The Grand Tour was a quintessential part of European travel from the late 17th to the early 19th centuries. It was often undertaken by young aristocrats and wealthy travellers as a rite of passage to complete their education and experience the culture, art, and history of the Old World. This journey was not just about visiting different countries; it was a transformative experience, meant to broaden one’s horizons and refine manners, taste, and intellectual capacity.
But if you were to embark on your own 1800s Grand Tour, what would you need to pack? This article takes you through a list of essential items you would have carried in your trunk, as well as some of the fashionable accessories and must-have items that defined the Grand Tour experience.
1. A Sturdy Travel Trunk
The most important item to start with would be your travel trunk. Travel trunks were large, durable, and specifically designed for long journeys. Made from wood and often covered with leather or canvas, these trunks were built to withstand the rigors of sea voyages, rail travel, and bumpy roads. They were locked with sturdy brass or iron clasps to protect your belongings and were often marked with your initials or a family crest for easy identification.
These trunks were the home for your personal items — from clothing to books to keepsakes — and you would have ensured that it was carefully packed with everything you needed for an extended journey. Many trunks had compartments and drawers, allowing you to store items in an organized manner.
2. Elegant Wardrobe: Fashion for Every Occasion
Packing for the Grand Tour meant curating a wardrobe that would allow you to dress appropriately for any occasion. You would have needed a variety of clothes to suit different settings: from formal dinners in elegant French salons to casual outings in the Italian countryside.
- For Men: A tailored tailcoat, waistcoat, and breeches would be worn for formal occasions. You’d also pack frock coats, shirt cravats, and top hats for the more casual social settings. A morning coat and riding boots would also be essential for traveling through the countryside.
- For Women: Women of the era would pack an array of gowns and dresses suitable for different occasions. You’d need elegant ball gowns, opera dresses, and day dresses, often layered with a bonnet or hat for outdoor excursions. A shawl or cloak would also come in handy during cool evenings. To complete the look, gloves and fans were essential accessories for every fashionable lady.
3. Comfortable Footwear for Long Walks
On your Grand Tour, you would undoubtedly be exploring many of Europe’s most historic cities and landmarks. This meant a lot of walking! Packing comfortable, practical footwear was just as important as your formal attire.
- For Men: Leather boots or dress shoes would be ideal for formal occasions, but you’d also need more durable walking shoes for sightseeing.
- For Women: A pair of sensible walking shoes for daytime sightseeing and a pair of slip-on slippers for the evenings would ensure you could gracefully navigate cobblestone streets, palace floors, and country lanes.
4. Travel-Sized Personal Care Items
During a long Grand Tour, you would need to carry a set of personal care items to ensure you always looked polished. This could include:
- Toiletries Case: A leather or wooden box containing soap, razors, toothbrushes, and scented waters like lavender or rosewater would be essential for keeping fresh.
- Perfume and Scented Oils: For the wealthy traveler, personal scent was a major part of one’s social standing, so you would pack a small bottle of perfume or scented oil. Pomades and powders were used to keep hair styled and fresh.
- Hairbrush and Comb: Men and women both paid great attention to their hair. A fine wooden comb and brush would be packed to maintain their appearance on the go.
5. Essential Reading Materials: Books and Travel Journals
The Grand Tour was as much about intellectual development as it was about socializing and sightseeing. As part of your educational experience, you would pack a selection of books that offered historical, philosophical, and cultural insights into the countries you were visiting.
- For Intellectual Development: A collection of classical works by authors like Homer, Virgil, or Cicero, as well as Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire and Locke, would be essential reading.
- A Travel Journal: Many Grand Tourists kept a travel journal to document their experiences. You would likely pack a finely bound journal with your favorite pen, where you could sketch the places you visited and write about your observations and reflections. The act of journaling was an integral part of the experience, serving both as a personal record and a social calling card once you returned home.
6. Art Supplies for Sketching and Painting
Art was an essential part of the Grand Tour. Many travelers took the opportunity to improve their drawing or painting skills while visiting Europe’s museums, ruins, and natural landscapes. Packing a sketchbook, pencils, and charcoal would allow you to document your travels in a creative way. Wealthier travelers might also bring watercolors and canvas to create more detailed pieces of art during their travels.
7. A Map and Travel Guides
A map and guidebook were essential items for any Grand Tourist. Many travelers relied on antique guidebooks, like the ones you might find in modern antique bookshops, to navigate cities, find the best places to eat, or visit significant historical landmarks. The use of detailed maps would help in planning routes and routes of travel between countries and cities.
8. A Pocket Watch
Punctuality was highly valued in 19th-century society, and a pocket watch was a must-have accessory for any well-travelled aristocrat. Not only was it an important tool for keeping to schedules, but it also served as a sign of sophistication. A finely crafted gold or silver watch would be something that you would carry everywhere, whether you were arriving at the opera or catching a train to your next destination.
9. A Selection of Elegant Luggage
Alongside your trunk, you would pack a variety of elegant luggage such as smaller leather satchels or portmanteaus for quick trips or excursions to the countryside. These smaller bags would hold your personal items, toiletries, and any new purchases you made during your journey. They were often made from fine leather and designed to match your aesthetic, ensuring that you could carry your essentials in style.
10. Keepsakes and Mementos
Lastly, you would likely pack a space for keepsakes and mementos you collected along the way. These could include souvenirs from the cities you visited, pieces of artwork you created, or gifts from new friends made during your travels. The Grand Tour was, after all, not just about what you saw but about what you experienced and how those experiences would influence your social standing and cultural knowledge upon your return.
A Journey in Style
The Grand Tour was an opportunity to experience the world in the most refined way possible, and packing for such a journey required a careful balance of practicality, elegance, and intellectual curiosity. By selecting the right mix of clothing, personal items, and travel essentials, you would be ready to embark on an adventure that would change you forever.
Want to Know More?
For those interested in learning more about the Grand Tour and how the wealthy traveled in the 18th and 19th centuries, check out these resources:
- The Grand Tour: A Cultural History
- Packing for a Journey in the 1800s
- Antique Travel Guides for the Aristocrat Traveler
