Our directors
Sylvia Sagona
B.A. Hons. (Melb) Dip. Ed (Melb)
Maitrise ès Lettres (Aix-en-Provence, France)
Diplôme de Sociologie (Aix-en-Provence, France)
Nationality : Australian / French
Languages spoken and read: French, Italian, Spanish, Latin.
Sylvia holds degrees and post graduate qualifications in the fields of Classical Studies, French language and literature, Fine Arts and Spanish literature.
Before becoming a lecturer in the Department of French, Italian and Spanish studies at the University of Melbourne, Sylvia worked in Italy and France, where she taught at the Université d'Aix-Marseille. She has been teaching Melbourne University subjects in Paris and Rome over the past fifteen years and has been taking specialised cultural tours to Italy and France for the last seven years. She has collaborated with the French Government in developing courses on the 19th century urban development of Paris seen through art and literature.
Sylvia specialises in the study of the art, literature and society of 19th century France. Her particular interests are in the Napoleonic era and the role of women under the Second Empire. She is at present writing a documentary for French television on the development of the first Department stores and the invention of shopping in Second Empire Paris.
Sylvia is a well known speaker on French and Italian art, history and society and is invited throughout Australia and overseas to give lectures by organisations such as the National Gallery of Victoria, the Johnston Collections, ADFAS, The Napoleonic Society, The Potter Gallery and the Historic Gardens Association. She delivers many of the Cultural Studies we offer and is tour leader for most of our tours.
Anthony Sagona
B.Arch Hons. (Melb)
Nationality : Australian
Languages spoken and read : Italian, French
Although a qualified architect, Anthony has spent most of his working life working for large multinational IT companies in a variety of senior management roles in Australia / New Zealand and across Asia Pacific.
Anthony joined Sylvia at Travels Through Time in 2006 and looks after the business development and administration side of the company. He has a passion for southern Tuscany which he visits regularly to enjoy the wonderful art and architecture, as well as the excellent wines and food of this beautiful region.