario Cecchini. The episode ends on the coast of Tuscany in Maremma with a stunning ride with the butteri (cowboys).

Artisan Nadia Ridolfini teaches Kathy the ancient craft of mosaics. Alessandro Volpetti takes Kathy on a tour of the new Testaccio market. Then the di Felice brothers teach Kathy to make Rome's famous dish Cacio e Pepe. Then we get "the scoop" on gelato making. The episode ends at Palazzo Brancaccio with an historic ball performed by Campagna Nazionale di Danza Storica.

In Perugia, we meet two women carrying on their family traditions (stained glass and handmade textiles). Chocolate maestro Massimiliano Guidubaldi teaches Kathy to make the famous Baci candy. Then it is into the countryside around Montefalco to visit the ultra-modern winery Tenuta Castelbuono. Kathy enjoys a cooking lesson with Chef Salvatore Denaro. We are then off to a goat cheese farm.

Neapolitans are serious about their coffee, and we visit the historic Gran Caffe Gambrinus. Naples is also famous for its tailoring tradition, and we visit Rubinacci for an inside look. Kathy attends pizza school and visits a street full of Christmas creches and caricatures. Then it's into the crater of Mount Vesuvius. We also learn to make paper, watch a cooking demonstration and go fishing.

Kathy tries to get truffle hunters to reveal their secret hunting grounds. Then it is time to attend the World Truffle Auction. We visit Cascina Bruciata vineyard to learn about the hearty wines. Piedmont is also home to hot springs, and Kathy goes to Lago delle Sorgenti to find out about the unique medicinal qualities of these baths. We also visit Lake Iseo to see fine Italian boat making.

Kathy gets an introduction to the Baroque city of Lecce with a classic car ride. Lecce is famous for its paper maché, and we see how nativity scene figures are crafted. In the town of Squinzano, Kathy goes to an olive mill where the locals are dancing the pizzica in celebration of the harvest. Kathy's friend Antonello Losito introduces her to an old man who makes beautiful model boats.