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The Thinking Traveller

by Academy Travel
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Latest episodes

  • Italy’s Hill Towns Along The Via Francigena

    September 11, 2026 · 21 min

    For centuries, the Via Francigena carried pilgrims, merchants and armies across Europe to Rome, shaping the towns and communities that grew along its route. In this episode of The Thinking Traveller, Dr Jeni Ryde joins us to discuss the…

  • The Odyssey – From Myth to Mediterranean

    August 15, 2026 · 38 min

    For nearly three thousand years, the Odyssey has held its place as one of the foundational texts of Western literature – the story of a man's ten-year journey home from Troy. A journey through shipwreck, sorcery and the wrath of the gods…

  • Isabella of Castile - The Forging of Spain

    July 18, 2026 · 36 min

    Born into a turbulent Castile, Isabella rose to claim a contested throne and, alongside Ferdinand of Aragon, helped forge modern Spain. In this episode of The Thinking Traveller, we welcome award-winning historian and author Giles Tremlett…

  • Egypt's Valley of the Kings

    June 20, 2026 · 31 min

    For more than five centuries, Egypt's pharaohs were buried in a remote desert valley on the west bank of the Nile. Hidden among barren limestone hills, the Valley of the Kings became the final resting place of some of the most well-known…

  • Ravenna - A Capital in the Lagoon

    May 9, 2026 · 35 min

    Ravenna is one of Italy’s most quietly extraordinary cities – a place where the final centuries of the Roman world can still be read through intricate mosaics and imperial monuments. In this episode we are joined by Dr Eireann Marshall as…

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  • King Louis XIV’s Favourite Composer - Jean-Baptiste Lully

    April 18, 2026 · 30 min

    At the glittering court of Louis XIV, where art functioned as an extension of power, no figure defined the sound of absolutism more completely than Jean-Baptiste Lully. Rising from modest origins in Florence to become the most influential…

  • Corinth - Discovering a Greek, Roman & Christian City

    March 21, 2026 · 31 min

    Corinth was a central city of the Greek world, influential in shipbuilding, colonisation and pottery production, and later in architecture, politics and early Christianity. Today we are joined by Dr Amelia Brown – an archaeologist…

  • Slovenia - Empires, Landscapes & Legends

    February 14, 2026 · 24 min

    Slovenia sits at a crossroads of Europe – where the Alps meet the Pannonian Plain and where a short Adriatic coastline opens onto the wider Mediterranean world. From Lake Bled and its island church to ancient pagan traditions and…

  • STAGES - Marg Horwell & The Art of Costume

    January 17, 2026 · 59 min

    Marg Horwell is one of Australia’s most acclaimed costume designers, whose work spans opera, theatre and large-scale international productions. Her work on The Picture of Dorian Gray – which toured the West End and Broadway – earned both…

  • Patagonia - Chile’s Last Frontier

    December 25, 2025 · 28 min

    Patagonia is one of the world’s great frontier landscapes – a region shaped by ice, wind and the long histories of those who have lived and travelled there. In this episode of The Thinking Traveller, we are joined by Dr Chris Carter who…

  • The Silk Road - Where East and West First Met

    November 15, 2025 · 29 min

    Linking the Far East with the Mediterranean world, the Silk Road became history’s most influential crossroads, shaping civilisations through trade, diplomacy and cultural encounter. From the imperial courts of China to the bustling markets…

  • The Puccini Sound - Hallmarks of His Operatic Style

    September 27, 2025 · 46 min

    Puccini’s operas remain some of the most beloved in the repertoire, their soaring melodies and emotional intensity instantly recognisable to audiences worldwide. From the romance and tragedy of La Bohème, to the raw passion of Tosca and…

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About the show

A series that draws on the passions, expertise and interests of Academy Travel's academic tour leaders, to bring a wealth of additional knowledge to your travels, one topic at a time. Our tour leaders talk on a range of topics and interests related to travel, covering history, culture, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts.