Big Weekends with Gregg Wallace - Episode Guide

Gregg heads to Barcelona, uncovering the city's artistic side in the incredible architecture of Antoni Gaudi, most famous for the Sagrada Familia, a large unfinished Roman Catholic minor basilica. The MasterChef presenter learns about the city's other artistic sons, while doing a self-portrait in the style of Pablo Picasso. He also visits the street festival in the Gracia neighbourhood, which culminates in the breathtaking castellers, or `human towers", and samples the array of back-street tapas restaurants.

Greg starts in Rome, which boasts inexpensive cuisine and an unrivalled history that stretches back thousands of years. After checking out some its best sights on the back of a scooter and going inside the famous Trevi Fountain, Gregg heads to a restaurant popular with the locals to discover how, in the Eternal City, the best food is often the cheapest. He also learns the secrets of the Italian ice-cream, gelato, and tries some classic Roman breakfast sweet treats. He even gets the chance to train as a gladiator.

The MasterChef judge visits Scotland's capital, where he heads up the Royal Mile to one of the most documented castles in the world, goes underground to see the centuries-old streets that still remain and learns about the tradition of bagpipe playing. He also learns about Scotland's rich larder with one of its finest chefs Tom Kitchin, helping cook up a feast of grouse and langoustines. Gregg finishes his brief jaunt by joining some locals for an early-morning dip in the North Sea.

The host enjoys a three-day trip in York. While it's a small city, York packs in almost 2,000 years of history and has been at the centre of some of the most important events in British history. Heading to the famous Gothic York Minster, climbing the city walls and taking a tour that focuses on the life of Guy Fawkes, Gregg uncovers a history that introduces him to Romans, Vikings, and medieval and Tudor kings. He also meets one of Yorkshire's best chefs, who cooks a menu filled with one of Gregg's favourite ingredients - rhubarb.

The presenter heads to Italy and reveals it is possible to enjoy Venice without breaking the bank. By avoiding the tourist traps he sees a new side to the city. Over three days, Gregg explores one of Italy's most distinct food cultures, explores the city's fascinating and surprising history, and meets the locals who make Venice so special.

Gregg heads to Athens, where he visits the Acropolis.

In Istanbul, the MasterChef judge explores the history of a city that has been the centre of three empires. He tours the street food stands on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, learns the centuries-old techniques of the baklava makers, joins a kebab master at his grill, and eats dishes that would have graced the tables in the Ottoman palaces of old. Gregg finishes his weekend off with a special trip to an island just off the coast for a feast of traditional Turkish mezze.

The presenter visits Budapest, and enjoys three days exploring one of the most popular city break destinations in eastern Europe. Gregg sees a show of horsemanship brought to Hungary by its earliest settlers, the Mongols, jumps in a Cold War era jeep for a tour of the city's more modern history, and explores one of Europe's largest castles. Plus, he also samples the local food.

Gregg explores Berlin's fascinating history.

Gregg visits the canals in Amsterdam.

Gregg heads to Munich, the capital of the German state of Bavaria, to discover a city that has arguably done more to shape the image of Germany than any other. Over the course of three days, he discovers what it means to be Bavarian and how important history, traditions and, of course, food is to that identity. He gets stuck into pretzels, schnitzels and mountains of pork as he eats his way around the city. Before he leaves the city, Gregg takes home a special souvenir - his very own set of lederhosen.