How did people travel long distances during the 17th century?
Would an aristocrat travel on a ship? Would a trades man travel by sea? The people I’m speaking of are of the upper class and have aristocratic background.
By long distances I mean from country to country. For instance from Bordeaux, France to Rome, Italy. How would they travel? How long would it take?
If you were an aristocrat you would travel one day at a time by horse drawn carriage and stay in the best houses of other relatives, you would catch the boat from Barcelona in Spain or from Marseilles across the Mediterranean to Roma. It would take six or seven days.
The well off traveled in private, and in well-sprung upholstered carriages. Their favoured vehicle is the post chaise, introduced in France in the early 18th century. Its name accurately suggests a pleasant seat, and an expectation of lively new horses at each post stage during the journey.
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