Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway reveal ‘The Odyssey’ set stories
Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway reveal the funniest behind-the-scenes moments from “The Odyssey,” from forgotten lines to Christopher Nolan’s style.
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Has Christopher Nolan’s buzzy big-screen version of Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey” inspired you to set off on your own adventure? You don’t have to go it alone. Some of the world’s most popular travel tour companies are offering itineraries to help you follow in the footsteps of the heroic king of Ithaca (without any of the perils Odysseus encountered).
Experiential tour operator EF Go Ahead Tours recently launched “Footsteps of the Odyssey in Greece: Kefalonia, Ithaca & Corfu,” a new 12-day small-group tour inspired by the Homer epic. The tour ventures deep into the Ionian Sea (the same waters Odysseus sailed), visiting six different Ionian Islands.
The itinerary features exclusive “Odyssey Moments” that connect travelers with the epic poem’s mythology and history. Experiences include standing at the Temple of Poseidon on the southernmost tip of Attica (the last landmark Odysseus would have seen as he sailed for Troy), a guided Homeric walk on Odysseus’ homeland of Ithaki, and a stop at ancient oracle of the dead Necromanteion of Acheron.
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“Travel has always been one of the most powerful ways to bring stories to life,” says Lael Kassis, vice president of market innovation and development for EF Go Ahead Tours. “With renewed interest in ‘The Odyssey’, we’re transforming an iconic, timeless literary tale into an epic adventure. This journey gives travelers the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Odysseus – from the legendary Ionian Islands to the ancient sites of the mainland – while deepening their understanding of the history, mythology, archaeology, and cultural traditions that have shaped Greece for thousands of years.”
On the “Peloponnesian Bike Tour in Sparta and Monemvasia” from VBT | Country Walkers, travelers can pedal through the landscape that inspired Homer’s legend and served as a filming location for the film adaptation. While cycling through ancient Sparta and along the Aegean Sea, set-jetters can visit family-run tavernas and small villages, the UNESCO-listed Byzantine town of Mystras, and the medieval town of Monemvasia. It’s an especially pleasant trip during the shoulder season (September, October, and November), which offers pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
“It’s easy to see why interest in the Peloponnese is about to take off,” says Kevin Wilks, trip designer at VBT | Country Walkers. “The region has always had the raw material to be Greece’s next big destination – it’s just been overlooked in favor of the islands…When we built our Peloponnesian Bike Tour in Sparta and Monemvasia, we designed it so guests aren’t just passing through that history – they’re cycling into it.”
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Worldwide tour company Exodus Adventure Travels offers several tours spotlighting the real-world destinations behind the epic story and film. Its nine-day “Highlights of Ancient Greece” tour takers travelers to the Acropolis in Athens, Delphi, the Peloponnese peninsula, and the monuments of Messene at the foot of Mount Ithomi. On the nine-day “Highlights of Sicily” tour, the itinerary includes visits to the World Heritage sites of Syracuse, Agrigento, and Selinunte; a hike in Zingaro National Reserve; and a guided hike on Mount Etna followed by a wine and cheese tasting.
TourScoop takeaway: Set-jetting has been a major trend for the past few years. More than 80% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers now plan trips based on what they’ve seen on screen, according to Expedia’s Unpack ’26 travel trends report. And the new “Odyssey” movie certainly provides plenty of inspiration, as well as a framework for exploring both oft-visited spots and less familiar places.
Embark on your own epic adventure with tours that explore the history and sites of ‘The Odyssey’ originally appeared on TourScoop.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. TourScoop.com, LuxuryVacationist.com, and FamilyVacationist.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
