Zdeněk Hojda
Cavalier Travels in the 19th Century
The travels of young aristocrats and, especially in the second half of the 19th century, the bourgeois elite can be viewed in terms of continuity with the previous era of early modern-time mobility, and from this perspective, we can consider the relevance of the concept of "cavalier travel" for the 19th century. Given the prevailing conservatism of aristocratic circles and the immanent maintenance of social distance from the rest of society, we can undoubtedly find many common points. On the other hand, however, we also observe significant changes in the manner of travelling, driven by the gradual transformation of lifestyle (including the adoption of English models), as well as by the new technical possibilities that made it easier for the aristocratic elites to carry out hitherto unprecedented travel projects. The basic motivation for leisure travel at a young age remains unchanged - it is the traditional trio of interwoven motives: education and exploration - entertainment - social integration. What changes, however, is the importance of these motivations. For example, although the continuing "cavalier travels" are justified on the grounds of completing one's education, they are in fact moving more towards fun and "adventure" in a safe zone. Not entirely new, but a strongly growing phenomenon, is the travelling of women, not only with their male counterparts or relatives, but also on their own. Here again, aristocratic women are "paving the way" for wider social trends.
Keywords: elite travelling - cavalier travels - travel lifestyle - social distance - motivation to travel- travelling women
design by Bedřich Vémola
