Current Shows

 

Great Overland Journeys Around the World

Tuesdays 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon - Online Class from October 28 to December 9, 2025 - Simon Fraser University (No class November 11)


Join Peter Langer on six amazing safaris, featuring breathtaking photography along with background information and expert advice such as how and when to visit, and how to make the most of a wildlife safari, as well learning about the various cultural groups that inhabit the region. Get useful tips on local food and shopping. This playful, informative mix of inspiring personal narratives and intriguing facts will appeal whether you are an active traveller or you simply dream of visiting far-flung destinations in this part of the world.

CONTENTS

Weeks 1 and 2: Great Railway Journeys

Discover some of the great rail journeys around the world that combine the romance of slow travel with breathtaking scenery. We’ll experience the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway crossing the vast Russian landscape and the stunning views of the Alps offered by the Glacier Express and Benina Express in Switzerland. We’ll enjoy a virtual ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, an outstanding example of a World Heritage Railway on the Indian subcontinent, while on the African continent we’ll experience a vintage train ride on the Eritrean Railway, constructed between 1887 and 1932 by the Kingdom of Italy. In the Americas, we’ll take a virtual ride on the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway through the Copper Canyon located in the Sierra Madre Occidental, and then embark on train adventures in the Andes Mountains, including the Ecuadorian Railway winding through the dramatic Devil’s Nose, and the train to Machu Picchu that offers stunning views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. .

Weeks 3 and 4: Great River Journeys

We will embark on three river cruises in these two classes, starting with a virtual journey from Budapest to Amsterdam by riverboat on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers. Along the way we will explore castles, medieval monasteries and scenic wine-country landscapes, as well as many UNESCO World Heritage sites in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. We will then take a virtual Nile cruise through the cradle of ancient civilization, exploring Egypt’s iconic landmarks and landscapes between Luxor and Aswan in a unique way, discovering majestic temples and ruins. We conclude with a virtual river cruise on Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River, from Bagan to Mandalay, revealing the country’s rich culture, timeless landscapes and ancient heritage. As we glide along the wide, golden waters of the river, we witness daily life unfolding along its banks—fishermen casting nets, farmers tending fields, and children waving from stilted villages.

Weeks 5 and 6: Great Road Journeys

We will experience some thrilling adventures through some of the world’s most breathtaking and remote landscapes. Winding through the towering peaks of the Himalayas, the Karakoram and other majestic ranges, these routes combine awe-inspiring scenery with cultural encounters. We start in the Hindu Kush, by travelling down the Khyber Pass from Peshawar in Pakistan to Kabul and Bamiyan in Afghanistan. We’ll then explore the legendary Karakoram Highway between Pakistan and China, take a journey from Leh in Ladakh to the Vale of Kashmir in northern India and embark on a journey along the Friendship Highway from Nepal to Tibet, across the “Roof of the World.” We will conclude in South America, travelling along the Pan-American Highway, the dramatic Death Road in Bolivia and Ruta 40, Argentina’s Patagonian Highway.

What You Will Learn

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

  • Describe details of adventuresome railway trips, river cruises and road trips throughout the world
  • Appreciate the incredible diversity offered by each of these journeys
  • Get practical insights useful to potential travellers
    .

How You Will Learn

  • Participation in Zoom seminars
  • Participation in written discussions with other students
  • Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas
  • Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)

REGISTER HERE

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Remarkable Cities of the World

Thursdays 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon - Online Class from October 30 to December 4, 2025 - Simon Fraser University


Join us for six virtual adventures through some of the world’s most remarkable cities. We’ll explore stunning urban landscapes; learn about the UNESCO World Heritage sites they contain; and discover an amazing diversity of peoples and cultures. Each week we will view a multi-image presentation that evokes the incredible beauty of each city. We’ll discuss sightseeing highlights, curious anecdotes and some of the secrets each place has to offer. Potential travellers to these cities will gain a useful, deeper understanding of their subtleties.

CONTENTS

Week 1: Berlin

We’re off to Germany to explore Berlin, one of Europe’s most dynamic and historically rich cities. Our virtual tour takes us through Berlin’s dramatic past—from the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall to the city’s vibrant rebirth as a capital of culture, creativity and resilience. Home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, the city features stunning visuals and iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and remnants of the Wall, alongside modern neighbourhoods teeming with street art, cafés and cutting-edge architecture. We’ll delve into Berlin’s diverse cultural scene, world-class museums and poignant memorials, offering insights into how history, innovation and multiculturalism shape the city’s unique identity today.

Week 2: Venice

Italy’s Venice became a major maritime power in the 10th century. Venice (and its lagoon) is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list, as the whole city is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains works by some of the world's greatest artists. And while the city is suffering from over-tourism, it has not lost any of its beauty and charm. We will also learn about the Carnival of Venice, famous throughout the world for its elaborate costumes and masks. The Carnival traces its origins to the Middle Ages, existing for several centuries until it was abolished in 1797, but revived in 1979.

Week 3: Istanbul

This week we focus on Istanbul, Türkiye, taking a fascinating look at a city that bridges two continents and countless centuries of history. We’ll journey through the rich tapestry of empires—Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman—that have shaped the city’s unique identity. The Historic Areas of Istanbul, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, features iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. The bustling Grand Bazaar and spice-scented markets reflect Istanbul’s vibrant daily rhythm.

Week 4: Delhi

Delhi in India is one of the world’s oldest and most vibrant capitals—a city where ancient history and modern life intertwine and the home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites. We’ll explore the contrasts of Old and New Delhi, from the bustling bazaars and Mughal monuments like the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, to the wide boulevards and colonial architecture of Lutyens’ Delhi. Rich visuals and storytelling bring to life the city’s layered past, spiritual diversity and dynamic street culture. We’ll gain insight into Delhi’s role as a political, cultural and culinary heart of India, where centuries of tradition meet the energy of a rapidly evolving metropolis.

Weeks 5 : Mexico City

Discover one of the oldest cities in the Americas. Mexico City boasts four UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 650 museums that appeal to all interests and tastes: from the renowned Museum of Anthropology to the various buildings proudly displaying the extraordinary murals by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros. We will also explore the canals and floating gardens of Xochimilco, as well as one of the most powerful cultural centres in Mesoamerica, the Pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan.

Weeks 6: Quito

Often overlooked on the way to explore the Galapagos Islands, we’ll visit Quito, the capital of Ecuador, with its dramatic setting surrounded by volcanic peaks. Despite an earthquake in 1917, the city has the best-preserved, least-altered historic centre in Latin America. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features ornate churches, cobblestone plazas and vibrant markets. We’ll delve into Quito’s Indigenous roots and Spanish colonial influence, offering a vivid portrait of a city where tradition and modernity meet at the top of the world.

What You Will Learn

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

  • Describe ways in which history, tradition and modernity intertwine to create the vibrancy of these cities
  • Identify several UNESCO World Heritage sites within these cities
  • Appreciate the incredible diversity within each of these remarkable cities
  • Get insights useful to travellers 

How You Will Learn

  • Participation in Zoom seminars
  • Participation in written discussions with other students
  • Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas
  • Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)

REGISTER HERE

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