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SUGGS' ITALIAN JOB TAKES YOU OFF THE BEATEN PATH TO DISCOVER ITALY'S TREASURES

- New series hosted by ex-singer of 'Madness' -

Suggs, the former frontman of chart-topping British band 'Madness', is the host of SUGGS' ITALIAN JOB.  In this series, Suggs goes on a road trip through the cultural heart and soul of Italy - a country close to his heart - in search of Italy's treasure trove of culture, heritage and creativity. Suggs whizzes through the country's most iconic cities and travels off the beaten track to bring you the best of Italy through his experiences and adventures.

Italy should be a place of refuge and inspiration for Suggs, just as it has been for many other artists and performers over the centuries. However, his visits are usually frenetic affairs where he gets to spend only a few days in his holiday home in Puglia, before jetting back to work in the UK. In the brand new series SUGG'S ITALIAN JOB, Suggs finally gets the opportunity to enjoy the rich variety of Italy's cultural life with a leisurely drive from north to south.

Travelling in a classic Mini (what else could be more appropriate for an Italian Job?), SUGG'S ITALIAN JOB takes him to signature locales such as Venice, Rome, Florence and Naples, and through postcard-perfect landscapes that have inspired many great artists over the centuries. With intentional detours, Suggs is adamant about staying off the well-trodden track to discover unfamiliar places that conceal many surprising stories.

As he zig-zags his way south, Suggs investigates the stories behind Renaissance masterpieces, goes behind the scenes at some of Italy's most celebrated cultural venues and events, meets modern day artists and craftsmen who keep Italy's heritage alive, and tracks down experts who have an undying passion for performance, art and design.

SUGG'S ITALIAN JOB episode descriptions:  

Lakes, Mountains and La Scala
Suggs visits one of the powerhouses of modern Italian design, celebrates the Italian love affair with the sports car, and meets Puccini's granddaughter at the most famous opera house in the world.

Violins & Villas
Suggs discovers the secrets of the Stradivarius, gatecrashes a wedding at a Palladian Villa, learns how to restore a fresco by Giotto, and explores the medieval towns, which inspired some of Shakespeare's best-loved plays.

Canals & Carnivals
Suggs explores the world's most romantic city, reveals Canaletto's cunning secret and investigates the masked world of the annual carnival festival.

Michelangelo & The Maestro
Suggs has a singing lesson from Pavarotti's vocal coach, explores the marble quarry where Michelangelo's 'David' was born, and performs a classic Madness number with a real 'rock' band, whose instruments are made of stone. 

Frescos & Football
Suggs arrives at the birthplace of the Renaissance and football, discovers the Vasari Corridor and some exceptional ice-cream, and investigates those pesky claims about Italians having invented football by playing a game dressed in 17^th century football kit.

Princesses & Piaggios
Suggs abandons his trusty Mini and explores the capital city from the back of a Vespa, heads for Mussolini's film studios, and tours the stunning Palazzo Borghese with Principessa Nike Borghese.

Pizza & Puppets
Suggs takes a musical tour through the city where Caruso first sang, tries his hand at Neapolitan puppetry and discovers the secret of the scenegiatta.

Journey's End
Suggs follows in the footsteps of the Godfather and D.H. Lawrence, and follows the trail of a stolen masterpiece.

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