Episodio 1/30

@ Rocky Sardinian Cove
Jack begins his tour of "Islands of Italy" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations!
Italy - Islands
We go island-hopping off the "boot" of Italy on Sardinia and Sicily! There is so much for the pets to enjoy here, from the dozens of flawless sandy beaches, vibrant, colourful houses and special flora and fauna. The architecture reflects the melting pot of travellers from ancient empires of Europe, Africa and the Middle East that used the islands as a stopping-off place—the Byzantines, Phoenicians and of course, the Spanish, all of whom have left their mark. The water is perfectly clear, making it ultra-inviting for pets who want to try their paw at snorkling! And there's a banger of a surprise on Sicily, home to Europe's largest volcano, Mount Etna! It's classed as active, but pets need have no fear—that just means it's erupted once since the last Ice Age! Rest assured, your picnics will not be disturbed!
Rocky Sardinian Cove
With a morning spent in happily sailing the ocean blue around the island of Sardinia, the pets can pull in on the coastline wherever they want to explore. Just remember to tie the boat up firmly, chaps and chapesses, for when you're ready to embark again!

Episodio 2/30

@ La Macchinina Rossa -- Little Red Car
“You know, I'd like to spend a whole week in this region here, Jack!” said Dahlia.
"It's very pleasant indeed—but you never know, the next part of the tour might be even better!" replied Jack.
La Macchinina Rossa -- Little Red Car
The Fiat 500 is an iconic Italian design. It's just the job to take a group of pets on a sightseeing tour ending in a picnic in the beautiful Italian countryside!

Episodio 3/30

@ Deep Blue Sea
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, Jack!” said WillDroid ruefully.
"Never mind," said Jack. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"
Deep Blue Sea
Whether you chose to visit Sardinia to check out Phoenician or Roman ruins, or just to soak up some sun and enjoy some excellent Sardinian wines, you're sure to have a great time.

Episodio 4/30

@ Cagliari, Sardinia
"What are you doing, Cuddles?" asked Jack, coming across his friend in the hotel lounge, clutching a notebook and pen.
"I'm keeping a diary of our experiences on this trip, Jack. I don't want to forget anything!" responded Cuddles. "Oh, and the tour guide taught me a lovely phrase just now—Dall'Italia, con amore!—'From Italy, with love'. I'm going to use it on my postcards home to my Mum."
Cagliari, Sardinia
Sardinia is one of the most mysterious places on earth. The oldest landmass in Europe, it has archaeological sites, discovered in the 1970s, that date from between 1900 and 730 BCE (Sardinia’s Stonehenge).

Episodio 5/30

@ Sardinian Haven
Jack was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, Nemo!” he exclaimed happily. "O Sole Mio or My Own Sun. This takes me back!"
Sardinian Haven
Sardinia is undoubtedly best known for limpid turquoise sea and exquisite beaches on the Costa Smeralda, but there are plenty of those elsewhere on the island too. Food and wine is just as important here as well – the island is a designated ‘Blue Zone’, a region where the people live longer and healthier lives than anywhere else on the planet.

Episodio 6/30

@ Royal Olive Oil
"Italy—the perfect choice for our travels this summer, Jack!" enthused Foxy.
"Yup. Pizza, pasta, Prada. I can't wait to get to Milan!"
"Oh! I was thinking more of world famous paintings and architecture, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, the Colosseum of Ancient Rome, Venice's canals, Pompeii, the opera. Italy has given the world so much!" said Foxy.
Jack unwrapped a torta al cioccolato pastiglia for himself, popped it in his mouth and offered the packet to Foxy. "Sure! You know me, I love a bit of culture. As long as there's a nice gift shop at the end, I'm happy."
Royal Olive Oil
There are over 400 varieties of olive in Italy! Each Italian region has its own special cultivars. For example, Ortice from Campania is one of the oldest olive trees in Italy dating back to 539 BCE; spicy and slightly bitter with elegant and well-balanced tones of fresh tomatoes and vegetables.

Episodio 7/30

@ Sardinian Seaside Delight
“What have you got in your rucksack, Sammy?” asked Jack. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Jack,” responded Sammy. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Sardinian Seaside Delight
About a quarter of the island of Sardinia is designated as either a National Park or other protected reserve territory, so much of the environment is unspoiled. The naturalists in your family can have a great time trying to spot incredibly rare creatures such as the Sardinian Fox or the Mediterranean Monk Seal!

Episodio 8/30

@ Sea Glass Fragments
“I can never remember how to spell ‘Mediterranean’, Jack,” mused Willow, clutching a postcard and sucking the end of her pen. “Is it two ts and one r?”
“Simples,” grinned Jack. “You just need to remember it’s got ‘terra’ in the middle, which is Latin for ‘earth’, and the ‘Medi’ bit means ‘middle’. Put the two together and Bob’s your uncle.”
“Middle Earth!” cried Willow.
Sea Glass Fragments
Sea glass is essentially pieces of glass ground smooth by the action of the sea. Taking anything from 20 to 100 years to complete the process, the end results can be exquisite. Jewellery made from sea glass will be absolutely unique.

Episodio 9/30

@ I Saw One Ship Go Sailing By
Crystal was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Jack unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which he succeeded in knocking Crystal’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said Crystal, irritated. “We’re about to pose on either side of this amazing scene—the picture will all be of your map if you don’t fold it up pronto!”
I Saw One Ship Go Sailing By
Sardinia presents a huge range of activities for a holiday. From the sunbathing perfection of its Mediterranean beaches to the exploration of sites such as Su Nuraxi di Barumini - a building structure dating from the Megalithic period - there is something to interest everypet.

Episodio 10/30

@ Lavender Shop
“I can never remember how to spell ‘Mediterranean’, Jack,” mused Frost, clutching a postcard and sucking the end of his pen. “Is it two ts and one r?”
“Simples,” grinned Jack. “You just need to remember it’s got ‘terra’ in the middle, which is Latin for ‘earth’, and the ‘Medi’ bit means ‘middle’. Put the two together and Bob’s your uncle.”
“Middle Earth!” cried Frost.
Lavender Shop
While strolling round idyllic Sardinia you may come across this delightful little shop offering all things lavender! You will find plants, bath foam, perfume sprays, fragrant sachets and more!

Episodio 11/30

@ Turquoise Surf
Jack was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, Sadie!” he exclaimed happily. "O Sole Mio or My Own Sun. This takes me back!"
Turquoise Surf
Enjoy the crystal clear waters of Cala Gonone, Italy. Who'll be the first to get their surf board out?

Episodio 12/30

@ Canopied Café
“Where are we now, Jack?” asked Elsa.
"If it's Tuesday this must be Tuscany!" joked Jack. "Only kidding—let me check the map!"
Canopied Café
A romantic setting for an outdoor café terrace area, where one can sip delicious coffee or indulge in an ice cream under a canopy of vine leaves.

Episodio 13/30

@ Cheer Me Up Tiramisu
“I can never remember how to spell ‘Mediterranean’, Jack,” mused Joonie, clutching a postcard and sucking the end of his pen. “Is it two ts and one r?”
“Simples,” grinned Jack. “You just need to remember it’s got ‘terra’ in the middle, which is Latin for ‘earth’, and the ‘Medi’ bit means ‘middle’. Put the two together and Bob’s your uncle.”
“Middle Earth!” cried Joonie.
Cheer Me Up Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a coffee-flavoured Italian dessert. The name comes from the Italian tirami sù, meaning "pick me up" or "cheer me up". This luscious pud is made of sponge fingers dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavoured with cocoa. For that finishing touch, sprinkle with chocolate shreds and a sprig of fresh mint!

Episodio 14/30

@ Cala Gonone
"'Bella Italia!'" read out Joker from their tour brochure. " 'A country in which you will be swept off your paws by quaint seaside villages, pastoral countryside, idyllic islands, dramatic mountains and ancient historic cities. It's easy to understand why Bella Italia is one of the most romantic destinations in the world.'"
Jack settled back in his tour bus seat. "It's certainly been all that so far, Joker!"
Cala Gonone
An Italian seaside town in Sardinia. Due to the quality of its waters, Cala Gonone is a popular tourist venue.

Episodio 15/30

@ White Peacock
Half way through Jack's tour of "Islands of Italy", he finds a special prize!
Bulrush Field
If you're needing a place to relax and forget about your troubles, spend an afternoon resting among the bulrushes.
White Peacock
The white peacock fans out its snowy train to display its feathers of cloudy magnificence. The all-white color of a peacock is a trait of beauty among a species of beautiful birds. A white version of an animal can be found in nearly any species, but the white peacock is not an albino.

Episodio 16/30

@ Let's Go A'Sailing
"That was a lovely risotto we had for supper last night, wasn't it, Chewbie?" remarked Jack.
"On our table the waiter explained that risotto is a rice dish with origins in Lombardy. It’s cooked in a broth to make it creamy. It must be made with a short-grain variant of Italian rice, usually Arborio, as this absorbs less water and gives the risotto a sticky texture," said Chewbie.
Let's Go A'Sailing
Here's a splendid little sailing boat all ready for a group of pets to jump aboard and go for a fun afternoon sailing around the lovely island of Sicily!

Episodio 17/30

@ Sicilian Town
"... the texture of fairy floss, the scent of fresh grapes and orange blossom and the mouthwatering flavour of lemon sherbet, green apples and juicy peaches. Sounds lovely, doesn't it, Bo?" remarked Jack.
"I'm sorry, I missed the first part of what you were saying. Is it a gelato flavour?" asked Bo.
Jack chuckled. "No, not gelato. That was a description of Asti Spumante, a delicious sparkling wine from Piedmont. Along with Lambrusco and Prosecco, it's a popular budget alternative to champagne."
Sicilian Town
A charming jumble of colourful houses is to be found in this Sicilian town.

Episodio 18/30

@ Sicilian Boating Trip
“Let's just drink in this scene, shall we, Jack?” suggested Tesla, sinking down on a convenient tree stump.
Jack agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
Sicilian Boating Trip
Hire a sailing boat with a skipper; anchor offshore to take a dip in the clear waters. We suggest to diving pets and those who love to explore the underwater world to be equipped with snorkels so that they can admire the various species of marine life that populate these waters, like scorpion fish, morays or starfishes!

Episodio 19/30

@ Mural Apricot
“Would you pass me the binoculars, Jack?” said Green Thing. "I think that's an Alpine swift flitting around over there! They spend most of their lives in the air, you know."
Mural Apricot
A sun-baked wall in warm apricot where the sage green shutters provide the perfect complementary colour. While the town drowses in the afternoon heat, this house interior looks invitingly cool.

Episodio 20/30

@ Sicilian Sea Holly
“Let's practise some of these Italian phrases in our brochure, Jack. I'll ask you what your name is! Come si chiama, Lei?” asked Bonny.
“No, my name isn't 'Lei'," replied Jack, somewhat irritated. "Why are you asking that? Anyway—Mi chiamo Jack."
"It doesn't mean, 'What's your name, Lei?'" responded Bonny indignantly. "The whole thing means 'What is your name?'"
Jack seized the phrasebook. "Doesn't make sense, going round asking pets if they're called 'Lei'", he grumbled.
Bonny sighed heavily. "Let's try another one instead."
Sicilian Sea Holly
This is a fine specimen of sea holly (Eryngium maritimum) found in the Mediterranean. This spiky beauty changes colour from blue, green and brown depending on the season.

Episodio 21/30

@ Tricolour Pig
"'Bella Italia!'" read out Winter from their tour brochure. " 'A country in which you will be swept off your paws by quaint seaside villages, pastoral countryside, idyllic islands, dramatic mountains and ancient historic cities. It's easy to understand why Bella Italia is one of the most romantic destinations in the world.'"
Jack settled back in his tour bus seat. "It's certainly been all that so far, Winter!"
Tricolour Pig
I'm a tricolour pig, de diddly dee
I'm not very big, de diddly dee
My appearance is trig, de diddly dee
And I'm dancing a jig, de diddly dee!

An Italian pig, de diddly dee
I don't give a fig, de diddly dee
For truffles I dig, de diddly dee
As blythe as a grig, de diddly dee!

Episodio 22/30

@ Land Ahoy!
“Wouldn't it be lovely to live in a lighthouse like this one pictured in our itinerary in Genoa? So romantic!" mused Jack, sipping a leisurely espresso.
"Well, I don't know," said Itchy. "It's not all about drinking coffee and gazing at the sea. You have run up and down stairs to operate the light and the foghorn, and there may be no running water or electricity apart from a generator."
Jack considered this. "Mine would be a luxurious, converted, non-operational lighthouse, then."
Land Ahoy!
Such fun for everypet to take a sailing boat on a trip round Sicily in Italy!

Episodio 23/30

@ Couture Boutique
"We'll be spending at least three days in Venice, as there's so much to see, Jack!" remarked Julius. "It says in our brochure it's one of the most recognisable destinations in the world thanks to its unique construction of canals and bridges. It says the main city of Venice is made up of 118 islands connected only by 400 bridges and 170 canals. It’s renowned for its gondolas, flat bottomed Venetian rowing boats that are the equivalent to taxis. Becoming a gondolier is no easy feat as you need a professional licence that’s only granted after 400 hours of training."
"It doesn't sound as bad as London black cab drivers having to take The Knowledge before being granted a licence. That can take three or four years!" remarked Jack.
Couture Boutique
This modest Sicilian frontage conceals the fact that behind its walls is an amazing ladies' fashion establishment. Check out their Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/ElioFronterreAtelier45

Episodio 24/30

@ Strombolicchio, Sicily
“Let's practise some Italian phrases, Jack!" said Snowball. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Grazie!”
Clutching the postcard, he looked at his friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Prego—which means ‛you're welcome!'”
Jack looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Snowball? If I've performed a very minor service and you've said 'Thank you', do I need to say anything back? It's not like I made you a cake or mowed your lawn. I just handed you a postcard. You said 'thank you'. Couldn't I just smile slightly or something?"
Snowball mused for some minutes. "The English language lacks the exact equivalent of prego or bitte schön and similar phrases in use in Continental Europe. Still, when in Rome ...!"
Strombolicchio, Sicily
Strombolicchio is a sea stack of volcanic origin 2 km (1.2 miles) to the northeast of the island of Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands of Italy. Its name in the Sicilian language means Little Stromboli.

Episodio 25/30

@ Italy
"Esmerelda," gulped Jack apprehensively, "Have you seen this item on the itinerary? We'll be going to see an active volcano, Mount Vesuvius, on the Naples leg!"
"Don't worry, Jack!" said Esmerelda reassuringly. "It's not erupted since 79 CE. Admittedly, on that occasion, it did wipe out the Roman city of Pompeii and an estimated three million inhabitants, but today Mount Vesuvius is a large national park that attracts tourists wanting to hike up to the top and take a look inside. The brochure says the trail to the top is beginner-friendly and about a 2½ mile (4km) round trip."
Italy
Italy, southern Europe, is a boot-shaped country is one of the world's most popular travel destinations for a number of reasons that include art treasures, trendy fashion, stunning landscapes, passionate people and top class cuisine.

Episodio 26/30

@ Tuscan Delicacy
“Let's just drink in this scene, shall we, Jack?” suggested Geoffrey, sinking down on a convenient tree stump.
Jack agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
Tuscan Delicacy
Figs have been in Tuscany for centuries and the town of Carmignano, just outside Florence, is famous for its desiccated figs. Only available from September to October, the delicious fruit is still sought after in modern-day Italy. In fact, so entrenched it is in the Italian language that it originated many sayings and proverbs.

Episodio 27/30

@ Mediterranean Diet
On disembarking from the tour bus, Choose a name surveyed the current stopping place. “Would you fancy living here, Jack?”
"Well, it's certainly a bit different to where we live," said Jack. "But I could get used to it, I daresay!"
Mediterranean Diet
This delicious looking snack contains cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil leaves. The colours echo those of the tricolor, the Italian flag.

Episodio 28/30

@ Heavenly Hibiscus
“Ooh, it's just starting to drizzle, Jack!” said Rosco. “Can you hold my gelato and map while I dig out my Pac-a-Mac?"
Jack good-naturedly took charge of Rosco's possessions while he emptied his rucksack of a pack of sandwiches, a Thermos flask, a pair of galoshes, a bag of toffees, a paperback novel, a bottle of mineral water, an address book, some postage stamps, an assortment of different coloured biros, a bottle opener, a couple of old train tickets, a handful of golden and silver moles, a hotel key, some shopping receipts and a selection of rather battered sachets of salt, sugar and tomato ketchup before locating the Pac-a-Mac right at the bottom. This he donned and then Jack helped him put everything back in his rucksack.
Heavenly Hibiscus
This gorgeous hibiscus with its large, showy yellow petals and crimson centre is found on the isle of Sicily. The hibiscus flourishes in warm and tropical climates.

Episodio 29/30

@ Cream Terrace
Jack and Jus2cute were entranced on reaching this Mediterranean viewpoint and eagerly posed for a picture standing on either side!
Cream Terrace
This Sicilian terrace, drowsing in the sun, offers an ideal spot to rest and relax over ice cream at a café or to sample the local cuisine at a cosy restaurant. Time to get those holiday postcards home written, perhaps!

Episodio 30/30

@ Salina Islands, Sicily
As Jack's tour of "Islands of Italy" comes to an end, he rests under a shady tree and looks back on a perfect day.
False Harvest Floral Display
It's not time for the autumn season yet, is it? These flowers may make you second-guess yourself as their hues are more commonly associated with the changing of seasons. Don't let that turn you away, these full blossoms thrive in any environment.
Salina Islands, Sicily
Salina is an Aeolian island, where small vineyards produce white wine, a riot of colourful flowers climb joyously among picturesque village houses, and visiting pets enjoy laid-back holidays away from tourist hubbub, underneath the island's twin green peaks—extinct volcanoes! This is the island for losing oneself in authentic island life, for strolling through village lanes, eating delicious meals made from local produce as well as sampling the sweet Malvasia wine.
Jack has completed their tour of "Islands of Italy"! Your PnF tour of Italy is now over, but PnF will hold a new event again soon!