A new Audible Original podcast exploring Europe’s cultural history launches today, hosted by writer and educator Sheehan Quirke.
The Cultural Tutor’s Grand Tour takes listeners across six European cities, using everyday details and historical moments to uncover stories from the continent’s past.
Hosted by Sheehan Quirke, known online as The Cultural Tutor, the series draws inspiration from the traditional Grand Tours once undertaken by young travellers seeking cultural knowledge across Europe.
In this version, the journey is designed for listeners, with the experience delivered through audio rather than travel.
Across the six episodes, Sheehan examines the history and cultural significance of cities including Paris, Barcelona, Naples, Vienna, Sarajevo and Istanbul. Each programme explores how seemingly ordinary objects, places or events can reveal deeper historical connections.
The opening episode begins in Paris, where stories range from Viking raids and royal intrigue to one of the earliest recorded car chases and the discovery of an ancient king in the River Seine.
The series then moves to Barcelona, exploring the city’s identity and history of reinvention, including the origins of Cubism and the story behind the colours of FC Barcelona.
In Naples, listeners hear about the distant origins of pizza, the impact of the city on art and music, and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that reshaped the region’s history.
The journey continues in Vienna, where historical events and cultural connections link figures from classical music to global politics, before heading to Sarajevo to examine stories that span ancient languages, poetry and scientific discoveries.
The final episode takes place in Istanbul, exploring stories from the Ottoman Empire alongside cultural artefacts such as early musical inventions and one of the world’s oldest surviving love poems.
Sheehan launched The Cultural Tutor in 2022, building a following of more than 1.8 million people across social media with posts about art, architecture, poetry and history.
His newsletter also explores similar cultural themes and is read by figures from media, academia and politics.
The Cultural Tutor’s Grand Tour is available from today as an Audible Original podcast.
