Inspector Montalbano

[quizzywig]

Still catching up with pre-Christmas stuff and I never thought I'd say it but I've really gone off Inspector Montalbano. I used to love it but this latest series seems to concentrate more on women throwing themselves at him in practically every episode. The Inspector has gone a little fuller round the face and the storylines to not grab me as they used to, in fact I tend to fall asleep half way through. Mr Q still enjoys the series though - that may have something to do with the amount of female flesh exposed!

[Playbill]

I also thought a couple of episodes in the last series were not quite as interesting. But purely on the strength of watching the programmes, and seeing the scenery, we went to Sicily last September and really enjoyed the island.

By chance we chose a hotel in an area where much of the filming is done and found several of the locations - including the Commissario's house which is a B&B when not being used for filming. Pity we did not know this before we booked the hotel!

[zebo]

We too thought this series was under par but watched it because of the lovely scenary. What really gets me is the lack of traffic, the only vehicles shown are those involved in the episode! This is Italy after all.

[Playbill]

zebo:
We went at the beginning of September, officially the end of the summer, but there was still constant sunshine and temperatures of high twenties to low thirties centigrade. But in the south, apart from large city and town centres, roads were wonderfully free of traffic jams. We could park right opposite 'Montalbano's house'. Speaking to a local bookshop owner (one of the few people we met on the island who did speak some English) we were told that episodes are filmed in March and April. So I imagine the roads would be even quieter.

[zebo]

Playbill, thanks for that, we assumed they cleared the streets as our only experiences of Italy have been Rome, Florence and Venice! We'll def try and get there. Is there a name for the B and B in his house?

[Playbill]

It is called La Casa di Montalbano, in *** Secca. I think you can find details on Trip Adviser. Do not think it is particularly luxurious; but I seem to remember not very expensive either. Right on the beach - as in the films!

You do need a car if you are going there and want to explore, as this is the less developed south.

[Playbill]

Do not know why the first part of the town name was blocked. But to give you a clue, think of a long, flat boat as used on the river in Cambridge and add an 'A' :-)