The idea of The Grand Tour is one that persisted for many centuries, especially in the United Kingdom. On paper the idea seems simple. A rich young noble takes a trip around continental Europe and beyond for an extended amount of time. This gives the 'tourist' an opportunity to sample different cultures, thereby completing their education and acceptance as an adult in the upper class. Of course, in practice, this largely equated to destructive young men roaring through countries experimenting with drugs and sexuality.
I do think that there is some worthwhile merit in this Grand Tour. At the same time I do not condone the subjugation of cultures by rich and reckless children - there is a very good reason that social constructions prevent us from engaging in all of our primal desires. So removing the lascivious elements of the Grand Tour leaves us with an extended trip abroad. Yet I still believe that the Tour has more worth than a simple holiday.
British lords considered the Grand Tour as a completion to sexual education, yet I believe a different type of education is at the core. Living in one country or place for many years gives many obvious benefits like relationship networks, income and security. Yet too much time spent in one place inevitably leads to an over-reliance on the area. A home town becomes a part of a personality and enforces behavioural patterns. These patterns are cemented into a person and become a part of them. In effect, the environment becomes a defining aspect of personality. Perhaps the Grand Tour still has worth as an idea because it forces us to break outside of this environment. We can become closer to understanding the person that we truly are if we remove one external factor.
If we sacrifice the outdated practical use of the Grand Tour a valuable seed remains: fulfilment of our personal education.
-The English Student
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