In the beautiful, rural south of mainland Italy, James is forced to confront a vision of hell courtesy of Dante's Inferno, and Bettina goat who urgently needs milking. The Amalfi Coast offers some much-needed respite before he dives headfirst into the chaotic, city of Naples for ancient catacombs and pizza.

James puts his Renaissance man credentials to the test with a spot of medieval sport, art, science, and modern-day alchemy in the Tuscan capital, Florence. A little further North in Emilia-Romagna, he sets his sights on the world of fast-moving cars and slow-aging cheese before he wraps up his visit in a town with a slightly different feel to it.