Articles about Europe

European and British rail journeys are a great alternative to flying. Read this article for mature and senior couples and solo travellers who enjoy small group tours to Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and all points across Europe.

Article about Milan, one of the great cities of Northern Italy for mature and senior travellers to explore on a small group tour for couples and solo travellers. Learn about Renaissance Italy, Rome, the Romans as well as Florence and the Pilgrims walks offered by Odyssey.

The History and Attractions of Padua By Marco Stojanovik Padua city is an intellectual, artistic, and economic centre in northern Italy, situated on the River Bacchiglione, west of Venice. The city has a long history…

Caravaggio’s Paintings Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) was a leading 16th century Italian painter whose short but tempestuous life rivalled the controversy and drama he created through his highly influential art. Born in Lombardy, northern…

Ephesus is discovered on a small group tour for mature and senior travellers couples and solo travellers into Ancient Turkey influenced by the Roman and Greek history.

Antalya is explored on an escorted small group tour for mature and senior travellers couples and solo travellers wishing to learn about ancient history. Learn about the Greeks, the Romans and Turkish ancient history in the Mediterranean and Black sea.

Learn more about where Europe and Asia meet and the history of the Bosporus on a escorted small group tour for mature and senior travellers to Europe for couples and solo travellers.

Article for mature and senior travellers interested in small group European escorted tours for couples and solo travellers. Explore European and Baltic history in Estonia and Latvia Lithuania and the cultural relationships to Germany, Poland, Finland and Russia and the historic importance of Tallinn.

Explore the sights and wonders of Venice, 'La Serenissima'. A medieval powerhouse, with its stunning architecture, iconic canals, waterways and gondolas. Odyssey offers small group tours for mature and senior travellers couples and solo travelers to Venice and Italy.

Explore the sights and history of Gdansk, a city at the pivot of history, from the Teutonic Knights to Poland's corridor to the Baltic Sea. Odyssey offers small group tours for mature and senior travellers couples and solo travelers to Gdansk and Poland.

Explore the sights and wonders of Rome, the eternal city. Heart of an ancient empire, and capital of the Italian Republic. Odyssey offers small group tours for mature and senior travellers couples and solo travelers to Rome and Italy.

Learn about the historic city of Wroclaw. Located in Poland's Lower Silesia Region, it has seen the passage of some of Europe's most dramatic history. Odyssey offers small group tours for mature and senior travellers couples and solo travelers to Wroclaw and Poland.

Explore Bordeaux, historic Atlantic trading city, and wine capital of France. Odyssey offers small group tours for mature and senior travellers couples and solo travelers to Bordeaux and France.

Venture further from Milan and explore the beautiful Lake Como and Lake Maggiore or visit Parma and learn more about their famous Parma ham and Parmesan cheese. Take advantage of Italy's great rail network and get to know the local nearby towns and people.

Izmir, Turkey Izmir is the location of the ancient Smyrna situated in the Gulf of Izmir on the Aegean Sea. This city only recently lost to Istanbul, after 1400 years, the honour of being the…

Cappadocia, Turkey Cappadocia, central Turkey, approximately 1h 15m flight from Istanbul airport to Kayseri airport, is a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage…

Olympia, Greece Olympia is among the most important places in Greece and a Unesco world heritage site. The archaeological site and of Olympia, located on the western side of Peloponnese, is the site of the first…

Kalamata, Greece Kalamata, Greece, is the major town of the Southern Peloponnese, and the capital of Messenia. Kalamata is most famous for its olives, the Kalamatianos dance and it is also home to an attractive…

Delphi, Greece The name ‘Delphi’ comes from ‘Dolphin’ because it is widely believed that Apollo first visited the region in the shape of a Dolphin. Believed by the Ancient Greeks to be the centre of the…

Meteora, Greece The 6 monasteries perched on top of rock pinnacles near Kalambaka in Central Greece is probably the most spectacular visitor site in Greece. Meteora means “suspended in the air” and the remaining six…

La Spezia, Portovenere and the Cinque Terre The eastern Ligurian Riviera between Cinque Terre and Portovenere is a cultural site of outstanding value, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 along with the…

Questions About Sweden for senior travellers Odyssey Traveller specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences for senior and mature-aged travellers interested in learning whether travelling as a couple or as a solo traveller. Providing adventure and educational programs to escorted small…

Italy, a travelers favourite. Article about exploring Tuscany on a small group tour of mature and senior travellers, couples or solo travellers. Learning about the history of Tuscany, the role of the Romans, the families of power and the artists.

The Trans Siberian rail journey, often a must do for many travellers. Join a small group package tour travelling on the Trans Siberian for mature and senior travellers, couples and solo travellers. Vladivostok, Krasnoyarsk, St Petersburg, Irkutsk all feature on this unique rail journey.

Iceland has a fascinating place in the contemporary geologic record of Earth. But whilst the geology makes the landscape it is the people, the wildlife and the culture that attract many to visit. For Odyssey's small group package tour of Iceland for mature and senior travellers whether couples or a single traveller this is a great journey.

French history by rail for mature and senior travellers, couples or solo travellers is a long stay apartment based small group tour based in Paris. We use the rail network to learn about the history of Medieval to Contemporary France. One of 20+ Vacation packages offered in France.

Gardens remain a popular package tour option for small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Britain and Europe. This collection focuses on the influencers, the designers and visionaries who shape the outside rooms. Couples and solo travellers are welcome consider joining these programs.

Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, stands as the southernmost border of Greece. Its position sees it as acting as something of a communication bridge between the African continent and Europe.

The Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) in Tomar, Portugal is a former Roman Catholic convent that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 12th century, it was originally the Convent of the Knights Templar of Tomar.

The Roman Villa of Desenzano del Garda is Northern Italy’s most important and best preserved great late antiquity villa extending over a hectare of prime lakeside land is explored on a small group tour.

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.

Musee Maillol, a small museum devoted to the work of Aristide Maillol, a pioneering turn-of-the-century sculptor.

World’s most extensive collection of Auguste Rodin’s work, displayed in the beautiful house and gardens of the Hotel Biron, the Musee Rodin is a highlight of any trip to Paris.

The Musée Yves Saint Laurent is Paris's latest must-see destination, an extensive and deeply personal look through the life and works of the revolutionary fashion designer - who embodied the spirit of the 'Swinging Sixties'

Ride the metro and RER of Paris when on a small group tour for mature and senior travellers in Europe and visiting Paris, wth your partner or as a solo traveller, visit Marmottan, Musee Maillol or wander through the arcades.

Know about Paris with this article giving the solo traveller or couple confidence when exploring the city on foot or on the metro. A small group tour of Paris mature and senior travellers explore off the beaten track, great galleries such as Marmottan, Musee Maillol.

Paris, attracts the artists and writers. From Monet to Picasso, or Hemingway to Dumas. Our escorted small group tours of Paris and France explore the literary past of this magnificent city.

Vilnius, is part of the escorted small group tour of the Baltics for senior travellers, that includes Berlin, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and finishes in St Petersburg.

The History of Warsaw Warsaw, the Polish capital city, has a fascinating history of cultural and economic development in the face of foreign occupation. Emerging in the 14th century as an important central trading point,…

The History of Riga By Marco Stojanovik Riga, the Latvian capital, is a beautiful city that lies on the banks of the Daugava River at its mouth on the Gulf of Riga at the Baltic…

Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest extant neighbourhood, built in the 8th century during the Muslim conquest of Portugal and neighbouring Spain.

The Tower of Belem was built around 1514 on the banks of the Tagus River to defend the port of Lisbon. Built during the city of Lisbon’s Golden Age, the monument was ceremonial gateway to the city.

The Society is dedicated to preserving the culture of Hammerfest. The polar bear is the city’s coat of arms and was therefore chosen as the society’s logo.

The Arctic Circle is the most northernly major circle of latitude, at approximately 66°30′ N. It marks the area within which, for one or more days each year, the Sun does not set (June 21) or rise (December 21), and the length of continuous day or night increases northward.

Questions about Austria for mature and senior travellers seeking a small group tour in Europe as a couple or solo traveller. Tour director and local guide provide day tours to share knowledge about Vienna and Austria.

The science of the Northern Lights Although many are more familiar with the Northern Lights, the natural phenomenon is not exclusive to the Northern Hemisphere. The polar lights are caused by solar activity. When there…

Tromsø, Norway Tromsø is the largest city of Northern Norway and one of the most popular destination in the country to watch the Northern Lights for a memorable holiday. Tromsø lies 350 km north of…

Su Nuraxi di Barumini located on the island of Sardinia, is one of the world's most fascinating archaeological sites, a window into an ancient and uniquely advanced Bronze Age civilisation.

Pamplona, Spain Pamplona, the capital of Navarre in northern Spain, is famous worldwide for the running of the bulls during the San Fermin fiesta, and for being one of Ernest Hemingway’s favourite cities. Hemingway visited…

Burgos, Spain Burgos in northern Spain is the country’s original heartland, initially known as Castilla la Vieja – the old part of the kingdom of Castile. The city of Burgos, founded in 884, was the…

Matera, Italy The ancient town of Matera, Basilicata. The ancient city of Matera, in southern Italy, is among the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, a place of primordial beauty, where cave houses are carved directly…

Bari, Italy Aerial view of Bari, Italy. While travel guides and blogs have begun to tout Apulia as Italy’s ‘newest hotspot’ (Vogue Australia), the province’s capital, Bari, has been unfairly neglected. But we think this…

Apulia, Italy The iconic trulli of Alberobello. The heel of Italy’s boot, the Apulia region (Italian: Puglia) is slowly taking its place among Italy’s major destinations. With a wealth of historic towns, beautiful scenery and…

Aeolian Islands, Italy Panarea Expansive blue seas, white sands, and volcanic mudbaths: the Aeolian Islands are among the best of Italy’s beach paradises. But unlike their busier rivals, the Aeolians are an ideal place to…

Messina, Italy Messina cityscape. Only a few kilometres from the Italian mainland, the city of Messina has long been the gateway to Sicily, a fascinating historical centre with a Belle Epoque twist. The city of…

Epidaurus was a small city in Ancient Greece on the eastern coast of the Argolid Peninsular at the Saronic Gulf

Mykonos has an amazing history, rising and falling as an economic powerhouse and trade centre dominated and defended by various rulers.

Corfu differs to much of the rest of Greece, with notable limited archaeological sites but an abundant mixture of forts, medieval castles, palaces, Greek orthodox churches, and monuments.

Sparta was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece famous for its powerful military. Throughout ancient Sparta a prominent militaristic culture pervaded with citizens’ lives centred around war.

This article traces the Peponnese peninsula history from the Bronze Age, through classical antiquity, the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and finally modern Greek independence.

The Volga River Flowing from Russia’s northwest to the Caspian Sea in the south, and measuring 3,530 m, the Volga river is the longest river in Europe. The Volga has throughout its history become an…

Azerbaijan is part of a small group tour for mature and senior travellers interested in learning and touring though this historic part of central Eurasia.

Yerevan, Armenia Similar to its neighbouring countries in the South Caucasus, the Republic of Armenia has a history marked by incredible losses and bloody wars, which continued even after its independence from the former Soviet…

Baku, capital of Azerbaijan is part of a small group tour of the Caucasus region visiting Georgia and Armenia on the same touring program for mature and senior travellers be the couples or solo.

Explore and learn about Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia on a small group tour of the Caucasus for mature and senior travellers couples and solo travellers. A city with with plenty of history from the Romans to the Ottoman empire. Understand how the physical boundary of the Caucasus mountains repelled invaders and shaped the culture.

Walhalla Memorial, Germany The Neoclassical Walhalla Memorial, reminiscent of the Parthenon and reaching for the grandeur of the mythological Norse Valhalla after which it was named, is located high above the Danube River, east of…

Bayreuth, Germany Bayreuth is located on the Red Main river in Northern Bavaria. The pretty, mid-sized town is world famous for the Bayreuth Festival, and for its affiliation with the German composer Richard Wagner. The…

Munich, Germany Munich, capital of Bavaria, lies on the elevated plains north of the edge of the Bavarian Alps. The city of Munich is the third largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. It…

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Italy. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Rome, Florence, Genoa, Venice, Naples, Sicily or Lake Garda and beyond.

Dresden, Germany Dresden is the capital of the German state of Saxony, and the third largest city in eastern Germany after Berlin and Leipzig. It lies in the basin of the Elbe River between Meissen…

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Germany. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Berlin, Gothic Germany, Munich or the Black forest and beyond.

Palermo, Sicily Palermo Cathedral mixes Arab and Norman styles, a testament to Sicily’s multicultural history. The capital of Sicily and the island’s chaotic heart, Palermo is where civilisations – Arab, Norman, Italian – collide. Palermo…

Baikal is the world’s oldest lake, formed around 25-30 million years ago, it is also the deepest and largest by volume, making up 20% of the world’s unfrozen fresh water.

A vivid yellow Baroque jewel, Melk Abbey, or Stift Melk, is the most famous abbey in Austria

The Juma mosque is included this small group tour of the Caucasus region for mature and senior travellers as part of the tour program for Azerbaijan. The Caucasus tour also visits Armenia and Georgia.

Eggenenberg palace, a world heritage site. This baroque palace is considered to be a national treasure in Austria.

Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere) is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and as much as piece of art as the impressive works housed in its interior. The large complex actually features two palaces (Upper and Lower) and beautiful grounds. Originally built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, the galleries of the Upper Belvedere focus on Austrian art from medieval times to present day, emphasising Austrian culture and history while the Lower Belvedere hosts temporary exhibitions. The grounds also feature the Orangery, Palace Stables which have been converted into a medieval art exhibition and magnificent gardens. The famous historical palace complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a short drive from the centre of Vienna.

Schonbrunn Palace, also referred to as Schoenbrunn Palace, is Vienna's most popular attraction and it is not hard to see why. The opulent summer palace of the Habsburgs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the most important cultural, architectural and historical sites in Austria. The palace complex features 1441 rooms (40 of which are open to the public), magnificent gardens, a maze, a palm house, the oldest zoo in Europe and an outdoor swimming pool.

A communist statue graveyard, Grutas Park is a dark homage to one of the worst periods of Lithuanian history. Eight kilometres east of Druskininkai, a spa town on the Nemunas River in southern Lithuania, Grutas Park is essentially a sculpture garden of over 100 Soviet-era statues and artefacts, providing an unprecedented insight into the Red Terror that was unleashed against Lithuania and the stifling atmosphere of Soviet rule. As well as statues, visitors can see an impressive collection of documents, newspapers, propaganda posters, video footage and audio files from the time.

Measuring 2080 kilometres, and situated between the borders of Russia’s far east and China’s North, the Trans-Mongolian railway is journey steeped in the history of great powers.

Agrigento, Italy Temple of Castor and Pollux, Agrigento. The city of Agrigento (Greek: Akragas) has been a hub of people and trade for over 2, 500 years. As Akragas it was among the greatest cities of…

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Russia. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel across Russia to Moscow, St Petersburg, Irkutsk, Vladivostok or Lake Baikal and beyond.

Noto, Italy Palazzo Ducezio and the Basilica Minore di San Nicolò, Noto. Long off the tourist trail, the city of Noto – capital of Sicilian baroque – is one of the most beautiful cities in…

The House of Medici was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that de facto ruled the city of Florence during much of the Italian Renaissance.

Sicily, Italy An autonomous region of Italy, Sicily is a world apart: an ancient and rugged island shaped by successive waves of civilisation. Long the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Sicily is surprisingly untouched by modernity,…

Helsinki, Finland Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a treasure trove for lovers of history and all eras of architecture and design. Dubbed the “white city of the north” due to its buildings constructed from…

Gozo has been inhabited since 5000 BC, when farmers from nearby Sicily crossed over. The island is home to many of the world's oldest freestanding buildings, including the famous neolithic Ġgantija temples.

Yekaterinburg, Russia Yekaterinburg sits on the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains, about 1,667 kilometres east of Moscow. This city in the heart of the Ural region is located just east of the border of…

Valletta, Malta Few European cities capture the imagination quite like Valletta, the evocative golden capital of Malta. Only 1 kilometre by 600 metres, it packs in so much history and culture that when it was…

Krasnoyarsk, Russia Krasnoyarsk, sitting on both banks of the Yenisey River, which in turn is traversed by the Trans-Siberian Railway, is a popular stop in Siberia. Bordered by the city in the south is the…

Irkutsk, Russia Irkutsk, the administrative centre of the Irkutsk oblast (region) in Eastern Siberia, is a popular stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway due to its proximity to UNESCO-listed Lake Baikal, the largest, deepest, and oldest…

An hour outside of Barcelona is the impressive multi-peaked mountain range known as Montserrat. Within its dramatic, rocky mountain tops hides the Benedictine Monestir de Montserrat, a monastery popular with visitors from all over the world. Everyone from pilgrims and culture lovers to hikers and speleologists love the spot thanks to the gorgeous hiking terrain and beautiful abbey village built into the mountain and to top it all off, it is an easy day trip from Barcelona. Today, Montserrat is often used to refer to both Montserrat mountain and Montserrat Abbey.

Skaftafell National Park, Iceland The Skaftafell National Park was established in 1967, but became part of the newly created Vatnajokull National Park in 2008. Skaftafell, which spans 500 square kilometres, now forms the park’s southern…

Egilsstadir, Iceland Egilsstaðir on the banks of the Lagarfljót river is the largest town in East Iceland. As of 2018, it is home to fewer than 3,000 people. With its natural wonders as well as…

Girona is Northern Catalonia's biggest city, an hour and a half's drive from Barcelona. A compact medieval fortress city with the best-preserved Jewish quarter in Europe, Girona offers a medley of galleries, churches, restaurants, museums and medieval architecture to explore.

Malta A Mediterranean archipelago equidistant between Europe and Africa, Malta packs a wealth of beautiful scenery and fascinating history into one of the world’s smallest landmasses. Location has been history for the people of Malta.…

Isafjordur, Iceland Ísafjörður in the largest town in Iceland’s Westfjords peninsula, but is home to fewer than 3,000 residents. The town, fuelled by a thriving fishing industry, did not form on this site until after…

A forty-minute drive from Lisbon, you will find the town of Mafra near the west coast of Portugal. The town is known for the landmark that dominates it, the opulent Palácio Nacional de Mafra (Mafra National Palace), a Baroque masterpiece that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. The beautiful palace complex includes the king's and queen's palaces, a royal chapel, a monastery and an impressive library. The buildings are surrounded by magnificent gardens and a royal hunting park known as Tapada.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is located in West Iceland about 120 kilometres from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik. Dubbed “Iceland in miniature”, a day trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula offers beautiful, diverse scenery…

A tiny, charming town with over 3000 inhabitants, Obidos is an hour from Lisbon and feels like stepping back in time. The medieval village's historic centre features picturesque cobbled streets and traditional white houses, surrounded by a crenellated castle wall which is accessible by foot. The entire scene is like something out of a story book, enhanced by the surrounding hilly landscape.

An ancient fishing village turned popular seaside resort, Nazare is only an hour and a half from Lisbon but it feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The town became world-famous almost a decade ago when Garrett McNamara, a 51-year-old from Hawaii surfed a 78-foot wave (23 metres) at one of the town's beaches, breaking the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed. The event put Nazare on the map and surfers flocked to the picturesque coastal village desperate to catch the giant waves that many locals have spent years avoiding. For travellers, it is a great spot to relax and eat fresh fish while taking in the beautiful scenery and watching surfers do their bit.

Quimper, France The cultural heart of Brittany, the charming small city of Quimper is a gateway into France’s most distinct region. Believed to be inhabited since the neolithic, Brittany is home to some of the…

An hour south of Madrid, sitting atop a gorge overlooking the Tagus River, is the magnificent city of Toledo. Often called 'Imperial City' because it was the main venue of the court of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in Spain, Toledo is a medieval town that has been heavily influenced by its mix of Christian, Jewish and Muslim inhabitants throughout the centuries. You will find monuments scattered throughout the city that reflect Toledo's 'three cultures' and many of the city's most visited attractions are religious. The historic city of Toledo was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 for being 'a repository of more than 2,000 years of history' and for its architectural masterpieces that hold such importance for Christians, Muslims and Jews.

On Catalonia’s Costa Brava, 45 minutes from Girona, lies the small town of Figueres, the birthplace of surrealist artist Salvador Dali and home to the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dali. Apart from the Dali museum, Figueres is a lively and vibrant town with great restaurants, local boutiques, interesting architecture and dreamy beaches only a short drive away.

The city of Zaragoza, the fifth-biggest city in Spain, lies in the region of Aragon in northern Spain and is easy to reach from both Madrid and Barcelona. Home to beautiful Moorish architecture, Roman ruins, two magnificent cathedrals and a rich collection of street art, Zaragoza is often underrated as a tourist destination despite having a lot to offer. As well as this, the city has an incredible food scene and visiting the city’s famous tapas bars is an amazing culinary experience and will give you a taste of Aragonese cuisine. Zaragoza is also the hometown of the artist Francisco Goya, considered to be the most important Spanish artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and you can see his work throughout the city.

Just over an hour by train from Barcelona is the magnificent port city of Tarragona. Located on the Costa Daurada, Tarragona is home to sparkling beaches and a wealth of Roman ruins. Once a major Roman city, you can feel Tarragona’s history all throughout the city as you wander through the charming old town. Perched on the Mediterranean, you can also expect fantastic places to eat and delicious food. Romesco, a sauce usually made with dry peppers, garlic, oil and nuts, originated in Tarragona and you can find it at restaurants paired with fresh seafood and fish. The province is also known for its fine wine.

One of Europe’s micro-states, you will find Andorra tucked away the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. With quaint villages, stunning ski resorts and plenty of shopping opportunities, this tiny country has beautiful natural surroundings and a bustling capital full of character. Although many people don't even know it exists, this doesn't mean there is nothing to do. Whether you're a skier, a hiker, a shopper or a budding historian, you will find Andorra has something to offer.

La Sagrada Familia The Sagrada Familia, still under construction A small group guided tour of La Sagrada Familia, perhaps one of the world’s most iconic buildings, including the Basilicai Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia…

A charming seaside town just 35 km from Barcelona, Sitges, with its pristine beaches, array of art galleries and vibrant bars and clubs, Sitges has something for everyone. Sometimes referred to as the St. Tropez of Spain, the town’s pretty beaches and seafront promenade are framed by lush green mountains and despite its proximity to the big city (it takes around 40 minutes to get from Barcelona to Sitges), its serene shores can make you feel very far away from the hustle and bustle.

In 966, a Benedictine abbey was built on the island and Mont St-Michel became a centre of religious learning, attracting the brightest minds and most talented artists from around Europe.

The quaint medieval city of Bayeux is home to one big ticket item – the fascinating Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman Conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. Though the origins of the tapestry are debated by historians, it is of great artistic interest and is an important historical source.

Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain’s southernmost region of Andalucia, Granada was the last stronghold of the Spanish Moors and the brilliance of Moorish spirit and culture endures in the city today. The Alhambra, the palace fortress of the Nasrid sultans, is the heart and soul of Granada and one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions. With its magnificent palaces and gardens, the Alhambra is an unmissable sight but the city itself also has a lot on offer including buzzing cafes and restaurants, vibrant tapas bars, a bustling Jewish quarter and funky street art.

The city of Caen, with a dramatic history spanning from the time of William the Conqueror to the D-Day Landing, is a highlight of any Normandy tour.

n the heart of Basque Country, 11km from the Bay of Biscay, you will find Bilbao, one of northern Spain’s greatest treasures. Renowned for its famous Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao’s architectural wonders are surrounded by a ring of rolling green hills and lies on the mouth of the Nervion River. Once an industrial city, it has been transformed into a design city, where sleek new buildings sit alongside Gothic cathedrals and art nouveau train stations. At the end of 2017, Bilbao was chosen the Best European City 2018 at The Urbanism Awards 2018 and it is not hard to see why, with a new rapid transit system, a tram line and the Azkuna Zentroa, a wine storage warehouse turned cultural centre. This Spanish city has it all: vibrant history and culture, modern architecture, beautiful scenery and spectacular regional cuisine.

The Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku is a highlight of the Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan small group tour offered to mature and senior travellers. This is a UNESCO World heritage site.

Ateshgah, the fire temple is visited on a small group tour for mature and senior travellers interested in travelling as a couple or solo traveller to Azerbaijan, often in conjunction with the tour to the Caucasus that includes Georgia and Armenia.

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.

Trakai Island Castle is like something from a fairy tale - there is nothing quite like admiring the view of the coral-coloured brick towers surrounded by moss-green trees as you cross the wooden bridge, with the castle's reflection glimmering in the surrounding waters of Lake Galve. The Gothic style castle is more than 600 years old and houses the impressive Trakai History Museum, which showcases a range of interesting exhibits including medieval weapons, chainmail, 19th-century embroidery and glassware and religious art. Trakai was one of the main centres of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and with just one glimpse of the castle you can feel the majesty and splendour of this place. Less than an hour from Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, this beautiful attraction is a favourite day trip from the city among travellers.

One of the most recognisable features in the Latvian capital, Riga Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church and the largest medieval church in the Baltic states. Found in 1211, the cathedral has been updated and renovated over the centuries meaning the architecture is an amalgamation of different styles from the 13th to 18th centuries. The majority of the church is in the Gothic style, built in the 15th century but the oldest portion has Romanesque features and the tower is 18th-century Baroque. While the cathedral is still used for church services, the complex includes the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation. This museum features more than 500,000 archival items and tells the story of 800 years of Riga's history.

The beautiful Turaida Castle looks like it came straight off the pages of a storybook. One might expect to see a princess peering down at them from the castle's tall cylindrical tower, built in 1214. A medieval castle on a strip of land between two ravines at Gauja River, Turaida Castle is the highlight and most visually impressive element of Turaida Museum Reserve. The reserve encompasses the castle and the surrounding area and includes small galleries and exhibits, an art studio and a sculpture garden. Within the castle, there is a museum which offers an insight into the history of Livonia between 1319 and 1561. The name 'Turaida' comes from the Livic language and translates to 'Garden of Gods', which is a fitting name from the largest protected cultural monument and the oldest visible castle in the country. Less than an hour's drive from Riga, Turaida Castle is a must-see.

80 km south of Riga, the Latvian capital, one will find Rundale Palace, a magnificent Baroque and Rococo-style mansion used as the summer residence for the Dukes of Courland. Often referred to as the 'Versailles of Latvia', the dazzling complex features wonderful formal gardens and the grand residence is a sumptuous monument to aristocratic opulence. The gardens and around 40 of the palace's 138 rooms are open to visitors and feature glimpses into the everyday life of 18th-century aristocrats.

The most photographed attraction of Copenhagen is not a royal palace or the world-famous amusement park Tivoli Gardens, but a statue of a mythical figure many may associate with a Disney film: the Little Mermaid. A bronze statue of the princess-cum-fish can be found sitting on a rock at the end of Langelinie Pier on Copenhagen's harbour and draws countless visitors every year. The famous statue weights 175 kg and truly is little, at only 1.25 metres tall. Over 100 years old, it is an unofficial mascot of the city and remains standing despite numerous vandalism attempts over the decades.

Tivoli, also known as Tivoli Gardens, is an opulent amusement park and pleasure garden in downtown Copenhagen. Opened in 1843, it is the second-oldest amusement park in the world and the most visited in Scandinavia.

Egeskov Castle, on the island of Funen, is the best preserved Renaissance water castle in Europe and the oldest moat castle in Europe.

In Copenhagen, one will find Amalienborg, the home of the Danish royal family. Consisting of four identical 18th-century palaces with rococo interiors around an octagonal courtyard, Amalienborg has been home to Danish royals since 1784 and continues to be the queen's winter residence.

Marooned at the top of the globe, somewhere in the North Atlantic Ocean, lies the island nation of Iceland, a land of vivid contrasts where nature reigns supreme in her most dramatic form. Iceland is the world's oldest democracy and boasts more writer's per capita than any other country in the world. It is said that many Icelanders still believe in the mythical figures of the Norse past, such as elves, trolls and fairies, which may be due to the country's literary history including its famous sagas, epic tales based on Iceland's settlement from around 9-11 AD.

Ankara, formerly Angora, the capital of the Turkish republic, is located a little to the west of central Anatolia about 350 kilometres southeast of Istanbul. It is the centre of Turkish Government and houses all foreign embassies.

Pamukkale, which in Turkish translates to "Cotton Castle", is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Turkey's famous and most visited tourist attraction.

Braga is Portugal's third-largest city and its most important religious centre. With almost four dozen places of worship, Braga is something of an ecclesiastical destination, particularly around Easter. However, a large student population also means that, despite the numerous churches, Braga is not just a historical or religious tourist site but a dynamic and eclectic city with a lot on offer. Braga offers a slice of authentic Portugal, nestled amongst hills beside the spectacular Peneda-Geres National Park and just an hour from Porto. With a moderate climate all year round and unhurried pace of life, Braga offers the perfect environment to explore the city's cultural offerings and culinary scene.

Sintra was the summertime escape of European royalty and nobility and today is replete with beautiful gardens, castles and palaces to explore.

Highlights of Russia | Moscow Moscow is Russia’s political centre and its most populous metropolis. Viewed from the air, Moscow’s city layout resembles concentric rings circling the Kremlin, the seat of the Russian government and…

St Petersburg is the second largest among the Russian cities, after Moscow, and is famous for its important role in Russian history and its cultural and architectural landmarks. The historic centre of St Petersburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed on the list in 1990.

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.

Discover the beautifully-preserved medieval town of Evora with fantastic Roman ruins to explore, Moorish architecture and Gothic churches

History of the Trans-Siberian Railway The history of the Trans-Siberian Railway, a network of railways connecting Moscow to the Russian Far East, covers important events of the 20th century, tracing the rise and fall of…

Secret Venice: The Council of Ten and Medieval Espionage The city-state of Venice emerged on a lagoon from the ruins of the Roman and Byzantine empires in the 9th century and grew to become the greatest…

Florence or Firenze, article provides an overview of the history from inception from the Romans to Mussolini with plenty of the Renaissance covered. Includes a list of Museums and places to see in Tuscany. Background material for a small group package tour to Italy or long stay in Florence.

The amazing Blue Lagoon is a popular tourist attraction in Iceland, named for its milky-blue geothermal seawater. The lagoon, set in a black lava field, was formed in 1976

Reykjavik, the capital and largest city of Iceland, will most likely be your first port of entry into this fairly isolated island country.

Iceland's "The Golden Circle" is a popular tourist route which includes the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss waterfall, and the Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park.

Often described as the Prussian Versailles, Sanssouci refers to the ensemble of palaces and garden complexes built under Frederick the Great (1712-1786).

Leipzig, encircled by a ring of parks and gardens, the city is a major industrial centre and buzzing with life. It has long been regarded as a major intellectual and cultural centre, known since the Middle Ages for its fairs and markets.

Explore and learn more about Berlin. Germany, referred to as Europe's economic engine also includes one of the great cities of Europe, Berlin. You can discover more about this city on a long stay program in the city or as part of a Baltics tour.

The foundations of the Hungarian state were established way back in the late ninth century, the story of Hungarian statehood is a complex one. How Hungary came to be is undeniably gripping and allows the keen traveller to further understand the rich culture of the country today.

In this article, we will look at the history of Genoa, and its rivalry with Venice that led to several wars fought between the two city-states in the 12th to 14th centuries.

Visiting Greenland as a member of a small group package tour for mature and senior travellers. The group of couples and solo travellers spend time in Qaqortoq and Nuuk, Greenland. Greenland is an extension to the Iceland small group tour. The group often witnesses the Northern light display in this part of the arctic circle.

Greenland’s Avannaata region, which covers the town of Ilulissat, is as big as France but only has 11,000 people. It is said be home to almost as many sled dogs as people.

Nuuk is an incredible city to visit, a small but cosmopolitan city with modern conveniences–gourmet dining, beautiful boutique fashion shops, apartment blocks–that still also retains its centuries-old indigenous roots.

The Louvre Museum (Musee du Louvre) is the world’s largest museum and most visited art gallery in the world, displaying some 35,000 artworks from the antiquities to the mid-19th century and attracting nearly 10 million visitors every year.

The Normandy beaches in northwestern France were the location of D-Day during World War II, the historic simultaneous landings of Allied troops that liberated Western Europe and eventually put an end to the Nazi Reich.

Seville is a lively and disarming city, and a popular tourist destination in Spain.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St James, is an ancient Catholic pilgrimage route that runs across northern Spain to the shrine of the Apostle St James in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

Barcelona is one of the cultural highlights of Europe. Situated on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula, the Catalan capital is famous for its distinctive architecture and its world-renowned food and wine.

Learn about Madrid and its history on a small group package tour for mature and senior travellers for couples and single travellers. Odyssey offers a range of tours that take the traveller to Madrid in its collection of Spain tours.

History of Santorini: From the Minoans to the Greek Republic The history of the Greek islands of Santorini (or Thera) stretches back to the Neolithic Era more than 3,000 years ago. A place of great importance…

Serbia’s history is always fascinating, often complicated and rarely without controversy. To gain a better insight into this fascinating past, read on for a brief synopsis of Serbia’s story, from its origins in Slavic migration to the present day.

Atlantic Ocean and How it Shaped Ancient Communities In Europe.

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…

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…

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 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…

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.

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.

The word "mosque" often brings to mind not this simple prayer space, but the ornately decorated monuments built by powerful Islamic rulers.

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: 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…

In this article, we will know more about the famous long-distance walk, including what to expect during the walk and the fascinating sights we may encounter. We will also share advice on how to prepare for this epic journey across England by foot.

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.

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.

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.

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Spain. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilboa, Burgos, Figueres, Zaragoza and so much more.

Discovering Scandinavia Discovering Scandinavia. In this article, we will learn about Denmark with a focus on Viking history, and uncover highlights of Copenhagen. Click here to read our article focusing on Sweden. Small group tours…

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Latvia. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Riga and the cathedral, Turaida castle or Rundale place and many other places of historic interest.

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Norway. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning about the woollen sails of the Vikings, photographing the Northern lights as they travel to Oslo, Tromso, or the arctic circle.

Books to read if you are taking a trip to Spain Odyssey Traveller has prepared and made this reading list of books to read if you are taking a trip to Spain. Odyssey Traveller offers…

Enjoy escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Portugal. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Lisbon, Mafra, Nazare, and Obidos and beyond.

Touring World Heritage Sites in Europe, Asia, and Beyond You’ll often discover, when travelling, that some of the most spectacular and amazing sites you visit are listed on the World Heritage Site. But what exactly…

The Loire Valley in France is renowned for its picturesque natural beauty, and the region also combines all the ingredients of what the French consider to be the good life. The Valley is the home of gorgeous architecture, historic monuments, and fabulous French cuisine and wine from the Loire Valley vineyards.

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to Hungary. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning about the History as they travel to Bucharest and beyond.

The Elegant Arcades of Paris Part of the pleasure of getting to know the real Paris lies in getting off the main tourist trail and discovering its many hidden pockets and secrets. Its gorgeous arcades…

The Sicilians and their Kings While popular images of Sicily might focus on the active volcano, Mount Etna, or the poverty that led to the mass migration of Sicilians to America, forming today’s communities of…

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to the Netherlands. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning about the history of Dutch Tulips or art restoration as they travel to Amsterdam and beyond.

Successfully breaking the Venetian monopoly on spices and also cornering the African market made Portugal cash-rich. Pepper, which the Portuguese bought for two cruzados (gold coin) a sack in Cochin, India, was sold for 30 cruzados in Lisbon.

Georgia, part of the Soviet empire, but its history is far more central to the birth of Christianity than a few decades of Soviet rule. This small group tour of the Caucasus explores Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as Georgia to set the historical framework for this region. The tour is suited for mature and senior travellers travelling as a couple or as a solo traveller.

As a sea connecting continents and stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to Asia in the east, the Mediterranean has for centuries been a centre of trade and exploration.

Discovering Scandinavia Sweden’s history and culture. This is the second article in a three part series on Scandinavia. We learn about Sweden’s history, as well as its famous design principles. Stay tuned for part three…

The Birth of Scotland In A History of the Scottish People (1560-1830), T.C. Smout describes Scotland as an isolated, wild place. “More than half the land was barren mountain,” he says, and, quoting G.W.S Barrow, adds:…

Victorian Women’s Fashion The Young Queen Victoria by Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1842). Photographic reproduction from Wikimedia Commons. Victoria ascended the throne at the age of 18. In British history, the Victorian era refers to the…

Secrets of Florence: Ten Hidden Gems to Visit Florence, the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany, is considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. Today the small city leaves behind a powerful legacy…

Destination Germany | Small group tours Germany The Moselle River, which runs through Trier, Germany’s oldest city. Once labelled the “sick man of Europe”, Germany is now the continent’s largest economy and the sixth largest…

Early History of Sicily: From the Phoenicians to the Arab Conquest (800 BC to the 10th Century) Sicily in Southern Italy is the largest island in the Mediterranean, separated from the mainland by the Strait…

Are these the Best Art Galleries in Western Europe? It’s no secret that Western Europe is home to some of most spectacular art galleries in the world. These grand neoclassical buildings are hard to miss,…

Discover the history of Berlin | Small group tours Germany Berlin is a city rich in history. At every turn are traces of a past plagued by conflict, and stories of powerful resistance. By the…

10 books to read about Berlin There are few cities in which history is as palpable as it is in Berlin. From its medieval origins, to grand Baroque capital of Prussia, and on to its…

Who led Rome? From the 8th century BC, Ancient Rome grew from a tiny town on the Tiber River in modern-day Italy to a sprawling empire, that spanned across most of continental Europe, Britain, a…

Ten Books to Read about Turkey One of the world’s few trans-continental nations, Turkey is where east meets west, Europe meets Asia, and religion meets modernity. The capital city, Istanbul – once Byzantium, and then…

Greenland recognises the devastating effects of climate change and continues to push for responsible and sustainable tourism.

Peat and Scotland The iconic Eilean Donan castle in the western Highlands of Scotland, surrounded by marshland and peatland. Peat is a traditional fuel in Scotland that is formed from layers upon layers of partially…

Visiting Iceland for Mature-Aged and Senior Travellers If you are a mature-aged or senior traveller who have been thinking about visiting Iceland, then this article might just give you a little nudge. Iceland offers soaring…

For senior and mature travellers taking a small group tour to Malta, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica, this paper answers questions and provides the historical context of a small group tour for couples and solo travellers to the Historic Mediterranean sea.

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to France. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Paris, Provence, the South or the Loire Valley and beyond.

A Short History of Transylvania Once a province of the Roman Empire, Romania has three historic principalities–Transylvania, Moldavia, and Wallachia–which were briefly reunited in the 16th century before splintering again when Transylvania was recaptured by…

Escorted small group tour of Georgia for senior and mature travellers. Learn about the history, the nations of the Caucasus region and visit Tbilisi.

Roman Roads in Britain Roads were crucial in the Roman Empire: they facilitated the speedy deployment of troops and the free movement of supplies. Later, when Roman towns began growing into urban centres, the roads…

The ‘unfaithful Croats’: A history of medieval Croatia. When you think of Croatia, what comes to mind? For many travellers it’s a series of vivid colours: the blue of the Adriatic, the yellow beaches of…

Enjoy exploring and learning on a small group tour for senior travellers about Tallin and Estonia as part of a tour of the Baltic states program that includes Latvia and Lithuania.

Explore and learn about on a small group tour for seniors of Denmark and its cultural and historic settlement. Visit Copenhagen the Amalienborg palace and so much more as a couple or solo traveller.

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…

Explore and learn about on a Seniors small group tour to Greece and its islands. A place of pastoral, cultural and historic settlement. Visit Epidaurus, Rhodes and the Greek islands or take a walking tour.

The Human History of the Balkans The aptly-named Balkan region comes from the Turkish word for “mountain“. It was so named because of the vast number and expanse of the mountain ranges that have been…

Studying Gargoyles and Grotesques Gargoyles and grotesques were a hallmark of the Gothic period of architecture, which grew popular in Western Europe from the 12th to the late 15th centuries, and which was carried over…

Constructing Versailles, the making of a Palace The Château du Versailles is an iconic destination for all of those interested in French history. A stone’s throw away from Paris, Versailles was the official residence of…

‘Queen of the Sea’: A History of Lisbon In 1554, the writer Damião de Góis claimed that out of all the European cities, only Lisbon and her rival Seville ‘could rightfully be called Ladies and…

Claude Monet’s Water Lilies are among the most beloved and amazing artworks of the 20th century. Displayed in Paris’s Orangerie in a set of rooms devoted entirely to the paintings, they are Monet’s gift to…

The Faroe Islands, far far away Tjornuvik village, Faroe Islands The Faroe Islands (also called the Faroes or Faeroes) is a self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark, a group of 18 pristine volcanic islands…

Weaving textiles throughout history and the advancement of society Fabric and textiles industry has a long and coloured past. While it is estimated that fabrics were used in the time of the Stone Age, nearly…

Buildings and Christianity in Armenia | Small Group Tours Armenia In this post, we will look at examples of Armenia’s buildings and building design before and after its conversion to Christianity. These buildings represent some…

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…

Paris Leaders & Landmarks   The inhabitants of a place surely influence how it is perceived. Parisian politicians have certainly left their marks on some of France’s most famous landmarks, creating some amazing stories for…

Eight Amazing Rail Journeys This article details eight amazing rail journeys that you may wish to consider when planning your journeys. Humans have been travelling by sea since ancient times, but on land, humans were…

Uncovering Albanian History Albania sits on the Ionian and Adriatic Seas in southern Europe, bounded by Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Greece. This small and mountainous country in the Balkan peninsula had roots in ancient Illyria,…