Italy's invisible cities
Discussion
I didn't see it last night but just when looking for something to watch this morning when my wife was getting ready to go shopping.
Alexander Armstrong, CGI, lots of tunnels under Naples - for me it was a revelation. Fascinating. There was a bit of padding with material on Pompeii and Herculaneum, but that's par for the course.
He was driving away from Naples along the Amalfie coast despite saying they were en route, then they must have realised as they came back the other way.
The sheer scale of the eruption was remarkable.
Next is Venice.
Alexander Armstrong, CGI, lots of tunnels under Naples - for me it was a revelation. Fascinating. There was a bit of padding with material on Pompeii and Herculaneum, but that's par for the course.
He was driving away from Naples along the Amalfie coast despite saying they were en route, then they must have realised as they came back the other way.
The sheer scale of the eruption was remarkable.
Next is Venice.
Enjoyed it, and looking forward to #3 (Florence) as we were there a couple of months ago.
Only small criticism was i would have preferred Armstrong presenting it (ie, pretending he knows it all, telling us) rather than him just following the other chap around and coo'ing and ahh'ing as that guy tells him stuff - as that made me think "why not just have this guy present the program and not bother with Armstrong?"
(I like Armstrong and found the other guy - a historian/archaeologist - rather smug)
Thought the 3D images were amazing, and loved the mosaic on the seabed - cant believe its lasted so long!
Only small criticism was i would have preferred Armstrong presenting it (ie, pretending he knows it all, telling us) rather than him just following the other chap around and coo'ing and ahh'ing as that guy tells him stuff - as that made me think "why not just have this guy present the program and not bother with Armstrong?"
(I like Armstrong and found the other guy - a historian/archaeologist - rather smug)
Thought the 3D images were amazing, and loved the mosaic on the seabed - cant believe its lasted so long!
TerryThomas said:
He did one on Rome a while back, which was much more interesting than last night's episode.
Also why is he calling himself Xander now?
t
t.
I thought I'd misheard his name, but yes, he seems to have become Xander. Also why is he calling himself Xander now?
t
t.
However, I really enjoyed the programme. Amazing ruins, catacombs and tunnels. Best TV I've seen for quite a while. Even 'Xander' was a reasonable host, unlike his annoying other self on Pointless.
CooperD said:
Very good programme and I enjoyed seeing the drive along the Amalfi coast in the Fiat 124 Spider.
By bus and boat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jao-22bVKSs&t=...En route from Miaori to Amalfi by bus we drove into the side of a mountain. The mountain won.
What was impressive was how cool the bus drivers looked. I'm not having a dig at UK bus drivers, but would you use the word cool to describe any of them? But cap pushed back, black curly hair sticking out, the Italian bus drivers were so laid back they were looking upwards.
I was impressed by their lack of reaction to poor driving by others.
dieselgrunt said:
spent a day in Naples and it was one of the filthiest sh*t holes i have ever seen.
I once had a conversation with a colleague from Rome. We were discussing various things and different cities. Then we got to Naples..."I've been to Naples. It's a s
thole. ""My mother is from Naples."
"...but you're right it is a s
thole. "A lot of interesting stuff to see around there though.
TerryThomas said:
He did one on Rome a while back, which was much more interesting than last night's episode.
Also why is he calling himself Xander now?
tt.
The Rome one covered the giant sinkholes and massive underground quarries / furnaces to heat the baths etc iirc? Fascinating stuff!Also why is he calling himself Xander now?
t
t.Been known as Xander for ages so that's not new
Jonesy23 said:
dieselgrunt said:
spent a day in Naples and it was one of the filthiest sh*t holes i have ever seen.
I once had a conversation with a colleague from Rome. We were discussing various things and different cities. Then we got to Naples..."I've been to Naples. It's a s
thole. ""My mother is from Naples."
"...but you're right it is a s
thole. "A lot of interesting stuff to see around there though.
Not a lot interesting to see there, though!
M
I liked Naples, went there last year. It is rough around the edges, but that's all part of the charm of exploring a fascinating and ancient city.
There's plenty to occupy you for a few days, but if you are staying for a week or more, it's also a good place to base yourself to visit Vesuvius, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Sorrento and the Amalfi coast.
The catacombs are like something out of Skyrim! You half expect to see a zombie stepping out from an alcove
I also enjoyed the candle lit walk through the underground passages.
The sculptures in the Cappella Sansevero are not to be missed, particularly The Veiled Christ, which is almost unbelievably fine. The exhibits of the National Archaeological Museum are also magnificent.
There's plenty to occupy you for a few days, but if you are staying for a week or more, it's also a good place to base yourself to visit Vesuvius, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Sorrento and the Amalfi coast.
The catacombs are like something out of Skyrim! You half expect to see a zombie stepping out from an alcove
I also enjoyed the candle lit walk through the underground passages.The sculptures in the Cappella Sansevero are not to be missed, particularly The Veiled Christ, which is almost unbelievably fine. The exhibits of the National Archaeological Museum are also magnificent.
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