Should I Stay or Should I go?: Encouraging travel in the early modern period.
Category: Travel
I re-examine travel in the early modern period, asking why people travelled and how travel was sold as medicine, education and intelligence gathering. I trace debates from Toland, Bacon and Sidney to physicians and climate cures, the idea of hardening the body and early Grand Tour practice.
Rolly's Take
This blog speaks to the curious minds who find themselves pondering the multifaceted nature of travel—not just as an escape, but as a path to enlightenment and self-discovery. It resonates with those who appreciate the delicate dance between exploration and contemplation, inviting them to consider how journeys have historically shaped understanding and identity. The essence of this exploration lies in the threads of health, education, and experience, revealing that the act of traveling is woven deeply into the fabric of personal and cultural growth. For the thoughtful traveler, this journey through history offers a rich tapestry of insights that challenge the notion of wandering as mere leisure.