The Strait of Messina is a magical body of water between the tip of the boot of Italy and the island of Sicily. From ancient times, the meeting of two seas has imbued the area with myth and mystery.

In Roman times, what exactly went on in the Colosseum? And why is the central part called "arena?" Marika and Daniela take you on a fascinating journey back to the times of the gladiators.

Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? That's what they say--but to Gualtiero Marchesi, that's not necessarily so. Sometimes beautiful is beautiful, period. As we've seen in other segments, cooking as an art form is a topic that's close to this chef's heart.

Walking through the quaint little streets of Maratea in Basilicata, Antonio has us follow him to a central spot where we can admire the entire seaport.

We begin our journey across Sicily, one of the most beautiful islands of the Italian peninsula with its natural beauty, history and culture. First stop, Milazzo. Have a good trip!

Daniela and Marika take us to the Colosseum in Rome and tell us about when it was built, who had it built, how it got its name, what it was made of, etc. And, don't miss the next video where they go inside!

Gualtiero Marchesi talks about the chef as an artist, and how different chefs can be recognized by their distinctive artistic styles. In defending the choice of simple, genuine food, he goes on to talk about the art of slicing, and how it used to be "performed" right in the dining room.

In this last episode, we bid farewell to the Aeolian Islands, a fascinating place for its spectacular natural beauty.

Some artists, including Gualtiero Marchesi, talk about the past: horse-drawn carts for delivering produce, artists exchanging news from abroad before the widespread use of telephones, tripe for breakfast, still-life paintings reflecting the food of the times and its preparation. There's even talk of the desire to eat paintings! Buon appetito!

Because they are difficult to reach--lying off the main sea routes--the islands of Filicudi and Alicudi have maintained their natural beauty.

In this segment, cooking is seen as an art form, starting with a white plate as the artist's canvas...

When does an artist become an artist? Join Gualtiero Marchesi in his musings on art and the art of cooking in this new chapter.

Whether you want to explore the edges of the volcanic craters, visit the marine caves, or even get a mud bath for your aches and pains, the Aeolian island of Vulcano has plenty to offer!

As its name Vulcano implies, this Aeolian island boasts three volcanic centers. Because of its natural beauty and geological interest, it has become an important tourist destination. In ancient times it was held as an important place, figuring in both Greek and Roman mythology.

Antonio explains that the Italian tradition of constructing a nativity scene during the Christmas season had it origins in the thirteenth century, when Saint Francis of Assisi organized the first live re-enactment of the birth of Jesus. It soon spread to all of Italy, but above all to the Kingdom of Naples, where everyone got involved, from the poorest family to the King himself.