Summer holidays

As Loukia Droulia mentions in the collective volume Το ταξίδι: από τους αρχαίους έως τους νεότερους χρόνους [The journey: from ancient to modern times] (National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens 2003) "Life, spiritual and mental needs, even recreational pursuits, will encourage people throughout ages to seek 'elsewhere' the fulfillment of their wishes, the contentment of their desires".

The concept of vacations is a relatively new social phenomenon and has changed significantly over the past two centuries. At all ages, vacations are linked to the evolution of means of transport which has played an important role. 

Travel and holidays in antiquity

In antiquity the reason why people ventured on their first journeys, by land or sea, was trade. Other reasons that followed were wars, religious ceremonies, cultural experiences, healing pilgrimages, exploration and map-making. The voyagers of the time came mainly from higher social classes.

We have proof of the existence of country houses even in Minoan years. Homer also speaks of travelers and the concept of hospitality (as in the case of Axylus, who was much loved because of his hospitality). During the Hellenistic period, a special genre of authors appeared- the travelers.

In Roman times, the concept of summer vacation emerged, when members of the aristocracy started building country houses in various resorts. This development is linked to the strengthening of the Roman Empire, which in turn contributed to the improvement of the road network and more safety of transportation.

The growth of cultural travel (from the Middle Ages to the19th century)

During the early Middle Ages in Europe, trading and traveling were somewhat limited. Most of transportations concerned places of worship, which gained a great importance when Christianity appeared, and they increased significantly in number with its dominance. The most important Christian pilgrimage was the Holy Lands, while both Buddhism and Islam have strong pilgrimage traditions. At the end of the Middle Ages, development appears again along with the emergence of hotel accommodations.

From the Renaissance onwards, changes occur, with the spread of humanism and the consequent increase of travelers' interests. Visits to places of worship and thermal springs still prevailed but the custom of educational trips to Europe also flourished. These trips were undertaken by upper-class young European men of sufficient means and rank.

During the 17th century, the tradition of the Grand Tour began, a journey in places of Antiquity, mainly Italy, Greece and Anatolia. The Grand Tour could last from several months to several years, playing an important role in what was considered a classical education for privileged and wealthy young men, who were seeking cultural and artistic experiences. Travel became synonymous with status and recreation. 

Leisure travel and vacationing in the modern era

Leisure travel continued to remain a privilege of the upper class until the 19th century. It was then that two significant technological inventions caused important changes that also made it possible for the middle class to go on vacation: steamships and trains. Besides this, physicians began extolling the virtues of sea-bathing, helping sea holidays become a social norm. 

Thomas Cook, who established the first travel agency in 1841 and organized package tours, also contributed to the democratization of travel. Mass tourism is now being promoted, the aim of which is not religious, therapeutic or educational, but purely recreational. 

Immediately after the Second World War, during which pleasure trips were limited, tourism in Greece developed rapidly and was promoted accordingly. By then, summer vacation becomes a custom and the working classes started going to beachside places for recreation. Taking holidays in the month of August became even more important and many businesses decided to suspend their operations during that time.

In this Exhibition we explore items that relate to the art of summer holidays- mainly photographic material, but also paintings and drawings.