Academy Travel

Fantastic experience: We have traveled with Academy Travel on four occasions and we would certainly do so again.  In 2010 we spent two weeks in Venice with Kathleen Olive.  Venice, as all who have been there will know is a magical city.  To live there and experience the city around the clock was a rare delight.  But all cities have histories and Kathleen’s lectures and commentaries as we explored the canals, streets, churches and other buildings gave us valuable insights into the history of the city and its art and architecture. So impressed were we by our experiences in Venice that when we saw the next year that Kathleen was leading a similar two weeks in Florence we immediately signed up.  For someone who had always been interested in the art of the Renaissance in Italy what could be better than two weeks in Florence with a tour leader who had done the research for her PhD right there.  This trip did not disappoint.  To be able to walk across the Ponte Vecchio in the early morning and be the only person there,  or to see the dome of the Duomo in the moonlight were unforgettable experiences.  To observe the two panels entered by Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi for the Baptistery door competition of 1401 and then discuss the relative merits of each and their place in the history of Renaissance art, or to compare Masolino’s and Masaccio’s depictions of Adam and Eve in the Brancacci Chapel was a renaissance art tragic's idea of heaven. Ted’s background and interest is in art but Beverley is a pianist with a background in classical music so it was only fair that we should choose a music tour next.  In 2013 we chose to travel through Germany with Robert Gay.  How lucky we were.  Each opera or concert we attended was preceded with a thorough introduction to the pieces we were about to experience and then we were able to share our experiences after.  Robert is a great educator skilfully  bringing together his vast experience and the varying levels of expertise of his group members.  As well as the musical performances, the places we visited filled us in on the life and work of important composers such as Bach, Handel, Liszt, Wagner and Mendelssohn. A tour that takes in the art of Venice and neighbouring Ravenna must inevitably consider the influence of Constantinople, so we where excited to be able to spend a week last year  in Istanbul with Kathleen.  Our well informed local guide, Bachin,  gave us a very sympathetic insight into both past and present day life in his home city, while Kathleen’s lectures and guidance cemented the links between the art and architecture of Constantinople and Venice. Our experience of tours with Academy Travel has been of enjoyable touring with like minded companions and experienced leaders, backed by  a well researched, very thorough backgrounding of both venues and particular interests. Beverley and Ted Nettle

Fantastic experience: We have travelled with Academy Travel on five occasions and hope to do more trips with them in the future. We love the idea of an organised tour with itineraries planned, transport organised, superior accommodation and tour leaders explaining the significance, the history and the culture of the places visited. This is Academy Travel. We love the idea of travelling with a small group, meeting new companions on tour, staying at boutique hotels, eating and drinking like locals not tourists and visiting places of interest well off the beaten tourist routes. On our trips so far we have done huge variety of things, all included in the tour price. As well as seeing all the ancient sites, the museums, the churches and the art, we have gone up mountains in cable cars, visited private residences, explored the marble mines in Carrara, had an after hours tour of the Vatican museums, experienced thermal baths, had dinner in all sorts of exotic places, visited vineyards and cellars, attended local concerts, celebrated birthdays with a glass or two of Prosecco, reached the top of Mt Etna and Mt Vesuvius, entered Venice by water taxi, sampled the local grappa, limoncello and the wines of every region visited. We have stayed in delightful villages such as Camogli, Vico Equense, Asolo, Bellagio, Taormina as well as smaller boutique hotels in the major cities. We have had a lot of fun travelling with Academy, met some very interesting people and learnt a lot at the same time. However, what we really like about Academy is the Tour leaders. On every trip we have had tour leaders who really love the country we are touring and understand its people, culture and history. When touring with them you feel like a local not a tourist. Their expert knowledge of the places we are visiting is first class and they really enhance our travel experience. A great tour does not just happen, especially in Italy where the best laid plans often hit snags. On tour, the tour leaders work really hard planning and making arrangements, often after hours, to ensure the tour is a success and each person has a good experience. They go out of their way to see that everybody on tour is included especially those travelling alone. Highly recommended Jennifer & Peter Francis

Fantastic experience: My partner & I have travelled extensively with Academy Travel since 2001 and still enjoy the memories of the various tours as well as catching up with the friends we have made in our travels. The level of expertise of the tour leaders as well as the diversity and scope of the experiences while on tour sets the Academy Travel offerings apart from the other tour companies. Not only have we seen wonderful places and experienced the culture and food of the various locations we have visited, we came home with actual knowledge that we acquired on our tours through lectures, experienced educators and local expertise that make for amazing experiences. Small groups sizes and minimal hotel moves has always been an attraction for us as we can get to know the people on the tour and enjoy our free time at our leisure. Any of our overseas travel is normally based around an exciting Academy Travel tour so we are always checking the website and reading the magazine for future travel suggestions. We are looking forward to our next tour to Sicily & Malta in October 2016.

Fantastic experience: Since the company was established over ten years ago I have been fortunate to travel with Academy Travel on several occasions. Unfailingly, I have found their tours to be very well organized, extremely stimulating and overall, an splendid experience. In addition to appreciating the informative lectures and the marvelous sights, I love the fact that we can relax, secure in the knowledge that are hotels are booked, restaurants organized, and buses waiting to spirit us away to some new but carefully selected experience under the steady hand of our learned and generous tour leader! And it is particularly enjoyable to share these experiences with like-minded travelers. The camaraderie on tour affords enormous pleasure whether as a single traveler or accompanied by friends and partners. Meanwhile, the care and friendliness demonstrated by tour leaders towards all members of the group reinforces this dynamic and is a particularly pleasing feature of Academy tours and reflects very well on the ethos of the company. As the programme expands each year we are spoiled for choice. Whether we are attracted to history, the visual arts, music, gardens or simply a little of each, there is something on offer for everyone. Academy Travel communicates on a regular basis with its community of fellow travelers. We are kept up to date with the latest offerings and the availability of places on tour. Going, going gone..... Be warned. It is an addiction!

Fantastic experience: Academy Travel hosted Australian Book Review's tour to the United States in 2016. The small-group tour focussed on literature, history, art and theatre. The program was well-thought-out, varied and balanced. The tour leaders were attuned to particular interests of individual group members and helped them where necessary to follow those interests in the different venues we visited. Many of the group had been to several of the venues before, but this tour took us to places some of us were delighted to experience for the first time. One of the excellent features was the number of private viewings and guided tours specially tailored for our group. The arrangements for international and in-country travel, accommodation and coordination of the visits to all the venues were impeccable.

Fantastic experience: We have travelled twice with Academy, and each time we found the experience excellent. We chose Academy because we wanted intellectual content in the tours, and we got that. That content allows one to appreciate the cultural and social significance of the sights seen and visited. The Academy tour guides were knowledge, and also considerate of the needs and interests of members of the group. The pace was appropriate to our abilities. The insights offered allowed one t concentrate amid the ocean of material we saw. The set program on each tour offered a variety of experiences. Changes of pace allowed us to revive. The free days in the program allowed for participants to add points of interest of their own, and the tour guides were very helpful in making that possible. Tours like this attract like-minded travellers and the group itself then adds another resource to the experience.

Fantastic experience: We have been fortunate to have toured with Academy Travel on four occasions, with a fifth due in weeks. Every tour has been well planned and capably managed. The company has been straight forward to deal with, including flight arrangements and independent travel before and after the actual tour, an excellent service, cheerfully taking the role of a private travel agency. The tours tend towards a more detailed study of society, art and culture than tours usually achieve, with comprehensive suggested reading lists and itineraries provided long before the date of travel. A level of insight and understanding is developed far beyond the superficial of common tours. The guides are universally capable and personable, clearly chosen for their expertise in the fields of particular interest on each specific tour. Groups are limited to twenty, vastly more pleasant than the coach-full we've suffered elsewhere. There is time and space to get to know fellow travellers properly. Another nice touch is that all gratuities and appreciations are tactfully dealt with behind the scenes, and there are no 'optionals'; there are no out-of-pocket expenses. We receive information from several tour groups with whom we've previously travelled; we read them all and find now we invariably return to the ambience, variety and depth of Academy's offerings. Hope to see you there, Cheers Annie & Tim Wilson

Fantastic experience: We have travelled frequently to destinations in Italy and Spain with Academy and have absolutely loved the experience. Everything is so well organised, accommodations have been superb and their staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Our most recent tour was to the lakes and villas of Northern Italy this year - it was fabulous. The tour group comprised interesting and sociable people and we enjoyed their company thoroughly. If you are seeking an experience of new places, art, architecture, history with generous helpings of great food and wine, Academy Travel will have the trip for you.

Fantastic experience: Academy Travel has been my first and only choice since my first overseas trip with them to Sicily in 2008. I have been on 4 other trips to Italy, Switzerland and Istanbul. I am a solo traveller, keen to explore particular countries and to gain a better understanding of their people, history, art and architecture. I like Academy Travel’s approach. Each tour has a theme with a well researched itinerary - it’s a very relaxed study tour; not just a sight-seeing tour. Because Academy Travel focuses on particular areas or regions, I am not rushed from one location to another. I always have sufficient free time to pursue my own interests or just relax. The pre-tour suggested reading material is comprehensive. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour leaders and other local guides encourage me to learn more. The limited group numbers foster a friendly and convivial atmosphere of like-minded travellers. I still maintain contact with some of the people I have met on tours. I have seen how Academy Travel copes when things don’t go to plan. The Iceland volcano erupted in 2010 disrupting and even cancelling the travel plans of many other tourists. Academy Travel worked tirelessly to organise other accommodation and transport to get us to our next European destination. But their first priority was always our safety. The bonus was that I saw a few more places than were originally planned! In my experience, if you travel with Academy Travel once, you will travel with Academy Travel again. I am scanning the Academy Travel 2017 destinations for tour number 6.

Negative experience: Disorganised and dysfucntional tour company. Go elsewhere for a better tour experience. Not worth a star but Google insists. Just back from Paris in Winter 2023 tour, the worst tour experience of my life.

Fantastic experience: Excellent small group tour company specialising in tours for the thinking person. My tour of Rome was lead by an A/Prof of Ancient History (USYD). The Academic tour lead was supplemented by a full time local Italian tour leader who dealt with on the ground logistics - bookings, tickets, guidance for use of public transport, etc. Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: A great tour company with a wide variety of trips and outstanding leaders who go out of their way to ensure the trip is a success. Have travelled with them for many years now.

Fantastic experience: It was an excellent chance to see familiar and not so familiar galleries and to broaden my knowledge of art in many forms. Tour leaders were as expected in Academy Travel very knowledgeable and friendly. If I survive enough years I will book more tours with them. GMK

Fantastic experience: I can't praise Academy Travel enough for their unique tours and lecture series. You just can't go past this fabulous company for their wonderful tour leaders and staff, who are so knowledgeable and for all the care and attention shown to their clients. Without a doubt, the only travel company I would choose.

Fantastic experience: After a COVID induced break from travelling I resumed my travels with the Sicily and Aeolian Islands tour in October 2022. This was my fifth Academy tour and it was up to the usual high standard. The smaller group size and the local tour manager were welcome additions. Minor changes of plans were handled seamlessly. The tour moved at a fast pace but there was ample free time. Group meals were varied and excellent and hotels were of a good standard and conveniently located, and transport arrangements all worked. Highly recommend this tour and the Malta extension.

Fantastic experience: The Art in the Outback tour appealed to me and it was wonderful! The tour leader was not only knowledgeable and interesting, but also attentive and very helpful. The assistant went out of her way to make our tour as easy as possible for all of us. The other tour members were great travelling companions and I enjoyed every single minute!

Fantastic experience: We first went to Italy with Academy in 2007 on the Grand Tour, including a private tour of the Sistine Chapel. They have the right approach for seasoned travellers, good hotels well located, no short overnights, incredibly knowledgable tour leaders, great and varied itineraries, small groups max 16. They always use a 40 seat coach where access to departure and destination is physically possible so plenty of comfort. We've just been with them to Tassie, next month off to NZ and then Chicago for a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. March 2024 a 2 week residential in Venice staying in a small family run hotel near St Marks, we've stayed there before and loved it, look forward to Venice in a quiet time to see in depth. We do use other companies and our local agent, but Academy hits the sweet spot for us, highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: We recently did the Academy Travel 'Rome Study Tour' (had wanted to do it before Covid). It was amazing! The accommodation was very central to the Monti district, handy for public transport, laundry services and great eating options. Our Tour Leaders were great. The daily briefings, outings, historical site visits, churches, museums, were all very interesting and engaging. This tour really explores and picks apart all the various layers of Rome's history, from ancient Romans through to Italian Unity and Fascism. If you love Rome and want to get more intimate with the city I would thoroughly recommend doing a comprehensive and focused tour such as this.

Fantastic experience: I'm getting excited about returning to Italy early next year and, using the Academy Travel suggested reading list before our tour, I found this little gem to read - Italian Villas and their Gardens by Edith Wharton 1903. The introduction reads "The Italian country house, especially in the centre of and the south of Italy, was always built on a hillside, and one day the architect looked forth from the terrace of his villa, and saw that, in his survey of the garden, the enclosing landscape was naturally included: the two formed a part of the same composition. The recognition of this fact was the first step in the development of the great garden-art Renaissance: the next was the architect's discovery of the means by which nature and art might be fused in his picture." Edith goes on to discuss the merger of the house architecture (lines), the requirements of the people of the house ( shady walks, sunny bowling greens, accessible orchards) and the landscape around it. Stonework, evergreen foliage and water all form part of this. I also could go on but I will not - read the book!

Fantastic experience: I have travelled with Academy Travel a number of times and I have no hesitation in recommending them to any traveller who wants an in-depth experience of the topic covered by the tour, whether art, history, music or architecture. The tours are well organised with in-depth information provided prior to the tour and knowledgeable and experienced tour guides. The tour groups are small and you can spend two weeks in the company of at least a few like-minded travellers with both cultural sensitivity and a sense of humour! If you are really lucky, the whole group is like this. I have been this lucky a few times