—Join Italian travel expert Kathy McCabe, editor of the award-winning travel newsletter, "Dream of Italy" as she explores Italy.—
DREAM OF ITALY is a journey into the heart and soul of the most beautiful country in the world.
With an insider's perspective on the people and culture that make Italy so special, this in-depth series will take viewers to places they have never seen before.
The premiere season will visit six special regions in Italy: Naples/Amalfi, Puglia, Rome, Umbria, Tuscany and Piedmont.
In each region, the show will dive into what makes them unique, through stories of the food, wine, arts, and history of the region.
KPBS will broadcast Season 2 following Season 1 on Sunday, Feb. 18 from 1-2 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 25 from Noon-2 p.m.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: “Tuscany” airs Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018 at Noon - The voyage begins in the heart of Tuscany – Chianti – with a visit to Castello di Ama to learn how true Chianti wine is made and to see the modern art that makes up the estate.
The area is also famous for olive oil and Kathy and the crew experience the olive harvest at Pornanino. Nearby, she meets the very special cashmere goats that Nora Kravis raises at Chianti Cashmere Farm.
At Busatti in Anghiari, it's a journey back in time as the 100-year-old looms craft fine fabrics. Kathy visits La Marzocco to see how some of the world’s finest espresso machines are still assembled by hand.
Then it is off to Panzano for a wild boar hunt with the La Squadra Chiantigiana and a visit with philosophical butcher Dario Cecchini.
The episode ends on the captivating coast of Tuscany in Maremma with a stunning ride with the butteri (cowboys).
Episode 2: “Rome” airs Sunday, Feb. 11 at 12:30 p.m. - Romans have been making mosaics for thousands of years and artisan Nadia Ridolfini teaches Kathy the ancient craft.
Food markets like the Campo dei Fiori are a vital part of daily life.
Alessandro Volpetti takes Kathy on a tour of the new Testaccio market as well as his family deli Volpetti.
Then the di Felice brothers, owners of Da Enzo, teach her to make Rome’s famous dish Cacio e Pepe.
Then it's time to get “the scoop” on gelato making with Gelateria del Teatro ai Coronari. Noted street artist Alice Pasquini shows her work, a modern contrast to ancient frescoes.
The episode ends at Palazzo Brancaccio with an historic ball performed by Campagna Nazionale di Danza Storica.
Episode 3: “Umbria” airs Sunday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. - Umbria has long loomed in the shadow of neighboring Tuscany but visits to Assisi and Perugia introduce the viewers to the rich treasures of this region.
In Perugia, Kathy meest two women carrying on their family traditions — Maddalena Forenza creating stained glass and Marta Cucchia and her handmade textiles.
Just outside Perugia, at the Perugina Chocolate School, 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 and learn about the local Sagrantino grape with Marco Caprai at the Arnaldo Caprai vineyard. Kathy enjoys a cooking lesson with Chef Salvatore Denaro.
Following the lesson, she travels to a goat cheese farm to meet Diego Calcabrina and his goats, and then it is time to harvest precious saffron and forage for greens with Marta Giampiccolo.
Episode 4: “Naples/Amalfi Coast” airs Sunday, Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m. - Neapolitans are serious about their coffee and in this episode Kathy visits the historic Gran Caffe Gambrinus to taste what some say is the best espresso in the city.
Naples is also famous for its tailoring tradition and Kathy stops by Rubinacci for an inside look.
Kathy attends pizza school with Master Enzo Coccia and learns it isn’t easy to make a perfect pizza. A visit to Via San Gregorio Armeno reveals a street full of Christmas creches and caricatures.
Mount Vesuvius looms large over life here and Kathy and company venture into the crater with guide Roberto Addeo. In the shadow of Vesuvius she enjoys a local folk music performance before venturing to the Amalfi Coast.
Kathy visits some very special vines at Tenuta San Francesco and learns how to make paper at Amatruda in the town of Amalfi, and limoncello with a local.
She watches a cooking demonstration with Chef Christoph Bob at Monastero Santa Rosa and goes fishing with local Costabile Laudano.
Episode 5: “Piedmont/Lake Iseo” airs Sunday, Feb. 18 at Noon - Piedmont is the land of truffles and wine. Kathy tries to get truffle hunters Natale and Giorgio Romagnolo to reveal their secret hunting grounds, then tastes the precious white truffles they find.
Afterwards, it's time to attend the World Truffle Auction where the bidding gets frenzied for these rare tubers.
She visits Cascina Bruciata vineyard to learn about the hearty Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera wines that are produced in Piedmont. Craft beer is hot in Italy right now and the owners of small brewer Nuovo Birrificio Nicese demonstrate to Kathy how it is made.
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.
On her list is to visit is the Lake Iseo in the region of Lombardy to see fine Italian boat making – from masters big and small - at Riva yachts and a small fishing boat maker on Monte Isola.
Episode 6: “Puglia” airs Sunday, Feb. 18 at 12:30 p.m. - Local Tonino Benincasa gives Kathy an introduction to the Baroque city of Lecce with a classic car ride. Lecce is famous for its paper mache and she observes how nativity scene figures are crafted at Cartapesta Claudio Riso.
Pasticiotto is the favorite local pastry, and pastry Chef Luca Capilungo gives Kathy a pastry lesson.
Outside Lecce, in the town of Squinzano, Kathy meets the locals and gets a ride in a tiny Ape car to an olive mill where locals are dancing the pizzico in celebration of the harvest. A local mama teaches Kathy to make orecchiette (pasta) and taralli (biscuits).
Grottaglie is a town famous for its ceramics and we see how various pieces, including historic whistles are made. Alberobello is famous for its classic cone-shaped houses (trulli) and Kathy learns the history of them.
In seaside Monopoli, Kathy’s friend Antonello Losito introduces her to an old man who makes beautiful model boats.
Distributed by American Public Television.
