I’m launching a new weekly series each Monday to highlight what I’m reading, watching, listening to, and experiencing in public history. Stay tuned on Mondays for these “Monday Dispatches.”
Ancient Roman ruins. Timeless Renaissance sculptures. Bold glasses of Tuscan red wine. Steaming plates of fresh pasta. Rolling hills, jagged Alpine peaks, and crashing Adriatic waves.
These sights – and many more – await viewers in Stanley Tucci’s latest culinary travel series, Tucci in Italy. But the real stars of this remarkable program are the people, their stories, and the culinary traditions Tucci so thoughtfully shares on his second cable series exploring his beloved Italy.
In each episode, Stanley Tucci delves deep into Italy’s history, diverse regional cultures, and the daily lives of the country’s fascinating inhabitants, always through the lens of food and drink.
Across five episodes in the first season, viewers travel with Tucci from bustling cities brimming with historical landmarks, to Alpine towns along Italy’s once-disputed Austrian border, to quaint fishing communities along the rugged Adriatic coast.
The show beautifully reveals Italy’s complexity – its regional differences, culinary nuances, and vibrant cultural traditions. Tucci’s genuine enthusiasm radiates through every scene, whether chatting with an acclaimed chef, a passionate winemaker, or a spirited local business owner.
In late 2023, my wife and I embarked on our own memorable Italian adventure, exploring Rome and Florence in our first international trip together. The incredible combination of mouthwatering food, storied history, and friendly locals left us eager to return. Watching Tucci in Italy brought back our favorite memories and gave us inspiration for future travels.
Below, you’ll find the first episode of Tucci in Italy, generously shared by National Geographic on YouTube. I highly recommend experiencing the full season – streaming now on Disney+ – for a vivid, engaging journey that brings Italy’s rich history, culture, and culinary heritage brilliantly to life.
Check out a few of my travel and history stories
Alexander Campbell | From the shores of Ireland to a gallows in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region
A visit to France and the legacies of the Paris Commune of 1871 | Travel
Reflecting on the Holocaust’s impact in Rome | Travel
Exploring the history of “The Blitz” that devastated London in 1940-41 | Travel
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