has been provided by the following.

- [Announcer] In the heart of Barolo lies Cantina Oddero Winery.

Today the 6th generation of the Oddero's continue the family tradition of producing wines from ancient vines in (speaking in foreign language).

Oddero wines, since 1878.

- [Announcer] Victor Rallo and Chef Dave Pasternack's Esca restaurant in New York City's theater district.

Serving contemporary Italian coastal cuisine, crudo, fresh fish, prime meats and pasta.

Dishes rooted in the simplicity of Italian flavors.

Esca, New York City.

(calm music) - [Narrator] Alessandra Poli has spent her life traveling the world and sharing stories of her adventures as a TV producer.

Now she'll explore her homeland and offer a look at the Italy, tourists don't see.

- Rome, the city where I was born never stops to amaze me.

Art, culture, history but most of all, it's very passionate people.

Follow me on "Passion Italy" and I show you the real Italy.

- [Narrator] The real Italy, it's a love for stunning landscapes, the creativity to capture fire in glass, the soul to dance to a 500-year-old beat, the magic of handcrafted traditions, and hosting one of the most exclusive parties in the world.

- On today's "Passion Italy" we will travel to the Venice area certainly a centuries-old destination for millions and millions.

The canals, the gondolas, the bridges but almost no one ever sees what I see in Venice.

Simply Venice.

(bright music) ("The Four Seasons, RV 315, Summer" by Antonio Vivaldi) - [Narrator] The Veneto region is situated in Italy's north east.

Our journey will begin in Venice from where we will visit the islands of Chioggia and Murano.

Who doesn't know Venice, the most unique city in the entire world.

But what most visitors don't realize is that Venice is surrounded by one of the richest ecological bodies of water in the Mediterranean, the Venetian Lagoon.

It's a marsh environment that is fed by rivers yet flush by salt water from the Adriatic Sea.

The Venetian Lagoon is like a little galaxy of different worlds, strips of land steeped in natural, artistic and cultural treasures.

All the islands are easily accessible from Venice and from each other, using a local water bus or by private tours.

(calm music) The story of Venice is the story of exceptional treasures inspired by natural challenges.

Few cities can claim such a priceless artistic and historical heritage as Venice.

This unique city built on an inhospitable landscape of mud, sand and sludge, is a real miracle creative genius.

It started in the fifth century, the Roman Empire was falling, refugees were fleeing from nearby areas attacked by many invaders including Attila the Hun.

These canals offered perfect protection.

By the Renaissance it was one of the richest cities on Earth.

The Grand Canal with the numerous palaces lining it's banks, perfectly reflects the history and glory of centuries of Venetian architecture.

Art and beauty are all around us.

And the creativity hasn't stopped.

The Rialto Market is in the very heart of Venice.

(flowy music) Long ago, under these very arches merchants from the far corners of the globe congregated to trade their wares.

It was at these stalls that Europeans could find rare goods such as spices, fabrics or exotic perfumes from the Far East.

This market is a bridge that connects ancient foods to today's demanding palates.

Gigi Cassan is a celebrated chef and high-end caterer who after having worked and trained all over the world felt the pull of Venetian cuisine.

Gigi creates dishes that match the beauty, the variety and vitality of this city.

(speaks in a foreign language) - [Narrator] The Ballo del Doge is certainly one of the greatest highlights of Carnivale.

It is held in one of the oldest and richest Venetian palaces right on the Grand Canal, Palazzo Pisani Moretta.

(speaks in a foreign language) - [Narrator] This ball is considered one of the most extravagant and hedonistic parties in the world.

(crowd chattering) It's a night of fantastic costumes and brilliant music.

And lots of imaginative and seductive food.

Gigi's perfectionism is not just focused on food but goes right down to the refined table settings.

Even the lighting makes for an historic evening transporting guests to an age gone by.

(speaks in a foreign language) (sings in a foreign language) - [Narrator] With or without a mask each guest at the ball has assumed a new identity, even if it's just for tonight.

In the rigid society of ancient Venice, a mask erased class distinctions and allowed rules to be broken.

That's why wearing a mask was restricted only to Carnivale time.

Maybe the original Venetians just needed an escape, or maybe they had something to hide.

(crowd cheering) (water splashing) (calm music) - [Narrator] Chioggia, often called little Venice, is a lively island in the Venetian Lagoon.

Situated 90 minutes away from Venice by boat it's a perfect destination for a day trip.

Here you will enjoy a genuine and authentic atmosphere out of the main tourist stream.

It's palaces in Venetian style, the canals, the bridges, the ancient churches, are the perfect setting to recall the Chioggia War fought in the 14th century: a major event in the city's history.

The Palio de La Marciliana is it's historical reenactment.

Not to be missed if you're visiting the area in June.

Today we got only a glimpse of it.

(speaking in a foreign language) One of the city's highlights is the Museo dell'Orologio, housed in the ancient Saint Andrew's Tower, around 100 feet tall.

The tower was built in Rome and Byzantine style and was once used as a watchtower and lighthouse.

(clock weight ticking) The medieval clock, the oldest in the world, is the flagship of the museum.

(cogs clacking) (bell ringing) (whirring) (clock bell chiming) (crowd chattering) (rhythmic music) - [Narrator] If you're looking for local food specialties don't miss the fresh fish market.

Here you will find fisherman who sell amazing local fish.

The seafood is so fresh and prices are really competitive, not by chance, because Chioggia is the second biggest fishing port in Italy.

Save room and time for a proper sit-down meal with exceptional lagoon seafood to match the region's bubbly Prosecco.

(both speaking in a foreign language) Alessandra meets Giorgio Boscolo an artisan who keeps a local tradition alive.

He is the last in Chioggia to still the make the famous Chioggiotta pipe, just as they were made in the 1600s.

(calm music) At that time, they were basic objects in natural red clay dug from the Po River.

Later on they become more refined in shapes and colors almost like little sculptures.

And they are still appreciated all over the world.

Thanks to Giorgio, the Chioggiotta pipe is gaining back its fame.

(speaks in a foreign language) (calm music) - [Narrator] With a local vaporetto you can easily reach Murano, another island in the Venetian Lagoon.

This is the island that made Venice famous for it's incredible glass creations.

In the Middle Ages, all of Venice's glass industry was moved to Murano due to the frequent and disastrous fires it caused which endangered the entire city center.

(fire roaring) One of the acclaimed artists in this long glass-making tradition is Archimede Seguso.

He developed new techniques and creations that are offered at Tiffany's and other exclusive establishments.

Some of his works can be admired in art museums around the world.

Today we have the privilege of experiencing Archimede's passion through the eyes of his son, Gino Seguso, who continues his father's wonderful and world-renowned legacy.

(both speaking in a foreign language) (speaks in a foreign language) (calm reflective music) (speaks in a foreign language) (fire roaring) (hooter tooting) (bright music) (birds cawing) - [Narrator] With its infinite plays of light, its fascinating blend of land and water, Venice never ceases to amaze and delight.

It is here in this magical city that Raffaele Dessi has decided to live out his passion.

Raffaele's a dancer and choreographer who embodies passionate history through these incredible costumes and the choreography of classical dance.

He pulls his audience into days past of elegance and opulence.

- My history, Francesca began in a very strange way simply because I was walking on the streets with a bag.

She asked me, "What you have in that bag?"

And I answer her, "A cape."

"A cape?"

"Why you using a cape in July?"

I said, "Because I play historical dances "and if you want, you can come in my group."

(bright harpsichord music) We start with singing together, after she come in the group of dance and at last, after 20 years we are still together.

Now my passion for dance and costume is our passion for dance and costume.

The moment when we are dancing is very intense moment between me and her.

(hands clapping) Passion for dance was into myself always.

It was very hard for me to do it in the place where I was born.

And when I arrived in Venice, of course I can live in a totally different way, my passion for music and for dance.

(stately music) - [Narrator] Palazzo Zeno is one of the oldest in Venice.

It dates back to the 14th century.

It was built by Carlo Zeno, a hero in the Chioggia War waged by Venice against the city of Genoa.

The Zeno family has always lived in the palazzo and still does today.

The afternoon cioccolato is another unmissable event of the Carnivale.

The guests can take part in one of Raffaele's dance lessons.

- [Raffaele] In Renaissance dance, the steps are really, really simple because every noble have to be able to dance.

It was a moment of sociality not a moment for pleasure or for fun.

(speaks in a foreign language) ("Serenade No.

13 In G Major, K. 525, Minuetto" by Mozart) - In historical dance you are to know very well heart.

The only things you can do is to give a new life to this kind of dance and music.

- It's time to go.

But join me on the next episode of "Passion Italy" for another adventure in this beautiful country.

(bright music) - [Announcer] Funding for this series has been provided by the following.

- [Announcer] In the heart of Barolo lies Cantina Oddero Winery.

Today the 6th generation of the Oddero's continue the family tradition of producing wines from ancient vines in (speaking in foreign language).

Oddero wines, since 1878.

- [Announcer] Victor Rallo and Chef Dave Pasternack's Esca restaurant in New York City's theater district.

Serving contemporary Italian coastal cuisine, crudo, fresh fish, prime meats and pasta.

Dishes rooted in the simplicity of Italian flavors.

Esca, New York City.

(grand music)