Cities of the Dawn Naples - Athens - Pompeii - Constantinople - Smyrna - Jaffa - Jerusalem - Alexandria - Cairo - Marseilles - Avignon - Lyons - Dijon

Step aboard a late‑Victorian odyssey that sweeps from the Mediterranean ports to the timeless streets of the Near East. The author, a seasoned wanderer, guides listeners through a chain of famed cities—Naples, Athens, Pompeii, Constantinople, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Alexandria, and beyond—paired with thirty‑one period illustrations. The narrative feels like a friendly companion offering practical tips, historical anecdotes, and quiet reflections on the cultures encountered. It invites today’s listener to experience the thrill of discovery as if stepping onto a steamship for the first time.

The journey begins in October, when the narrator departs London on the Continental Express, racing through Calais, Abbeville, and a quick glimpse of Paris. The rail line then carries him south to Marseille, a feat once thought impossible, marking the new age of railway and steam travel. He notes the comforts of railway dining and the changing European landscape, while anticipation builds for the ancient ruins awaiting in Italy and Greece. Early impressions of Naples’ bay, Pompeii’s haunting ruins, and the Parthenon’s bright marble set the tone for the tour.