Episodio 1/30

@ La Morra, Piedmont
Metot begins her tour of "Northern Italy - Milan and Turin" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations!
Italy - North - Milan and Turin
The pets will here explore the vineyards of Piedmont; the birthplace of the Fiat 500 in Turin; the many delights of fashion capital Milan; Lake Como and Lake Garda. They will experience the scary hairpin bends of the Tyrolean Stelvio Pass and meet a curly-horned guardian of the Dolomites. Also to be seen is one of the most beautiful old villages in Italy and a very posh palace!
La Morra, Piedmont
La Morra, built in the famous Barolo wine production area, is 13 km from Alba, and includes the villages of Annunziata, Berri, Rivalta and Santa Maria. It’s just the place to take a relaxing holiday, thanks to its beautiful position on the top of a hill.

Episodio 2/30

@ Langhe, Piedmont
Metot 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 Metot. “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?”
Metot thought about it for a while. “You may have a point there, Ginny!” she said.
Langhe, Piedmont
On the main square is the Baroque church of St Martin and the Fraternity of San Rocco; in a corner, a little triangular garden has taken the place of the ancient cemetery, in front of the Town Hall. Nearby, in the Communal Cellar, you can sample buy the local wine. A little way away, in the Piazza Castello, is one of the best views over the Langhe.

Episodio 3/30

@ Lounge About
“Buongiorno, Metot!” said Sunshine. "That means 'good morning', you know!"
Metot 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, Metot!"
"Well, buongiorno to you too, then," said Metot.
Lounge About
Salotto means "lounge". After exploring Piedmont, here's the perfect place to relax over coffee, Italian ice cream, handcrafted chocolates or sample the brews in the tea salon!

Episodio 4/30

@ Piedmont vineyard
“Let’s pose with one of us each side of this attraction and I’ll set the self-timer to take a shot,” said Metot to Choose a name. “It’ll be a great souvenir of our time here!”
Piedmont vineyard
If you’re trying to get a deeper understanding of Italian wine, Piedmont is one of the most useful wine regions to get to know. For a start, Piedmont introduces us to a completely new set of wine grapes to taste and understand – from Nebbiolo to Cortese. Secondly, Piedmont (Piemonte) is considered a top wine region in Italy (like Tuscany). And finally, Piedmont is very popular with the locals. This area, including Milan and Turin, is home to one third of the population of Italy!

Episodio 5/30

@ The Little Mouse That Roars
“Let's practise some Italian phrases, Metot!" said Tommen. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Grazie!”
Clutching the postcard, he looked at his friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Prego—which means ‛you're welcome!'”
Metot looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Tommen? 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?"
Tommen 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 ...!"
The Little Mouse That Roars
A Fiat 500 interior! If you’re looking for unusual or alternative things to do in Turin, try the Fiat Lingotto Factory. This car factory has now closed down but it was where they made Fiat cars from 1923-1982. The Lingotto building has since been renovated and turned into a commercial complex with hotels and a shopping mall, and you can visit it and see its most unique feature – a race track on the roof! The Fiat Lingotto Factory was built in 1916 and was designed to allow every step of the car-making process to be carried out there. It was close to the train tracks so that raw materials could be delivered straight to the door and manufacturing work on the Fiats would start on the lower floors. The factory has a winding, internal ramp so that the cars could be driven up successive floors as they moved along the various stages of production. Finally, the finished cars would be taken to the top floor – the roof of the building where there is a test track for the cars to be road tested before they were taken to the showrooms to be sold. The Fiat test track on top of the building was used in a scene in the 1969 film The Italian Job with Michael Caine, which was filmed in Turin. One of the shooting locations for the chase scene with the Minis near the end was the Turin Fiat factory.

Episodio 6/30

@ Parco Sempione, Milan
"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, Nicole?" remarked Metot.
"Well, they certainly are amazing, Metot," responded Nicole. "But I'd rather own a little Fiat 500! They are terminally cute!"
Parco Sempione, Milan
The Parco Sempione is a large green-space close to the Castello Sforzesco. It was built between 1890 and 1893 imitating a typical English garden.

Episodio 7/30

@ Driving with Steam
“Let's practise some of these Italian phrases in our brochure, Metot. I'll ask you what your name is! Come si chiama, Lei?” asked Chamaeleon.
“No, my name isn't 'Lei'," replied Metot, somewhat irritated. "Why are you asking that? Anyway—Mi chiamo Metot."
"It doesn't mean, 'What's your name, Lei?'" responded Chamaeleon indignantly. "The whole thing means 'What is your name?'"
Metot seized the phrasebook. "Doesn't make sense, going round asking pets if they're called 'Lei'", she grumbled.
Chamaeleon sighed heavily. "Let's try another one instead."
Driving with Steam
Welcome to the railway section of the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan! https:// andrewstransport.smugmug.com/ Italiantrains/ Leonardo-da-Vinci-Museum-of/ i-DKNgKzF The museum is home to 11 steam and four early electric locomotives.

Episodio 8/30

@ Milanese Frescoes
“Would you pass me the binoculars, Metot?” said Innes. "I think that's an Alpine swift flitting around over there! They spend most of their lives in the air, you know."
Milanese Frescoes
The interior of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a 1518 church known as the Sistine Chapel of Milan. This is a detail of the ceiling with frescoes by Aurelio Luini.

Episodio 9/30

@ Sesto Calende
"I think there'll be quite a few tired paws, wings and flippers when we get back to the tour bus," said Eyre, after he and Metot had spent some time exploring another narrow, winding alleyway to its end.
"Is there a gift shop at the end?" enquired Metot. "The thought of that generally keeps me going."
Sesto Calende
Sesto Calende is a town and comune located in the province of Varese, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. It is at the southern tip of Lake Maggiore, where the Ticino River starts to flow towards the Po River. The main historical sight is the Abbey of San Donato, built in the 9th and 10th centuries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30 Sesto_Calende

Episodio 10/30

@ This Cloistered Space
"When we get back I'm going to go to the library and see if Mrs Eucalyptus can recommend a book about architecture," said grey. "I've realised how little I know about it."
Metot thought about this. "Good scheme!" she said.
This Cloistered Space
The peaceful Abbey of San Gemolo, in Ganna, Lombardy, Italy. It dates back to the twelfth century and is located in Valganna, bordering the regional park of Campo dei Fiori Varese.

Episodio 11/30

@ Rich Man's Retreat
“If there's time at the end when we get back to the hotel, I might do some initial sketches for a watercolour painting," Nibbles said, offering Metot a chestnut biscotto from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, Nibbles!" said Metot.
Rich Man's Retreat
Lake Como, Italy has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, and a very popular tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. It has many villas and palaces such as Villa Olmo, Villa Serbelloni, and Villa Carlotta. Many famous people have had and have homes on the shores of Lake Como.

Episodio 12/30

@ Lake Como, Italy
“Oh hello, Metot!” cried Sylvie. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Scotland back in the spring? This is quite the change of scene, isn't it!”
Lake Como, Italy
As a tourist destination, Lake Como is popular for its landscapes, wildlife and spas. It is a venue for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. In the area surrounding Lake Como there are several farms which produce goods such as honey, olive oil, cheese, milk, eggs and salamis.

Episodio 13/30

@ Stelvio Pass, South Tyrol
"I'm going to have me a hazelnut gelato at the hotel tonight, Choose a name!" announced Metot.
"I can never decide what my favourite flavour is! I love the pistachio, also the chocolate mint, and the vanilla is fabulous, too!" responded Choose a name.
Stelvio Pass, South Tyrol
The full 47 km/29 miles long Alpine pass is not exactly a beauty — but visually, the Stelvio Pass, Italy, is one of the most dramatic passes in the Alps, due to its incredible wall of switchback turns.

At first you will drive through thick wood before the landscape opens up and you will be mostly surrounded by rocks. Only a few small green bushes and some grass is breaking this slightly unreal landscape.
But the Alpine pass is a absolute masterpiece of road engineering and often referred to as "Queen of Pass Roads" Probably because with a stunning 2,757 m (9,045 ft) above sea level the road is "among the highest driving roads in the world".

Episodio 14/30

@ Italian Mountain Hike
"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, Koo?" remarked Metot.
"Well, they certainly are amazing, Metot," responded Koo. "But I'd rather own a little Fiat 500! They are terminally cute!"
Italian Mountain Hike
Pets should wrap up warmly before exploring the winding paths of this mountainous terrain!

Episodio 15/30

@ Athlete in Altitude
Half way through Metot's tour of "Northern Italy - Milan and Turin", she finds a special prize!
Italy City Skyline (panoramic)
A classic panoramic-style view of a famous city in Italy. Which one, we can't tell you. Seriously. Our notes are smudged.
Athlete in Altitude
The chamois is a very small bovid. Chamois usually use speed and stealthy evasion to escape predators and can run at 50 kmh (31 mph) and can jump 2 m (6 ft 6 in) vertically into the air or over a distance of 6 m (20 ft). Female chamois and their young live in herds of up to 15 to 30 individuals; adult males tend to live solitarily for most of the year.

Episodio 16/30

@ Swan Lake
"'Bella Italia!'" read out SPARKLES 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.'"
Metot settled back in her tour bus seat. "It's certainly been all that so far, SPARKLES!"
Swan Lake
This swan stands pensively by beautiful Lake Garda in Italy.

Episodio 17/30

@ Master That Pasta!
“Oh hello, Metot!” cried Batty. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Scotland back in the spring? This is quite the change of scene, isn't it!”
Master That Pasta!
Italy has more than 400 known pasta shapes! Here are just a few: from the top left: orecchiette ("little ears"); ziti; farfalle ("butterflies"); rigatoni ("ridges"; and (centre) tagliatelle.

Episodio 18/30

@ Alpine Panorama
"A bit of trivia here, Luckyice!" remarked Metot, reading from their tour brochure. "Can you name two films that popularised the Vespa as the ultimate way to explore Italy?"
"I don't think I can, Metot!"
"Well, to be fair, they were both from before we were born. The 1953 film, Roman Holiday, and La Dolce Vita in 1960. It says the latter is a particularly good film."
"We'll have to see if we can watch them when we get back," said Luckyice.
Alpine Panorama
Belluno, in the Dolomites. One of the main sites of the nearby town is its 16th-century cathedral, with an 18th-century bell tower.

Episodio 19/30

@ Tyrolean Vista
"Italy—the perfect choice for our travels this summer, Metot!" enthused Sir Fluffle Bottom.
"Yup. Pizza, pasta, Prada. I can't wait to get to Milan!"
"Oh! I was thinking more of world famous paintings and architecture, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, the Colosseum of Ancient Rome, Venice's canals, Pompeii, the opera. Italy has given the world so much!" said Sir Fluffle Bottom.
Metot unwrapped a torta al cioccolato pastiglia for herself, popped it in her mouth and offered the packet to Sir Fluffle Bottom. "Sure! You know me, I love a bit of culture. As long as there's a nice gift shop at the end, I'm happy."
Tyrolean Vista
Province of Trentino, north of Verona. Despite the over-whelmingly mountainous nature of the territory, agriculture remains important. Farms often join together to form larger co-operatives. The most important produce comprises vegetables, apples and other fruit, principally the grape, which is important especially for its quality, and is used for the production of dry and sparkling wines.

Episodio 20/30

@ Canale di Tenno
“Let's practise some Italian phrases, Metot!" said Angel. "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!'”
Metot looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Angel? 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?"
Angel 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 ...!"
Canale di Tenno
is an obligatory stop for those who desire to immerse themselves in the magic of a place of the past, where you breathe history, art and culture.The village, entrenched on a mountain slope halfway between Lake Garda and the Alps, has recently been included in the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy: note the narrow paved alleys, arcades, small internal squares, the houses set one against the other like in the ancient villages of the 13 century.

Episodio 21/30

@ Old Italian Pilgrim
"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, Scaredy Cat?" remarked Metot. "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!"
Scaredy Cat 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!"
Old Italian Pilgrim
The Casa degli Artisti (Home of the Artists), dedicated to the painter Giacomo Vittone, is found here and is a residence and meeting place for artists from all of Europe. From here, you can view beautiful Lake Garda, and the imposing mountains behind, or you can reach Lake Tenno, one of the cleanest stretches of water in Trentino, known for its deep turquoise colour and small islet.

Episodio 22/30

@ Oranges and Lemons of Lake Garda
"... 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, Cowntess?" remarked Metot.
"I'm sorry, I missed the first part of what you were saying. Is it a gelato flavour?" asked Cowntess.
Metot 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."
Oranges and Lemons of Lake Garda
Know ye the land where the cypress and myrtle
Are emblems of deeds that are done in their clime?
Where the rage of the vulture, the love of the turtle,
Now melt into sorrow, now madden to crime!
Know ye the land of the cedar and vine,
Where the flowers ever blossom, the beams ever shine;
Where the light wings of Zephyr, oppress’d with perfume,
Wax faint o’er the gardens of Gúl in her bloom;
Where the citron and olive are fairest of fruit,
And the voice of the nightingale never is mute;
Where the tints of the earth, and the hues of the sky,
In colour though varied, in beauty may vie,
And the purple of ocean is deepest in dye;
Where the virgins are soft as the roses they twine,
And all, save the spirit of man, is divine?
’Tis the clime of the East; ’tis the land of the Sun—
Can he smile on such deeds as his children have done?
Oh! wild as the accents of lovers’ farewell
Are the hearts which they bear, and the tales which they tell.
Extract from The Bride of Abydos By Lord Byron (1788–1824)

Episodio 23/30

@ Lemon Trees at Lake Garda
On disembarking from the tour bus, Spot surveyed the current stopping place. “Would you fancy living here, Metot?”
"Well, it's certainly a bit different to where we live," said Metot. "But I could get used to it, I daresay!"
Lemon Trees at Lake Garda
If you are looking for an itinerary that can offer you the beauty of Lake Garda as well as its history and tradition, explore the lemon houses along the western shore of the lake, that is also called, not by chance, Riviera dei limoni.

Episodio 24/30

@ Glacial Lake
“What have you got in your rucksack, Flapke?” asked Metot. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Metot,” responded Flapke. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Glacial Lake
Near Italy’s Austrian border—just outside Tarvisio and near the hamlet of Fusine—are two glacial lakes, Lago Inferiore and Lago Superiore. As part of the Parco Naturale dei Laghi di Fusine, these lakes are encircled by hiking paths that offer spectacular views of the surrounding Giulian Alps.

Episodio 25/30

@ Lake Garda
"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, Mocha?" remarked Metot.
"Well, they certainly are amazing, Metot," responded Mocha. "But I'd rather own a little Fiat 500! They are terminally cute!"

Episodio 26/30

@ Little Italian Town
rex was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Metot unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking rex’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said rex, 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!”
Little Italian Town
A typical Italian town where pets can enjoy exploring the winding backstreets. Note the ornate street lamp!

Episodio 27/30

@ Bardolino Pizzeria
"Boycee," gulped Metot 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, Metot!" said Boycee 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."
Bardolino Pizzeria
Bardolino and Bardolino Superiore are Italian red wines produced along the chain of morainic hills in the province of Verona to the east of Lake Garda. Bardolino takes its name from the town Bardolino on the shores of Lake Garda.

Episodio 28/30

@ Villa Cortine Palace, Sirmione
"That was a lovely risotto we had for supper last night, wasn't it, Talyia Aline?" remarked Metot.
"On our table the waiter explained that risotto is a rice dish with origins in Lombardy. It’s cooked in a broth to make it creamy. It must be made with a short-grain variant of Italian rice, usually Arborio, as this absorbs less water and gives the risotto a sticky texture," said Talyia Aline.
Villa Cortine Palace, Sirmione
Villa Cortine in Sirmione, Northern Italy, has beautiful gardens where you will find a pool, a tennis court and a private pier. Guests enjoy free use of parasols and sun loungers at the beach. Close to Catullus's Villa at the tip of the Sirmione peninsula, at Villa Cortine Palace you will be able to enjoy the same views across Lake Garda as Roman nobles once did.
Interiors at Villa Cortine Palace Hotel are charming, with marble décor and frescoed walls.

Episodio 29/30

@ Sirmione, Lake Garda, Italy
Metot was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, Lady Thea!” she exclaimed happily. "O Sole Mio or My Own Sun. This takes me back!"
Sirmione, Lake Garda, Italy
An elegant resort town on the southern edge of Lake Garda, Sirmione has attracted holiday-goers for centuries. 13th-century Scaligero Castle and the Roman ruins of the Grotte di Catullo are top of the list for most visitors, as is swimming in the lake’s crystal-clear waters.

Episodio 30/30

@ Arena di Verona, Italy
As Metot's tour of "Northern Italy - Milan and Turin" comes to an end, she rests under a shady tree and looks back on a perfect day.
Italy City Skyline (standard)
This standard view of a popular Italian city is a great backdrop for your next photoshoot. No pet will ever believe you were never really there.
Arena di Verona, Italy
The Verona Arena was developed in the 1st century, and the building which serves as an Amphitheatre still stands. The gigantic theatre has a seating capacity of 30,000.
Metot has completed their tour of "Northern Italy - Milan and Turin"! Your PnF tour of Italy is now over, but PnF will hold a new event again soon!