MILORD ABROAD...
THE BRITISH ON THE GRAND TOUR IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

We begin with the perils and pleasures of the journey via Calais, Paris and the Alps. We visit Florence for sightseeing,study and shopping. We move on to Naples where the spectacular eruptions of Vesuvius and the nubile charms of Emma Hamilton both proved to be great attractions. We go to Venice whose courtesans were a particular joy for the Milord [like the Duke of York] who found the study of antiquities rather too cerebral. There we join in the great events of the tourist calendar as shown by Canaletto. We make a special study of Rome, the most important destination of all. There we meet the tutors, the tour guides, the art dealers and the swindlers...sometimes all wrapped up in the same person. We examine the [occasionally dubious] purchases and the souvenirs brought home, including fine views of the eternal city and magnificent portraits of Milord Abroad in his element.