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Dream of Italy

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With its mesmerizing landscapes, rich artistic treasures, deep ties to the past and warm people, it is no wonder that Americans Dream of Italy more than any other destination in the world. Join Italian travel expert Kathy McCabe, editor of the award-winning travel newsletter Dream of Italy, as she explores six diverse areas of Italy in six episodes. Meet Italy's colorful locals - chefs, artisans, historians - who are deeply connected to their land, carrying on and preserving the traditions of their ancestors. Dream of Italy is directed by Dakkan Abbe who created the public television series, Inside the Tuscan Hills.

Episodes:

• Tuscany

  We start in the heart of Tuscany - Chianti - with a visit to Castello di Ama to learn how true Chianti wine is made and see the modern art that makes up the estate. The area is also famous for olive oil and we experience the olive harvest at Pornanino. Nearby, Kathy meets the very special cashmere goats that Nora Kravis raises at Chianti Cashmere Farm. At Busatti in Anghiari, we watch 100-year-old looms craft fine fabrics. 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).

  Next Airing:	Thu, Nov 7th, 2024 at 11:30 PM on UEN-TV
  Length:	00:26:42
  Usage rights:	5/16/2019 to 5/15/2027

• Rome

  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 Kathy to make Rome's famous dish Cacio e Pepe. Then we get "the scoop" on gelato making with Gelateria del Teatro ai Coronari. Noted street artist Alice Pasquini shows us 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.

  Next Airing:	Thu, Nov 14th, 2024 at 11:30 PM on UEN-TV
  Length:	00:26:43
  Usage rights:	5/16/2019 to 5/15/2027

• Umbria

  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, we meet 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. We are then off 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.

  Next Airing:	Thu, Nov 21st, 2024 at 11:30 PM on UEN-TV
  Length:	00:26:43
  Usage rights:	5/16/2019 to 5/15/2027

• Naples/Amalfi Coast

  Neapolitans are serious about their coffee and we visit 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 we visit 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 we venture into the crater with guide Roberto Addeo. In the shadow of Vesuvius we enjoy a local folk music performance before venturing to the Amalfi Coast. We visit some very special vines at Tenuta San Francesco, learn how to make paper at Amatruda in the town of Amalfi, learn to make limoncello with a local, watch a cooking demonstration with Chef Christoph Bob at Monastero Santa Rosa and go fishing with local Costabile Laudano.

  Next Airing:	Thu, Nov 28th, 2024 at 11:30 PM on UEN-TV
  Length:	00:26:43
  Usage rights:	5/16/2019 to 5/15/2027

• Piedmont/Lake Iseo

  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. Then it is time to attend the World Truffle Auction where the bidding gets frenzied for these rare tubers. We visit Cascina Bruciata vineyard to learn about the hearty Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera wines that are produced in Piedmont. 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 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.

  Next Airing:	Thu, Dec 5th, 2024 at 11:30 PM on UEN-TV
  Length:	00:26:43
  Usage rights:	5/16/2019 to 5/15/2027

• Puglia

  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 we see 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). Alberobello is famous for its classic cone-shaped houses (trulli) and we learn the history of them. In seaside Monopoli, Kathy's friend Antonello Losito introduces her to an old man who makes beautiful model boats.

  Next Airing:	Thu, Dec 12th, 2024 at 11:30 PM on UEN-TV
  Length:	00:26:43
  Usage rights:	5/16/2019 to 5/15/2027

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