While Venice was a patriarchal society, women nonetheless played vital roles in shaping the city’s political, social and cultural fabric.

From patrician marriages that forged alliances among the elite to the quiet influence exerted behind convent and palace walls, what was life really like for women in the Republic of Venice?

Their stories span from prominent figures such as Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, to the orphaned girls educated at the Ospedale della Pietà, and even to the ever-present world of prostitution – together offering a nuanced portrait of power and constraint in one of Europe’s most singular societies.

In this episode, Dr Eireann Marshall discusses the lives and legacies of Venetian women, examining their roles in politics, commerce, the arts and literature.

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/

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/