How did rich European gentlemen on a "grand tour" of Europe in the 18th Century manage their finances? I can't imagine they carried enough money (or gold) to support months or years of travel--was there a system of banks they could use? Or credit notes? Also, how did they arrange to get their packages shipped home?
posted by mstillwell on Sep 13, 2009 - 9 answers

Suggestions for books on Maine history and culture, non fiction preferred but not a necessity. This would be for a person traveling to Maine in the near future, will be spending time on the coast and in the great north woods.
posted by flummox on Aug 31, 2009 - 15 answers

What Caribbean islands have the best-preserved historical sites and architecture? [more inside]
posted by thinkingwoman on Jun 30, 2009 - 8 answers

My wife and I are looking for recommendations on what to see and where to go on a three-to-four day trip to Germany. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by chrisamiller on Apr 30, 2009 - 23 answers

I want to know how to remember my future travels better. I look back at some old travel pictures and think it was all a dream. What do YOU do? [more inside]
posted by bodywithoutorgans on Apr 8, 2009 - 19 answers

What was a "Modern European Hotel" in the US in 1920? [more inside]
posted by tnygard on Mar 2, 2009 - 6 answers

Help me keep my mom from going insane at her work! She has a boring sit-at-the-computer all day job, with crazy coworkers. Her work banned downloading and streaming media, so I helped her pick a simple 2 gig mp3 player. She listens to BBC streams, and I helped her find rss feeds for the relevant podcasts. Now she's all set up with Google Reader and a few feeds, and wants more. Trouble is I don't know what to recommend... [more inside]
posted by shinyshiny on Sep 30, 2008 - 21 answers

NorthCarolinaFilter: A friend is traveling between Greensboro and Cape Fear and back again - They would love to hear some ideas on what to see? what to do? [more inside]
posted by jammy on May 29, 2008 - 6 answers

What books give an overview of the countries or some countries of the world - but are not boring fact spewers? [more inside]
posted by markovich on Feb 6, 2008 - 16 answers

A passel of museum geeks is headed to Virginia. Can you help us plan the trip? [more inside]
posted by Miko on Jan 2, 2008 - 4 answers

What was the boat journey up the Rhone (and the Saone and down the Seine) to Paris like in the old days, before the internal combustion engine and the damming of the river? Where were the portages? How long did it take? Any resources greatly appreciated, from memoirs to histories to (well researched) novels, online or off.
posted by languagehat on May 8, 2007 - 6 answers

Central Asia trip late May - early June. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by mammary16 on May 7, 2007 - 5 answers

What are the best maritime / pirate history sites on the east coast and within a 6 hour drive of the DC area? [more inside]
posted by COD on Mar 27, 2007 - 11 answers

Good books to read before wandering about Central and South America for a few months? [more inside]
posted by airguitar on Nov 11, 2005 - 19 answers

Can anyone recommend some good books on Indian (particularly South Indian) culture/history/politics/etc? [more inside]
posted by introcosm on Jul 28, 2005 - 8 answers

What should we do for our honeymoon? The soon-to-be Mr. Supafreak and I are planning to get married in summer '06. We have somewhat limited funds, speak only English, and want to learn about the world when we travel. [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak on Apr 21, 2005 - 22 answers

MuseumGeeksinDCFilter: Looking for offbeat, trivia-intensive experiences in Washington, DC for a group of maritime history museum geeks. Special Exhibit inside. [more inside]
posted by Miko on Jan 18, 2005 - 8 answers

I'm organzing an alternative spring break trip for some students from my college to the South Bronx to work on urban environmental issues. The students i have going on have a solid understanding of urban issues (most are from cities), but don't know much about the Bronx itself. Can anyone suggest some good resources, both online and off? I was thinking of Caro's Power Broker to discuss what happened with Robert Moses and the decline of the borough, but i was hoping for other resources from MeFiers.
posted by jare2003 on Nov 16, 2004 - 3 answers

My wife and I are going to London soon. I've lived there before, but it will be her first time. What are some good books that will bring the city's history and landmarks alive for her? Fiction and non-fiction are fine, as long as they are good reads (not dry or academic). I'm looking for the type of thing that will really make you appreciate the Tower or Camden Town or whatever when you're there.
posted by grumblebee on Mar 9, 2004 - 23 answers