Know your Vermicelli from your Vivaldi? If you think you know a fair bit about Italy, try our Suggs' Italian Job Quiz!

Italy is a place of refuge and inspiration for Suggs, just as it has been for many other artists and performers over the centuries. But usually his visits are high-speed affairs a flight to the south and a few days in his holiday home in Puglia, before he jets back to his work commitments in the UK. In this series he'll have the opportunity to make a more leisurely journey from north to south, absorbing the rich variety of Italy's cultural life along the way.

Travelling in a classic Mini (this is his Italian Job after all), Suggs' grand tour will take him to the iconic cities (Milan, Venice, Rome, Florence and Naples) and through the spectacular landscapes which have inspired so many artists. But he'll also make regular detours along the way, straying off the beaten track to discover many unfamiliar places with surprising stories to reveal.

As he zig-zags his way south, he'll investigate the stories behind some of the masterpieces of the Renaissance, go behind the scenes at some of Italy's most celebrated cultural venues and events, meet modern day artists and craftsmen keeping Italy's arts heritage alive, and track down experts with a passion for performance, art and design who are keen to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with Suggs and our audience.


EPISODE 1: LAKES, MOUNTAINS & 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 grand-daughter at the most famous opera house in the world.

EPISODE 2: VIOLINS & VILLAS

Suggs discovers the secrets of 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 Shakespeares best-loved plays.

EPISODE 3: CANALS & CARNIVALS

Suggs explores the worlds most Romantic city, reveals Canaletto's cunning secret and investigates the masked world of the annual carnival.

EPISODE 4: MICHAELANGELO & 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 – all their instruments are made of stone. 

PROGRAMME 5: FRESCOES & FOOTBALL

Suggs arrives to the birthplace of Reneissance 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 17th century football kit.

PROGRAMME 6: PRINCESSES & PIAGGIOS

Suggs abandones 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.

PROGRAMME 7: 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.

PROGRAMME 8: JOURNEY'S END

Suggs follows in the footsteps of the Godfather and D.H. Lawrence and follows the trail of a stolen masterpiece.