Airs Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

Passion Italy celebrates all of the things Italy is known for – art, architecture, performance, food, culture – from the vantage point of a native. In season one, host Alessandra Poli leads an insider’s exploration of Sicily, Puglia, Umbria, Veneto, Abruzzo, and Lazio - introducing viewers to the local artisans and undiscovered places off the beaten path.

While the destinations may be familiar on tourist itineraries, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, Poli’s connections in each city give viewers access beyond the typical tours or guidebooks. Many of those interviewed tell their story in their native Italian with subtitles for a more authentic first-hand expression of the history of their art and how they have maintained and updated tradition to preserve family legacies. The people and places visited are within a maximum of one-hour travel time in each episode, and most are accessible to tourists inclined to seek them out.