Passion Italy

-I'm Alessandra Poli.

I'm Italian, and I've been traveling to every corner of Italy, discovering the hidden gems of this beautiful country.

"Passion Italy" is my way to share them with you.

The real Italy?

It's a love for stunning landscapes... the creativity to transform sea silk into art... the soul to give a new voice to old traditions... the magic of musical stones... and the fascination of being inspired by nature.

Dreamy, white-sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue water, and a breathtaking coastline are just some of the reasons why you should visit the island of Sardinia.

Its people's strength and talent are really unique.

We will begin our journey in Sardinia, from its capital -- Cagliari.

To dive deeper into the local culture, we will travel to the islands of Sant'Antioco and San Peter.

Inland, Iglesias will be our next destination.

The spectacular Capo Pecora will sign the end of our trip.

Sardinia is a paradise in the heart of the Mediterranean.

Yes, the sand is really that white, and the sea the bluest blue.

Of course, its stunning coasts are the main tourist attractions, but there is also an endless list of places and endearing eccentricities to discover.

The island has a long and intriguing history and is dotted with captivating archaeological sites.

Diverse populations colonized the coast, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Byzantines.

Later, the island was under the Spanish rule and its influence is evident in some of the architecture.

Despite the recent growth of tourism, Sardinia has retained its wild, untouched beauty, and visitors will enjoy a truly authentic and unparalleled experience.

People are reserved, but their hospitality and kindness come from the heart.

As the English writer DH Lawrence said, "Sardinia is different and all the more loveable for it."

[ Birds squawking ] [ Opera music playing ] Cagliari is the biggest city of Sardinia.

The picturesque historical district is perfect to stroll and enjoy its Mediterranean feeling.

The city's history goes back thousands of years and everywhere you go, you come across traces of its rich past.

[ Opera music continues ] The cathedral is one of the city's highlights.

The first Church of Saint Mary was rebuilt in 1254 within the walls of the Castro Castle.

And in 1313, it became the city's cathedral.

The church was built in Gothic-Romanesque style.

Its current appearance is the result of the renovations undertaken over the last four centuries.

The original pulpit, sculpted by Maestro Guglielmo, was donated by the city of Pisa.

Beneath the altar lies the Shrine of the Martyrs, excavated out of the rock.

It owes its name to 179 niche that contain the relics of martyrs from Cagliari.

[ Opera music continues ] I meet Pietrandrea Carta at San Remy's terrace, one of most romantic spots in the city.

Pietrandrea is the third generation goldsmith and keeps the family tradition of filigree work at the highest level.

His creations, inspired by the traditional Sardinian jewels, are really unique.

[ Opera music concludes ] -[ Speaking Italian ] -Not far from Cagliari, I visit a very special place -- the Sound Garden, created by Pinuccio Sciola, a sculptor, painter, and carver with a deep love for his motherland Sardinia, its nature and, above all, its stones.

Today Maria, his daughter, makes sure that his art and philosophy are not forgotten.

[ Note plays ] [ Note plays ] -[ Speaking Italian ] [ Notes playing musically ] -[ Speaking Italian ] -[ Speaking Italian ] [ Notes playing musically ] [ Notes playing musically ] -Sant'Antioco is the largest of the Sardinian islands.

An artificial isthmus connects it to the mainland.

Sant'Antioco Township looks like a typical fisherman's village.

In the morning, you can buy fresh fish straight from the local fishermen.

The town is named after St. Antioco's Basilica, which was built in 1102 atop a very old Christian church and contains the saint's statue and relics.

The catacombs, developed in the 3rd century around the saint's crypt, are among the first evidence of Christianity in Sardinia.

They are the adaptation of five underground chambers belonging to the vast Punic necropolis from the 6th century B.C.

You can admire only traces of the original frescos, while the niche, used as graves, are still visible today.

With about 30 miles of coast, the island offers fine sandy beaches and rocky bays with pure turquoise waters.

[ Waves crashing ] The perfect setting to meet Chiara Vigo is by the sea, the element that gives life to her art.

She is a master of art in ancient weaving, but her originality resides in the uncommon textile material she uses, called byssus or sea silk, which comes from the biggest Mediterranean seashell.

-[ Speaking Italian ] [ Blowing ] [ Note playing ] [ Note playing ] [ Note playing ] -Before heading on inland, I'd like to explore another small but attractive island -- San Peter.

The island encloses incomparable natural beauty and immaculate beaches, but its culture and peculiar history is not far behind.

The architectural details on the faades, the characteristic features of the alleyways, the unique blend of Arabic and Mediterranean architecture make Carloforte a special town to be visited.

Among other things, Carloforte is a food paradise, in particular for tuna fish enthusiasts!

The tuna fishing has had a great deal of importance and is a very ancient practice for the islanders.

Today, San Peter is internationally known as the top in quality tuna fishing.

[ Wind blowing ] Iglesias is an historic city, rich in cultural attractions, century-old traditions, and natural beauties.

The Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, in the Middle Ages, founded the city, combining several mining villages.

The architecture of the historic center has evidences of the Spanish colonization, which ended in the 18th century.

The Iglesias mining district was one of the most important in Europe.

The gold period lasted until the end of the 1900s.

Nowadays, the old mines are a park, which is a great attraction for tourists.

In the San Giovanni mine, there is a masterpiece of nature, one of the oldest caves in Europe, dedicated to Saint Barbara.

To the miners, who discovered it in 1952, during the excavation of a well, it must have appeared like a vision.

The cave is framed by elaborate columns of stalactites and stalagmites.

It is coated with lavish aragonite, formed over thousands of years.

Another peculiarity are the honeycomb concretions arranged along walls and vaults.

From 1875 to 1998, lead and zinc were mined here.

In the small town of Buggerru, the Henry Gallery really deserve a visit.

With Luciano Ottelli, geologist, writer, and most of all, an expert in Sardinian mines, we experience a journey back in mining's golden time.

Luciano dedicated all his life to make this invaluable heritage of culture, genius, and humanity known and loved.

-[ Speaking Italian ] -[ Speaking Italian ] -[ Speaking Italian ] -If you want to feel the power of nature, far away from everything, this picturesque strip of pink granite jutting out into the clear-blue sea is the place to go.

Capo Pecora is one of the jewels of the Green Coast and the promontory, inhabited since prehistoric times, is a veritable treasure trove for fossil hunters.

One of the best ways to enjoy this wild area is horseback riding.

Gianmatteo Nunziante takes me on a tour at sunset.

Simply spectacular!

Gianmatteo is an international lawyer in Rome, but he has a strong passion for art and a sense of great creativity.

His swimming outfits, inspired by this amazing land, are a perfect mix of design, Mediterranean feeling, and uniqueness.

-[ Speaking Italian ] -Sardinia is a land that reveals its inner nature little by little, and the more you know it, the more it grows on you.

On departure, you will promise yourself to return one day.

"Passion Italy" is a deep dive into Italian culture and excellence, and I'll show you the Italy you've never seen before.

Come with me on "Passion Italy," for the people, the places, and the passion!