Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4541 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-08-18
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 360 minutes

Synopsis
Venetian architect and historian Francesco da Mosto sets out from Venice to cross the Mediterranean sea - following in the wake of his ancestor, the explorer Alvise da Mosto - to discover the cities and islands where Western civilization was born. Sailing in a late nineteenth-century schooner, he starts his journey in Venice and finishes in Istanbul. Along the way he takes in spectacular ruins like the Acropolis in Athens and the Roman city of Ephesus in Turkey; sacred sites like the monasteries of Mount Athos and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul; and beautiful Dubrovnik (destroyed and rebuilt in the last decade). Ancient history and bygone legends intertwine as Francesco visits these wonderful ancient sites, bringing the past vividly to life, and taking viewers on a thrilling cultural odyssey.

Customer Reviews

Picturesque, entertaining and whets the appetite...
Well, I haven't finished watching this series yet, because it is still being screened on the Beeb for the first time. However, from what I have seen, I can say that this series is as entertaining as Francesco's previous series on Venice and Italy - Top to Toe.

Where this show succeeds is in the BEAUTIFUL cinematography and the effective score, but mostly, I have enjoyed watching it for Francesco himself, who is an extremely informative and charming guide. His enthusiasm for the subject is boyish and endearing and you feel you'd love to get on board and join him on his journey. His skill as a historian is to make history personal so that anyone can relate to times past.

The narrative is a nice balance of history, geography and light, human-interest stories. It gives a small flavour of places you can't help but want to visit yourself. I don't think it was meant as an indepth history, as this would be impossible in a 30 min show... so Francesco has achieved, I feel, what he possibly set out to achieve... that is, to provide a little entertainment for the audience, while providing them with enough information to make them want to, hopefully, find out more for themselves!

I will definately be buying the show to view again and hope that this won't be his last!

Dear Hooligween "Rowena the Red" (Kernow, Great Britain), sorry but you don't know what are you saying
Dear Hooligween "Rowena the Red" (Kernow, Great Britain)
i sure can accept your opinion,
but saying that my wife:
"The theme is that Francesco, a native Venetian (who happens to be married to a British TV executive, I understand...)"
it is completely wrong,
in fact she has never been and never will be a TV executive,
and saying it, carries nasty insinuations;
next time, check yous facts.
sincerely
francesco da mosto

More please Francesco
This is a wonderful series. The use of the beautiful schooner the Black Swan is inspirational. Francesco is his usual charming enthusiastic self, and is a joy to watch. I have been hooked on Francesco since his first tv series on Venice. I am not happy about having two half hour programmes instead of a one hour programme. You need an hour, as the half hour just flies by, and you are left hanging in the air so to speak. Programme planners please note, as I am sure I am not the only viewer of the same opinion. The only downside to Francesco's series is that I feel discontented with my existance, and want to travel to see the places he visits. Unfortunately this is impossible, but I can enjoy seeing other lands vicariously. Please Francesco, make at least on more series of Italy Top to Toe. Bliss!