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The Thinking Traveller

Academy Travel
Ancient Egypt
Hatshepsut
Vienna
Patagonia
Silk Road
Habsburg Empire
Renaissance
Romeo and Juliet
Atacama Desert
Venice
Vienna Boys Choir
Architecture
Sandakan Death March
Archaeology
Musikverein
Egypt
Thutmose III
Staatsoper
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Ringstrasse

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.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes80Founded7 years ago
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Places & TravelArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Thinking Traveller

Latest Episodes

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 history of t... more

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, the Odysse... more

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 to our pr... more

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 rulers of th... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Jeni Ryde
Linguist and art historian with cross-disciplinary PhD in Renaissance art history, tourism, and museum management
Western Sydney University (former) / Tour leader for Italy
Episode: Italy’s Hill Towns Along The Via Francigena
Dr Estelle Lazer
Honorary research associate at the University of Sydney; archaeologist specializing in Pompeii and Mediterranean landscapes
University of Sydney
Episode: The Odyssey – From Myth to Mediterranean
Dr Bill Manley
Egyptologist who taught Ancient Egyptian and Coptic languages; former Senior Curator for Ancient Egypt at National Museums Scotland
University of London; University of Glasgow; University of Liverpool; National Museums Scotland
Episode: Egypt's Valley of the Kings
Tarita Botsman
Australian classical artist, director, producer, and writer
Episode: King Louis XIV’s Favourite Composer - Jean-Baptiste Lully
Dr. Amelia Brown
Classical archaeologist focusing on Corinth in the Greek and Roman periods
Independent/academic researcher
Episode: Corinth - Discovering a Greek, Roman & Christian City
Marg Horwell
One of Australia's most acclaimed costume designers
Episode: STAGES - Marg Horwell & The Art of Costume
Dr. Chris Carter
Historical archaeologist with over 25 years of experience leading tours in South America.
Episode: Patagonia - Chile’s Last Frontier
Chris Aslan
Accomplished author, lecturer, and cultural specialist with over 15 years of experience in Central Asia.
Author of Unraveling the Silk Road
Episode: The Silk Road - Where East and West First Met
Sandy Burnett
Musician and broadcaster, expert in classical music
Episode: The Puccini Sound - Hallmarks of His Operatic Style

Host

Dr Lauren Mackay
Host of The Thinking Traveller; specializes in archaeology, travel and historical interpretation.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 85 ratings
  • Great content and production, easy listening.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    kokella
    3 years ago
  • 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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yawn#9
    Australia5 years ago
  • 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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rateburger
    Australia5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, nuanced look at complex topics.
Episodes blend scholarship with travel inspiration for planning trips.
High-quality guests and well-researched content.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Odyssey – From Myth to Mediterranean
Q: What are you hoping to see in Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the Odyssey, and what would you consider to be faithful to the story and its characters?
Lazer anticipates that Nolan will translate the epic into cinematic language accessible to a broad audience, likely emphasizing the fantastical elements and character dynamics while preserving the core themes and the evocative landscape that anchors the myth, though the film will inevitably reflect the director's unique vision.
The Odyssey – From Myth to Mediterranean
Q: Given the mix of myth and geography, how do archaeologists treat Homer as a source when trying to map events to real places?
Lazer notes that Homer is not a straightforward historical chronicle; the text is a journey of the mind. Archaeologists use it as a cultural and landscape-inspired guide rather than a precise map, recognizing the blend of Bronze Age reality with later 8th-7th century BCE interpretations and later geographies.
The Odyssey – From Myth to Mediterranean
Q: Now, The Odyssey has survived nearly 3000 years as one of the foundational texts of Western literature. What is it about this particular story of homecoming that has kept audiences returning to it across so many centuries?
Estelle Lazer explains that the Odyssey endures because it blends epic adventure with universal themes like homecoming, the complexity of heroism, and the human desire to belong, while being adaptable across cultures and media—from plays and films to anime and even cartoons—keeping it relevant for new generations.
Italy’s Hill Towns Along The Via Francigena
Q: What is the Via Francigena?
It is Europe's oldest major pilgrimage route, dating back to the 8th century, with historical significance rivaling other famous routes and a modern revival that attracts many walkers and cyclists.
Ravenna - A Capital in the Lagoon
Q: Why is Ravenna considered so strategically important in late antiquity?
Its lagoon geography offered strong defensibility and made it a secure imperial base, enabling control of Adriatic trade routes and a defensible seat for the Western Empire; its position also facilitated shifting political alliances as the empire faced mounting external pressures.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Thinking Traveller

What is The Thinking Traveller about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show blends scholarly insight with travel storytelling, spotlighting history, archaeology, architecture, and the arts through guests who are experts in their fields. Episodes frequently explore ancient civilizations, cultural intersections, and notable monuments or artifacts, while weaving travel context, personal anecdotes, and practical tour insights. Listeners likely include culture enthusiasts, history buffs, and travel-minded professionals who appreciate rigorous analysis presented in an accessible, narrative style. A notable strength is the consistent coupling of scholarly perspective with real-world travel contexts, making it appealing for prospective guests and sponsors seeking thoughtful, intellectually engaging content tied to... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Thinking Traveller?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Thinking Traveller:

1. Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald
2. Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today
3. Big Ideas
4. No One Saw It Coming
5. Late Night Live — Full program podcast

How many episodes of The Thinking Traveller are there?

The Thinking Traveller launched 7 years ago and published 80 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Thinking Traveller?

Recent guests on The Thinking Traveller include:

1. Dr. Jeni Ryde
2. Dr Estelle Lazer
3. Dr Bill Manley
4. Tarita Botsman
5. Dr. Amelia Brown
6. Marg Horwell
7. Dr. Chris Carter
8. Chris Aslan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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