In the Tuscany episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits with arguably the most well-known butcher in Tuscany. Colorful and opinionated – part showman, part philosopher – Dario Cecchini is perhaps the most famous butcher in all of Italy. He has transformed his hometown of Panzano into a mecca for meat, with visitors arriving …
In the Tuscany episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits a goat farm started by an American expat. American expat Nora Kravis started Italy’s first cashmere goat farm in 1995. Chianti Cashmere Farm in Radda in Chianti is open to the public every afternoon between 4 and 7 p.m. from Easter until the end …
In the Tuscany episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy learns all about the art of making olive oil. The focus at Pornanino in Radda in Chianti is on quality. Hand-harvesting olives and gathering them in soft nets helps protect the delicate fruit. The organic olives are picked from 4,000 trees, composed of four types: …
In the Tuscany episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits a winery to learn about Tucany’s most famous wine. Castello di Ama produces the most famous wine in Tuscany – Chianti Classico, a locally protected vintage made of 100% Sangiovese grapes. Chianti Classico has undergone a renaissance in recent years, thanks in part to …
In the Umbria episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits a beautiful stained glass factory in a Perugian palazzo. Studio Moretti Caselli in Perugia has been producing stained glass windows since Francesco Moretti founded the studio in 1860. Moretti was known as one of the best glass restorers of his generation, studying the lost …
In the Umbria episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits the Umbrian university town of Perugia. Across the valley from Assisi, the city of Perugia has a history that goes back even further than Assisi’s. Although it was founded by the native Umbrii tribe, by the 5th century B.C., it had become one of …
In the Umbria episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits Assisi, the home of St. Francis. Assisi – the hometown of St. Francis and St. Clare – is a must-visit for any trip to Umbria. Set high on the slopes of Mt. Subasio, is beautifully preserved with 2000 years of Roman, Medieval and Renaissance architecture …
In the Rome episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy attends a historic ball at Palazzo Brancaccio. Under the direction of Nino Graziano Luca, the Compagnia Nazionale di Danza Storica is dedicated to preserving European classical dances. Members of the public are invited to attend the grand balls held by the group – such as …
In the Rome episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy view some iconic street art with one of the world’s best. Alice Pasquini is quickly become one of the world’s foremost street artists. Her work can be found throughout Rome and around the world (a great place to view many of her works is at …
In the Rome episode of the first season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy indulges in some very unique gelato flavors. When in Rome, eating gelato is a must but not all gelato is created equal. Avoid the places that display fluffy flavors in fake colors. Typically this gelato is filled with chemicals. Gelateria del Teatro ai Coronari at …
