Slunce, voda, vzduch - Zrod moderního turismu – Pezda Jan (2025)

The nineteenth century gave birth to a completely new type of traveler. Modern tourists yearn to witness the terrifying majesty of the mountains, to experience the Middle Ages within the mysterious ruins of castles, or to soak in the cosmopolitan atmosphere and technological advancement of large cities. Traveling is also a source of deeply physical experiences: a lightning-fast train ride offers a completely new perception of time and space, while spas promise not only health benefits but also sexual amusement. On the beaches at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, bathing carriages guarantee absolute privacy. Božena Němcová anxiously protects her alabaster skin from tanning. Meanwhile, Franz Kafka packs Odol against sexually transmitted diseases into his suitcase for a trip to Paris filled with brothels, alongside Max Brod. This original, richly illustrated historical monograph draws from dozens of diary and travel records of both famous and completely unknown Central Europeans. It takes its readers on a unique pilgrimage through the transformations of the modern tourist and their physical experiences.