Book at Bedtime - Travels Through France and Italy
Roger Allam reads from the 1766 travel memoir by Tobias Smollett. He and his wife set off on a long journey, determined to see France and Italy, but was rarely happy with what he found there
Book at Bedtime - Travels Through France and Italy - Episode 1
The road from Dover to Calais provides endless opportunity to be lodged uncomfortably, fed indifferent food and robbed on every occasion.
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Book at Bedtime - Travels Through France and Italy - Episode 2
It seems impossible to find the right kind of coach in France, and Smollett is unimpressed with both Versailles and Paris fashion.
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Book at Bedtime - Travels Through France and Italy - Episode 3
The horses in France seem uncontrollable; even more so when Smollet decides to demonstrate his blunderbuss.
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Book at Bedtime - Travels Through France and Italy - Episode 4
It is snowing in the south of France, which gives Smollett only one option - to head to Italy. Will the Italians impress him more than the French? It seems unlikely.
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Book at Bedtime - Travels Through France and Italy - Episode 5
Having given Rome the most cursory of glances, Smollett thinks he will fare better in Florence. But with a broken carriage he is forced to walk the last five miles.
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