Episodio 1/30

@ Rocky Sardinian Cove
Blue Beauty begins her 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
Blue Beauty and Chrysomelidae ♡ were entranced on reaching this Mediterranean viewpoint and eagerly posed for a picture standing on either side!
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
“Let's practise some of these Italian phrases in our brochure, Blue Beauty. I'll ask you what your name is! Come si chiama, Lei?” asked Reese.
“No, my name isn't 'Lei'," replied Blue Beauty, somewhat irritated. "Why are you asking that? Anyway—Mi chiamo Blue Beauty."
"It doesn't mean, 'What's your name, Lei?'" responded Reese indignantly. "The whole thing means 'What is your name?'"
Blue Beauty seized the phrasebook. "Doesn't make sense, going round asking pets if they're called 'Lei'", she grumbled.
Reese sighed heavily. "Let's try another one instead."
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
"... 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, Sadie?" remarked Blue Beauty.
"I'm sorry, I missed the first part of what you were saying. Is it a gelato flavour?" asked Sadie.
Blue Beauty 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."
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
“Ooh, it's just starting to drizzle, Blue Beauty!” said Choose a name. “Can you hold my gelato and map while I dig out my Pac-a-Mac?"
Blue Beauty good-naturedly took charge of Choose a name's possessions while she emptied her 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 she donned and then Blue Beauty helped her put everything back in her rucksack.
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
“If there's time at the end when we get back to the hotel, I might do some initial sketches for a watercolour painting," dora said, offering Blue Beauty a chestnut biscotto from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, dora!" said Blue Beauty.
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
“Let's just drink in this scene, shall we, Blue Beauty?” suggested Butterscotch, sinking down on a convenient tree stump.
Blue Beauty agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
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
"It says in our brochure that Italy has produced many luxury sports cars, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. That's impressive, isn't it, Daisy Duke?" remarked Blue Beauty.
"Well, they certainly are amazing, Blue Beauty," responded Daisy Duke. "But I'd rather own a little Fiat 500! They are terminally cute!"
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
"We'll be spending at least three days in Venice, as there's so much to see, Blue Beauty!" remarked Chewbie. "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 Blue Beauty.
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
“If there's time at the end when we get back to the hotel, I might do some initial sketches for a watercolour painting," seema said, offering Blue Beauty a chestnut biscotto from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, seema!" said Blue Beauty.
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
"Here's another bit of trivia for you, Choose a name!" called out Blue Beauty. "The Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como has featured in which two well-known films?"
"I don't know, Blue Beauty. Which films were they?"
"The James Bond film Casino Royale and Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones," responded Blue Beauty.
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
"Myngetta," gulped Blue Beauty 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, Blue Beauty!" said Myngetta 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."
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've bought so many souvenirs already my backpack's almost full!" said Radar.
"Me too!" said Blue Beauty. "It's great on this tour, isn't it?"
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
Blue Beauty was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, Choose a name!” she exclaimed happily. "O Sole Mio or My Own Sun. This takes me back!"
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 Blue Beauty's tour of "Islands of Italy", she 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
"We'll be spending at least three days in Venice, as there's so much to see, Blue Beauty!" remarked Waddles. "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 Blue Beauty.
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
“Buongiorno, Blue Beauty!” said Susie Brownie. "That means 'good morning', you know!"
Blue Beauty sniffed. "So—can I say it back, or do I have to say a different form of it, or say prego, or something?"
“Just say it back, Blue Beauty!"
"Well, buongiorno to you too, then," said Blue Beauty.
Sicilian Town
A charming jumble of colourful houses is to be found in this Sicilian town.

Episodio 18/30

@ Sicilian Boating Trip
“What have you got in your rucksack, Bahama?” asked Blue Beauty. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Blue Beauty,” responded Bahama. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
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
“Let's just drink in this scene, shall we, Blue Beauty?” suggested pRINCESS, sinking down on a convenient tree stump.
Blue Beauty agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
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
Blue Beauty flicked through the phrasebook. “The tour guide at the door of the museum this morning said Prego! as she ushered us all in. She said it meant ‛After you'. I asked her especially.”
“It's one of those terms that mean a number of things: ‛you're welcome', ‛don't mention it', ‛not at all', ‛after you!'. For example, if I reached for your bottle of orange juice you'd say, “Prego!—meaning ‛Please! Help yourself!”
“No, I wouldn't. I'd jolly well tell you to get your paws off it,” grumbled Blue Beauty. “It's very confusing, having just one word covering half a dozen situations.”
“Would you rather have to learn half a dozen different phrases, like you'd have in English, to cover each one?”
Blue Beauty thought about it for a while. “You may have a point there, Choose a name!” she said.
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
"Milan is widely considered to be the fashion capital of the world. Many internationally renowned fashion brands are based in Milan, including Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Prada. Quadrilatero della Moda is the high-end fashion district in Milan that contains luxury brands and exclusive fashion boutiques. It’s one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world," read out Smoothie from the itinerary.
"We'll have to take care not to go too mad there, Smoothie!" responded Blue Beauty. "Perhaps a designer T-shirt!"
"Hmm—I think a designer bath cube will be more within my budget!" remarked Smoothie.
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!
“Let's practise some of these Italian phrases in our brochure, Blue Beauty. I'll ask you what your name is! Come si chiama, Lei?” asked Rosa.
“No, my name isn't 'Lei'," replied Blue Beauty, somewhat irritated. "Why are you asking that? Anyway—Mi chiamo Blue Beauty."
"It doesn't mean, 'What's your name, Lei?'" responded Rosa indignantly. "The whole thing means 'What is your name?'"
Blue Beauty seized the phrasebook. "Doesn't make sense, going round asking pets if they're called 'Lei'", she grumbled.
Rosa sighed heavily. "Let's try another one instead."
Land Ahoy!
Such fun for everypet to take a sailing boat on a trip round Sicily in Italy!

Episodio 23/30

@ Couture Boutique
"What does Benvenuti a tutti! mean, Mr. Panda?" queried Blue Beauty, admiring the front of her travel itinerary.
"It means 'Welcome, everypet!" replied Mr. Panda.
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
“Oh hello, Blue Beauty!” cried Hugo. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Scotland back in the spring? This is quite the change of scene, isn't it!”
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
"Italian pets talk with their paws an awful lot, don't they, Audrey?" remarked Blue Beauty.
"You know, I was talking to the tour guide about that, Blue Beauty. She said the gestures originate from the Romans who used chironomia, which incorporates hand movements into everyday language. They aren’t random gestures, each one has a meaning; so as a foreign pet, you never really known what they mean!"
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 practise saying 'hello' in Italian," said Arty.
"That's an easy one—Ciao!” said Blue Beauty, beaming happily.
"Mm—yes, and mmm—no," replied Arty. "You should only say Ciao to pets you know very well. You mustn't say it to somepet's grandmother who you haven't met before, and you shouldn't walk into a shop and say it. It's far too informal."
“So what do you say then?" queried Blue Beauty, somewhat grumpily.
"The simplest thing to say to friends or strangers to greet them is Salve!" replied Arty.
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
“Hey, have you seen what the next stop is, Blue Beauty?” said Tigger. "It looks fantastic!"
"I'll get my camera ready," said Blue Beauty.
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
"I've bought so many souvenirs already my backpack's almost full!" said Julia.
"Me too!" said Blue Beauty. "It's great on this tour, isn't it?"
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
"I'm going to have me a hazelnut gelato at the hotel tonight, George!" announced Blue Beauty.
"I can never decide what my favourite flavour is! I love the pistachio, also the chocolate mint, and the vanilla is fabulous, too!" responded George.
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 Blue Beauty's tour of "Islands of Italy" comes to an end, she 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.
Blue Beauty has completed their tour of "Islands of Italy"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of Italy!