A selection of available topics – Andrew Johnson “Travellers’ Tales”

Andrew has a wide and growing selection of topics, all Supported by professional PowerPoint/Keynote presentations. As a speaker, his focus is on Travellers’ Tales –
The history of travel and exploration; the resulting cultural blend; the celebrities, intellectuals and ordinary people involved – and their effects on the world today.

The following is a selection of some of the illustrated topics available –

• Divided by a Common Language – Andrew Johnson helps to make sense of the differences in the use of language and a look at the cultural pitfalls to be avoided when travelling!
• From the Grand Tour to the Grand Voyage – Andrew Johnson reviews the changing face of travel; from the grand tour of the 18th century – the forerunner of the “gap year” and the foundation for the way we travel today.
• Spanish and Portuguese Legacies – Andrew Johnson considers the effects of the north-south line drawn by Pope Alexander that divided the World’s new territories between Portugal and Spain. Hence their geographic spheres of interest to this day
• Safari – Andrew Johnson takes a look at the changes in the way the adventurous have related to the wildlife of Africa and Asia, including The US president who killed thousands and the Prince of Wales who pioneered the camera in place of the gun.
• How Tea came to India and Africa – Earl Grey, green or English breakfast tea; Andrew Johnson explains how opium and clippers from the East were to give way to an African and Indian economic miracle, with much of the world’s production of tea now centred in these great regions.
• In the Wake of Columbus – Andrew Johnson looks at how the World was changed by the discoveries of Christopher Columbus (and others) and the effects on his sponsors in Europe.
• Travel with the Stars – Travel with Andrew Johnson from the Belle Epoque to the Jet Set, tracing the effect of luxury rail and sea travel on the people who influenced the growth of tourism to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and other hot spots.
• Travel by Design – Andrew Johnson reviews the broad design heritage of organised travel, from the Grand Tour to today.
• Symbols of Faith – Andrew Johnson takes a look at the legacy of centuries of pilgrimage, in many belief systems
• Legacies of Spain’s Levante – The artistic, cultural, decorative and architectural legacies in Catalonia and Valencia. From the Romans and Moors to Gaudi and Dali.

• Pirates, Privateers, Buccaneers and Corsairs – Join Andrew Johnson to look at the heyday of the lawlessness on the high seas – some of it state sponsored.
• Classical Wonders – Meet with Andrew Johnson for a look at the wonders of the ancient world – the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.
• The Ocean Race for Speed – Andrew Johnson takes a look at Transatlantic travel and the race for speed in this long standing challenge among the great passenger liners of yesteryear.
• European colonial legacies in Africa – A look at the German, Dutch, Belgian, French and British influences on these African nations. Andrew Johnson looks back at the imperial controls in Africa, and their legacies today.
• The Story of Chocolate – A look with Andrew Johnson at how the mouthwatering, diet-busting flavor of chocolate came into our lives, and its impact on West African economies.
• Greece Today – Andrew considers this once great nation with one of the greatest cultures in history, which is now, 2300 years later dealing with large scale economic and cultural change. 
• Not to be missed – Andrew Johnson takes a look at just a few of the many weird and wonderful festivals celebrated around the world, from bog snorkelling to baby jumping.
• “Rights” of Passage – how did passports, visas, customs carnets and the like come to be essential tools for the traveller.

Plus – A selection of destination reviews, many centred in the Mediterranean region, and northern Europe.

To view examples of these topics CLICK HERE