Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci explores the Italian region offering €100,000 to new residents that is dubbed the wealthiest region in the country

Earlier this year, it was revealed Trentino is offering up to €100,000 to those who choose to relocate to the Italian region where the Dolomites meet the Alps.

The grant came as part of an effort to repopulate and renovate more than 30 towns in Italy on the brink of extinction. Some such towns are home to more abandoned than inhabited properties.

In an effort to incentivise the purchase of abandoned or run-down houses, Trentino allocated more than €10million over the next two years towards the project.

And now, in an upcoming National Geographic series, Tucci in Italy, Stanley Tucci explores the country’s northernmost region, South Tyrol – made up of Trentino and Alto-Adige.

As the wealthiest region in Italy per capita, South Tyrol ‘boasts one of the most efficient rail services in the entire country’, and Stanley makes his way around the region by train for that reason.

While looking out of the window, he says: ‘It’s so nice travelling by train.

‘There’s just vineyard after vineyard, and very good wine, I might add.’

The number of immigrants to Italy has tripled over the last two decades, and Stanley says South Tyrol’s ‘position means there’s a constant flow of new arrivals, bringing their culture and cuisine’.

On his trip, he samples a wide array of foods, including an unexpectedly delicious hay soup and pine needle pesto.

He’s also served gnocchi and dumplings by Michelin-starred chef Egon Heiss at Castel Fragsburg in Merano.

‘The spa-filled leisure capital of the region’, Merano is described by Stanley as where ‘Austrian and Italian cultures collide’.

He adds: ‘The alpine peaks can be comfortably admired from the warm and sunny terraces, and this makes Merano an oasis from which to enjoy the region’s complex fare.’

Meanwhile, in the capital of South Tyrol, Bolzano – which has ‘long been a stopping point for outsiders crossing over the Dolomites’ – Stanley finds a local food market, where he tries out a wurst.

Sitting down to eat it, he says: ‘It’s so good with that perfect mustard. It’s not spicy but has all the peppery flavour of the smoked wurst.

‘I love that you can get all the amazing Italian produce, as well as Austrian bread and sausage. It’s amazing. A great mix of two different kitchens.’

Those thinking of relocating to Trentino could be offered a grant consisting of around €80,000 towards renovation and a further €20,000 to help with the purchase of the property.

Anyone who chooses to sign up for a grant must commit to living in Trentino for a decade or, failing that, agree to rent the property out for the same amount of time.

Those who receive a grant and fail to adhere to such rules could be forced to return their funding.

President of Trento, the capital of Trentino, said: 'The goal is to revitalise local communities and promote territorial cohesion.'

Tucci in Italy is airing weekly on National Geographic from 21st May at 8pm, with all episodes available to stream from 19th May on Disney+.