Gino's Italian Express S01E02 - Siena to Asciano

Gino's next rail journey takes him on a trip of a lifetime, through the wonderful Tuscan countryside on a historic steam train - Treno Natura. Run by ex-railroad men and volunteers, this special tourist train sets off from beautiful Siena and chugs through the most picturesque natural beauty spots Tuscany has to offer. It stops in the town of Asciano where the locals try and compete with Siena's famous Palio horse race, but here they ride donkeys. Gino joins the jockeys for a training session and after a quick practice ride, decides he's better off cooking - and rustles up a traditional local dessert called panforte.

After getting the train back to Siena, Gino's final stop is North of the city in the Chianti region - at a vineyard where they don't only make wine, but they also bathe in it too. Vinotherapy is an ancient tradition, dating back to Roman times which Francesco and his family have revived. After a luxurious wine bath and a glass of Chianti, Gino cooks up a dish fit for any Roman Emperor - farfalle pasta with funghi and spinach.