The Etruscans were an important part of Italy's ancient history, and its lands extended for a large expanse of the peninsula. We visit Banditaccia a Cerveteri, a necropolis north of Rome.

There were different kinds of tombs built by the Etruscans. Alberto Angela explains how and why they were made the way they were. He also takes us into one of the most famous and beautiful Etruscan tombs.

One of the most famous tombs is that of the Matuna family. The reproductions and depictions of objects found there, ranging from everyday tools to ceremonial and funereal ones, allows us a glimpse of what life would have been like in this ancient civilization.

The Matuna family tomb contains many plaster reproductions of everyday objects, adding to the story of how the Etruscans lived. We move on to Tarquinia, where the tombs were carved out of a sedimentary limestone called Macco, allowing the colorful wall paintings to be preserved.

This magnificent, colorful tomb, dating to twenty-five hundred years ago, depicts a banquet in honor of the deceased, who is clearly a young man. It's a virtual time capsule.

We're still in Tarquinia and we visit the tomb of Aninas. We gain some insight into the alphabet the Etruscans used, allowing us to recognize some names, but unfortunately, they didn't leave much in the way of writings to allow us to know much more.

We get a look at the tomb, in terracotta, of a noblewoman. The clay allows for detail, where tombs in Macco do not. We then go to Rome, to the most important Etruscan museum, where we see once again, what an important role the afterlife played in the lives (and deaths) of the Etruscans.

The Etruscans were influenced by other ethnic groups, particularly the Greeks. On display in the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, we find evidence of this in the terracotta objects and fine gold jewelry and precious objects dating from the period.

With a look at one of the greatest Etruscan masterpieces in the Villa Giulia museum, we take our leave of Rome to journey to the Umbrian city of Assisi, or, as it was called in Roman times, Assisium.

We're in Assisi, where, during some excavations, a domus was discovered. It's clear it belonged to a wealthy family because of the richness of the wall and floor decorations, and might even have been the home of the poet Propertius.

Parking is a problem in medieval hilltop towns and cities (especially those attractive to tourists), so one solution is to build an elevator to get from parking further down the hill, up to the center of town. But, you never know what you are going to find when excavating. In Assisi, they certainly hit the jackpot, right in the center of town: A roman domus.

If you have ever visited Italy, you have probably run across the term pinacoteca describing a picture gallery, and wondered where it came from. You will find out in this video about a room called the "tablinum" in the Assisi domus, discovered because they wanted to build an elevator!

Ancient culture merged with "modern" culture, especially after Constantine created the new capital of the Roman Empire, Constantinople. Near Matera in Basilicata, even caves built into the rock face became churches. The frescoes on those walls are quite stunning.

Are you curious to hear about Carnival celebrations in Italy? Marika describes for us some of the traditions and curiosities.

Are you familiar with any of the famous characters from the Commedia dell'Arte? And, what about "chats" that are a fantastic taste treat. Marika will tell you all about them.

UNESCO counts the Aeolian Islands, off of Sicily's coast, among its World Heritage sites. The seven islands that make up the archipelago are: Vulcano, Stromboli, Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea, Lipari and Salina.

The Aeolian Islands are a favorite destination for divers from all over the world because of the underwater grottoes and ancient shipwrecks.

Rossellini's 1949 movie Stromboli put the Aeolian island on the cultural map forever.

The "Sciara del Fuoco" is a stream of red-hot lava that travels from Stromboli's volcanic summit to the sea. Seeing it is an unforgettable experience.

A guided exploration of seabed flora and fauna that live, against all odds, in a volcanic environment.

Sport fishing is a great way to discover Stromboli's hidden corners, including Strombolicchio. The little island is a kilometer and a half off the main island.

A marine biologist takes us down to the seabed of Strombolicchio to show us some rare and beautiful specimens of marine animals.

Ginostra is a little village you can only get to by sea and whose harbor is the smallest in the world.

A visit to another Aeolian Island, this time, Salina, with its twin volcanoes. Its strategic position makes it a good starting off point for a visit to all of the islands of the Aeolian archipelago.