ABSTRACT
Introduction The relationship between war and tourism in Europe from the sixteenth to the end of the eighteenth century presents a paradox. Wars were waged across the continent for much of this period and yet we see the rise of travel for pleasure, the growth of spas and the prestigious Grand Tour reach its zenith. War and tourism presented a dynamic picture during the three centuries, where both the nature of war and the type of tourist changed over time. This chapter selects a number of themes to illustrate what was always a complex situation. The focus is largely on the tourism and leisure habits of the English, outlining their experience in travelling to Europe and how war shaped their leisure at home. Only certain topics can be discussed, some in detail, others highlighted.
