The Grand Tour era, which took place from the mid-17th to the early 19th centuries, was a period of travel undertaken by young, wealthy Europeans as part of their education. It was driven by a desire to learn from and experience other cultures and to explore the continent, and the concept was popularised by the Enlightenment period's emphasis on the value of knowledge and education. As the period progressed, the Grand Tour evolved to include the study of art, architecture, and antiquities, and it became a rite of passage for many young aristocrats, who would travel to the continent in search of knowledge, culture, and adventure.