Articles: Articles about Europe
Enjoy a collection of articles on a variety of subjects such as art, music, literature, history and country highlights and must-see attractions as well as curiosities and hidden gems.
Articles by Country
Related Tours
21 days
Aug, AprSmall group tour of Ancient Turkey
Visiting Turkey
As a travel company we seek to keep guests off the beaten path. Trips that are remembered for authentic experiences. Our small group journeys in Turkey are fully escorted by an experienced local guide and an Odyssey guide to give this type of experience whether at one of the many UNESCO World heritage sites explored or local bazaars. It is always about the adventure and memories that we will create.
From A$16,495 AUD
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22 days
Oct, AprTour of Northern Italy's Lakes and Alps
Visiting Italy
A European tour to the stunning Lakes Region of Italy. Your travel experience begins in Milan, daily itineraries include two of the region’s lakes - Garda and Maggiore, plus the Roman villa Desenzona and a day in Cinque Terre. Local guides share experience and knowledge with you on this escorted small group tour for couples and solo travelers.
From A$14,895 AUD
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22 days
Aug, AprContemporary Germany small group tour
Visiting Germany
Join us on this this comprehensive small group journey in Germany that begins in Heidelberg and ventures south to the romantic Black Forest to Munich. Spend 21 nights in Germany, featuring Berlin, Munich, the Black Forest, Bavaria, the Alps, and the Rhine.
From A$17,295 AUD
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24 days
Apr, SepRural France | Small Group Tour for Seniors
Visiting France
On this small group Rural France tour, we spend 24 days exploring France beyond its bustling cities, travelling off the beaten track. We will explore the pastoral and provincial splendour of French rural towns which have resisted the dual siege of the automobile and the property developer. Our small group will visit many of France’s beautiful towns where within their walls the villagers conduct their daily lives much as they have done since Napoleonic times.
From A$18,995 AUD
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18 days
Aug, AprSmall Group tours exploring the Treasures of Ireland
Visiting Ireland
An escorted small group tour to Northern Ireland & Ireland, with local guides and itineraries that give authentic experiences Ireland's capital, Dublin, including 1/2 day tour of St Patricks cathedral and Trinity college. Destinations also Aran islands , Kerry plus the world heritage site, the giant's causeway. Ireland tours for singles over 50 and couples.
From A$12,615 AUD
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21 days
Sep, MayDiscover Spain
Visiting Spain
Join this small group travel, 21-day tour of Spain. For couples or solo traveler with minimal single supplement has daily itineraries with local guides that provide authentic experiences for those who seek small group journeys. Escorted tour begins in Madrid, finishes in Barcelona.
From A$14,250 AUD
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18 days
Aug, AprDiscover Portugal
Visiting Portugal
Join Odyssey Traveller small group journeys with like minded people on this immersive 18-day escorted tour of Portugal. This travel experience takes us from the capital of Lisbon, through Portugal's many historic cities and key UNESCO World heritage sites.
From A$11,275 AUD
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22 days
Apr, Sep, MayGreece small group escorted history tour
Visiting Greece
Our 21 day small group tour explores the land of great philosophers, myths, and legends. We will learn about the culture and heritage of modern Greece whilst exploring and learning Athens, which only found independence in its uprising from the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.
From A$13,475 AUD
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19 days
Sep, Jun, AugSaint James Way Small Group Walking Tour (The Camino)- Spain
Visiting Portugal, Spain
Experience pleasant sections of the Way of Saint James, crossing some of Spain’s most beautiful landscapes. We follow the pilgrims on easy distances of The Way to the mythical destination, Santiago de Compostella. Not since the middle ages has this adventure for body and mind been more popular. We also get to discover the artistic highlights and rich history of Northern Spain and Portugal, as well as enjoying local wines and exquisite food.
From A$14,135 AUD
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21 days
Oct, May, SepBaltics Small Group Escorted Tour: Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Stockholm
Visiting Denmark, Estonia
An escorted small group tour to the Baltic States of Europe that explores the key destinations of this region starting in Warsaw, then making its way through Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Stockholm and concluding in Copenhagen. Each day has scheduled itineraries supported by local guides who share knowledge and authentic experiences of the places visited. This is small group travelling to the Baltics for like minded people.
From A$16,975 AUD
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days
JulRichard Wagner Ring Cycle, Leipzig | Small Group Tours Germany
Visiting Germany
The small group tour will see the opera performed in the city of Richard Wagner’s birth, Leipzig. Our tour starts in Dresden and we also visit Bayrouth and Munich. We will not only experience his music in these 4 operas, but also be shown the influences of culture and family on the extraordinary composer’s life.
22 days
Mar, Sep, MayFlorence: Living in a Renaissance City
Visiting Italy
A small group tour with like minded people, couples or solo travellers, that is based in Florence. An authentic experience of living in this Renaissance city The daily itineraries draw on local guides to share their knowledge on this unique European tour. Trips to Vinci, Sienna and San Gimignano are included.
From A$13,695 AUD
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Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
Just outside the northern city of Siauliai lies a small hill in the middle of farmland that has been crowned with around 100,000 crosses in all different sizes. There are tiny crosses, massive wooden crosses and crosses handcrafted from metal. Known as the Hill of Crosses (Kryziu Kalnas), it is both a pilgrimage site and a testament to Lithuanian strength and defiance under Soviet rule. It has come to represent the peaceful endurance of Lithuanian Catholicism in the face of so many threats throughout history.
Southern Italy
Southern Italy: from Magna Graecia to Italian Unification When people think of Italy, Rome, Venice, and Florence often come to mind first. Yet, the country offers much more beyond its northern attractions. Venturing south from…
Gothic Germany
The term Gothic is often used to refer to a turning point and new era of European architecture that is generally seen as starting in the mid 12th century. Gothic architecture was in stunning contrast to Romanesque architecture which emphasised few windows, massive stonework and heavy walls. In comparison, the Gothic style featured stained glass windows, flying buttresses and more light-filled interiors that made use of cavernous spaces.
15 Must-See Sites in Berlin
15 Must-See Sites in Berlin | Small group tours Germany Berlin, capital of Germany, venue of the Berlinale, seat of the German Parliament, and location of UNESCO-protected Museum Island, occupies a place of prominence as…
Studying Gargoyles and Grotesques: The Definitive Guide for Travellers
Article to support world travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples or mature solo travellers interested in British and European history.
Ancient Roman Luxury Villas, Italy
Roman houses for wealthy people built in the times of the Republic and the Empire. Popular locations included on the lakes of Northern Italy, in the hills to the East of Rome, on the bay of Naples, and outside of Pompeii.
Five Women of the Renaissance period to see on tour
Five Incredible Women of the Renaissance | Small Group Tours The Renaissance stands as one of humanity’s most profound intellectual and artistic revolutions, often overshadowed by narratives of renowned men and their contributions. While historical…
Venice and the History of Maps
Venetian Maps and How they Ruled the World ‘Venice was always a frontier,’ Peter Ackroyd (2009) declares in Venice: Pure City. ‘When the empire was divided in the time of Charlemagne, the lagoons of Venice…
Dawn of Greek Civilization: The Definitive Guide for Travellers
The Beginning of Human Civilisation Ancient Greece stands out as a pivotal civilization that significantly influenced human progress. The period between 800 B.C. and 500 B.C., considered Ancient Greece, marked a flourishing era in various…
Pillars of Hercules
Article about the history of where the Mediterranean sea meets the Atlantic ocean for the explorers from Crete, Italy, Spain, including the Phoenicians and the Romans. For senior couples and mature solo travelers interested in small group educational tour.
Caesar and Cleopatra in Egypt
Learn about the Roman Emperor Caesar exploring Egypt and the historians interpretation of the relationship with Cleopatra. An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers.
Around the World in Six Coffees: Italy, France, Japan, China, Morocco & Argentina
Around the World in Six Coffees: Italy, France, Japan, China, Morocco & Argentina Order a cappuccino in Italy after 11am and expect to receive strange looks. In Argentina, don’t be surprised when your coffee order…
Searching for Caravaggio's 'Nativity': Where is it today?
Searching for Caravaggio’s Nativity The hunt for Caravaggio’s stolen painting of the nativity scene may just be the most high-profile art crime of the 20th century. One stormy night in October 1969, an altarpiece painted…
Oberammergau Passion Play 2020
Oberammergau Passion Play 2020 | Small group tours Germany In 2020, Odyssey will offer three small group tours of Europe that will include the Oberammergau Passion Play: Contemporary Germany, The Habsburgs, and our Berlin tour. This article is…
Questions about Finland
Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Finland. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Helsinki, or to the arctic circle to the Northern lights to learn how to photograph the lights and more.
Early Russian History and its Key Figures
Early Russian History and its Key Figures It is probably unsurprisingly that the largest country in the world, encompassing Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, with its ever-changing landscapes, multiple timezones and diverse inhabitants, would also…
A History of the Balkans: Albania and North Macedonia
Sprawling eastwards from the doorstep of Western Europe, the Balkan region has had a long, convoluted and fascinating history. Read on to learn about the region’s history, starting with the problem of the ‘Balkans’, and the region's history up until World War I. From here, the thread is taken up by the stories of Albania and North Macedonia, two overlooked but fascinating examples of Balkan statehood in the 20th century.
Brunelleschi's Dome: The Amateur turned Renaissance Genius
Filippo Brunelleschi. We will look at who he was and how he came to win the competition to design the dome for Florence's cathedral.
Elements of Mosque Architecture
The word "mosque" often brings to mind not this simple prayer space, but the ornately decorated monuments built by powerful Islamic rulers.
Questions about Romania
Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Romania. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to the George Enescu Festival or venturing into Transylvania.
Ancient Routes, Fresh Eyes: European Pilgrimage Routes for the Modern Traveller
Ancient Routes, Fresh Eyes: Nine European Pilgrimage Routes for the Modern Traveller The word ‘pilgrimage’ or ‘pilgrim’ comes from the Modern French word pèlerin, which means ‘foreigner, stranger’, highlighting the concept that the faithful is not of…
Questions about Lithuania
Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to the Baltic state of Lithuania. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Vilnius, or Grutas park and beyond.
Questions About Iceland for Senior Travellers
Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Iceland Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel the Golden circle, including the Blue Lagoon, Skaftafell National park, Reykjavik and beyond.
Questions about Poland for senior Travellers
Consider and Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Poland. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to the historic sites of Poland including Warsaw , Gdansk and beyond.
