001_The Apple and The Hero
With a single shot he cleaved the apple in two and carved his place into history and legend! Most people in the Wester World have heard, even if just in passing, the name William Tell. But who was he really? Is the story of the apple true?
To answer these questions, let’s travel through the entire Europe, looking for weird competitions, drunken shenanigans and, of course, the Apple Shot!
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Bibliography
Guglielmo Tell, Dizionario storico della Svizzera, versione del 17.12.2013.
Guglielmo Tell, Francesco Lemmi, Enciclopedia Treccani online.
William Tell, Encyclopaedia Britannica online, last update 28-07-2023.
Palnatoki in Wales, A.G. Moffat, Saga-Book Vol. 3 (JANUARY, 1901, TO DECEMBER, 1903), pp. 163-173, Viking Society for Northern Research
Harald Bluetooth, Encyclopaedia Britannica online, last update 08-09-2023.
The White Book of Sarnen, Michael Blatter, Swiss National Museum -https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2019/04/tells-birth-in-the-white-book-of-sarnen/
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
002/3_The Hero of Two Worlds
"We either make Italy here, or we die!" With these words Giuseppe Garibaldi transcended history and reached legend! For the Italians he is the man who gave us Italy, but he would have described himself as a cosmopolitan hero fighting for the cause of freedom all over the world.
In these two episodes we are going to travel the world alongside Garibaldi and fight the battles for freedom which gave him the name 'Hero of Two Worlds'.
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Giuseppe Garibaldi, Enciclopedia Treccani online.
Giuseppe Garibaldi, Encyclopaedia Britannica online, last update 08-09-2023.
Memorie, G. Garibaldi, Independently published, 2009.
I Mille, G. Garibaldi, Public domain book.
Garibaldi, Hero of Italian Unification, C. Hibbert, Macmillan Education Elt, 2008.
Garibaldi, Invention of a Hero, L. Ryall, Yale University Press, 2007.
The Pursuit of Italy: A History of a Land, Its Regions, and Their Peoples, D. Gilmour, Macmillan USA, 2012.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
004_The Mother of Kings
“You must never come look for me on a Saturday, or everything will be lost to you forever!”
These were the words spoken by Melusine, as she accepted the courtship of Raymondin count of Poitou.
This kind of story, where one of the main characters accepts a proposal only if specific conditions are met is as old as it is familiar to us. We know that if the promise is upheld then love and fortune will abound, but if the vow is broken, then all is lost with or without the chance at redemption, depending on the tale.
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Melusine; or, The Noble History of Lusignan, J. D’Arras, Penn State University Press, 2014.
The Book of Melusine of Lusignan: In History, Legend and Romance, G. Knight, Skylight Press, 2013.
Melusine of Lusignan: Founding Fiction in Late Medieval France, D. Maddox -S.Sturm-Maddox, University of Georgia Press, 1996.
The Edge of the World: How the North Sea Made Us Who We Are, M. Pye, Penguin Books Ltd, 2015.
The Mélusine Romance in Medieval Europe: Translation, Circulation, and Material Contexts, L. Zeldenrust, Boydell&Brewer, 2020.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
005/6_The Ruthless Ruler
Bloodthirsty monster or hero of a nation? Sometimes, in history, those are two sides of the same coin. The character we know now as the Prince of Darkness, the ultimate vampire, Dracula had a pretty human beginning.
In this episode we're going to see the start of that story, how the choices of others shaped up the life of one child.
Welcome to Wallachia, and the story of Vlad III Dracul!
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Vlad III Dracula: The Life and Times of the Historical Dracula, K. Treptow, Center for Romanian Studies, 2000.
Dracula: The Life of Vlad the Impaler, A. Kaplan, Rosen Publishing Group, 2011.
Dracula, Prince Of Many Faces: His Life and Times, R. Florescu, Little, Brown & Company, 1990.
Vlad the Impaler: In Search of the Real Dracula, M.J. Trow, Sutton Pub Ltd, 2003.
Vlad Dracula: The Dragon Prince, M. Augustyn, Lightning Source UK Ltd, 2004.
Vlad the Impaler: A Complete Introduction to the Life and Work of Vlad the Impaler (Most Crucial Rulers of Wallachia and His Impact on the History of Romania), R. Hinman, Darby Connor, 2022.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
007_ The Fearless Explorers
"Tierra, tierra!" When the lookout from the Pinta yelled that he had seen the coast, little did Columbus and his men know that what seemed 'terra incognita' had been already discovered and colonised centuries before. In this episode we follow the longships of the first people to discover and settle the New World. Welcome, to the Age of the Vikings!
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Erik the Red: A Captivating Guide to the Viking Who Founded the First Norse Settlement in Greenland, Captivating History, 2020
Leif Erikson: A Captivating Guide to the Viking Explorer Who Beat Columbus to America and Established a Norse Settlement at Vinland, Captivating History, 2020
Erik the Red, Leif the Lucky and Other Pre-Columbian Discoverers of America, O. Moosmüller, Palala Press, 2015
The Sagas of Icelanders, J. Smiley, Penguin Classics, 2001
America not discovered by Columbus; a historical sketch of the discovery of America by the Norsemen, in the tenth century, R.B. Anderson, Leopold Classic Library, 2015
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
008_The Irreverent Chieftain
“Beware, lest this very spot where we are now encamped get its name from the calamity that shall befall your army and transmit the memory of it to your children’s children!”
Bold words, spoken by the chief of a small, almost forgotten tribe to none other than Julius Caesar.
It was with such a declaration that Divico, chief of the Tigurini, sealed his fate and that of his people in life, eternalising them all into legend!
Let's go meet the ancestors of modern Swiss people, who chose to die free rather than live under someone else's rule.
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Divico - A forgotten national hero - https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2022/06/divico-a-forgotten-national-hero/
The Gallic Wars (Latin and English): De Bello Gallico, Julius Caesar, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
009_The Mystical Pact
On a small piece of parchment and its legend rests the entire country of Switzerland and the mystique which the centuries have afforded to this document have given it almost the same status as a religious relic.
Let’s go back to the Middle Ages, when the meeting of three men in pasture started one of the longest alliances in Europe.
Welcome, to the Oath of the Rütli!
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The Swiss Foundation Legend, https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2017/08/the-swiss-foundation-legend/
The Rütli Oath on an American banknote, https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2017/05/the-ruetli-oath-on-an-american-banknote/
Geschichte der Schweiz, T. Maissen, Hier und Jetzt Verlag, 2010.
Gründungszeit ohne Eidgenossen, Politik und Gesellschaft in der Innerschweiz um 1300, R. Sablonier, Hier und Jetzt Verlag, 2013
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
010_A Heroic Resistance
In this episode, we delve into a thrilling chapter of European history: the defiance of the Swiss people against the Habsburg dynasty in the 13th century. We'll explore the pivotal Battle of Morgarten, where a vastly outnumbered Swiss force dealt a crushing blow to the Habsburg army, marking a turning point in their fight for independence.
But this episode goes beyond just tactics and fighting. We'll examine the legend of Arnold von Winkelried, a figure who sacrificed himself to clear a path for his countrymen to victory. Was he a real hero or a mythical creation? We'll explore the historical record and the enduring cultural impact of his story.
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Der Hinterhalt am Morgarten, https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/2019/01/der-hinterhalt-am-morgarten/
A Concise History of Switzerland, C. Church, R.Head, Cambridge Concise Stories, 2019
Die Schlacht am Morgarten - Geschichte und Mythos, A. Michel, SJW Schweiz. Jugendschriftenwerk, 2014
Gründungszeit ohne Eidgenossen, Politik und Gesellschaft in der Innerschweiz um 1300, R. Sablonier, Hier und Jetzt Verlag, 2013
Morgarten - Die dritte Kraft, U. Bigler, IL-Verlag GmbH, 2018
Arnold von Winkelried, https://www.nw.ch/_doc/262598
Arnold Winkelried, https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/024437/2013-12-02/
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
011_A Man with Many Crowns: Beginnings at the Macedonian Court
In the first episode of this three-part series, we delve into the formative years of Alexander the Great. Born into the Macedonian court of his ambitious father, King Philip II, Alexander's childhood was anything but ordinary. We'll explore his rigorous physical training, his encounter with the legendary horse Bucephalus, and the profound influence of his tutor, the renowned philosopher Aristotle. This episode lays the foundation for understanding the motivations and skills that would shape Alexander into one of history's most celebrated conquerors.
Join me as we embark on a captivating journey into the early life of a legend.
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Alexander the Great : reality and myth, edited by J. Carlsen, et al.,"L'Erma" di Bretschneider, Rome, 1993
Alexander The Great, R.L. Fox, Penguin UK, 2013
The Historiography of Alexander the Great, ed. K. Nawotka - R. Rollinger - J. Wiesehofer, Otto Harrassowitz Edition, 2019
Alexander the Great in fact and fiction, ed. A.B. Bosworth - E.J. Baynham, Oxford University Press, 2000
Alexander the Great, K. Nawotka, Cambridge Scholars, 2010
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
012_A Man with Many Crowns: The Conquest of Persia
In the thrilling second episode of our Alexander the Great series, we witness the clash of empires. Following years of meticulous planning and strategic maneuvering, Alexander embarks on a daring campaign to conquer the mighty Persian Empire. We'll delve into the pivotal battles, including the legendary encounter at Gaugamela, where Alexander's innovative tactics shattered the seemingly invincible Persian army. Discover the brilliance of Alexander's leadership, the courage of his troops, and the profound impact of this conquest on the course of history.
Prepare to be captivated by the story of one of the greatest military campaigns ever undertaken.
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Alexander the Great : reality and myth, edited by J. Carlsen, et al.,"L'Erma" di Bretschneider, Rome, 1993
Alexander The Great, R.L. Fox, Penguin UK, 2013
The Historiography of Alexander the Great, ed. K. Nawotka - R. Rollinger - J. Wiesehofer, Otto Harrassowitz Edition, 2019
Alexander the Great in fact and fiction, ed. A.B. Bosworth - E.J. Baynham, Oxford University Press, 2000
Alexander the Great, K. Nawotka, Cambridge Scholars, 2010
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
013_A Man with Many Crowns: The End of the World
In the final chapter of our Alexander the Great series, we follow the conqueror on his relentless eastward march. Driven by boundless ambition, Alexander ventures deep into India, facing fierce resistance and exotic landscapes. Witness his army's grueling battles, their growing disillusionment, and the mutiny that finally halts Alexander's relentless expansion. This episode explores the complexities of Alexander's legacy: his insatiable thirst for conquest, his controversial rule, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his untimely death.
Join me for a thought-provoking exploration of ambition, mortality, and the enduring enigma of Alexander the Great.
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Alexander the Great : reality and myth, edited by J. Carlsen, et al.,"L'Erma" di Bretschneider, Rome, 1993
Alexander The Great, R.L. Fox, Penguin UK, 2013
The Historiography of Alexander the Great, ed. K. Nawotka - R. Rollinger - J. Wiesehofer, Otto Harrassowitz Edition, 2019
Alexander the Great in fact and fiction, ed. A.B. Bosworth - E.J. Baynham, Oxford University Press, 2000
Alexander the Great, K. Nawotka, Cambridge Scholars, 2010
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
014_The Hero with a Brave Heart
From Uprising to Betrayal: The Story of William Wallace
In this episode we will walk into the life of William Wallace, a legendary Scottish warrior who became a symbol of resistance against English rule. This episode explores his rise from a nobleman seeking justice to a fearless leader who united the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence. We'll witness the pivotal Battle of Stirling Bridge, a decisive Scottish victory that cemented Wallace's place in history. We will also explore the political complexities, the brutal defeat at Falkirk, and the ultimate betrayal that led to Wallace's capture and tragic end.
Prepare to be enthralled by a story of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of the fight for freedom.
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William Wallace: brave heart, J. Mackay, Mainstream Publishing, 1995.
William Wallace: Man and Myth, G. Morton, Sutton Pub Ltd, 2001.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
015_The Blood of Bannockburn
This episode delves into the captivating story of Robert the Bruce, a Scottish nobleman who transformed from hunted outlaw to become King of Scotland and secure the nation's independence. We'll explore his early ambitions and struggles, the brutal defeats he faced at the hands of the English, and his unwavering determination that fueled his unconventional guerrilla warfare tactics.
Witness his resilience in the face of adversity, including the crushing defeat at Methven, and the strategic brilliance that led to his decisive victory at the Battle of Bannockburn. This episode not only sheds light on the battles and strategies but also delves into the personal journey of a man who defied the odds and became a national hero.
Join me as we celebrate the legacy of Robert the Bruce, a symbol of Scottish resilience and the fight for freedom.
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Scotland: the story fo a nation, M. Magnusson, Harper Collins, 2001.
King and Outlaw: The Real Robert the Bruce, C. Brown, T.H.E. Hi-Story Press LTD, 2018.
Robert Bruce: Our Most Valiant Prince, King and Lord, C. McNamee, Birlinn Ltd, 2018.
Robert Bruce & The Community of the Realm of Scotland, G.W.S. Barrow, Edinburgh University Press, 2006.
Robert the Bruce: King of Scots, R. McNair Scott, Carroll & Graf, 1996.
A Great and Terrible King, M. Morris, Hutchinson, 2008.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
016_The Maid of Orleans - The Miracle that saved France
This episode plunges us into the extraordinary life of Joan of Arc, a young woman who defied expectations and changed the course of history.
Born a peasant girl, Joan claimed divine visions urging her to lead the French army and crown Charles VII as king. We'll explore her early life and the turmoil of the Hundred Years' War, a brutal conflict that ravaged France.
Witness Joan's unwavering faith and her meteoric rise to military leadership. From unconventional tactics to battlefield victories, we'll delve into the events that led to the coronation of Charles VII at Reims Cathedral, a pivotal moment in French history.
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Joan of Arc: Her Story, R. Pernoud - M. Clin, St. Martin's Griffin, 1999.
Joan: The Mysterious Life of the Heretic Who Became a Saint, D. Spoto, HarperOne, 2007.
Joan of Arc: The Image of Female Heroism, M. Warner, University of California Press, 1999.
Joan of Arc: A Military Leader, K. DeVries, Sutton Publishing Ltd, 2003.
The Virgin Warrior: The Life and Death of Joan of Arc, L. Taylor, Yale University Press, 2009.
The Retrial of Joan of Arc: The Evidence for her Vindication, R. Pernoud, Ignatius Press, 2007.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
017_The Maid of Orleans - The Birth of a Saint
In this episode we continue with the captivating saga of Joan of Arc.
Fresh from witnessing Charles VII's coronation, we now explore the complexities of her continued military leadership.
Victories become elusive, political intrigue swirls, and Joan faces mounting criticism. We'll delve into the strategic missteps and shifting tides of the Hundred Years' War. Did Joan lose her divine favor, or was she betrayed by the very king she helped crown?
The episode explores the heartbreaking events that led to Joan's capture by Burgundian forces. We'll witness her unjust trial, fuelled by political agendas and religious dogma. We'll unpack the accusations of heresy and the tragic execution that silenced her voice.
Join me for a poignant exploration of the final chapter in Joan of Arc's extraordinary life.
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Joan of Arc: Her Story, R. Pernoud - M. Clin, St. Martin's Griffin, 1999.
Joan: The Mysterious Life of the Heretic Who Became a Saint, D. Spoto, HarperOne, 2007.
Joan of Arc: The Image of Female Heroism, M. Warner, University of California Press, 1999.
Joan of Arc: A Military Leader, K. DeVries, Sutton Publishing Ltd, 2003.
The Virgin Warrior: The Life and Death of Joan of Arc, L. Taylor, Yale University Press, 2009.
The Retrial of Joan of Arc: The Evidence for her Vindication, R. Pernoud, Ignatius Press, 2007.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
018_Roma Aeterna - The Foundation
We're finally here!
This episode marks the beginning of a deep-dive into Roman history!
We start, like all good stories, at the very beginning where we'll meet the heroes and heroines who were said to have founded one of the biggest empires in history.
Of course, we'll meet the twins, Romulus and Remus, and their furry babysitter, the lupa; but we'll also see how, at the beginning of the Empire, a new story started to circulate, in an effort to nobilitate Augustus' pedigree as he prepared himself to become the first Emperor of Rome.
If you can't get the Roman Empire out of your heard, then you're in the right place!
Let's go together! As they say; all roads lead to Rome.
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The rise of Rome : from the Iron Age to the Punic Wars, K. Lomas, First Harvard University Press edition, 2018.
The origins of Rome, R. Bloch, London Thames and Hudson, 1963.
Early Rome to 290 BC : the beginnings of the city and the rise of the Republic, G. Bradley, Edinburgh University Press, 2020.
Remus : a Roman myth, T.P. Wiseman, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
She-wolf : the story of a Roman icon, C. Mazzoni, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
La nascita di Roma : dèi, lari, eroi e uomini all'alba di una civiltà, A. Carandini, Einaudi, 2003.
Remo e Romolo : dai rioni dei Quiriti alla città dei Romani : (775/750-700/675 a. C. circa), A. Carandini, Einaudi, 2006.
The foundation of Rome, A. Fraschetti, Edinburgh University Press, 2005.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
019_Roma Aeterna - The Founding Father
Couldn't get enough of Roman history after last episode? Then welcome back!
In the last episode we've started our journey on the Roman cobblestones.
We've discovered a link between the mighty Troy and the new power in Latium, and we've seen how even blood ties can be broken, when there's the chance of becoming a ruler.
In this episode we're following Romulus, watching him as he navigates the complexities of a new city. We'll see how bold, and maybe slightly illegal, thinking will gain him followers and settlers, and how he transformed his little mud village into a powerhouse.
If you're intrigued, then hop on! Let's go meet Romulus, the First King of Rome.
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The rise of Rome : from the Iron Age to the Punic Wars, K. Lomas, First Harvard University Press edition, 2018.
The origins of Rome, R. Bloch, London Thames and Hudson, 1963.
Early Rome to 290 BC : the beginnings of the city and the rise of the Republic, G. Bradley, Edinburgh University Press, 2020.
Remus : a Roman myth, T.P. Wiseman, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
She-wolf : the story of a Roman icon, C. Mazzoni, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
La nascita di Roma : dèi, lari, eroi e uomini all'alba di una civiltà, A. Carandini, Einaudi, 2003.
Remo e Romolo : dai rioni dei Quiriti alla città dei Romani : (775/750-700/675 a. C. circa), A. Carandini, Einaudi, 2006.
The foundation of Rome, A. Fraschetti, Edinburgh University Press, 2005.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
020_Roma Aeterna - The Six Kings of Rome
Love him or hate him, Romulus started Rome on a path to greatness, but he was only the first one.
Six other kings followed him, giving Rome its costumes, culture, laws, and religious ceremonies.
The Seven Kings of Rome were much beloved by the Romans, each with their own quirky character. Did they exist? Does it matter?
If you want to get a possible answer to these questions, jump aboard as we go meet: Numa, Tullus, Ancus, Tarquinius, Servius, and Tarquinius!
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The rise of Rome : from the Iron Age to the Punic Wars, K. Lomas, First Harvard University Press edition, 2018.
The origins of Rome, R. Bloch, London Thames and Hudson, 1963.
Early Rome to 290 BC : the beginnings of the city and the rise of the Republic, G. Bradley, Edinburgh University Press, 2020.
Remus : a Roman myth, T.P. Wiseman, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
She-wolf : the story of a Roman icon, C. Mazzoni, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
La nascita di Roma : dèi, lari, eroi e uomini all'alba di una civiltà, A. Carandini, Einaudi, 2003.
Remo e Romolo : dai rioni dei Quiriti alla città dei Romani : (775/750-700/675 a. C. circa), A. Carandini, Einaudi, 2006.
The foundation of Rome, A. Fraschetti, Edinburgh University Press, 2005.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!
Bibliography
021_Roma Aeterna - The Courage to stop a King
Rome has decided: after exiling the last of the kings, the citizens have chosen a republic as their new government.
But trouble is on the horizon as Tarquinius the Proud risks everything to get back the throne that was once his.
Faced with the might of Etruscan King Lars Porsenna, will the new Roman res publica survive?
Choose your channel!
The rise of Rome : from the Iron Age to the Punic Wars, K. Lomas, First Harvard University Press edition, 2018.
The origins of Rome, R. Bloch, London Thames and Hudson, 1963.
Early Rome to 290 BC : the beginnings of the city and the rise of the Republic, G. Bradley, Edinburgh University Press, 2020.
Remus : a Roman myth, T.P. Wiseman, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
She-wolf : the story of a Roman icon, C. Mazzoni, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
La nascita di Roma : dèi, lari, eroi e uomini all'alba di una civiltà, A. Carandini, Einaudi, 2003.
Remo e Romolo : dai rioni dei Quiriti alla città dei Romani : (775/750-700/675 a. C. circa), A. Carandini, Einaudi, 2006.
The foundation of Rome, A. Fraschetti, Edinburgh University Press, 2005.
Such a section is no way complete, but it can help giving you a place to start if you want to keep on travelling on your own!