Medieval British Village Life: The Definitive Guide for Seniors

Life in the Medieval British Village In a previous article, we looked at the icons of the British village–the pub and the cottage–and looked at their history and evolution from Roman and Norman times. In this article we will look at daily life in the British village during the medieval period–or the period spanning the […]

The Country House, Britain

The British Country House Cliveden House, Burghley House, Blenheim Palace: country houses have long stood as icons in the British landscape. From the Middle Ages until today, the historic houses have gone through various changes, evolving in styles from Jacobean, to Palladian, Baroque, Neoclassical, Neogothic, and more. All the while they have stood in various […]

British Neoclassical Architecture & Decorative Arts

Neoclassicism Neoclassicism was a Western cultural movement in the 18th-19th centuries inspired by the art and culture of classical antiquity (Greece in the 8th to 4th Centuries BCE and Rome in the 5th to 1st Centuries BCE). The movement was most prominent in architecture and the visual arts, but also expressed itself in literature, theatre, […]

Industrious Revolution

The Industrious Revolution was a major shift in economic history, seen in the everyday consumer behavior of individuals in Northwest Europe and North America in the 1700s. In this period, a greater diffusion of new durable and exotic goods created new desires amongst the populations of these places. What the people wanted to buy and consume changed.

Lumps and Bumps: How to Read the British Landscape

Read the landscape (and beat the crowds!) One of the perils of modern tourism is crowds. We all know the feeling. After a long-haul flight, a hotel room, a train and much excitement and anticipation, we finally arrive at a famous site, only to be met with a sea of tourists and tour buses. At […]

Learning about Ireland | Travel tips for Seniors

One of the best destinations we tour each year is to Ireland. Our client profile is couples and also for single senior tours of Ireland.

British Village Icons: Definitive Guide for Travellers

Icons of the British Villages: Pubs and Cottages The British pub and cottage figure prominently in the image of a (often romanticised) quintessential “British village”. In this article, we will give special attention to these structures–particularly the origins of the pub in Roman times and how the “classic” British cottage evolved from the reconfiguration of […]

History of Ireland: The Definitive Guide for Senior Travellers

History of Ireland Ireland (Irish: Éire) is an island carved into two after centuries of subjugation, foreign domination, and various conflicts that lasted until the 20th century. In this post, we will look at the riveting and complex history of Ireland, from its Celtic roots to English rule, through the war of religions, the Great Famine, […]

Britain: First Industrial Nation

Britain: The First Industrial Nation In the mid-18th century, the Industrial Revolution was largely confined to Britain. Historians and economists continue to debate what it was that sparked the urbanisation and industrialisation that would change humanity’s way of life, for better or for worse. Some say it was less of a “revolution” and more of […]

10 Books to Read If You Are Planning to Visit Britain

10 Books to Read If You Are Planning to Visit Britain For Odyssey Travellers, Britain has and remains a key destination in the organisation’s collection of escorted small group educational tours offered each year. For mature and senior travellers thinking about visiting Britain or simply wishing to read about the place we have put together […]