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Plan | A 'Grand Tour'

Iona Bower February 3, 2024

In the spirit of rich young men (and occasionally women) of centuries gone by, why not spend a winter’s afternoon planning a route for a Grand Tour of Europe? 


Whether it’s simply an idle but enjoyable dream or the first step to making a European trip a reality, planning a big adventure is always time well spent. These days, it’s surprisingly easy to flit from one European city to the next and see a huge amount in just a week or two. Back in the days of Grand Tours it would have been the trip of a lifetime; something that would finish your education and perhaps inform a career. Or a life’s work if you were Canaletto. 

In our February issue, we found out just how easy it is to travel Europe by rail, and, in the spirit of the Grand Tour, we’ve taken it as inspiration for a more modern way to travel, with a contemporary Grand Tour Itinerary. But first, what was the Grand Tour, exactly? 

A rite of passage for many aristocratic young things from the 16th to the 19th centuries, a ‘Grand Tour’ was a way of exploring the art and culture of Europe. The idea was to come home well rounded, better educated and with an intriguing sense of culture about you, having picked up a few charming European habits, which you would crowbar into conversation wherever possible… ‘Ah yes, I started drinking espresso while I was in Venice, actually’... 

Usually, leaving from Dover, often with a tutor (and servants to carry your luggage if you were fortunate), you would first travel to France, taking in Calais and Paris, before moving on through Switzerland. Having crossed the Alps, much of your ‘tour’ would have been spent in Italian cities such as Turin, Florence, Rome, Pompeii and Venice. Usually one would return home through German cities, then Austria (of course stopping at Vienna) and through Flanders and Holland before crossing the sea back to England. 

With the advent of interrailing, the internet and underwear that can be hand washed in a basin and dries within hours, you can spread your wings a little further, of course. Here’s our suggested itinerary for a 2024 Grand Tour via Inter Rail. 


A Modern Grand Tour

There are endless itineraries you could use, but if time and money were no object, this would be our contemporary Grand Tour, taking in some traditional stops and many new ones that we don’t think any European Tour should be complete without. 

1. London

2. Paris

3. Barcelona

4. Nice

5. Monaco

6. Rome

7. Florence

8. Venice

9. Ljubljana

10. Salzburg

11. Budapest

12. Prague

13. Berlin

14. Hamburg

15. Malmo

16. Aarhus

17. Amsterdam

18. London


You could do just three countries at a time for a slower pace, or you can plan your very own itinerary on the Inter Rail website. Now all you have to do is find a tutor and some staff to follow you about carrying your luggage. Bon voyage!

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  Buy ,  download  or  subscribe   See the sample of our latest issue  here   Buy a copy of our latest anthology:  A Year of Celebrations   Buy a copy of  Flourish 2 , our wellbeing bookazine  Listen to  our podcast  - Small Ways to Live Well
Feb 27, 2025
Feb 27, 2025

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See the sample of our latest issue here

Buy a copy of our latest anthology: A Year of Celebrations

Buy a copy of Flourish 2, our wellbeing bookazine

Listen to our podcast - Small Ways to Live Well

Feb 27, 2025
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The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press

The Simple Things

Taking time to live well

We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

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