54 episodes

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.

The Thinking Traveller Academy Travel

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 54 Ratings

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.

    The Story of Theatre - History, Customs & Experiences

    The Story of Theatre - History, Customs & Experiences

    We all love going to the theatre, whether it’s a light-hearted musical or a deep thought-provoking drama.  But the term theatre encompasses so much more… From Ancient Greece to modern day West End, every civilisation has (or had) some form of theatre performance and each is quite unique.

    In this episode we are joined by Dr Kate Foy to discuss the history of theatre, the various associated customs and the many experiences to be had. Kate's PhD studies focussed on world theatre history, whilst her final dissertation was a cultural history on aspects of colonial and post-federation developments in Australian theatre.
    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/

    • 25 min
    Archaeology of Chile's Atacama Desert

    Archaeology of Chile's Atacama Desert

    Flanked by the towering Andes to the east and the wild Pacific Ocean to the west, the impossibly dry Atacama Desert is the spectacular result of this unique geography.  Despite its aridity, the Atacama region was first occupied by humans over 10,000 years ago and this hyper arid environment has subsequently allowed for the preservation of materials that most archaeologists can only dream of.

    In this episode we are joined by Dr Chris Carter to discuss what can be found in the region, from the scant remains of the early camps to the oldest artificial mummies in the world. Chris' PhD research was based on excavations he carried out in northern Chile at coastal sites of the Desert. He has continued to work in this region since the late 1990s and has contributed to Chile's proposal to have the Inka trails included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
    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/

    • 27 min
    House of Tudor - Monarchs & Dynasty

    House of Tudor - Monarchs & Dynasty

    Founded in 1485 by Henry VII, the Tudor dynasty, although short lived, was coloured by rebellions, conspiracies, challenges to succession, and fear of further civil war. From historical research to popular novels, TV series and even a West End musical, the Tudor period in England continues to hold an amazing fascination

    In this episode, Dr Lauren MacKay delves into the history (and truth) of this infamous dynasty. Lauren is an historian of Early Modern Europe. Her debut book, Inside the Tudor Court: Henry VIII and his Wives through the Eyes of the Spanish Ambassador is the first biography of Imperial Ambassador, Eustace Chapuys.
    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/

    • 27 min
    The Lombards in Northern Italy

    The Lombards in Northern Italy

    The Lombardy region of Italy, bordered on the north by Switzerland and south by the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, has a fascinating and complex history.  But where did the name Lombardy originally come from? 

    The Lombards were a Germanic tribe who fought their way across Europe during the Early Middle Ages, before settling on the northern part of the Italian Peninsula where they would establish a powerful kingdom that grew rapidly. In the process, the Lombards became a major thorn in the side of the Byzantine Empire and its capital Constantinople.

    In the first episode for 2024, we are joined by Dr Eireann Marshall to discuss the Kingdom of the Lombards.
    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/

    • 26 min
    Ramses II - Egypt's Golden Empire

    Ramses II - Egypt's Golden Empire

    In the lead up to the Sydney exclusive exhibition 'Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs' at the Australian Museum, we are joined on this episode by Egyptologist Dr Bill Manley as he provides a fascinating insight into the Pharaoh who continues to enthral, more than 3,000 years after he ruled Egypt. Known as Ramses the Great, Ramses II was one of the most powerful and influential Pharaohs to have ruled Egypt in its Golden Age. Ramses also built more monuments and sired more children than any other Egyptian King. As a result, his 66-year reign is considered to be the height of Egypt’s glory.
    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/

    • 30 min
    STAGES | Broadway Spotlight EP8 - Actor Singer Kaye Tuckerman with Peter Eyers

    STAGES | Broadway Spotlight EP8 - Actor Singer Kaye Tuckerman with Peter Eyers

    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 talks with Kaye Tuckerman, who played Broadway in the Donna Summer Musical! - and has appeared in extensive Musical Theatre product around the globe. She relishes living in the Big Apple - and all that it offers culturally to its inhabitants and many visitors.
    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/

    • 1 hr 2 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
54 Ratings

54 Ratings

Yawn#9 ,

Great balanced insight

Special on the Ukrainian-Russian dynamic was thoughtful and balanced. Genuinely conveyed the nuance required to counter the black and white media headlines.

Rateburger ,

Thinking Traveller is just what we need right now!

Interesting subjects, wonderfully explained. I absolutely loved the Medici episode in particular. Thank you for a fabulous podcast, Thinking Traveller! So glad to have met you now, for when we are allowed to leave Australia I will be in touch.

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

Conversations
ABC listen
Mamamia Out Loud
Mamamia Podcasts
What It Was Like
Superreal
Shameless
Shameless Media
Life Uncut
Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts

You Might Also Like

The Morning Edition
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday Extra - Full program podcast
ABC listen
Late Night Live - Full program podcast
ABC listen
Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today
ABC listen
Big Ideas
ABC listen
If You're Listening
ABC listen