Cruising the Mediterranean
1/26/2022 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Joseph climbs aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner for a Mediterranean cruise adventure.
Joseph joins other Public Television and NPR journalists for a PTV at Sea cruise on the Mediterranean. Onshore he sets out on a journey of discovery and captures the enduring beauty that is Venice, the history of Croatia, the multi-culturalism of Malta and the heart and soul of Sicily and Tuscany. Along the way, he visits medieval towns, bustling markets, regional restaurants and local wineries.
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Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television
Cruising the Mediterranean
1/26/2022 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Joseph joins other Public Television and NPR journalists for a PTV at Sea cruise on the Mediterranean. Onshore he sets out on a journey of discovery and captures the enduring beauty that is Venice, the history of Croatia, the multi-culturalism of Malta and the heart and soul of Sicily and Tuscany. Along the way, he visits medieval towns, bustling markets, regional restaurants and local wineries.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> WELCOME TO "JOSEPH ROSENDO'S TRAVELSCOPE," WHERE YOU JOIN US AS WE ACCEPT THE WORLD'S INVITATION TO VISIT.
[YAWN] [POP] >> TODAY ON "TRAVELSCOPE," I CRUISE THE MEDITERRANEAN ON A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY THAT HIGHLIGHTS HISTORY, CULTURE, FOOD, AND WINE.
[GLASSES CLINK] >> "JOSEPH ROSENDO'S TRAVELSCOPE" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY VOLVO'S OVERSEAS DELIVERY PROGRAM, WHERE BUYERS CAN PICK UP A NEW VOLVO IN SWEDEN, USE IT IN EUROPE, AND THEN HAVE IT JOIN THEM AT HOME.
NO-JET-LAG.
JET LAG PREVENTION.
AUBERGE RESORTS.
DISTINCTIVE COLLECTION OF LUXURY RESORTS, RESIDENCES AND SPAS.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY FRIENDS OF NCI] >> VENICE HAS BEEN A SEA POWER SINCE THE 11th CENTURY, SO IT'S ALTOGETHER FITTING THAT I BEGIN MY MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE HERE IN VENICE.
VENICE'S CANALS, BRIDGES, AND WALKWAYS GUIDE VISITORS TO HISTORIC LANDMARKS, ANCIENT WORKSHOPS, SPECIALTY BOUTIQUES, AND COZY CAFES.
CALLED THE PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC, VENICE IS ALSO KNOWN AS "SERENISSIMA," THE SERENE REPUBLIC.
AND WHILE ITS BEAUTY AND ROMANCE WILL ENTICE YOU TO STAY, SINCE ITS BEGINNING, IT HAS ALSO BEEN A POINT OF EMBARCATION FOR MANY A MEDITERRANEAN JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY, SUCH AS MINE ABOARD THE REGENT "SEVEN SEAS MARINER."
OFFERING ALL-SUITE CABINS, ALL-INCLUSIVE SERVICE, AND FREE SHORE EXCURSIONS, MY REGENT JEWELS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN VOYAGE SAMPLES THE BEST OF THE DALMATIAN COAST, VISITS LITTLE-KNOWN MALTA AND CELEBRATES THE JOYS OF SICILY AND TUSCANY.
OUR FIRST PORT OF CALL IS SPLIT, LOCATED ON THE CROATIAN COAST.
WHILE CROATIA IS NOTED FOR ITS MANY SEASIDE RESORTS, IN ITS MEDIEVAL TOWNS, LIKE SPLIT, THE APPEAL IS THE CITY'S HISTORY, WHICH DATES BACK MORE THAN 1,700 YEARS, AND ITS VIBRANT CULTURAL LIFE, WHICH TRADITIONALLY HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONNECTED TO THE SEA.
TELL ME ABOUT THIS FISH.
IS THIS LIKE SARDINES?
>> THEY ARE SARDINES.
YOU JUST FRY THEM AND THEN YOU EAT THEM LIKE A CHIP.
WE ALSO SAY FOR THIS [SPEAKING CROATIAN] WHICH MEANS 100 IN THE MOUTH.
>> 100, 'CAUSE THEY'RE SO SMALL?
>> YEAH, YEAH, AND YOU NEED 100 TO FEED ONE PERSON, SO, LIKE... >> DINO, ALL THE FISH VENDORS ARE WOMEN?
HOW COME?
>> WELL, ALL THE HUSBANDS ARE ON THE SEA CATCHING THE FISH.
>> OF COURSE.
>> WE ALSO HAVE LIKE A LOCAL THING HERE THAT YOU CURSE LIKE A FISHWOMAN.
>> HA HA HA!
NOW, THESE FISH ARE BIGGER?
>> WITH THE SIZE OF THE FISH >> OF COURSE.
>> SO, HERE, FOR INSTANCE, WE CAN-- >> [SPEAKING CROATIAN] >> HERE, FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLES OF THE SCORPION FISH, AND WE HAVE ALSO LOCAL SAYING ABOUT THIS ONE.
"THE CAT DOESN'T LIKE THE HEAD OF THIS FISH."
>> "THE CAT DOESN'T LIKE THE HEAD OF THIS FISH."
WHY?
>> BECAUSE IT NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO TRY IT.
>> HA HA!
'CAUSE EVERYBODY EATS IT?
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> WHAT'S THIS?
>> THESE ARE THE SALTED SARDINES.
>> ARE THEY GOOD TO EAT LIKE NOW?
YOU COULD EAT THEM LIKE THAT?
>> YEAH, YEAH.
UNDER THE VENICE REPUBLIC, WE WERE THE GREATEST EXPORTER OF SALTED SARDINES.
>> SHE'S CLEANING IT FOR ME?
>> YES.
>> THIS IS FRESH.
ALL RIGHT.
I CAN EAT THE BONES AND EVERYTHING.
>> YEAH.
>> MMM!
IS THERE A LARGE FISHING FLEET HERE IN SPLIT?
>> NOT JUST IN SPLIT.
OUR PEOPLE ESPECIALLY COMING FROM THE ISLANDS, 'CAUSE, YOU KNOW, IN CROATIA, WE HAVE OFFICIALLY 1,244 ISLANDS.
>> I DIDN'T KNOW!
SO, IF YOU WANT TO BUY AN ISLAND, IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO COME?
>> I DON'T THINK SO.
>> HA HA HA!
FROM THE RICH HARVEST OF THE SEA, DINO AND I HEAD OVER TO STARI PAZAR, SPLIT'S OLD MARKET, TO SAMPLE SOME OF THE BOUNTY FROM CROATIA'S FARMS.
MY GOSH!
GINGER, ONIONS, SWISS CHARD.
ARE THESE PEOPLE THE PEOPLE WHO GROW IT, OR ARE THEY JUST-- >> USUALLY, THEY SELL THEIR OWN PRODUCTS-- >> SO, THIS IS A TRUE FARMER'S MARKET.
>> YES.
THIS IS THE PEAK OF THE SOCIAL LIFE HERE IN SPLIT, BECAUSE EVERY MORNING IT'S OPEN.
EVERY MORNING IT'S BUSY, EVEN SUNDAYS.
>> WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?
>> TANGERINES.
>> TANGERINES.
YEAH?
>> [WOMAN SPEAKING CROATIAN] >> MMM!
AH!
VERY NICE.
VERY NICE, VERY SWEET.
>> [WOMAN SPEAKING CROATIAN] HA HA HA HA!
>> SHE SAYS THIS IS GOOD FOR SEX.
>> OH, IT'S VIAGRA.
>> YEAH, EXACTLY.
>> GREEN VIAGRA, YES.
>> [WOMAN SPEAKING CROATIAN] >> WHAT IS IT?
IS THIS SWISS CHARD?
WHAT IS THIS?
>> THIS IS SOME KIND OF CABBAGE.
[SPEAKING CROATIAN] WE CALL IT [SPEAKING CROATIAN].
>> AND THIS IS LIKE-- >> [WOMAN SPEAKING CROATIAN] >> CABBAGE.
THIS IS WHAT THEY'VE ALL GROWN AND PEOPLE USED TO EAT.
>> [WOMAN SPEAKING CROATIAN] >> AND SHE HAS 80 YEARS BECAUSE SHE'S EATING ONLY THIS.
>> IT'S GOOD.
>> [WOMAN SPEAKING CROATIAN] >> [SINGING IN CROATIAN LANGUAGE] >> THE MAJOR HISTORIC ATTRACTION HERE IN SPLIT IS THE PALACE OF EMPEROR DIOCLETIAN, BUILT IN 305 A.D.
IT IS THE BEST-PRESERVED ROMAN PALACE IN THE WORLD.
IN FACT, THE CHAMBERS THAT FORM THE FOUNDATIONS OF HIS APARTMENTS EXHIBIT A CONSTRUCTION EQUAL TO THE PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT WITH HUGE INTERLOCKING, PERFECTLY CUT LIMESTONE BLOCKS.
AFTER DIOCLETIAN'S DEATH, HIS APARTMENTS WERE DESTROYED AND THE STONES USED BY THE PEOPLE TO BUILD THEIR HOMES ON THE SITE.
THE CHAMBERS BELOW HAVE REMAINED PRISTINE FOR ALL THESE YEARS, UNDISTURBED, BECAUSE THEY WERE USED, IRONICALLY ENOUGH, AS THE WASTE PIT OF THE HOMES THAT WERE ON THE SITE.
ANOTHER IRONIC NOTE IS THAT DIOCLETIAN WAS A FAMOUS PERSECUTOR OF CHRISTIANS.
AND THE MAUSOLEUM THAT HE HAD BUILT FOR HIMSELF, AFTER HIS DEATH WAS TURNED INTO A CHRISTIAN CATHEDRAL.
SO, FROM THE STONES AND THE BUILDINGS OF THE DIOCLETIAN'S PALACE, THE MODERN ERA AROSE.
>> [SINGING CONTINUES] WALKING AROUND SPLIT, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET A SENSE OF THE RICHNESS AND THE STRENGTH OF THE CROATIAN CULTURE.
STANDING IN FRONT OF THE STATUE OF BISHOP GREGORY WHO, IN THE 10th CENTURY, FOUGHT FOR THE CROATIAN LANGUAGE TO BE USED IN THE MASS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
1102, CROATIA LOST ITS INDEPENDENCE, AND YET THE PEOPLES' SENSE OF CULTURAL IDENTITY WAS SO STRONG THAT 900 YEARS LATER, ALMOST, IN 1991, THEY WERE ABLE TO REGAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE AGAIN.
THEY SAY THAT IF YOU RUB THE TOE OF BISHOP GREGORY A WISH WILL COME TRUE.
HERE'S WISHING THAT THE CROATIAN PEOPLE AND THEIR COUNTRY WILL STAY INDEPENDENT FOR THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF YEARS TO COME.
AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH CENTURIES OF WAR, SUBJUGATION, AND OPPRESSION, THE CROATIAN PEOPLE CAN NOW BREATHE FREE.
THEY LOOK OUT ACROSS THE MEDITERRANEAN AND TO THE REST OF EUROPE.
SET TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE E.U.
IN 2013, THEY'RE ALREADY HARD AT WORK ADOPTING THE EUROPEAN JOIE DE VIVRE.
IT SEEMS LIKE HAVING A CUP OF COFFEE SEASIDE IS A FAVORITE PASTIME HERE IN SPLIT.
>> IT'S MORE MEDITERRANEAN THAN CROATIAN TO SIT IN THE OPEN TERRACE WITH THE BEAUTIFUL SEA VIEW ON A SUNNY DAY.
AS THEY SAY IN SPLIT, "WHO COULD PAY FOR THIS?"
>> AH.
AS WE SAY IN CALIFORNIA, "IT'S PRICELESS."
THE WALLED CITY OF OLD DUBROVNIK LONG PROSPERED FROM ITS MARITIME TRADE, WHICH ONCE STRETCHED AROUND THE WORLD.
THESE DAYS, PROSPERITY COMES IN THE FORM OF A MILLION-PLUS TOURISTS A YEAR WHO FLOCK TO THIS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
A ROMAN SETTLEMENT SINCE THE 3rd CENTURY, DUBROVNIK IS ONE OF THE BEST-PRESERVED MEDIEVAL-WALLED CITIES IN EUROPE.
ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES IS TO TAKE A WALK ON THE 2 KILOMETER-LONG WALL AND HAVE SOME WONDERFUL VIEWS OF THE OLD TOWN WHERE 1,000 PEOPLE STILL LIVE.
WITH BAROQUE CHURCHES, FORTRESS GATES, MARBLE STREETS, AND ITS OWN SPANISH STEPS, IN THE SHORT TIME AFFORDED BY A CRUISE, RATHER THAN RACE THROUGH THE OLD TOWN, TAKE A STROLL ON THE PLAZA AND ENJOY SOME OF THE FINER THINGS OF CROATIAN LIFE.
[SPEAKING CROATIAN] >> [WOMAN SPEAKING CROATIAN] HELLO.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> I HEARD THAT THEY PLANTED GRAPES ALONG THE DALMATIAN COAST HERE IN CROATIA, FROM ROMAN TIMES, FOR WINE.
>> DID YOU KNEW THAT THE ZINFANDEL--WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS THE ORIGIN GRAPE FROM UNITED STATES, IT'S FROM CROATIA.
THEY PROVED BY DNA SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT ZINFANDEL IS ORIGIN CRLJENAK.
>> I'D LOVE TO TASTE THAT, BECAUSE ZINFANDEL IS PRACTICALLY THE INDIGENOUS GRAPE OF CALIFORNIA.
IT WAS BROUGHT IN BY THE MONKS FOR SACRAMENTAL WINE.
THE ITALIANS, WHEN THEY CAME TO CALIFORNIA, THEY BROUGHT IT WITH THEM, BUT I NEVER KNEW IT WAS FROM CROATIA.
>> THIS IS DINGAC, ONE OF THE BEST CROATIAN RED WINES, COMING FROM THAT GRAPE, FROM PLAVAC MALI.
PLAVAC MALI IS THE SON OF THE ORIGIN ZINFANDEL BECAUSE HYDRATING KASTELANSKI CRLJENAK AND ANOTHER CROATIAN GRAPE, DOBRICIC, THEY GOT PLAVAC MALI.
>> I'M GLAD YOU'RE SAYING ALL THIS.
>> HA HA!
I KNOW.
CROATIAN LANGUAGE, I KNOW, I KNOW.
>> WHOO!
>> OH, YES.
>> THAT'S BIG.
WHOA!
>> HA HA HA!
BECAUSE THIS WINE, SIR, IT'S 15.5% OF ALCOHOL.
>> WHAT?
>> YES.
>> THAT'S RICH.
THAT'S VERY RICH.
I CAN SEE IT STILL NEEDS TIME TO AIR, BUT I CAN SEE WHAT'S THERE.
WHERE'S YOUR GLASS?
>> OH...IT'S EARLY TO ME--FOR ME.
HA HA!
>> HOW DO I SAY "CHEERS" IN CROATIAN?
>> ZDOROVYE.
>> ZDOROVYE.
I'VE HEARD SEVERAL WAYS OF SAYING IT, BUT I'LL GO WITH THAT ONE.
ZDOROVYE!
>> ZDOROVYE.
>> THE ONE DOWN SIDE TO CRUISING THE MED IS THAT IT PLAYS HAVOC ON DIETS.
ON SHORE, I CAN'T RESIST THE LOCAL SPECIALTIES, AND BACK ON BOARD, STEERING CLEAR OF THE CULINARY ABUNDANCE IS NOT MUCH EASIER.
WITH ALL THESE DELECTABLE DISHES ABOUT, HOW'S A GUY SUPPOSED TO KEEP HIS MANLY PHYSIQUE?
ABOARD THE REGENT "SEVEN SEAS MARINER," THERE ARE 7 DINING OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING ROOM SERVICE.
ADD TO THAT, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF EATING AND DRINKING POSSIBILITIES ON SHORE.
SO, IF I'M GONNA SURVIVE THIS, I HAVE TO SPEND AT LEAST A LITTLE TIME WORKING OUT.
AND THE BEST PART IS WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED, YOU GET TO RELAX... AND HAVE MORE.
I LIKE TO SAY "EVERYTHING IN MODERATION," INCLUDING EXCESS.
CHEERS!
AT THE HEART OF THE MEDITERRANEAN, MALTA HAS LONG BEEN SOUGHT AFTER BECAUSE OF ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION.
CONSEQUENTLY, IT HAS HAD MANY MASTERS, FROM THE PHOENICIANS AND THE ROMANS TO NAPOLEON AND THE BRITISH.
IN 1565, DURING THE DAYS OF THE KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN, ALSO KNOWN AS THE KNIGHTS OF MALTA, IT WITHSTOOD A 4-MONTH SIEGE BY THE OTTOMAN TURKS.
IT WAS BESIEGED A SECOND TIME DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, AND THE PEOPLE ENDURED MORE THAN 3,000 BOMBINGS.
MALTA HAS LONG BEEN AN ISLAND FORTRESS.
IN FACT, "MDINA," ARABIC FOR A FORTIFIED CITY, WAS MALTA'S CAPITAL FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS BEFORE ST. PAUL BECAME SHIPWRECKED HERE IN 60 A.D.
IT SEEMS EVERY PLACE IN MALTA IS FORTIFIED.
>> THIS WAS AN ISLAND.
PIRATES WOULD LAND.
THEY WERE CONSTANTLY ATTACKED.
>> SO, PIRATES WERE A PROBLEM AS WELL AS OTTOMAN TURKS?
>> YES, AS WELL.
>> NAPOLEON?
>> YES.
>> A FEW OTHER ELEMENTS RUNNING AROUND WANTING MALTA.
>> YES.
>> BECAUSE OF ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION.
>> THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
>> AND THAT'S WHY THE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF TOURISTS COME HERE EVERY YEAR.
TOO.
>> YES, OF COURSE.
>> BECAUSE THEY WANT IT AS WELL.
>> HA HA HA!
THEY WANT TO SEE.
PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY AMAZED WHEN THEY COME HERE.
WE HAVE A LOT, A LOT OF HISTORY.
AND WHEN THEY COME HERE, THEY THINK THEY'RE GONNA GO TO AN ISLAND.
THEY'RE JUST GONNA SEE BEACHES AND NOTHING ELSE.
AND THEN THEY COME HERE AND THEY SEE ALL THIS HISTORY, AND IT'S LIKE, "WOW!"
THIS IS REALLY WHAT COMES OUT.
>> GOOD EXPRESSION.
CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?
>> WOW!
HA HA!
[HOOFBEATS] >> WHILE SOME OF THE OTHER TOWNS HERE ON MALTA IS WHERE THE COMMON FOLK LIVE, MDINA--ONCE THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL OF MALTA-- IS WHERE THE NOBLEMANS LIVED.
AND IT STILL CONTINUES TO BE LIKE THAT, RIGHT, JOANNA?
>> YES, IT IS.
>> NOW, THIS IS YOUR FAMILY HOME?
>> YES.
>> WHEN WAS IT BUILT?
>> EARLY 18th CENTURY.
>> WHAT IS IT, DO YOU THINK, ABOUT THE PEOPLE?
WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL MEDITERRANEANS?
>> OUR CULTURE, OUR WARMTH, OUR HONESTY, VERY FAMILY ORIENTATED, RELIGION--EVERYTHING.
>> THERE'S ONLY 350 PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE INSIDE THE WALLS OF MDINA.
WHAT'S IT LIKE LIVING HERE?
>> PRIVILEGED.
HA HA HA!
>> WELL SAID.
WELL, WE'RE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE VISITED AND PRIVILEGED TO HAVE SPOKEN WITH YOU.
>> COME AGAIN.
>> [SPEAKING MALTESE] >> THANK YOU.
>> WHILE MDINA HOUSES A PRIVILEGED FEW, JUST OUTSIDE ITS WALLS, "RABAT," DERIVED FROM AN ARABIC WORD DENOTING A SUBURB, IS HOME TO A LIVELY POPULATION OF MORE THAN 10,000.
HELLO!
>> HELLO.
>> HERE WE ARE AT A TRADITIONAL MALTESE PASTRY SHOP.
MOST OF THEM HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH EITHER A SPECIAL OCCASION OR HOLIDAY.
THESE ARE THE TRADITIONAL MALTESE VILLAGE BISCUITS, USED WHEN YOU HAVE A BABY AND YOU EITHER PUT A BLUE ICING ON TOP OF IT OR A PINK ICING.
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BABIES, SO IT HAS WHITE ICING, I GUESS.
AND THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING VERY UNUSUAL.
ABOUT 80% OF THE POPULATION ARE ROMAN CATHOLIC, AND NOVEMBER 2nd IS ALL SOULS DAY, ALL SAINT'S DAY.
AND THIS IS THE TRADITIONAL MALTESE NOVEMBER ALMOND BONES.
WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE?
WHICH DO YOU LIKE BEST?
>> FIGS WITH CHOCOLATE.
>> FIGS WITH CHOCOLATE.
SOUNDS LIKE A WINNING COMBINATION.
>> TRY ONE.
>> OK, I WILL.
GREAT.
MMM!
THE MALTESE DO NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE.
IN FACT, MALTA, WHICH HAS NO NATURAL RESOURCES, HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF LIVING IN EUROPE.
THE COUNTRY PROSPERS THROUGH TOURISM, SERVICE INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTURING, AND A LITTLE BIT OF FISHING, WHICH STILL TAKES PLACE IN THE VILLAGE OF MARSAXLOKK.
SO, JOE, HOW LONG YOU BEEN A FISHERMAN HERE?
>> OH, NEARLY ALL MY LIFE.
I'M 68.
>> WHAT KIND OF FISH ARE YOU CATCHING?
>> IN THE HARBOR, YOU MIGHT GET--CATCH OCTOPUS, SQUIDS.
AT THE MOMENT, I'VE GOT ONE-- >> OH, THERE'S AN OCTOPUS-- >> CUTTLEFISH.
THIS IS A CUTTLEFISH.
>> CUTTLEFISH.
AND I NOTICED ON SOME OF THE BOATS, THEY STILL HAVE THE EYES OF ISIS.
>> FIRST OF ALL, IT'S A DECORATION-- >> YES.
>> BUT THE OLD ONES, THEY BELIEVE IN WITCHES OR I DON'T KNOW THEY... >> HA HA!
>> NORMALLY, I USE THEM TO LOOK FOR ME WHEN I SLEEP.
THEY KEEP LOOKING FOR ME.
>> WELL, [SPEAKING MALTESE].
>> [SPEAKING MALTESE] SAME TO YOU.
>> REGENT CRUISE LINE BELIEVES THAT THERE SHOULD BE AS MUCH OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ON THE SHIP AS OFF.
FOR EXAMPLE, I'M PART OF A PTV AT SEA EDUTAINMENT PROGRAM THAT GIVES PASSENGERS THE CHANCE TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR FAVORITE PUBLIC TELEVISION AND RADIO PERSONALITIES DURING FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS.
>> THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU.
TODAY, THE SHIP ANCHORS IN THE PORT OF GIARDINI NAXOS, SICILY, ADJACENT TO THE MOUNTAINSIDE VILLAGE OF TAORMINA.
RATHER THAN JOIN THE TOURISTS ALONG THE CORSO UMBERTO, A PEDESTRIAN STREET LINED WITH ELEGANT BOUTIQUES, I TRAVEL TO THE LESS-VISITED TOWN OF CATANIA IN SEARCH OF CULTURAL ADVENTURES.
AT 500,000 PEOPLE, CATANIA IS THE SECOND-LARGEST CITY IN SICILY.
PEOPLE LOVE TO COME AND VISIT BECAUSE OF ITS BEAUTIFUL BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE, FINE SHOPS, AND EXCELLENT CUISINE.
AND SINCE WE'RE ON SICILY, WHICH IS AN ISLAND, ONE OF THE IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS IN THE SICILIAN CUISINE IS FISH.
I'M GONNA MEET MY GUIDE AT A PESCHERIA, THE FISH MARKET, WHICH IS HERE EVERY DAY.
>> WE WALK DOWN INTO THE SQUARE WHERE WE HAVE THE SAME FISHERMEN THAT ARE SELLING WHAT THEY CATCHED LAST NIGHT.
>> [MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY] >> THIS IS ANCHOVIES.
IN SICILIAN, IT'S CALLED "MASCOLINE."
THIS IS REALLY LOCAL IN CATANIA.
>> THIS IS LOCAL FISH.
>> LOCAL, YES.
>> YOU DON'T EAT THIS RAW, THOUGH.
>> YOU CAN EAT IT RAW.
THE FLAVOR'S REALLY SWEET.
HE'S TAKING OFF THE BONE TO IT.
>> [BOTH SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> MMM!
HELLO.
ARE THERE STILL A LOT OF FISH IN THE SEA AROUND-- >> [GIACOMO SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> [MAN SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> HE SAYS WHEN HE WAS YOUNG, THERE WAS A LOT OF FISH.
NOW IT'S HALF OF WHAT HE REMEMBERS.
>> HALF?
>> HALF IS RIGHT.
IT'S ESPECIALLY LESS OF THE TUNA.
THIS IS SMALL TUNA.
IT'S CALLED PALAMI.
>> DO YOU EAT THIS RAW?
>> THIS IS VERY GOOD RAW, OR ELSE GRILLED.
>> BEAUTIFUL.
GRAZIE.
HA HA!
>> [MAN SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> GRAZIE!
>> HE SAYS BRING HIM AWAY TO AMERICA.
>> I LOVE THIS.
I LOVE THIS.
>> LOVELY.
THIS IS CATANIA.
THIS IS CATANIA.
>> THIS IS CATANIA?
THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS HERE.
DO THEY COME HERE EVERY DAY TO GET FOOD FOR THE FAMILY?
>> THEY BUY HERE EVERY DAY WHAT THEY NEED FRESH.
>> AND ALL THIS FOOD IS MAKING ME VERY HUNGRY.
>> YEAH, THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME OF THE DAY.
SO WE'LL DO SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL--A BREAST OF ST. AGATHA.
>> OH, NO.
>> DON'T WORRY.
IT'S ONLY A PASTRY.
IT'S TYPICAL OF CATANIA.
ST. AGATHA IS A PATRON SAINT.
>> OH, OK. >> AND IN THE LEGEND, HER BREAST WAS CUT OFF.
THIS IS FRANCA.
>> FRANCA, CIAO.
>> CIAO.
>> CIAO, FRANCA.
>> [GIACOMO SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> [FRANCA SPEAKING SICILIAN] STUPENDO!
>> STUPENDO!
>> STUPENDO!
>> GRAZIE!
>> GOOD!
>> GOOD!
HA HA!
>> IT'S STUFFED WITH THE RICOTTA AND MARZIPAN PISTACHIO.
>> OH, MY GOSH, THAT'S WONDERFUL.
ST. AGATHA IS FROM NOW ON MY FAVORITE SAINT.
SHE'S AT LEAST MY FAVORITE- TASTING SAINT.
>> CAPPUCCINO?
>> CAPPUCCINO.
>> GRAZIE, FRANCA.
>> [FRANCA SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> FROM SWEETS TO FISH IN CATANIA, I FOUND THE MAKINGS OF A SICILIAN MEAL.
BACK AT THE PORT, I JOIN CHEF ANGELO SICILIANO AND HIS SON MIMO AS THEY TRANSFORM THE LOCAL INGREDIENTS INTO TRADITIONAL DISHES.
>> [SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> HA HA HA!
IN SICILY, THEY FEED YOU MORE THAN FOOD.
THEY FILL YOU UP WITH SICILIAN HEART AND SOUL.
>> THIS IS THE MACARONI, THE TYPICAL SICILIAN PASTA.
THIS BORN IN 1920-- >> [SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> FROM HIS MOTHER?
>> THIS UMBRELLA-- >> [SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> AND THEY'LL ALWAYS BE CLOSE TO HIS HEART BECAUSE SHE GAVE IT TO HIM TO MAKE PASTA OUT OF.
>> [SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> THAT'S WHAT'S SO WONDERFUL ABOUT SICILIAN FOOD.
YOU CAN FEEL THE HEART OF THE CHEF.
COULD I TRY AND MAKE IT?
>> IT'S VERY EASY.
THEN PRESS.
YOU PRESS IT IN.
>> YES, YES.
>> CLOSE.
CLOSE WITH THE FINGER.
>> BOTH OF THE FINGERS.
CLOSE.
>> [SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> A LITTLE PRESS, A LITTLE PRESS.
>> OK. >> IS A NICE TRY.
>> NOT BAD, NOT BAD.
>> NOT BAD.
>> [SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> I THINK I UNDERSTAND WHAT HE'S SAYING.
NOW THAT WE'VE SEEN PASTA, LET'S GO EAT PASTA.
>> OK, YOU UNDERSTAND.
>> GRAZIE.
>> [SPEAKING SICILIAN] >> GRAZIE, GRAZIE.
>> PREGO.
BUON APPETITO!
>> GRAZIE.
THIS IS A TYPICAL-- >> A TYPICAL SICILIAN PASTA.
>> MMM!
MMM!
BUON APPETITO!
>> SALUTE.
GRAZIE!
>> GRAZIE.
SINCE NO VISIT TO ITALY WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A BIT OF WINE TASTING, FROM THE NEXT PORT OF LIVORNO IN TUSCANY, I'VE PREBOOKED A TOUR THROUGH CHIANTI CLASSICAL TO A VINEYARD THAT IS PART OF THE REGION'S AGRITOURISM.
THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF TUSCANY IS THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA.
WE'RE ABOUT AN HOUR FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN HERE IN THE HEART OF TUSCANY, IN CHIANTI.
AND WE'RE IN THE HEART OF CHIANTI AND CHIANTI CLASSICO.
THESE MUST BE SANGIOVESE, BECAUSE SANGIOVESE IS THE WINE OF CHIANTI, RIGHT?
>> YES, THE MAIN GRAPE INTO THE CHIANTI CLASSICO WINE.
>> NOW, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHIANTI AND CHIANTI CLASSICO?
>> CHIANTI CLASSICO IS PRODUCED IN THE AREA BETWEEN FLORENCE AND SIENA IN THE CHIANTI HILLS.
IS A VERY LITTLE AREA, AND NORMALLY IS MORE HIGH THAN CHIANTI AREA.
AND THE KIND OF SOIL ALSO IS DIFFERENT.
IS MORE ROCK.
WE HAVE A LOT OF ROCK.
YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE MORE SUN THAN SOIL IN THIS PLACE.
>> LOOK AT THAT.
YOU'RE RIGHT.
>> THE ROCK GIVE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE WATER TO GO DOWN.
>> SO, IT HELPS DRAINING THE SOIL.
>> YES, AND ALSO THE TASTE OF THE WINE IS MORE ELEGANT.
>> GABRIELE, THIS IS REALLY WONDERFUL, BUT YOU KNOW THE PROOF OF THE WINE IS IN THE VERRE.
>> LET'S DO.
WE CAN GO TO TASTE.
>> AH.
>> [SPEAKING TUSCAN LANGUAGE] THIS IS MY SANGIOVESE 2010.
>> AND THIS WILL BE MIXED WITH THE OTHER TWO RED GRAPES TO MAKE CHIANTI CLASSICO.
>> WILL BE TOP MERLOT AND THE SYRAH.
>> OH, THAT'S-- >> BUT 90% IS SANGIOVESE.
>> DO YOU MAKE ANY WINES THAT ARE JUST 100% SANGIOVESE?
>> THE RESERVE.
THE RESERVE ARE ONLY THE BETTER VINTAGES.
>> HOW MANY BOTTLES DO YOU PRODUCE?
>> 30,000 IS COUNTING GLASS, SMALL WINE.
>> YOU COULD PROBABLY DRINK THE 30,000 YOURSELF, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
>> YES.
YOU CAN HELP ME!
>> IF YOU CAN'T DO IT, I'LL HELP YOU FINISH IT.
[SNIFFS] >> THE PARTICULARITY OF SANGIOVESE IS A LITTLE BIT HARD, A LITTLE BIT DIVERSE.
FOR HAVING A GOOD TASTING OF SANGIOVESE, YOU HAVE TO TASTE TOGETHER WITH THE FOOD.
>> AH!
>> WITH THE TRADITIONAL PECORINO AND SALAMI TOSCANOS.
[ROOSTER CROWS] >> THIS IS SO WONDERFUL.
THE ROOSTER IS CROWING, AND THE ROOSTER IS CROWING HERE, TOO.
WHAT DOES THE ROOSTER ON THE BOTTLE MEAN?
>> THE SYMBOL OF CHIANTI CLASSICO.
>> SO, YOU KNOW WHEN YOU SEE THAT ROOSTER YOU'RE GETTING AUTHENTIC.
>> YES, YES.
>> THIS IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A WINERY.
THIS IS PART OF WHAT PEOPLE CALL THE AGRITOURISM.
PEOPLE COME HERE.
THIS IS A REAL FARM.
YOU HAVE THE ANIMALS, THE VINEYARDS.
[ROOSTER CROWS] AND ALSO OLIVES.
THESE OLIVES ARE YOURS, TOO.
>> I'VE MADE THAT OLIVE.
>> AND WHERE THE ANIMALS USED TO LIVE, NOW PEOPLE ARE LIVING.
>> YES.
FOR EXAMPLE, THAT HOUSE--WHEN I BOUGHT THE FARM, IT WAS A PIG HOUSE.
AND NOW WHEN THE PEOPLE COME, TOURISTS SAY, "WHERE WE HAVE TO STAY?
WHICH APARTMENT?"
I SAY, "IN THE PIG HOUSE."
>> HA HA!
YEAH, THE PIG HOUSE IS PRETTY NICE.
IT HAS BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OUT ONTO THE VALLEY BELOW.
>> THE FIRST WORK IS WINEMAKING, BUT ALSO AGRITOURISM IS NICE, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PEOPLE ALL THE YEARS, PEOPLE THAT BECAME FRIENDS, PEOPLE THAT COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
>> WELL, GABRIELE, GOOD FOOD, GOOD WINE, GOOD FRIENDS.
SALUTE!
[GLASSES CLINK] >> SALUTE!
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON MY MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE ABOARD THE REGENT "SEVEN SEAS MARINER."
THE MEDITERRANEAN HAS BEEN THE LIFEBLOOD OF CIVILIZATION FOR THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
ALONG ITS SHORES, EMPIRES FROM THE PHOENICIAN AND THE GREEK TO THE ROMAN AND THE OTTOMAN AROSE.
LIKE THE SEA ITSELF, THEIR FORTUNES AND THE FORTUNES OF MANY NATIONS SINCE EBBED AND FLOWED.
WHILE SOME FLOURISHED, OTHERS VANISHED.
YET, THE GLORY AND THE GRANDEUR OF THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION IS NOT LOST IN ITS PAST BUT LIVES ON IN ITS PEOPLE, WHO, LIKE THE SEA ITSELF, HAVE WEATHERED COUNTLESS STORMS AND CONTINUE TO THRIVE.
THROUGH MY CRUISE, I WAS ABLE TO SAMPLE THEIR JOY OF LIFE AND THEIR INDOMITABLE SPIRIT.
WHILE MY MEETINGS WERE ALL TOO FEW AND OFTEN TOO BRIEF, I GOT ENOUGH OF A TASTE TO MAKE ME VOW TO COME BACK FOR MORE.
TILL NEXT TIME, THIS IS JOSEPH ROSENDO REMINDING YOU OF THE WORDS OF MARK TWAIN: "TRAVEL IS FATAL TO PREJUDICE, BIGOTRY, AND NARROW-MINDEDNESS."
HAPPY TRAVELING!
>> "JOSEPH ROSENDO'S TRAVELSCOPE" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY VOLVO'S OVERSEAS DELIVERY PROGRAM, WHERE BUYERS CAN PICK UP A NEW VOLVO IN SWEDEN, USE IT IN EUROPE, AND THEN HAVE IT JOIN THEM AT HOME.
NO-JET-LAG.
JET LAG PREVENTION.
AUBERGE RESORTS.
DISTINCTIVE COLLECTION OF LUXURY RESORTS, RESIDENCES AND SPAS.
>> FOR A DVD OF TODAY'S SHOW, OR ANY OF JOSEPH'S "TRAVELSCOPE" ADVENTURES, CALL 888-876-3399, OR ORDER ONLINE AT TRAVELSCOPE.NET.
YOU CAN ALSO E-MAIL US AT TV@TRAVELSCOPE.NET, OR WRITE US AT THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.
>> NOW THAT WE'VE CRUISED THE MEDITERRANEAN, LEARN MORE AT TRAVELSCOPE.NET, WHERE YOU CAN FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES THROUGH MY E-MAGAZINE, BLOG, PODCAST, AND ON FACEBOOK.
KEEP IN TOUCH.
888-876-3399, OR TV@TRAVELSCOPE.NET OK. [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY FRIENDS OF NCI] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] HA HA HA!
ITALY IS ABOUT ABUNDANCE, AND CHIANTI'S ABOUT OVERABUNDANCE.
BUON APPETITO!
MMM!
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