The Grand Tour

We are leaving from Toronto tomorrow for our five week jaunt throughout Europe, a trip we have been referring to as our Grand Tour.  Today that term conjurers up visions of young people  lugging backpacks, staying in hostels and enjoying their freedom following years of academic pursuit. That vision is not far from the historical origins of the Grand Tour.

The Grand Tour was the custom of a traditional trip through Europe, generally heading to Italy, by young English men of sufficient wealth and social standing.  This occurred predominately during the 17th- to early 19th-century and the young men were typically accompanied by a tutor or family member. Essentially an elaborate form of finishing school, the tradition saw aristocrats travel across Europe to take in Greek and Roman history, language and literature, art, architecture and antiquity.  As well as admiring the artistic masterpieces, Grand Tourists brought back souvenirs to commemorate and display their journeys at home, spreading excellent art throughout Northern Europe.  This extended journey was seen as a rite of passage.

The popularity of the Grand Tour declined for a number of reasons. The Napoleonic Wars from 1803-1815 marked the end of the heyday of the Grand Tour, since the conflict made travel difficult at best and dangerous at worst. It finally came to an end with the advent of accessible rail and steamship travel such that it was no longer a benefit only for the wealthy.

With the rise of industrialization in the United States in the 19th century, the wealthy social class adopted the Grand Tour for both sexes and among those of more advanced years as a means of gaining both exposure and association with the sophistication of Europe.

The Grand Tour is considered to be the start of modern tourism as we know it today.  It highlighted the the importance of museums and art galleries to inspire and educate and led  to the the development of lodgings, restaurants and transportation specifically to accommodate these early travelers.

Why is the Grand Tour still considered to be an option for today’s young adventurer, even in its modified modern version.  Mostly because in Europe you can visit a lot of countries in a few days.  Backpacking is a form of low-cost, independent travel, which often includes staying in inexpensive lodgings and carrying all necessary possessions in a backpack.  Europe offers a number of low cost airlines as well as some of the best rail infrastructure.  Moving between cities and countries has never been easier or more affordable.  Also with the evolution of the the European Union you can cover a large area without border restrictions. It has become a mainstream form of tourism. Backpacking Europe can be a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

So how could we, two adventurers over the age of 60, relate to this type of travel. We are not staying in hostels, even though we have a back pack we also have suitcases, and our  Grand Tour comes as we finished work, not our education.  Yet we feel we can still learn so much about art, architecture, antiquity and language in Europe.  Having time to travel, as well as the means to do so provides us with this great opportunity.

We will use it more as a rite of perspective instead of a rite of passage. It is a way for us to better understand the world and our position in it. As travelers we want to explore the significance of the history and culture instead of just taking pictures of it. This will be our chance to expand our knowledge, and appreciation, like those who have traveled before us.