Pagan Holiday

by Tony Perrottet

The ancient Romans were responsible for many remarkable achievements - Roman numerals, straight roads - but one of their lesser-known contributions was the creation of the tourist industry.

The first people in history to enjoy safe and easy travel (well, relatively safe and easy travel), Romans embarked on the original Grand Tour, journeying from the lost city of Troy to the Acropolis, from the Colossus at Rhodes to Egypt, and on the obligatory Nile cruise. Intrigued by the possibility of re-creating the tour, Perrottet sets off to discover life as an ancient Roman and the result is this lively blend of fascinating historical anecdotes, hilarious personal encounters, and vivid portraits of the Roman Empire in all its complexity and wonder.