This book does what it sets out to do - comparing and contrasting travel in Victorian times with the present day. The notion is a good one, following in the footsteps of the first organised Cook's tour to Switzerland, bringing out how much the country has changed - becoming immeasurably wealthier. ( )

I certainly would not have read this if I hadn't lived in Geneva for three years. If I had started it, I would not have finished it. As it is, I did get through it although I often was irritated by the author. I should have skipped the epilogue. I also marked down for the stupid font (in the German edition). The weird question marks detract from reading. ( )

I'm biased! Switzerland is my favourite country outside the UK, and this book describing two parallel journeys 150 years apart concentrates on my favourite areas, Geneva and the Alps, the Bernese Oberland and Lucerne and its surroundings. I was astonished at the level of hardship gentile middle class travellers on Thomas Cook's first tour were prepared to endure; the length of their traveling days was frequently 14 hours and upwards. This is a nice gentle read which informs as it entertains. ( )

A wonderful book about the first group of British tourists who traveled to Switzerland in an organized tour by Thomas Cook. Arriving by train in Geneva, the small group undertakes a demanding journey of marches and train trips across the Alps via Interlaken to Lucerne. The most surprising fact is how much of the present tourist attractions were already available in the mid-19th century. The large number of British visitors started a virtuous circle that allowed for more investment in tourist infrastructure (hotels, transportation, attractions) which in turn led to a further increase in demand. Like most group tourists these English men and women hardly encounter the natives in their timetable driven hunt for sights and attractions. In contrast, today's travelers will bring along more than two pairs of underwear. As the baggage was often sent ahead, they had to make do with one pair of daytime underwear and another one for the evening ... The past is a strange land. A great read only marred by quite a few easily avoided historical mistakes (e.g. Napoleon was in Egypt during the Swiss campaign!). Highly recommended. ( )