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Culture

The Grand Tour

What is the grand tour?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Period 17th century to early 19th century[1]
Peak 18th century[2]
Key destination Italy[1]
Typical travelers upper-class young European men[1]
Purpose educational rite of passage[1]

The Grand Tour was a traditional journey through Europe, especially popular from the 17th to early 19th centuries, undertaken mainly by upper-class young men as an educational rite of passage, with Italy as a key destination.

Context

The Grand Tour was a traditional journey through Europe, especially popular from the 17th to early 19th centuries, undertaken mainly by upper-class young men as an educational rite of passage; Italy was a key destination [1]. It was seen as a way to complete education and usually involved France and Italy [2]. The term was coined in 1670 by Richard Lassels in Voyage of Italy [2].

Documented claims

  • The Grand Tour was typically a multiyear journey accompanied by a tutor or family member. [1]
  • The term was coined in 1670 by Richard Lassels in his book Voyage of Italy. [2]

Questions and answers

When was the Grand Tour popular?

It was especially popular from the 17th to early 19th centuries, with its peak in the 18th century [1].

Who typically went on the Grand Tour?

Upper-class young European men, often aristocratic or wealthy, typically from northern Europe, especially England [1].

What was the purpose of the Grand Tour?

It was an educational rite of passage, seen as a way to complete education [2].

Sources

  1. Grand tour | European, Itinerary, Countries, & Tourism — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. What was the Grand Tour? — rmg.co.uk (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Culture