What if European Grand Tours were a thing in the 21st century like they were in centuries' past?
I visited a special exhibit in Lisbon today at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Museum titled "The Splendour of Venice". Quotes from 18th century writers and poets from around the world were interspersed with striking oil paintings of the city which transported me back in time.
That got me thinking about the aristocratic Grand Tours of Europe taken by people of means living in the 17th-19th Centuries. I argue that their correspondence is an antique form of travel blogging.
Following that chain of thought, I reflected on my own travels and writing since moving to Europe over a decade ago and concluded that I've actually been on what could be considered to be an extended modern-day Grand Tour.
What if I could combine my modern experience and historical style of the period using the power of AI and take my readers on a reimagined journey to Venice, a must-see Grand Tour destination?
An AI Approach to Reimagining Travel
I came home from the museum eager to give it a try. I first asked Gemini to give me a timeline of leisure travel throughout history (from Ancient Greece to modern times) and then asked for 3 examples of popular travel writers during the heyday of the Grand Tour.
Horace Walpole jumped out due to his prolific correspondence during his travels during this period. I then asked Gemini to describe Walpole's writing style and voice in detail. I took that summary and used it as a source for NotebookLM. I added the travelogue that I wrote on my own 21st Century trip to Venice as a second source.
NotebookLM is my favorite AI tool because the chatbot responses are entirely grounded on the sources provided. I could be sure that my experiences would be reflected in the output.
I then prompted NotebookLM to reimagine my Venice in November travel blog post in the style of Horace Walpole.
I'm pretty amazed at the result...
A Letter from a Venetian Sojourn of the Georgian Period
My dear friend,
Having lately returned from a most curious expedition to Venice in the depths of winter, I feel compelled to share my observations with you. You see, Venice, in the colder months, takes on an entirely different character than the one imagined by those who flock there in the warmer seasons.
While the gondolas still glide through the canals and bellinis are still to be had, a certain tranquility descends upon the city, offering a glimpse into its true essence.
One of the most striking advantages of visiting Venice in winter is the respite it offers from the throngs of tourists that typically overrun its narrow alleyways and picturesque bridges.
Imagine, dear friend, the pleasure of wandering through St. Mark’s Square without being jostled by crowds, or taking in the grandeur of the Rialto Bridge without having to navigate a sea of selfie sticks.
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| AI generated image created with Canva Magic Studio |
The absence of the summer hordes allows one to truly appreciate the architectural marvels of this unique city. The buildings, no longer obscured by a crush of humanity, stand in all their glory, their intricate facades and faded grandeur illuminated by the winter sun.
The canals, too, seem to breathe more easily, their waters reflecting the sky with a clarity rarely seen in the busier months.
Of course, Venice in winter is not without its challenges. The occasional fog can descend upon the city, creating an eerie and somewhat unsettling atmosphere. And while the lack of crowds is a blessing, it can also result in a certain stillness, a sense of hushed expectancy that can be both intriguing and unsettling.
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| AI generated image created with Canva Magic Studio |
Yet, for those who appreciate a touch of the macabre, as you know I do, this melancholic aspect of Venice in winter can be quite appealing. The sight of nuns walking arm in arm through the fog-laden streets, or the sound of church bells echoing through the empty squares, evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue that is entirely absent in the summer months.
And then, of course, there are the unexpected delights that one stumbles upon when venturing off the beaten path. In the Cannaregio neighborhood, for instance, we discovered a charming little grocery store where a variety of Italian wines were available on tap – a most civilized way to purchase one’s libations, I must say!
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| AI generated image created with Canva Magic Studio |
Our adventures also took us to the island of Lido, where we practically had the beach to ourselves. Imagine, my friend, the luxury of strolling along the sandy shore without encountering a single soul – a rare treat indeed!
Our journey culminated in a delightful dinner at Osteria L’Orto dei Mori, a cozy establishment with a most intriguing décor featuring wire-frame sea creatures suspended from the ceiling.
The food was excellent, the wine flowed freely, and the grappa, I must confess, was so potent that I feared it might cause my hair to fall out!
All in all, my dear friend, our winter expedition to Venice was a most singular experience. It allowed us to see the city in a new light, to appreciate its beauty and its strangeness in a way that would not have been possible during the crowded summer months. I urge you to consider a similar adventure – you may be surprised at what you discover.
Yours in travel and adventure,
A Faithful Correspondent
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You can compare the result to my original Venice travelogue to see how my personal experiences were woven throughout. I love how I've been able to bring you Venice reimagined on a Grand Tour but in the Age of AI!
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