Exploring the Italian Region that DOESN'T EXIST 

The region of Molise should make you Ambasciatori della regione. What a beautiful part of the world. I go to Termoli every year and I always get angry that is not known by tourists

My mom is from Casacalenda, which is just 40 Mins from Termoli. My dad is also from campobasso. He’s closer to the isernia region that was on the map they showed. It’s called Agnone and they’re know for making church bells. Oldest company in the world. Dates back more than a 1000 years

Se la prossima volta che venite da queste parti vi serve un aggancio, Fatemi pure un fischio! E a proposito: grazie! Il Molise ha bisogno di questa visibilità!

As an Italian, I know very well that every corner has a culinary specialty, but on the other hand we also understimate Molise a lot because it's very small and surrounded by big and famous regions (hence the joke about its existence). So this journey impressed me too, both geographically and gastronomically, especially with the last two specialties I never heard of, even if I'm from southern Lazio, which is very close to Molise. And I definetely want to try them now, because I can almost taste how delicious they are simply looking at them (another italian skill, I guess 😄). So this video promotes the region among italians too. Well done!

I've been sitting here with my coffee, waiting for your email! For a minute I thought I wasn't going to get my pasta grammar fixed today. LOL

Eva: "Molise doesn't exist." Also Eva, "I know somebody from Molise!"

That's not a "Roman bridge" though: it's the external archway of the cloister of one of the most ancient abbeys in Italy, San Vincenzo al Volturno, founded in 703 a.D.

This might just be my favorite of your videos. It reminds me of my visit to Aosta, Palm Sunday weekend 1974. I ate polenta 3 different ways, and dandelion greens, and even the air was delicious ;) Italy is the Garden of Eden.

You're bringing back so many beautiful memories! In 2019 a friend and I did a tour of Molise (based out of the same hotel in Campobasso) and it was magical and amazing. It was also funny because everywhere we went, people asked us if we were visiting family. We weren't, and this puzzled them. They always asked, "Why are you here?" Uh... because it's gorgeous and fascinating?

3:47. This is proof that we Italians ourselves are constantly discovering new things in our Italy. If one thinks he knows everything, he is completely wrong ! :)

Eva and Harper God bless you. You have made me so happy with this episode on Molise. I was born in Castropignano, Campobasso and I feel so grateful because Molise is often overlooked yet has so much to offer. I'm happy you enjoyed your trip there.

My family is from Campobosso! I was there in 1973 and slept in the bed that my father was born in. The cousins still traveled down to the river to do laundry there. Thank you for showing it how it is today! And yes, we do tend to drop the last syllable. It was always "cavatell" when I was growing up.

My heritage is Venafro, Molise, Iserna, Italia. I am getting my Italian citizenship from this. My grandparents were born there, I've been there and it is real. I remember telling you. And the cheese is in fact the best. Now you know why I love cheese from when I was a child. When my passport comes through, I'm moving there. There is a wonderful archaeology museum, a WW2 museum and a castle as well as Roman theater. Small, but charming, it's worth a visit if you are still in the area. Stay at the Dimora del Prete villa. I know you will like it. Dorothy, the caretaker has hundreds of old photos of the people of the town from 19th and early 20th century to see.

The dude nailed it, Italy isn’t as effective as promoting tourism as it should. Italy could be living of pure tourism but is stuck in such old ways that is missing out so much. Word of an Italian here.

I was born and raised in Napoli, but I consider Molise an ancestral home as my father was born in a small village (Monteroduni) near Isernia, Molise. Molise was part of the region of Abbruzzo until 1963, when the region was split and the Molise part was separated. So yeah, Molise did not exist before 1963 :) . Molise has everything, as you found out. High Mountains and beaches. Seafood and Cheese. And some kickass wine, if you look into it.

Eva made a recipe a while back using caciocavallo (supa cuata), and I went everywhere to find that cheese. No one had it, so I never made the recipe. I have subsequently found the caciocavallo online, so I will go back and find the recipe. You guys inspire me to make new recipes and connect with my (beautiful Barese) Italian roots! Grazie! 😍

Did you go to Sanremo? My Calabrian friend was married to a guy whose parents were from Sanremo. She & her MIL could never converse, they didn't understand each other. I went to visit one time & realized that her MIL's Italian sounded like Spanish. Both my friend & I spoke Spanish so I told my friend to speak to her MIL in Spanish & wah-lah, they could finally speak to each other. Her husband was dumbfounded when he came home because instead of yelling at each other, they were laughing & enjoying each others company.

Based on its size and relative narrowness, I'm guessing that "bridge" is actually the remains of an acquaduct.

My grandparents on my mother's side are from Molise. They come from a small village called Castellino Del Biferno in the province of Campobasso. My Nonna used to always make home made cavatelli, it's my favourite pasta.

I'd assume Italy not putting up signs to all sorts of Roman and other ancient remains is not just that there are so many, but also that the best way to preserve them is to focus the tourist traffic on museums and such where things are easier to protect from vandalism and "oh, I'll take this stone along as a souvenir."

One of the best pasta brand in Italy (I am italian) is “La Molisana”, which is from Molise (like its name shows)

Wow! This is an amazing video! In my 54 years I’ve never had a desire to leave the US - there’s so much to see and do here! - but this … I want to visit Molise and see! And eat! I know. Hyperbole much. But I’m serious. This was fantastic.

My maternal grandmother came to the U.S. from Gildone, a little village a few kilometers outside Campobasso. She gave our family the tradition of making cavatelli, but made with ricotta as well as water and flour (making it softer and richer, almost like gnocchi). Nana always "carved" the cavatelli with her thumb, as Caterina did. Some of us would use the side of a fork, and my parents have a hand-cranked machine that makes the cavatelli. Good to see others learning the wonders of Molise!

I was born in Molise and emigrated to the US with my parents when I was 5. If you want to see a secluded but pretty little village go to Roccamandolfi. It has mountains, and old castle and great traditional food.

Located in Molise, Monteroduni is the town where my husband's Grandfather is from. We visited there and it was amazing! Love watching your channel! Thank you for sharing.

Il Molise esiste e se magna benissimo! 😁 Eva tesoro bello, Harper ha ragione. Molti stranieri sono affascinati dal territorio Italiano col mix Archeologia-Storia/cibo e vino; a volte abbiamo tante cose che neanche le curiamo bene, o non facciamo pagare biglietti. All'estero valorizzano pure due pietre che si ritrovano, e paghi per tutto. Questo in Italia e' una grossa pecca, si potrebbero valorizzare tante zone depresse, specie al Sud. Ciao belli, buon appetito! 🍷

Carissimi!!! Complimenti! I loved, loved, loved your program on Molise! It is the BEST you have ever done. I have wanted to go to Molise for years and years! When I suggest to Italian friends that I believe that I would like to live in Molise, they retort with, “Why? There is nothing there!” Thus, they ask me the question and supply the perfect answer. For me, Molise is about the romance of a place that is unspoiled by tourism and the native people doing what people in Italy have done for years and continue to use those antique traditions that survive unspoiled. Every time the train stops at the stazione in Termoli, as I head to Lecce or I return home to Ravenna, I say to myself, “It is now or never! Get off this train and do it!” But I am on a schedule and there is never time to stop. There is a romance in my head regarding Molise, and I was so pleased to see you both create my dream! Your trip demonstrates that while Roma, Venezia, and Firenze have beautiful histories, they are a Paradise for tourists. As you show, the real Italy is in the isolated isles of the countryside that require a car to luxuriate in your discovery. A Brodetto is that marvelous fish soup with a cousin called Bouillabisse by the French. It was the very first meal I ate after arriving in Italy the very first time - in Porto Recanti. I made it there after a long, slow ride on an olive green, pre-war train known then as a “locale” from Milano. The Brodetto was best when I tasted it that first time as a virgin and it set the standard. Every town along the Adriatic coast has their version of Brodetto - differing in various ways. Brodetto in restaurants vary as much as those from home to home. I found that those with a light broth that was rich in flavor appealed the most to me. Most coastal towns in other areas of Italy have their version of a Brodetto - but it is called something else. In Genoa it is called a Burrida, in some places it is called Zuppa di Pesce, and in others a Cacciucco and the names vary as do the fish included. My own preference prepared at home uses Crostacei and bivalves instead of fish. There is always the mystery of Cioppino - was it an Italian fish stew brought from the old country and made famous by Italians in San Francisco using local ingredients, or did it originate in San Francisco? The mystery of its origins deepens and differs every time the legend is told. I know of nothing better in Italy than a fish stew, unless it is maialino - grilled ribs of young piglets that have been salted, peppered, and charred over flames - as if it were vitello. Thank you, for you presentation that not only inspires the young and the curious, but also stimulates those of us to make the adventure that we have dreamt of for years. It was wonderful to learn that Molise is what I always thought it would be, but has been made a victim by the ignorant - proof that you cannot believe everything you are told. It was wonderful to find that it is someplace instead of nowhere… The unknown possibilities excite me…

For me, Molise use to be like Connecticut. It was a place I was forced to drive through on my way to better places. Then, one day, I stopped and, like you guys, had an amazing meal and met some really cool people. Now, I see it for the beautiful region it is.

Molise is a very old region that become a own region first time 1806 in the Kingdom of naples. Molise was before part of the region Capitanata and even more back from another old region of Terra di Lavoro. My father is from Circello Benevento. This villiage was before the risorgimento also part of molise togheter with Morcone, Santa Croce di Morcone, Castelpagano and Colle (today known as Colle Sannita) For us is Campania and even Benevento (the province) the region that not exists. We still feel as Molisani.

The two of you are a recent discovery for me! Let me tell you this, I can't get enough of you! Your informative, charming and funny! Thanks! I'll be watching, from Rhode Island!

Wow. This is what I want to see from a travel show. Places and food that I’ve never heard of but could only dream about. This episode was absolutely magical.

that cheese looked amazing and that brodetto looked like to die for ..Molise once part of Abruzzo is well known in Canada ..i have so many friends from Campobasso ..loved this VID .show the WORLD what Italy really looks like off the broken path ...beautiful

Do more of this kind of video, discovering villages and their foods.

There is nothing better than to see both Ava and Harper almost speechless whilst enjoying fresh cheese. Add that to their enjoying the Fresh Pasta, Pork and Pasta/Fish Broth Dishes....amazing trip to a region that doesnt exist 💙

Can't lie: when Harper was asking if they where lost, I heard the banjo theme from deliverance

I am not from Molise, Eva, but this video is amazing! Coming from Puglia, everytime I pass through this region, I always wondered what they have to offer and you showed that Molise has nothing less than the other regions! I hope more people can see your video and visit this part of our country that so far is less popular and touristic. Thanks to both of you!

My father is from Termoli, so yes, Molise exists and it also has a delicious cuisine!

At minute 6:40 seconds it is not a Roman bridge but a Portico of the the San Vingenzo basilica behind. The portico is in ruin all you have are the arches at the entrance. In fact they are called "Portico dei pellegrini." Pilgrims Portico, those arches will not support any traffic and pillars any currents.

Hi Eva and Harper, Thanks for taking us off the beaten path to Molise! All I can say after watching your videos is that I wish I were Italian. I love Italy!

Omg everything looked so delicious. Never knew Italy was so diverse, with climate, food & cheese. I really shouldn't be surprised though. Blessings to you both and your families. 😊🇺🇲

Looks like a beautiful region.

My parents are from the province of Compabasso, two small villages, Jelsi and Compadepietro. My mom always made Cavalli by thumb. I must say My eyes teared up watching your video. Thank you, thank you thank you!!!

Molise food reminds me of Spanish. The broken spaghetti reminds me of Fideua, and the Pork in Sweet Pepper reminds me of Chorizo, and the sweet pepper powder reminds me of Pimentón Dulce from Spain.

This is one of the best episodes ever. It’s funny. And it makes me want to visit Molise. You guys deserve your own television program.

Ava i was blown away with this episode in Molise. My father in-law's mother and father immigrated to the US from (Campobasso and Roccamandalfi - both in Molise) He is 91 yrs old and I have been on a quest to re-create all of his mother's dishes from that region but have not had much success. Yes I know about cavatelli. caciocavalo and pampanella but not much more of the local pasta dishes, ragus, or overall sauces from that region. If you have some suggestions or resipes I would greatly appreciate it. Steve

I'm italian from the north and I didn't even know pampanella existed...our food is so different from region to region, it's like 20 different cuisines

Reminds me of the Asterix & Obelix comic. 'Alésia? I've never heard of Alésia!'

Thank you for the presentation of my lovely region, which my family itself had to leave for Germany. We are a region of emigrants, there are more molisani outside molise than in molise itself. especially in Montreal, Cleveland, Buenos Aires, Bedford (England) etc..Typical products from molise: torcinelli towards the coast, caciocavallo, scamorza, pizza con i cicoli, cedoni (baked at easter), scalpelle fritte (at christmas). caragnoli , P.s. we in Molise (also Abruzzo) also eat spaghetti with meatballs, but the meatballs are smaller. so it is not true that there is no such thing in italy, than (past' e fasciul) pasta with beeches, spaghetti alla chitarra, many fish dishes are to find in termoli (U’ bredette). And my nonna made in summer for the winter salciccia dolce e forte, sopressata and different vegetables sott'olio. It tasted so good, she always left some for us to take with us to Germany. And the winters can be very hard there, when i lived in molise (child) the winter of 1978, (i only went to germany in 1979), we couldn't get out of the house over 6 feet of snow lay outside.

I’m pregnant and watching ya’ll eat Molise cheese…. I need to have some of this….ya’ll make it look so delicious 💕

I know that what You Say un the intro is to make You watch the video but it's a lack of respect for a región that's full of Beauty..scenery and extraordinary customs..wonderful people...my Parents where born there ..i' ve been there My self ..Molise is just a natural wonder for the eyes and soul.

Love when she talks. My grandma was from Varni village and she reminds of good times thank you

Loved this video, and being taken to 'real' Italy. I'm overdue a visit to Italy (from the UK), so note your travels and experiences so I can visit too. Great job guys.

Also if i"m italian I'm still kinda envious of your trips in this magic land. Italy it's really a treasure evrywhere.

"Braken" is my new favorite Italish word!!! You guys are great.

Good morning from the US! I love the picture of the wrap of your tour group with your family this year on Facebook. We hope to join you next year. Travel safe, and continue to find the hidden gems of Italy!!

"That was a bloodbath." - best line in the episode.

The best video you guys have put together. Thanks!!

Thanks so much for sharing your expeditions with everyone. They're interesting and educational :)

We love when you guys go out !! Great video, thanks for sharing!

Wonderfully done, great storytelling Harper. Definitely one of our favorite channels on RU-vid hands down! Keep it coming 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

OMG! That brodetto looked absolutely right up my alley. I will have to look for a recipe. Everything looked delicious. Arper, you are one lucky guy!

Molise is where my Grandpa Tammaro grew up in! The town of Sepino overlooking the Tammaro Valley and River! So happy you went there. ❤️

Amazing video Guys-as usual. Thank you for sharing Molise with us! Have fun 🙂👍🏻

One of your best episodes. Thanks for sharing your holiday with us.

I love your videos, especially the ones of your travels to great places in Italy like this one. Keep up the great work!

This was such a beautiful and entertaining video. Grazie.

Wow 😯 Harper and Eva! Another wonderful, beautiful tour you both have taken us all on! Thank you so much! Loved it❣️

3:50 You can tell Eva is enjoying the Caciacavalo cheese. She even gets blush.

You are amazing Eva, and Harper. Thank you for sharing this amazing video. Also teaching about the region of your culture and food and finding out the mestery of a place is more amazing to know. Thank you once again.

This is an incredibly entertaining, clever, informative, and inspiring video. You guys are getting so good at this! And what a gift to all of those small and rarely visited towns of Italy that have wonderful people and wonderful stories to tell. I hope these towns and others like it benefit from this exposure.

I just love when you go to Italy and show us the different regional dishes. Keep ‘em coming!

From snow capped mountains to warm sea breezes in a couple days. Wow! Now I know for sure where in Italy I want to visit: Molise! Thanks for the travelogue. Ciao! 🤙🇮🇹

thank you so much for posting this, my family is from molise and you really taught me a lot which means so much to me. I love that you went to campobasso because my nonno is from there and I haven't been able to find a lot of content online. Grazie mille.

I loved this look at Molise, since the question was asked! They are so lucky to have each other to explore these gorgeous places! It is just a constant delight to see them both gallivanting around, uncovering little gems. It makes me smile how Harper always plays up his haplessness😏 as a foil to Eva's confidence😎 Yet she always does everything with love, including guiding Harper around, and has the most marvellous sprezzatura😏😏😏❤ Whether it's cooking, driving (even when pretend-slightly-lost!), chatting to the locals, food producers, restaurateurs or old friends and fixers - or "chancing upon" 2000 year old relics, everything is done with a gracious modesty which JUST about conceals the immense (and very much justified) pride in her native land🤭😌😄 Always cheers me up and have something else to be grateful for. I hope the series goes from strength to strength🙂

What a wonderful video! Molise is beautiful, it has everything! The pace of this exploration was perfect, so relaxed and happy. Most of the people seem calm and genuinely friendly. They speak Italian so beautifully, the pace is slower. I could listen to the mayor talk for hours. Even over the video you captured the various textures of the cheeses. Your descriptions were perfection. I would love to visit this area. Thank you!

I just love these videos, I am learning so much from your adventures!

It was so funny in the beginning. Eva and Harper talking about Molise, and I have never heard of it (and I've been to Italy a dozen times). And then Eva talking on the phone and says "molisane", and then someting clicks or sounds familiar. After a couple of seconds I realize that my favourite pasta brand is called La Molisana, and actually is from Molise!

All these dishes looked spectacular!

Finally some Italian pork belly!!!! I was hoping it existed and now I found it 😍

Amazing episode, made my mouth water! Buona Domenica ragazzi!

Thanks again for sharing your adventures thru Italian cuisine. Molise! Now another one on my bucket list.

This is where my grandparents are from. My Gran called the slow cooked pork "pepper pork". Bordetto is a family favorite. Gran called it "crab spaghetti". Living in the maritime Pac NW of the US, we have great seafood.

Thank you for giving us this beautiful tour of Molise! WOW it definitely is beautiful!

This could possibly be my favorite episode yet. Bravo! I've never been to this part of Italy but now I must go. I want to retire to a region that is more rural and this looks beautiful and the food looks incredible! Also, Eva looks so happy :)

What a wonderful Sunday Morning hit! So fascinating to see the cheeses and the dishes of an invisible world Molise. What trip you’re taking us on this time! ❤️❤️❤️

My dad and his family were from Campobassa! Thank you so much for visiting there! Love from USA.

Thank you so much for portray Molise with his beautiful foods! I brought me back to my roots! Grazie 🙏

Love watching you two travel through Italy, I miss traveling all over Europe. I was stationed in Germany, but every weekend and holidays would travel. The food, the people, the views and history was so amazing.

Wonderful job guys! Grazie mille!

Thank you for shining a light on our home away from home, beautiful Molise.

Awesome video! So glad you had a great time in Molise! Thank you so much for this. My grandfather was from Campobasso and I always wondered what that part of Italy is like. Now I know. It’s wonderful! Or to paraphrase a line from “Seinfeld” to answer the question of whether Molise is real: “It’s real and it’s spectacular”. 😊

i reaaaally love this exploration! its feels like unraveling a mystery!

Such a beautiful, picturesque Region, it's a destination on its own. Thankyou very much for the video. Wonderful place.

Amazing job guys. Wow!

I loved this video!! I think it was probably my favorite video of yours so far. I am learning Italian in hopes of visiting Abruzzo soon (where my grandparents are from), and I see that Molise is right next door. So I'm definitely planning on visiting Molise now!

I loved LOVED this video! THANK YOU. I think you the two of you are great!

Can't wait to see this; maternal grandparents were from Molise.

Best episode ever guys. I'm impressed.

Always excited to watch your videos!!! 🥰 Ciao!!! 🇮🇹💕

Ooh, yum. I just made cavatelli with bolognese for dinner yesterday. Love this pasta.