Binge-Worthy TV for a Virtual Italian Vacation

Everyone daydreams of Italy, and why wouldn’t you? The country is home to some of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the world and it’s enough to incite a sense of forlorn longing in just about anyone. To temporarily ward off your wanderlust, transport yourself to Italy with some of these binge-worthy TV shows that will satisfy your cravings for pasta and desire for a Sicilian summer in no time.

Chef’s Table Pizza

Netflix’s “Chef’s Table Pizza” is a mouth-watering exploration of the world of artisanal pizza making. Featuring some of the most talented and creative pizza chefs from around the globe, the show offers a glimpse into the passion and dedication that goes into crafting the perfect pie.

Paying homage to the home of everyone’s favorite carb dish, the Netflix series takes you to the streets of Rome and Naples, offering new insight into how two of the best pizzaiolos, Gabriele Bonci and Franco Pepe, practice their craft. Known for their innovative creations, both chefs have achieved legendary acclaim by pursuing philosophies like quality without compromise. Exploring this concept, “Chef’s Table Pizza” takes you on a culinary journey around Italy to see where these famous chefs source their ingredients, uncovering the secrets behind some of the world’s most delicious pizzas. So grab a slice and settle in for an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

Part of the blame for our recent insatiable desire to visit Italy over and over and over again can be put on Stanley Tucci. His CNN Original Series, “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” has the Academy Award nominee traveling through the many regions of Italy — including Calabria where his ancestors are from — to discover the dishes, their ingredients, the makers and the restaurants that define them. While the storytelling alone is enough of a hook, Tucci’s good looks, charm and decent Italian also add to the series, making it an enjoyable binge, especially when it first premiered during the pandemic while everyone was locked up in their living rooms and in much need of an escape. Now that the world has opened up, we recommend watching for travel inspiration before you book your next trip to the Bel Paese.

White Lotus: Season 2

HBO’s massive hit “White Lotus” for a second season with actress Jennifer Coolidge leading the cast. This time, the setting for the satirical drama is set in the south of Italy where The San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, serves as the main backdrop. Between scenes of the five-star hotels — a glamorous beach club, spacious suites, terraces with sweeping views of Mount Etna and the Bay of Taormina — the show also gives you shots of the ocean, island, nearby towns and palatial villas that will have you Googling flights to Sicily in no time.

We dare say this second season outshines the first. If wit and humor are your cup of tea then buckle in for a wild ride. “White Lotus” will have you laughing, looking up theories and wishing you were spending a week in Italy.