Planning a European Grand Tour in Modern Times

David Raminfard possesses more than three decades of experience in the fabrics industry and currently presides over two respected upholstery and drapery manufacturers. In addition to his success as a textile executive, David Raminfard is an avid traveler. He has spent time in Mexico, East Asia, and Europe.

Visitors interested in a multi-stop tour of Europe can draw inspiration from the grand tour itinerary followed by British nobles in the 17th century. During this rite of passage, young men would spend up to several years visiting some of the most culturally relevant cities and sites across France and Italy. Today’s travelers can follow the same route in much less time due to the variety of transport options that connect the starting location of London, England, to the final stop in Naples, Italy.

Though most travelers will need a visa to enter the United Kingdom and the European Union, Americans can enter without a visa and stay for tourism purposes for up to 90 days. Visitors can travel between destination cities using buses, trains, or short-haul budget airlines. Some travel experts also recommend deviating from the traditional grand tour itinerary and making stops in Spain, Greece, and Portugal.