Europe:Italy [DVD] [2003] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

If you are planning a trip to Italy, or, have already been and wish to experience the joys of this facinating country again, this is a great video. Rick loves the country and its people, and his joy and enthusism show throughtout the 4 hours on this dvd. The video takes the viewer to such 'biggies' as Venice, Rome and Florence. And it addition it takes you away from the tour-group crowds to experience less visited areas. The Hill Towns, Sicily and the wonderful Cinque Terre villages are among the other locations explored. Plus, the well-traveled host offers tips on transportation, food, language, hotels, meeting the people, and lots more - all aimed at helping the traveler in Italy to achieve maximum enjoyment during limited vacation time. My daughters and I have been in Italy the past two summers and found Rick's tips accurate and helpful. Wonderfully satisfying to view again upon returning.

Eight Shows: This DVD contains eight complete "Rick Steves' Europe" TV shows on Italy, first broadcast from 2000-2005.

Running Time: 4 hours.

Join host Rick Steves on a four-hour grand tour through Italy in eight half-hour "Rick Steves' Europe" TV shows. In Venice, you'll drink-in great Renaissance art, cruise the canals, and enjoy easy side-trips to Padova, Vicenza, Verona and Ravenna. In Tuscany, you'll tour the great museums of Florence, explore medieval Siena and indulge in some silky-smooth Chianti wine. The tiny, relaxing port towns of Italy's Cinque Terre will make you want to renew your passport - and Rome will revive your interest in history, with visits to Caesar's Forum, the Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica and an after-dark stroll down timeless, winding streets. Your Italian adventure wraps up in Sicily, where playful fishing villages, stunning Greek ruins and a volcanic visit...ends things with a bang.

Venice: Serene, Decadent and Still Kicking: Sorting through the monuments of magical Venice, we drink-in the art of Titian, Bellini, Donatello, and the Doge's Palace. We luxuriate in a venerable café on St. Mark's Square, and enjoy calamari with locals in a canal-side pub.

Venice Side-Trips: The Best of Veneto: Pulling on hip boots, we settle into the muck of the Venetian lagoon. Back on the mainland, we check out a chapel restoration in Padova, Palladian-style streets and villas in Vicenza, romance in Verona, and dazzling mosaics in Ravenna.

Florence: City of Art: We look into the eyes of Michelangelo's David, learn tricks for touring the Uffizi art gallery, and climb the amazing cathedral dome that kicked off the Renaissance. Then we chase the sunset on a Vespa, and sleep serenely in a converted monastery.

Siena and Assisi: Italy's Grand Hill Towns: In red-bricked Siena, we tour the town's innovative medieval hospital and lavish cathedral. Exploring the Chianti region, we sip Brunello di Montalcino-with its makers. In Assisi, we follow the footsteps of St. Francis.

Cinque Terre: Italy's Hidden Riviera: In these five idyllic port towns, we sample village life: fishing for anchovies at midnight, savoring the best pesto, picking grapes, and strolling the "walkway of love." We side-trip to Carrara's quarries, where Michelangelo selected his marble.

Caesar's Rome: Rome welcomes the new millennium spiffed up as never before. We tour Rome's ancient sights from the Forum and Colosseum to the glorious Pantheon. Then, after hiking the Appian Way and exploring the catacombs, we track down the best gelato in Rome.

Rome: Baroque, After Dark: After a pilgrimage to Michelangelo's Pieta, we climb to the top of St. Peter's Basilica. At the Borghese Gallery, it's exquisite sculptures by the master of marble, Bernini. Then we take an after-dark stroll, lacing together Rome's Baroque and bubbly nightspots.

The Best of Sicily: After going fishing with El Presidente off Cefalu, we land in rough-and-tumble Palermo. Marveling at the eerie skeletons in a Cappuccin crypt, airy mosaics of Monreale, enchanting ruins of Segesta, and the fiery rim of Mount Etna, we enjoy the best of Sicily.

...you needa this!

I've been to Italy many times but not to every little nook and cranny. Rick will take you there. Nothing better on the market to highlight the "non tourist" areas and routes to get around.

A definate must view before your departure.

Bon Voyage!

Ciao!

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