The Thinking Traveller

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 musician in 17th century France, Lully crafted a distinctly French operatic style that mirrored the grandeur and discipline of the Sun King’s reign. In this episode we are joined by Dr Tarita Botsman as she explores explores how Lully secured his extraordinary position at court and forged a close working relationship with the king himself. Featuring musical excerpts from Lully's works, Tarita reveals how his compositions helped define the cultural identity of the ancien régime. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

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, historian and Hellenist. In this conversation, Amelia moves beyond the familiar comparisons with Athens to reveal a city whose character was forged through trade, travel and cultural encounter. Amelia is the author of 'Corinth in Late Antiquity: A Greek, Roman and Christian City', based on her extensive on-site research. She is currently preparing a new study examining who was represented in Corinth’s Roman public portraiture, and joins Academy Travel as a tour leader in 2027. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

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 Ljubljana's legendary dragon, Slovenia is steeped in myth and memory. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Lauren Mackay, an historian of Early Modern Europe, as she examines how geography and power intertwined to shape Slovenia’s identity across the centuries. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

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 an Olivier Award and a Tony Award, marking a rare double recognition across the UK and US stages. Marg’s designs currently feature across two Academy Travel programs: New York Theatre April 2026 with Giant starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl, and Sydney Theatre April 2026 with My Brilliant Career, where costume plays a defining role in shaping this new stage adaptation. In this special conversation, brought to us by STAGES – the podcast of our Tour Leader Peter Eyers – Marg reflects on designing for actors, narrative and historical context, the transition of productions between continents, and the craft of costume as a vital storytelling language. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

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 traces how Patagonia’s dramatic environment has shaped its people, cultures and national parks. Chris is an archaeologist with over 25 years’ experience leading tours, including over 30 tours to South American countries. His PhD research was based on excavations he carried out at coastal sites in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

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 of Rome, artistic, religious and cultural currents travelled these pathways – silk and spices, of course, but also ideas, technologies and beliefs. In this episode, we are joined by accomplished author, lecturer and cultural specialist Chris Aslan. Drawing on his decades of lived experience and research in Central Asia, he offers vivid on-the-ground insight into the peoples who inhabited this crossroads of empires, revealing how the Silk Road was never a single road at all, but a vast network of vibrant and interconnected routes. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

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 the exotic splendour of Turandot, Puccini created worlds of intense drama and unforgettable melody. In this episode we are joined by musician and broadcaster Sandy Burnett as he explores what makes Puccini's music so distinctive and enduring. With insights from musical experts, Sandy uncovers the orchestral colours, vocal writing and dramatic instincts that defined Puccini's genius. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

A Queen who dared to rule as King, Hatshepsut rose from Royal Consort to become one of Egypt’s most successful and innovative Pharaohs. Ruling Egypt in the 15th century BCE, she defied expectations by assuming full Kingship – adopting the regalia, titles and divine authority traditionally reserved for men. Her reign was marked by political stability, flourishing trade and monumental architectural achievements, most notably her majestic mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Yet, after her death, Hatshepsut’s name and image were systematically erased from monuments and records, plunging her legacy into obscurity for centuries. In this episode of The Thinking Traveller, we are joined by Egyptologist Lucia Gahlin as she explores the rise and reign of this remarkable ruler, the myths surrounding her identity and the rediscovery that brought her back into the historical spotlight. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

While Venice was a patriarchal society, women nonetheless played vital roles in shaping the city’s political, social and cultural fabric. From patrician marriages that forged alliances among the elite to the quiet influence exerted behind convent and palace walls, what was life really like for women in the Republic of Venice? Their stories span from prominent figures such as Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, to the orphaned girls educated at the Ospedale della Pietà, and even to the ever-present world of prostitution – together offering a nuanced portrait of power and constraint in one of Europe’s most singular societies. In this episode, Dr Eireann Marshall discusses the lives and legacies of Venetian women, examining their roles in politics, commerce, the arts and literature. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

Elegant and imperial yet vibrantly modern, Vienna is a city where, like the beloved Danube itself, history and creativity flow together. For over four centuries, Vienna was the heart of the Habsburg Empire – a mecca for musicians, artists, architects and intellectuals. Today, its grand palaces, museums and concert halls still captivate, while the legacy of composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert continue to shape the city’s rich musical and cultural identity. In this episode, art historian and music specialist Christopher Menz discusses the remarkable legacy of this timeless city, from its musical heritage to its architectural splendour. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

In the late 13th century, a coalition of Turkic tribes united under a dynamic leader named Osman, forming a small principality situated between the declining Byzantine and Seljuk Empires. Within generations, it grew into the Ottoman Empire, a global power spanning three continents and controlling key trade routes. This rise ushered in a Golden Age marked by grand architecture, Iznik tiles, calligraphy and illustrated manuscripts, rivalling Europe's finest courts. In this episode we are joined by Dr Lauren Mackay as she takes us on a journey through the centuries of Ottoman history, telling a story of prophecy, divine destiny and myth. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II. A year that reshaped the world and transformed Australia, 1945 was a tumultuous time that witnessed fierce fighting, celebrations of peace and the beginnings of a new world order. While the big three allies – Britain, America and the Soviet Union – would go on to challenge each other for supremacy in the post-war world, Australia emerged from the global conflict as a modernised but more complicated society, with altered attitudes towards politics, Empire and traditional roles both within and beyond the home. In this episode, we are joined by Military Historian Brad Manera as he delves into the events and stories of this pivotal year and how they have shaped the world we live in 80 years on. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

When Alexander the Great conquered much of the known world, creating an empire that stretched from Greece all the way to India, he paved the way for the Hellenistic period. Forged from Alexander’s empire, this unprecedented contact with cultures far and wide disseminated Greek art, architecture, literature and religious practises, and exposed Greek artistic styles to a host of new exotic influences. When Alexander died in 323 BC, he left this extensive conquered territory without a clear line of succession and his strongest generals divided it up into several vast kingdoms. In this episode we are joined by Dr John Tidmarsh as he takes a closer look at this fascinating period and the profound impact it had on the Mediterranean world. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

Archaeologists have recently uncovered the ruins of an octagonal Armenian church dating back 1,700 years – making it one of the oldest such surviving monuments in the world. The church is located in Artaxata, once the site of a major commercial city that was the Kingdom of Armenia’s capital until the early 2nd century. In this episode we are joined by Dr Mathew Dal Santo as he takes us on a journey through the layers of Armenia’s history, and uncovers more of this exciting discovery. Matthew is Associate Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at St Patrick’s Seminary University in Menlo Park, California. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

Johann Sebastian Bach was, besides being a famed organist, harpsichordist, violist and violinist, one of the most prolific and iconic composers of the Baroque Era. Centuries after his death, Bach’s contribution to music remains immense, with subsequent generations of musicians of all genres channelling his innovative techniques. In this episode, featuring musical excerpts of Bach's works, we are joined by musician, lecturer, and broadcaster Sandy Burnett as he follows Bach’s career to the city of Leipzig, where he wrote some of his most famous compositions. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most significant architects of the 20th century, and his career is deeply connected to that of Marion Mahony Griffin. A woman ahead of her time, Marion was one of the first licensed female architects in the world and was also Wright’s first employee. With a career spanning 50 years, she contributed as a designer to the development of the Prairie School which revolutionised American architecture, and to the dissemination of its ideas through her beautiful drawings. In this episode we are joined by Canberra-based Heritage Consultant Rachel Jackson. Rachel delves into Marion’s life from her early years in Chicago all the way to her legacy in Australia’s capital with her architect husband Walter Burley Griffin. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

A bold reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s thrilling musical, Sunset Boulevard, made its Broadway premiere just last week and saw Nicole Scherzinger make her Broadway debut. In this special episode on The Thinking Traveller, Academy Travel tour leader and host of the STAGES podcast, Peter Eyers interviews Theatre Choreographer and Movement Director Fabian Aloise. Fabian's choreography has been critically acclaimed and garnered multiple nominations, including two Olivier Award nominations for Best Theatre Choreographer. Most recently, Fabian choreographed this revival of Sunset Blvd., as the show is titled, which has opened with high praise from critics and proved exciting to the dozens of celebrities who turned out for the premiere. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

A tiny speck in the Pacific, Norfolk Island has a fascinating past and occupies a unique position in the history of European settlement in Australia. It is home to a turbulent and varied history, with new archaeological findings about the Island's first inhabitants through to the infamous Bounty mutineers and the relocated Pitcairners, the harsh penal settlement, the Island's Melanesian missionary society and also the vital role it played in the liberation of the Pacific in WWII. In this episode we are joined by colonial and military historian Brad Manera. Taking us across to this quiet paradise, once reserved for 'the worst description of convicts', Brad delves into Norfolk Island’s fascinating past and the many famous (and infamous) identities who have shaped its culture. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple. In this episode, Peter chats with Carmel Dean. Carmel a composer/lyricist, arranger, music supervisor/director, and conductor of musical theatre, based in NYC. Her composition credits include Renascence, produced Off-Broadway by Transport Group in 2018. Carmel’s Music director/arranger credits include the Broadway productions of Funny Girl, If/Then, Hands on a Hardbody, American Idiot, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and ….. The Notebook ….. coming to New York in the near future. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) is one of the most significant figures of the Ancient World, whose legacy is both far reaching and profound. His 13-year reign as the king of Macedonia forged one of the largest empires in history and is said to be the start of the Hellenistic period. Mythologised as a classical hero and considered a military genius by many, there are now quite divergent opinions on his rule and its lasting legacy. Archaeologist Dr John Tidmarsh joins us to discuss the life, conquests and legacy of this iconic figure in history. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts. Like our podcast, our tours are designed to appeal to travellers with a strong interest in history, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts. Learn more here - https://academytravel.com.au/