Following Pisa, the next destination to be visited would often be Padua. The stately 10th-century Abbey of Santa Giustina was an obvious draw, sketched here in 1746, but so too was the fact that the city is the setting for most of the action in Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew.' Visiting the sites where favorite books or plays were set added value to any trip, much as it does today by exploring destinations where movies are made.

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Padua, Italy -

Travelers from the 17th and 18th centuries would immediately recognize the abbey, bathed here at dusk in dramatic floodlight.

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Bologna, Italy -

By the Middle Ages, Bologna was among Europe's largest cities by population, and this alone made it an enticing draw for visitors in the 18th century. The central Piazza del Nettuno was a suitable meeting place.

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Bologna, Italy -

The piazza's Fountain of Neptune still stands where it was constructed in 1565.

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Venice, Italy -

Along with Florence, Venice was considered an obligatory stop on any traveler's Europe itinerary. Indeed, the canal city with its over 400 bridges made it an epitome and cultural set piece of the Grand Tour. The city is depicted in this detailed 1745 painting.

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Venice, Italy -

This is nearly the same scene caught by camera in the 21st century, showing the view towards the landmark Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.

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Rome, Italy -

Rome was regarded by many undertaking the Grand Tour as their ultimate destination. The city's fabulous ancient ruins and the masterpieces of painting, sculpture, and architecture of Rome's Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods proved simply irresistible to inquisitive and educated minds. Pictured is how the mighty Colosseum appeared in 1754.

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Rome, Italy -

Rome's history spans 28 centuries. Today its astonishing collection of historic monuments dazzle and delight. Much of the old city center is a UNESCO Wold Heritage Site.

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Naples, Italy -

Being this far south in Italy, many travelers were inclined to take in Naples, ostensibly to study music. Those who visited after the mid-18th century were also treated to the recently excavated archaeological sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Pictured is a tranquil view of the harbor from around 1750.

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Naples, Italy -

Naples harbor in the present day. Its historic city center is the largest in Europe and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Innsbruck, Austria -

Returning northward, the grand tourists of yesteryear took the opportunity to explore German-speaking Europe. Innsbruck in Austria afforded exploration of numerous castles and churches. The city and the River Inn is seen in this 1740 print.

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Innsbruck, Austria -

Innsbruck is always worth investigating in the summer months. But it is in winter that the city truly comes alive as one of Europe's premier winter sports destinations.

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Vienna, Austria -

Pausing in Vienna would have entailed immersing oneself in the beautifully composed classical music the city was already celebrated for. It would have also meant wandering the city's many palaces, landscaped gardens, and broad avenues. This is a 1761 view of Vienna from the Upper Belvedere Palace.

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Vienna, Austria -

The Belvedere in fact consists of two historic Baroque palaces. The complex was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, and the opulent interior is as resplendent and compelling now as it was then.

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Munich, Prussia (Germany) -

The Grand Tour was as much about educating oneself as becoming well traveled. Munich welcomed many travelers choosing to learn the German language at one of its esteemed universities. In the mid-18th century, Munich's Theatine Church (pictured) appeared as if set in a rural environment.

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Munich, Germany -

Munich is the capital and most populous city of Bavaria. In this image, the Theatine Church is seen in the distance, distinguished by its mustard-color hue.

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Berlin, Prussia (Germany) -

Prussia in the mid-1700s was ruled by Frederick the Great during which time Berlin became a center of the Enlightenment. The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 17th and 18th. Berlin was therefore a very enticing destination for anybody seeking to expand their aristocratic education. Pictured is Wilhelmplatz, mid-18th century.

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Berlin, Germany -

The capital of Germany, Berlin today is a world city of culture, politics, media, and science.

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Amsterdam, Holland -

From Prussia it was a short jaunt across the border into Holland. Amsterdam in the 17th century was considered its Golden Age, during which it became the wealthiest city in the western world. Pictured is the Westerkerk, one of the city's best-known churches and still standing today.

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Amsterdam, Holland -

One of Europe's most popular destinations for city-break tourists, Amsterdam still retains much of its 17th-century character. In fact the canals from this period are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

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Bruges, Flanders (Belgium) -

One of the final city stops for travelers on the Grand Tour would have been Bruges, in Western Flanders. The picturesque city provided one last chance to appreciate European culture before heading to Ostend and catching the boat home.

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Bruges, Flanders (Belgium) -

In the intervening years, Bruges has lost none of its charming character. Sometimes referred to as the "Venice of the North," the city has enjoyed a reputation as a top European tourist hot spot, as have all the aforementioned destinations listed on the Grand Tour itinerary.

Sources: (Britannica) (UNESCO)

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Are you ready to take the Grand Tour?

Exploring Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries

08/12/20 | StarsInsider

TRAVEL Europe

During the 17th and 18th centuries, it was customary for young European men of high social standing and independent financial means to undertake the Grand Tour, a traditional trip through Europe that served as an educational rite of passage. Primarily associated with the British nobility and wealthy landed gentry, the Grand Tour followed a standard itinerary that exposed its privileged travelers to the cultural legacy of classical antiquity and the Renaissance associated with some of the continent's most desired destinations, cities that included Paris, Geneva, Florence, and Rome. Much of Europe looked very different 300 years ago. But by retracing a typical route that would have been followed by a British aristocrat and comparing destinations then with those of today, you get a good idea of the journey he took and the places he visited.

Click through the following gallery and enjoy your own Grand Tour of Europe.