by Danielle Garrett of PlanIt Itineraries for The Aha! Connection
This past September I was supposed to be in Italy with my hubby celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. As you would imagine the trip was canceled but we have rescheduled for September of this year (crossing all of my fingers and toes for this trip). 🙂 I have a deep love for Europe (especially Italy), so during this Covid shut down I have found myself drawn to any movie filmed in Europe, Rick Steves’ Europe shows, and even House Hunters International. My family rolls their eyes over my obsession. That said two new shows have entered the rotation in the Garrett house recently. They are both focused on Italy, which is not surprising since Italy was the #2 most visited European country for Americans in 2019 (the U.K. was #1). I HIGHLY recommend both shows!!
The first show is Bobby and Giada in Italy featuring Bobby Flay and Giada de Laurentiis. Both are celebrity chefs with their own TV shows. Bobby Flay decided to spend 6 weeks in Rome and falls in love with the culture, lifestyle, and of course the food! Bobby asks his good friend, Giada (who grew up in Rome), to join him as his guide in exploring Rome and Tuscany for a month. They embark on an incredible trip all while being inspired by Italy’s traditions, history, and cuisine. The scenery alone will make you want to book future airline tickets yesterday. Bobby and Giada are so fun to watch together and she is stinkin’ adorable!! This is a four episode mini-series offered on Discovery Plus. They do offer a 7-day free trial…just saying!
The second show is Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and is currently airing on CNN Sunday nights at 9:00 pm. I LOVE Stanley Tucci!! He is an American actor known for his roles in movies like Devil Wears Prada, Hunger Games, and Julie & Julia (fun fact: he was also once a fashion model). His family is originally from Italy and spent a year in Florence when Stanley was 12 years old. Tucci calls this six episode mini-series a passion project and his love letter to Italy. The show explores the food of six of Italy’s best-loved places: Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Bologna, Milan, Tuscany, and Sicily. While the show does revolve around food, Tucci offers so much more! He beautifully weaves in the history, culture, and traditions that make Italy so unique. His infectious and engaging personality keeps you wanting more. And of course the scenery…yes, you will want to book airline tickets yesterday! 🙂
Please remember to travel responsibly, wear your mask and do not travel unnecessarily if you are elderly 
or immune-compromised! And remember to check your destination’s travel restrictions/requirements before and during planning, as well as double-checking before departure!
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