Episodio 1/30

@ Rocky Sardinian Cove
Midnight 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
"We'll be seeing a bit of everything here in Italy," remarked Crowley. "You could say, from Giotto to gelato!"
"That pistachio gelato we had last night was superb!" marvelled Midnight. "You can certainly tell the difference between Italian ice cream and the mass produced stuff we have at home!"
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
"The tour guide said we'll be visiting Il Duomo. I asked her what that was and she said it meant 'the cathedral' in Italian. But there are lots of cathedrals in Italy!" remarked Midnight.
"When they say Il Duomo they most often mean the one in Florence, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It says in our brochure it was first built in the 13th century, with the dome added in the 15th century. It has a pink, white and green exterior in a gothic style with a large dome on top. Sounds beautiful!" remarked Choose a name.
Midnight mused for a minute. "I guess it's like when we were touring England last spring, everypet in London would talk about 'The Monument'—to the Great Fire of London of 1666—as if there were only one monument in the whole of London, instead of thousands!"
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
Midnight was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, Monk!” he exclaimed happily. "O Sole Mio or My Own Sun. This takes me back!"
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
“Let's practise some Italian phrases, Midnight!" said Ari. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Grazie!”
Clutching the postcard, she looked at her friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Prego—which means ‛you're welcome!'”
Midnight looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Ari? 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?"
Ari 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 ...!"
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
“Let's practise saying 'hello' in Italian," said Coca.
"That's an easy one—Ciao!” said Midnight, beaming happily.
"Mm—yes, and mmm—no," replied Coca. "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 Midnight, somewhat grumpily.
"The simplest thing to say to friends or strangers to greet them is Salve!" replied Coca.
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
“Ooh, it's just starting to drizzle, Midnight!” said Panda. “Can you hold my gelato and map while I dig out my Pac-a-Mac?"
Midnight good-naturedly took charge of Panda'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 Midnight helped her put everything back in her rucksack.
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
Midnight and Bo shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Midnight. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Bo. “This is my best side.”
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
"It must be so romantic working on a vineyard, Midnight," said Zoomer contentedly sipping grape juice after a hard day’s sightseeing. "Imagine picking the ripe grapes while the sun sets and seeing them turned into wine!"
"Hmm—now imagine being up at dawn in the cold of January and February pruning the woody stalks by hand and crushing them up for compost,” said Midnight. “Then more work throughout spring, leaf pruning later in the year, followed by grape pruning. It doesn’t stop.”
Zoomer waved his glass. “I’ll have staff to do all that,” he said.
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
Midnight was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, Rainz!” she exclaimed happily. "O Sole Mio or My Own Sun. This takes me back!"
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
"'Bella Italia!'" read out Julius 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.'"
Midnight settled back in his tour bus seat. "It's certainly been all that so far, Julius!"
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
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, Midnight!” said Bellat ruefully.
"Never mind," said Midnight. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"
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
“What have you got in your rucksack, Flitter?” asked Midnight. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Midnight,” responded Flitter. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got 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
"Hey, it says in our tour guide that construction of the 8-storey Leaning Tower of Pisa started in 1173 and took 200 years to complete! It quite puts that two-week delay on your bathroom tiling project into perspective, doesn't it, Rosco?" remarked Midnight. "Also, the name of the architect has been lost in the sands of time. You sort of wonder whether he'd have wanted his name to be linked to a tower that leans so noticeably to one side!"
Rosco leaned across to read the description of the famous Leaning Tower. "It's good in a way that we can celebrate such an apparent disaster," he said. "It says here that it's a very popular design for wedding cakes!"
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 Midnight'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
"Here's another bit of trivia for you, Coca!" called out Midnight. "The Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como has featured in which two well-known films?"
"I don't know, Midnight. Which films were they?"
"The James Bond film Casino Royale and Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones," responded Midnight.
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
BRUNO was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Midnight unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which he succeeded in knocking BRUNO’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said BRUNO, 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!”
Sicilian Town
A charming jumble of colourful houses is to be found in this Sicilian town.

Episodio 18/30

@ Sicilian Boating Trip
"Lalique," gulped Midnight 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, Midnight!" said Lalique 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."
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
“Oh wow, Midnight, there's a butterfly!” Choose a name cried out.
“It looks like a Mazarine Blue," replied Midnight knowledgeably.
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
“What have you got in your rucksack, lily monet?” asked Midnight. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Midnight,” responded lily monet. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
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
On disembarking from the tour bus, Chica surveyed the current stopping place. “Would you fancy living here, Midnight?”
"Well, it's certainly a bit different to where we live," said Midnight. "But I could get used to it, I daresay!"
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!
"It must be so romantic working on a vineyard, Midnight," said Tweety Pi contentedly sipping grape juice after a hard day’s sightseeing. "Imagine picking the ripe grapes while the sun sets and seeing them turned into wine!"
"Hmm—now imagine being up at dawn in the cold of January and February pruning the woody stalks by hand and crushing them up for compost,” said Midnight. “Then more work throughout spring, leaf pruning later in the year, followed by grape pruning. It doesn’t stop.”
Tweety Pi waved his glass. “I’ll have staff to do all that,” he said.
Land Ahoy!
Such fun for everypet to take a sailing boat on a trip round Sicily in Italy!

Episodio 23/30

@ Couture Boutique
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Midnight," said Choose a name, "for this experience alone?"
Midnight, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!
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
“I can never remember how to spell ‘Mediterranean’, Midnight,” mused Choose a name, clutching a postcard and sucking the end of her pen. “Is it two ts and one r?”
“Simples,” grinned Midnight. “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 Choose a name.
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
"Here's another bit of trivia for you, Pingu!" called out Midnight. "The Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como has featured in which two well-known films?"
"I don't know, Midnight. Which films were they?"
"The James Bond film Casino Royale and Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones," responded Midnight.
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
"Hey, it says in our tour guide that construction of the 8-storey Leaning Tower of Pisa started in 1173 and took 200 years to complete! It quite puts that two-week delay on your bathroom tiling project into perspective, doesn't it, Orchid?" remarked Midnight. "Also, the name of the architect has been lost in the sands of time. You sort of wonder whether he'd have wanted his name to be linked to a tower that leans so noticeably to one side!"
Orchid leaned across to read the description of the famous Leaning Tower. "It's good in a way that we can celebrate such an apparent disaster," she said. "It says here that it's a very popular design for wedding cakes!"
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
"What does Benvenuti a tutti! mean, Emmy Yankirii?" queried Midnight, admiring the front of his travel itinerary.
"It means 'Welcome, everypet!" replied Emmy Yankirii.
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
“Let's hope Foxy doesn't get as seasick as he did on the Irish Sea, Midnight!” said Rufus, studying the future itinerary.
"Can you get seasick on a lake?" asked Midnight.
"Oh yes, indeedy," said Rufus.
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
“Let's just drink in this scene, shall we, Midnight?” suggested Sheba, sinking down on a convenient tree stump.
Midnight agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
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 Midnight'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.
Midnight has completed their tour of "Islands of Italy"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of Italy!