So Colin Bridgerton is back from his Grand Tour, but what the hell?

Contiki writer and editor Charlie is a French-American who is obsessed with travel, art, food, and reading in the woods of New Hampshire.

That’s right, it’s time for a confession: when I was watching season three of Bridgerton, I was surprised when the family seemed shocked by the fact that Colin had visited not only Italy but ALSO France for 3 months. I thought ‘huh? You can go to France and Italy in a week if you want!’, but I forgot that they didn’t have EasyJet at the time…

Anyway, Colin Bridgerton, the lead actor of season three of everyone’s favorite hot regency drama, has just returned from his Grand Tour of Europe and now he’s ready to find a wife! Even though he acts like a kid you met at college just back from a gap year, you can’t deny that Colin’s travels have really helped him mature into a handsome, young bachelor. But don’t let his looks fool you – what the hell is a Grand Tour?!

Let’s find out.

What is a Grand Tour?

Some might say that a Grand Tour is the precursor to Contiki… A trip around the world and the opportunity to explore new cultures, meet people from all over, experience new and exciting things, and generally have a blast. I mean, that’s exactly what we offer (but we do it for a fraction of the time of a Grand Tour).

Grand Tours were a custom of the Regency period and later among the European elite, and they were considered a rite of passage for young aristocratic men. These trips were not like the week-long vacations we take today – partly because they often took a year or two to complete! These trips were seen as a way to complete a young man’s education before entering the real world, allowing him to grow up away from home.

So, it was essentially a gap year, but more luxurious.
Where did you go on a Grand Tour?
Typically, a Grand Tour was a trip around some of the ancient destinations of Europe because the young men who took part would spend a lot of time studying the classics. Therefore, the Grand Tour was an opportunity for them to put their knowledge to use and experience what was told in the books.

The most popular stops on a Grand Tour included cities such as Paris, Marseille, Florence, Rome, Athens, Pompeii, and Venice. Since these tours are designed for students who are proficient in Greek, Latin, and art, the rich history of these cities makes them the perfect destination.

If you’re interested in pursuing a similar course, we can’t recommend these European multi-country classics enough!

Where did Colin Bridgerton go on his Grand Tour?
The full details of Colin’s Grand Tour have not been revealed in the show. In fact, we only know the information through fleeting conversations. Here’s what we’ve pieced together:

In season 1, it seemed like Colin was preparing to head to Greece, so it’s safe to assume he eventually visited the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas and the Greek islands scattered within.

In season 3, during the scene where Colin gives each member of his family a souvenir, we discover that he visited Paris and Marseille in France, as well as Italy, Spain, and Germany. Colin also gave his brother Anthony and mother Violet a gift, although the origins of these are unknown.

Perhaps Violet’s pocket watch came from Switzerland, and Anthony’s crystal paperweight came from somewhere in Greece? Who knows… Perhaps you should start an investigation and visit these places (and many more) to find out!

Which souvenir will Colin bring back for you?

Speaking of souvenirs, Colin has put a lot of thought into each gift, taking into account the different characteristics and interests of his family members. The music for Francesca and the book for Eloise are particularly touching gifts.

But if you were a Bridgerton, what prize would you get? Well, we’ve designed the quiz below to help you find out and maybe plan your own Grand Tour.