Add
Private Notes
Tonight he's starting his epic journey in France. - because from the Alpine town Breil-Sur-Roya, he can travel into Italy in style on a train journey that takes him right through the Alps.
In Italy, he'll meet a local Doctor who does his rounds on horseback, through vineyards and hazelnut groves, where Gino will prepare a scrumptious chocolate cheesecake.
He'll travel onto the beautiful city of Turin, where he'll get a personal tour- Italian Job style - in the seat of a classic Fiat 500 and fulfill a lifelong dream of racing on top of the world famous Lingotto rooftop track. Here he'll make his final dish of Fettuccine pasta with mascarpone and pork mince.
Gino's next rail journey takes him on a trip of a lifetime, through the wonderful Tuscan countryside on a historic steam train - Treno Natura. Run by ex-railroad men and volunteers, this special tourist train sets off from beautiful Siena and chugs through the most picturesque natural beauty spots Tuscany has to offer. It stops in the town of Asciano where the locals try and compete with Siena's famous Palio horse race, but here they ride donkeys. Gino joins the jockeys for a training session and after a quick practice ride, decides he's better off cooking - and rustles up a traditional local dessert called panforte.
This week Gino is visiting the jewel of the Italian Riviera - the Cinque Terre. Only accessible by boat or by train, these five breathtaking towns cling to the cliff edges and offer a truly magical rail journey along the Mediteranean sea. His first stop brings him to the smallest town, Corniglia, to meet an opera singing florist on market day before hopping back on the train to Manarola.
After meeting the dry stone wallers, responsible for keeping Manarola and the rest of the towns from crumbling into the sea, Gino makes a hearty Minestrone soup with cheesy ciabatta bread. Finally heading to Vernazza Gino meets heroic wine producers Bartolo and Lisse who scale 1000 meters above sea level to tend to their vines!
This week Gino is starting his journey in Italy's food capital - Bologna. Before jumping on the train he picks up a snack for his journey, a Bolgnese classic and a childhood favourite for Gino - panino with mortadella. His train journey takes him north towards Mantova, Italy's rice growing region, where he helps out in the rice paddies before cooking at one of the oldest rice festivals in Italy. Here, the rice masters prepare over 30,000 portions of rice, and Gino's making his own dessert version, chocolate rice pudding.
This week Gino leaves Verona on one of Italy's super fast trains and heads to the majestic Lake Garda, the biggest of the Italian lakes. Here he meets a team of rowers training for their annual regatta. The race stemmed from the lake's ancient fishing tradition, when the fishermen would race out on their longboats to reach the best fishing spots.
After trying his hand at rowing, Gino cooks up a hearty sausage and bean casserole before jumping on the train and heading North towards the Dolomites. Arriving in the city of Bolzano, Gino no longer
This week Gino’s train journey takes him on a star- studded line up of Tuscan cities, starting off in Pisa the city famed for its leaning tower, it is also the home of the iconic Vespa scooter. What better way to explore the city than on two wheels, before hopping on the train towards the medieval city of Lucca, the birthplace of opera composer Puccini. Gino meets master craftsman Fabio and learns about the art of violin making before rustling up a simple vegetarian dish of ‘asparagus two ways’. Gino’s final stop on this journey is Tuscany’s capital city, beautiful Florence. Gino’s in for a treat as he gets a personal tour with local Cecilia. Not only does she know Florence like the back of her hand, she’s also part of a network of homecooks keeping cooking traditions and family recipes alive by opening up her kitchen to guests from all over the world. Gino prepares chicken cooked in beer with pancetta, ready for their guests.
Gino’s journey begins in the Italian capital of fashion - Milano. Here he visits a local institution, an elegant cocktail bar who were the first to introduce the idea of the aperitivo in Milan. Milan Central is one of the busiest train stations in Europe and it is the epitome of Fascist grandeur - an impressive starting point for Gino’s train journey to the town of Treviglio. Treviglio is the home of Bianchi bikes, the first mass manufactured bicycle in the world. Inspired by his visit to Milan Gino cooks traditional Milanese Veal for the cyclists before getting back on the train to the medieval town of Bergamo. Here he meets local ice cream maker Niccolo who’s family created one of Italy’s most loved ice cream flavours, Stracciatella! It’s the perfect accompaniment to Gino’s dessert of lemon biscuits, which he prepares in the kitchen of one of Bergamo’s hidden gems.
The last episode of the series sees Gino taking a railway adventure to picturesque Lake Iseo. Often overshadowed by its big sisters, Garda and Como, Lake Iseo is a real hidden gem. After getting the train from Bergamo Gino starts his day out on the lake fishing for sardines, surrounded by the beautiful mountains. He takes his catch and prepares a dish of grilled fish for passengers on a very special train - Treno dei Sapore. This is a tourist train, taking guests along the lake side and into the Franciacorta region and whilst they enjoy the views they also get a 7 course meal - with today’s starter cooked by Gino. Next Gino swaps the train for a handcrafted boat, made by Master Craftsman Andrea, who takes him across the lake to Monte Isola, the biggest lake island in Europe. Here Gino meets the island’s Mayor and finds out what life is like on Monte Isola, before making poached pears in red wine and vanilla.
