Episodes
1. Venice and the North
October 24, 2014
Alex embarks on a voyage of discovery back to her roots as she revisits some of the places that have special memories for her as well as exploring some of the country's little-known treasures. She begins with a tour of northern Italy to uncover some of its hidden secrets including a prison in Venice with a difference and ventures to a gem in Lombard Alps, before taking in the fashionable sights that Italy's capital of cool Milan has to offer - here she gets the chance to admire some of opera singer Maria Callas's unforgettable stage costumes.
2. Portonovo, Rome and Monforte
October 31, 2014
The presenter explores the secrets of the relatively undiscovered Le Marche region, before heading to the capital Rome and a rendezvous with former boyfriend Luca. She also visits her late grandmother's home in the hillside village of Monforte.
3. Naples and Ravello
November 7, 2014
Alex begins the third leg of her journey in Naples, a busy and chaotic city with a population of around 960,000, and learns what it is like to live in the shadow of Vesuvius, the volcano that famously erupted in 79AD and destroyed the town of Pompeii. Alex then heads to the spectacular Amalfi coast, the destination for part of her honeymoon, and samples the cuisine at the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, where chef Mamma Agata has catered for stars including Humphrey Bogart, Richard Burton, Liz Taylor and Fred Astaire.
4. Lecce and Matera
November 14, 2014
For the final leg of her journey, the hotelier heads to the south, a region she knows little about. In Puglia, she marvels at the local beehive-shaped dry stone huts and samples a wine with a difference, before heading to the Monte Pollino national park. Alex concludes her adventure in the city of Matera, where she attends the annual Festa della Madonna Bruna, a week-long carnival culminating in a pagan-style rite of destruction and a firework display. Last in the series.
