Gino's Italian Escape

Having made Sardinia his home from home for the past three years, Gino is keen to explore this beautiful island through its food, people and unique landscape. He learns about the national iconic dish, roasted suckling pig, and hosts a traditional Italian festa for his closest island friends. Then he sets off across the North of the island, and visits Alghero, a medieval walled town on the North West coast. Influenced by the Spanish, he experiences its architecture and of course, the food. He ends his visit by catching a boat to a cave network 20 minutes across the bay for a truly spectacular end to his first few days exploring this island.

Gino leaves the coast behind and heads deep into the mountains, to unlock the secrets to Sardinia. The island is home to more 100 year olds than any other, and it's all down to its landscape and diet. He visits the town of Orgosolo, made famous by the abundance of murals on the walls, depicting its proud history. Gino whips up a hearty rustic pasta dish, using traditional but simple ingredients, and serves it to his new found friends.

Gino is back on the road again, leaving the mountains and heading south to the coast and the capital of Sardinia. On his way he takes a fishing trip and learns how fishing in the deep blue waters runs a close run, second to farming on this island. He then visits the bustling capital city of Cagliari, where he is introduced to the unique textures that the locals use to enhance their fish dishes. After a whistle stop shop at Europe's largest covered market, he makes his way to the magical ancient site of Nora, where he cooks a succulent tuna dish, as the sun sets over the ruins.

Gino says arrivederci to Sardinia and arrives in the capital city of Sicily - Palermo. Sicily is somewhere Gino has never visited, so this is a real journey of discovery for him. Home of the mafia, a vibrant street food culture and rich history, this portside city stops Gino in his tracks. He has an unexpected encounter at the street food market, meets the man who stood up to the mafia, and ends up wine tasting in Marsala, finishing up his day in the vineyard cooking a beautiful chicken in marsala sauce.

Crossing the island of Sicily, and taking in the beautiful baroque towns of Noto and Modica, Gino learns about chocolate and cassada. Past the temples of Agrigento, he makes his way up to the foothills of mighty Mount Etna, to Sicily's lemon riviera.

Gino learns how to make the Sicilian sweet treat cannoli in the pretty town of Taormina. He climbs the craters of Mount Etna and then makes his personal pilgrimage to the town of Savoca, the setting of Corleone in the Godfather films - his favourite film of all time. Here he meets the owner's, shares a world famous granita and then ends his magical journey by cooking on the terrace of this world famous bar.