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Academic travel articles, written by our expert tour leaders.
The Academy Journal
Written by our specialist tour leaders, these articles explore hidden gems, historical events and artistic masterpieces, enriching your upcoming travels with their unique perspectives.
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- Ben Churcher 1
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- Eireann Marshall 3
- Garth Gilmour 1
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Portugal's Vale do Côa Archaeological Park
When we think of Portugal, we think of Port. This isn’t surprising – after all, the Douro Valley makes up one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful wine regions, and has the distinction of having one of the world’s first recognised appellations, awarded just after those of Chianti, Tuscany and Tokaj, Hungary, in the 18th century. While the undulating hills of the Douro Valley allure most travellers to Portugal,
Alexander Mcqueen at the NGV
‘Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse’ is the latest sparkling fashion blockbuster at The National Gallery of Victoria. A collaboration between the NGV and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), it is a striking example of a value-adding fashion and art exhibition, as it combines fashion with a wide range of paintings, textiles, sculptures, porcelain and even furniture, including many masterpiece-gems
Small is beautiful
Hasn’t travel had some ups and downs in the past few years? It’s no wonder that, as the world reopens for exploration, that we’re increasingly interested in quality over quantity, small instead of crowded, and putting safety first. We’ve looked forward to the 2023 travel year (and beyond) and identified five trends to consider when planning your next adventure. How many of the five fit for you?
The heart of Christmas
In this season we love to tell again the Christmas story, remembering the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem all those years ago. But the story has grown with the telling, and we cannot always determine what is original, and what has been added. There are two versions of the nativity story in the Gospels, in Matthew and Luke, which nicely complement one another.
The Flinders Ranges
The undeniable rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges attracts visitors for a myriad of reasons. In this article, archaeologist Dr Chris Carter explores the marvels of the Flinders, from its unique geology and evidence of the earliest life on earth, to 49,000 years of indigenous settlement, and the difficulties this arid land posed for early European settlers.
Some delightful suggestions for Paris
French historian Dr Michael Adcock remembers ten of his favourite places in Paris that he enjoys sharing with travellers… One of the greatest of touring rewards occurs when a traveller comments that they had just been introduced to an aspect of Paris they did not know about, and would never have discovered
Top Ten Cultural things to do in Vienna
The once imperial city of Vienna, often described as Europe's cultural capital, is steeped in history and a wealth of experiences for the cultural traveller. Vienna is city of palaces and gardens, museums, tradition and modernity. For more than 400 years it was the jewel in the glittering imperial crown of the
Morocco’s bustling Fes el-Bali
Fes is one of the more authentic oriental cities; not only in Morocco but within the Islamic world. While Marrakesh has its maze of shops and the incomparable Djemaa el-Fna, Rabat its white washed houses framed by the Atlantic and Meknes its imposing adobe walls, Fes is a
Runic writing in Medieval Bergen
As it turns out, it’s not too difficult to set yourself up as an expert in runic inscriptions, particularly if you’re concentrating on the raised runestones of the Viking Age. Nearly all of the thousands of Viking-Age memorial stones erected all over Sweden, and to a lesser extent Denmark and Norway
Beyond Botticelli - 10 things to also do in Florence
You’ve waited in line to see Michelangelo’s David and you’ve sighed over Botticelli’s Birth of Venus – so what else shouldn’t you miss in Florence, the cradle of the Italian Renaissance? Here’s 10 things to add to your to-list next time you’re in Florence