Review: Great Year for Travel (Aside From That Civil War and Those Nazis)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 31, 2011
It probably seemed like just another year to Fodor, but looking back, 1936 seems like an especially interesting year to travel in Europe. Or risky, depending on your point of view. The Spanish Civil War was starting, the Nazi Party was rising in Germany, Mussolini was making changes in Italy (tourists were already noticing that the notoriously unreliable trains in Italy had suddenly become quite punctual).Despite the political tensions, there were many attractions for the tourist. In Paris, Josephine Baker was at the height of her popularity and Picasso was in his prime. Britain was preparing for a coronation and Berlin was gearing up for the Summer Olympics.It was the Great Depression. Unemployment was high all over Europe and America and it wouldn't be until the 1950s that middle-class Americans considered travel abroad as a possibility. It would be later than that for middle-class Britons. So the book is aimed at the Bertie Wooster set, upper-class people of wealth. There are occasional tips for people hoping to economize in their travels, but they are no doubt intended for the gap-year youth of means who hesitates to wire Papa for cash so soon after the last request.Still, it's surprising to find that much of the advice from 1936 applies today. In Italy, "do not attempt to discuss birth control." And leave your firearm at home, since in Italy, "foreign permits to possess firearms are invalid ... if you refuse to part with your revolver during your stay in Italy you may be exposing yourself to a great deal of unpleasantness." For travelers to London, "The ageless significance of Westminster Abbey will be thrown into relief ... when, [this spring] the ancient and gorgeous ceremony ... takes place at the church." No, not a royal wedding, but the coronation of  King George VI. The ceremony had originally been scheduled for Edward VIII, who abdicated the December before.On the other hand, some travel advice is peculiar to the times -- in Germany, it is suggested that you refrain from discussing politics, and as a foreigner you will be forgiven for failing to return a Heil Hitler salute. And some information is just peculiar, such as this - "Do not be surprised if you see well-dressed men made up just as heavily as the women. Such men are not necessarily perverts, for it is a recognised custom in Roumania for men to make up."There are ample suggestions for cabarets and clubs for men to attend with or without their wives where they can enjoy the spectacle of "lightly-clad" women singing, dancing, waiting tables, etc. For women, there is advice on day spas and shopping.This is a great book for browsing, and massive at 1,200 pages. It's inspiring in a way -- people didn't let Nazis and revolutions stop them from traveling.Also recommended --The American 1930s: A Literary History