St. John's -- Sept. 17, 2009 -- Antigua and Barbuda will act as a backdrop for the filming of popular Italian Television Series, Donnavventura.

Each episode of Donnavventura reaches an estimated 3 million viewers and the inclusion of Antigua and Barbuda in the series, will give the destination much positive exposure in this important source market.

Donnavventura 2009 takes viewers on a journey that spans the Caribbean and North America. The show, which is committed to adventure and outdoor travel exclusively for women, features six women, who were selected from a field of 70,000 applicants, to be a part of a 100 day challenge.

Shooting in Antigua and Barbuda takes place from September 16 - 22.

The participants will be filmed competing in beach volleyball competitions on Antigua’s Runway Beach, fishing with local fishermen, receiving horseback riding lessons and learning how to prepare local dishes and Ital food.

Viewers to the show will see the participants as they make trips to the Antigua Rainforest Canopy, Sting Ray City, Devils Bridge, the local distillery and brewery, Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights and various island beaches.

Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda will also be featured on the reality show. In Barbuda, participants will compete in a kayak race from Luis Bay to Low Bay and enjoy tours of The Codrington Lagoon and Frigate Bird Sanctuary.

The participants will also act as travel reporters for popular Italian magazines, who have journeyed with the group to cover their Antigua and Barbuda Adventure.

The Antigua and Barbuda episodes will be shown over several weeks on Italian Television network Rete 4 from February to March 2010. Participants and crew are being hosted by The Verandah Resort and Spa.

This project is being supported by The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, The Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association.