Time travel through old travel guidebooks
When planning a trip today, chances are that we all resort to online research, checking out YouTube, Reddit, and other such sources. Once upon a time, though, in the pre-Internet age, travel guidebooks were the go-to for travellers.
While we might not consider that 1891 guide to Switzerland or that 1901 guide to Spain and Portugal the best way to prepare for an upcoming vacation, we can still get a lot out of these vintage guides because, beyond their practical use, antique travel guidebooks were rich in historical, architectural, and artistic details, making them invaluable records of the world as it was.
Today, they provide a window into the aspirations and limitations of Victorian-era travelers, preserving a snapshot of how destinations like the Alps or the Grand Tour cities were experienced during a time of industrial and colonial expansion.
Indeed, the descriptions of destinations, the recommendations for accommodations and dining, and even the tone of the writing can reveal a lot about the values and biases of the authors and the societies they represented. For example, a 1950s guide to India might offer a very different perspective on the country than a modern-day travel book, reflecting the colonial attitudes and power dynamics of the era.
Old travel guidebooks reveal much about the attitudes and values of their time, reflecting perspectives on culture, class, colonialism, and gender. Here are some examples:
1. Cultural Superiority and Eurocentrism
Many guidebooks, especially those by European publishers like Baedeker or Murray, displayed a patronizing tone toward non-Western cultures. Descriptions of places in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East often framed them as “exotic” or “uncivilized,” revealing the colonial mindset of the age. For example, a guide to Egypt might celebrate the pyramids while minimizing the agency of local communities in their preservation.
2. Class and Luxury
Victorian guidebooks often catered to affluent travelers and reflected their expectations for comfort and exclusivity. Sections on accommodations highlighted luxurious hotels, dining establishments, and modes of transportation suitable for the elite. This focus on upper-class amenities reveals the limited accessibility of travel to wealthier classes.
3. Gendered Travel Advice
Women travelers were often given specific advice, reflecting societal assumptions about their roles and capabilities. Guidebooks might caution women against traveling alone or suggest “appropriate” destinations and attire. These sections underscore the gender norms of the period.
4. Moral Judgments
Recommendations often included judgments on local customs or behaviors. For example, Southern European cultures were sometimes described as “passionate but less industrious” compared to Northern Europeans, reflecting stereotypical moral and work ethic values of the era.
These guidebooks offer a mirror to the prejudices and values of society in the past, even as they celebrated the growing accessibility of the world. Today, whether you're a history buff, a travel enthusiast, or simply someone who loves the charm of the old and the unique, these vintage travel guides are a form of time travel, possibly even offering insights into our modern world.