Blue Stockings Society

In a woman's education little but outward accomplishments is regarded ... sure the men are very imprudent to endeavor to make fools of those to whom they so much trust their honour and fortune, but it is in the nature of mankind to hazard their peace to secure power, and they know fools make the best slaves.

— Elizabeth Montagul 1743

Our liaison tours are taken so we can experience what it’s like from our tour members point of view. We are working as a traveler and that includes pre-tour planning. Researching each stop like we would if we were paying for the tour, visiting locations that we suggest tour members do in their free time, Upon learning of my assignment this year, the Best of Europe in 21 Days, I immediately decided I would devote this tour to exploring what it was like to have traveled as a woman on the Grand Tour.

Since it was Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May taking a trip through Vietnam on scooters that convinced me to take my own adventure through the country, I enjoy that when you search for “The Grand Tour” you’re taken to videos of the trio’s new show of the same name. The 18th century trip that many high society young men would embark upon is not high in the search results but is obviously how the name for the show was derived. There is even less information on women who braved the harrowing journey.