The Grand Tour

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the origins and cultural impact of 18th century tourism. Samuel Johnson observed in 1776 that “A man who has not been in Italy, is always conscious of an inferiority, from his not having seen what it is expected a man should see.” Johnson was referring, perhaps ironically, to the vogue for The Grand Tour, which reached its peak in the 18th century. The idea was for wealthy young travellers to finish their education with an extensive trip to Europe to experience its natural beauties, its cultural treasures and, if they were lucky, its sexual permissiveness. The standard route took in Paris and The Alps and some tourists, including Byron, made it as far as Greece. But the destination, par excellence, was Italy, with its Renaissance glories and classical splendours. What drove this desire for travel? Was it genuine cultural curiosity or simply the fashion? What impact did the Grand Tour have on British attitudes to art and culture? And were diplomatic relations between Britain and Europe helped or hindered by these travels?

→ Play on BBC Sounds website

Guests

• Chloe Chard No other episodes
  Literary historian
• Jeremy Black 8 episodes
  Professor of History, University of Exeter
• Edward Chaney No other episodes
  Professor of Fine and Decorative Arts, Southampton Institute

Related episodes

• Medieval Pilgrimage
  
  18 Feb, 2021 200 Religion
• The Renaissance
  
  8 Jun, 2000 940 History of Europe
• Taste
  
  25 Oct, 2007 700 Arts
• 1848: Year of Revolution
  
  19 Jan, 2012 900 History
• Astronomy and Empire
  
  4 May, 2006 520 Astronomy
• Archaeology and Imperialism
  
  14 Apr, 2005 930 History of the Ancient World
• The Decadent Movement
  
  18 Nov, 2021 820 English and Old English literatures
• The Encyclopédie
  
  26 Oct, 2006 030 Encyclopedias and books of facts
• The Great Exhibition of 1851
  
  27 Apr, 2006 940 History of Europe
• Marco Polo
  
  24 May, 2012 910 Geography and travel
• Bohemianism
  
  9 Oct, 2003 700 Arts
• Youth
  
  24 Apr, 2003 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology
• The Sublime
  
  12 Feb, 2004 110 Metaphysics
• Sensibility
  
  3 Jan, 2002 800 Literature, rhetoric and criticism
• Gothic
  
  4 Jan, 2001 800 Literature, rhetoric and criticism
• Originality
  
  20 Mar, 2003 800 Literature, rhetoric and criticism
• The Artist
  
  28 Mar, 2002 700 Arts
• Politeness
  
  30 Sep, 2004 390 Customs, etiquette and folklore
• Food
  
  27 Dec, 2001 640 Home and family management
• Epistolary Literature
  
  15 Mar, 2007 820 English and Old English literatures

---

Programme ID: p00548fs

Episode page: bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00548fs

Auto-category: 910.945 (Travel and exploration - Italy)