The Near East: Dalmatia, Greece and Constantinople

A leisurely voyage unfolds across the Adriatic, the Aegean, and the bustling heart of the Ottoman capital. The author paints Dalmatia’s crumbling Roman amphitheaters, sun‑kissed harbors and timeless villages with a reverent eye, inviting listeners to feel the quiet charm of streets where carriages never roam. Illustrated by Jules Guérin’s vivid water‑colours and complemented by early‑photographs, the first part of the journey captures the serene, almost forgotten world of stone walls, church bells and the gentle rhythm of sea‑bound life.

The narrative then turns eastward, guiding the ear through the marble grandeur of Athens—its Parthenon, theater of Dionysus and ancient sanctuaries—before drifting to the lively bazaars and soaring domes of Constantinople. Rich descriptions of mosques, bridges and bustling markets reveal a city where East meets West, still echoing the layers of its imperial past. Listeners will be transported to a time when travel was measured in footfalls and sail, letting the sounds of distant waves and distant choirs linger long after the story ends.