The Odyssey Effect: Five Mythological Adventures Beyond Greece

Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited ‘The Odyssey’ arrives in cinemas on Friday 17 July, bringing Odysseus’s legendary journey and the world of ancient mythology back to the big screen as public fascination surges.

Over the past week, worldwide searches for the film have risen by 200%, while searches for “is The Odyssey based on a true story” ‎have soared by 150% and “was the Trojan War real” are up 130%, showing that audiences are not only anticipating the film, but are also eager to uncover the history, mythology and enduring legends behind the epic.*

With the film’s release already sparking fresh curiosity around ancient legends and the real places connected to them, Wild Frontiers expects myth-inspired travel to become a growing trend. The adventure travel specialist is therefore revealing five destinations beyond Greece where travellers can step into stories of gods, heroes, sacred mountains and legendary quests. 

Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ turns ancient myths into modern travel inspiration

Christopher Nolan’s epic retelling follows Odysseus on his perilous voyage home after the Trojan War, bringing Homer’s world of gods, monsters, shipwrecks and distant lands vividly to life. 

For travellers, the film is set to reignite interest in destinations shaped by myth, where dramatic landscapes and ancient stories offer a richer way to explore a place.

Clare Tobin, CEO of Wild Frontiers, commented: “Myth has the power to completely transform how we experience a destination. A mountain is no longer just a mountain, and a cave is no longer simply a cave. They become places tied to gods, heroes, great journeys and stories that have been passed down for generations.

“For adventurous travellers, that adds a deeper sense of meaning and discovery. It allows them to look beyond the scenery and understand how local legends, beliefs and traditions have shaped a place. Some of the world’s most fascinating mythological destinations are also among the least explored, which makes the experience feel even more rewarding.”

Experts reveal mythological adventures beyond Greece

From underworld caves and sacred mountains to living oral traditions and legendary city landmarks, these five destinations bring some of the world’s most enduring myths to life. 

Bulgaria: Follow Orpheus into the underworld

In one of Greek mythology’s most tragic love stories, Orpheus descends into the underworld to bring back his beloved Eurydice. Hades agrees to release her on one condition: Orpheus must not look back until they have both returned to the world of the living. He looks back too soon and loses her forever.

In Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains, local legend links Devil’s Throat Cave with Orpheus’s descent into the underworld. Visitors can venture deep into the cave, follow its steep passageways and hear the thunder of one of the region’s largest underground waterfalls, creating an atmosphere that feels made for myth.

The cave is visited on day six of Wild Frontiers’ In the Footsteps of Alexander: Bulgaria, Greece, Albania and North Macedonia tour.

Kyrgyzstan: Enter the world of the ‘Epic of Manas’

The Epic of Manas tells the story of a warrior hero and his descendants as they unite and defend the Kyrgyz people. Rich in courage, loyalty and conflict, it remains a cornerstone of Kyrgyzstan’s cultural identity.

Unlike many ancient epics, the story is still performed today by storytellers known as manaschi. Travellers can encounter the landscapes that reflect Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic heritage by crossing the Tian Shan mountains, sleeping in traditional yurts and spending time with communities where the spirit of the epic still feels very much alive.

Vietnam: Discover the legend of Hanoi’s returned sword

According to Vietnamese legend, the Dragon King gave Emperor Lê Lợi a magical sword to help him defeat occupying forces and restore independence. Once victory was secured, a golden turtle rose from the lake and reclaimed the weapon on the Dragon King’s behalf.

That legend gave Hoan Kiem Lake its name, meaning “Lake of the Returned Sword”. Today, visitors can stroll its shores, visit Ngoc Son Temple and admire Turtle Tower while seeing how legend, national history and daily life intersect in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Georgia: Follow Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece

According to Greek mythology, Jason and the Argonauts sailed to Colchis on a perilous quest to claim the Golden Fleece, facing kings, sorcery and betrayal along the way. Long before it became a modern screen fantasy, the Golden Fleece was the prize at the heart of Jason and the Argonauts’ voyage, a legend that also echoes through today’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV series on Disney+. 

Colchis is generally associated with modern-day western Georgia, where travellers can explore mountain scenery, ancient settlements, monasteries and remote valleys linked to one of mythology’s most famous adventures. The story is also sometimes connected to an ancient technique of using sheepskins to catch gold particles from river sediment.

Mount Ararat: Journey to the mountain associated with Noah’s Ark

The Book of Genesis says that Noah’s Ark came to rest on the “mountains of Ararat” after the flood, and later tradition associated the story with Mount Ararat in eastern Türkiye.

Travellers can explore the landscapes around the mountain, visit remote communities and discover the religious, cultural and historical traditions that have grown up in its shadow. Wild Frontiers’ newly launched itinerary through the region offers the chance to experience one of the world’s most evocative biblical landscapes up close.

Clare added: “These destinations show how mythology can give travellers a completely different way into a place. Whether descending into a cave associated with the underworld, hearing an epic performed in Kyrgyzstan or walking beside Hanoi’s Lake of the Returned Sword, the story becomes part of the experience rather than simply something read before the journey.

“While The Odyssey may reignite interest in Greece, there are extraordinary mythological landscapes across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Southeast Asia that remain far less explored.”

Ends

Editors notes

For more information, please contact Wildfrontiers@lemongrassmarketing.com 

Sources

*Google Trends & Glimpse data collected for search terms “The Odyssey Movie” (+200%) and “is the odyssey based on a true story” ‎(+150%) and “was the trojan war real” (+130%).

About Wild Frontiers:  

Wild Frontiers is a B Corp award-winning adventure travel company, founded in 1998 by travel writer Jonny Bealby. They specialise in immersive small group tours and unique tailor-made trips worldwide. Wild Frontiers believes sustainable and community-focused travel can be a powerful force for good; breaking down barriers, dispelling myths and bringing people from different cultures and communities together.   

From the ancient heritage of the Silk Road to the foothills of Pakistan, Wild Frontiers are experts in off-the-beaten-track travel and draw on their extensive local knowledge and array of contacts to give travellers the best experience possible. They are firm believers that travelling is all about the experience, and the beauty is in the details – the places you stay, the transport and route that gets you there, and the people you meet along the way.