Dream of Italy

Academy Award-winning actress Marisa Tomei and Black Madonna expert Alessandra Belloni join us for this unique episode in search of the revered and mysterious Madonna Nera in Campania, the region that both Marisa's and Kathy's families hail from. We attend two incredible celebrations for the Madonna in Moiano and Montevergine, complete with chanting, fireworks, and incredible acts of veneration.

In part 2 of our visit with Chef Massimo Bottura in Modena, we explore the charming city and delve into the philanthropic side of Modena and the Botturas. Lara Gilmore introduces us to Tortellante and Food for Soul. We can't visit Modena without learning more about its most famous son, late tenor Luciano Pavarotti and the theater that is carrying on his legacy by training young opera stars.

When we visited with 3-Michelin star Chef Massimo Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore in Modena, a town in the "slow food, fast cars" region of Emilia Romagna, we had such fun we turned it into two very special episodes. In part 1, we explore Massimo’s rise to fame from his appearance on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table” and the culinary empire he has built in the land of balsamic and Parmigiano Regiano.

Did you know that there's a 1,000-room palace in southern Italy that rivals Versailles? We travel to Caserta to visit this very special Reggia (it even made an appearance in Star Wars). The province is also home to captivating ancient ruins where gladiators once fought. And a little town nearby just might be home to the world's best pizza made by the lauded Chef Franco Pepe.

As Americans expand their horizons for more adventurous lives and retirements abroad, we return to one of our favorite regions - Abruzzo - filled with stunning mountains and coastlines. We meet four Americans who have moved to Abruzzo not only for the beautiful sights but for the affordable real estate and healthcare. We also visit a town selling 1-euro homes to see what the hype is all about.

We visit the seaside home of famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in Tuscany to learn how this region has influenced Bocelli's life and music, exploring his deep faith and love of dogs. We visit the people and places that defined him including Forte dei Marmi, Lajatico and Lucca and experience a special performance from Bocelli himself!