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/