In the Brembana Valley, the river reigns supreme. In fact, there is still a functioning water mill for grinding corn, as well as people passionate about maintaining centuries-old traditions.

We meet some very charming donkeys and hear about how Francantonio and his sons developed a passion for them.

The ancient via Priula leads us to the mountains where we visit a herbal laboratory, in which flowers and plants are transformed into beauty products using historical recipes.

We move on to Valtorta a spot where cheese is king. Here, they produce a special little cylindrical cheese called an agrì, exclusive to this spot. In fact, Slow Food, an organization that's become international but which began in Italy, has it as one of its special products.

Ferrari fans won't want to miss a stop at the Ferrari museum in Modena. Hear all about it from Antonio Ghini, director of the museum, and get a glimpse of the museum itself.

Federica Reale is a Genovese artist who now lives in Rome. She tells us her story and how she uses it in her art.

Federica conducts art workshops for children and adults. Participants use paper, often recycled, to create highly personal books.

Pupazzo is the word for "doll," but Federica has transformed it (as she likes to do with words) into pupezza because pezzo means "piece," and as you will see, she uses pieces or scraps to make these dolls. Federica uses these rag/paper dolls as a means for looking deeper inside herself, at the dark as well as the light parts. It is part of a kind of therapy she uses to help others discover hidden areas inside themselves, by means of creative imagination.

In Italia (In Italy) is a single by Italian rapper Fabri Fibra, from the album Bugiardo (Liar), released in 2007, and features special guest artist, Gianna Nannini. This piece highlights many of the problems of contemporary Italy, such as unemployment and corruption.

Here are some great lyrics for learning Italian. The video clip is actually a song within a short, inane, comedy. Just about every Italian knows the name Gianni Morandi. He's a very famous and well-loved singer-songwriter and entertainer, and even starred in a TV series called Voglia di Volare (the desire to fly), so the song may very well be a thinly veiled reference to that show. The original song Volare is one of the most famous Italian pop songs of all time.

It was party time in Rome for the winners of the European Cup, with the prime minister and president participating. The Azzurri won 4-3 with penalty kicks.

Leonardo Bonucci, on defense for Juventus, and of the national team, is very proud of how his team believed in themselves and the possibility of winning. And then they actually won the European Cup.

Roberto Mancini, the technical commissioner of the Italian team, and ex-soccer player, expresses his joy at the victory and dedicates the trophy to all Italians.

Mothers Day is approaching. Four mothers (including our Marika!) give us their thoughts on what it means to be a mother.

Our two picnickers are talking about their pets. The woman has a nice dog and the man has a grey cat. How about you? And which do you like better, dogs or cats?