I lived in Italy for a while once, don't you know...

If you want a true insight into the REAL Italy (dai, come l'adoro io!) then don't miss BBC2 on Sunday nights 9pm

Francesco da Mosta is doing a tour of the major cities from North to South in his Alfa Romeo spider. He recently did a great programme on Venezia, and being Veneziano himself, he treated the place with utmost respect.

I was slightly worried he would be scathing about the rest of one of the most beautiful countries in the world. But no, pleasantly surprised at his lack of sarcasm. Traditionally, Venetians consider themselves superior to all other cittadini italiani, but Francesco gives a brilliant and concise insight into many cities in Italy, many places I've been to but other tourists would have passed by, in his own smooth italian way, making the most of family contacts to gain access into places otherwise closed off... In Italy, it really is who you know that matters.

Padua, for instance, great place. Bologna, so much more than just a sauce....

I already knew this, but here's the proof. And there's so much Italian in the programme it's a good nostalgia trip for me...

Signore da Mosta must be paying a visit to my beloved Perugia, probably next Sunday, watch it and see why I miss it so much! :-)

PS: Rachel, mi dispiace che tu non puoi vedere questa programma, essendo come sei a Texas! Comunque, forse arriva la programma sul BBC America un giorno! Peccato, perche è tanto bello da vedere! A presto! Cx