by David | October 2nd, 2011
In the past, the idea of the armchair traveler was one whose roots were based in real lived experience, and it’s still that way today. The armchair traveler of the past, however, was of a slightly different stock than the ones who travel today. Times have changed, and traveling the globe is no longer available only to the very upper crusts or to the heartbroken. Although extremely luxurious spas and cruises do have an appeal that is sometimes complimented with thoughts of joining the foreign legion, these kinds of nostalgia are not necessary for a real experience. Today, there are more people for whom traveling is not only an occasional event for vacations, but is in fact its own lifestyle. It is available for those looking to take a break from their high-power jobs, but it’s also available for history students looking for architectural clues about cornices or sconces from other parts of the world, or for students of life looking for new experiences.
World travel shifted considerably when hostels became more prominent and plentiful, and the circuit of kids exploring after college became more common. It did have origins in the patterns of the elite, where the idea of the well-rounded individual was something that was only available to a very select few, and only few of those took the opportunity to develop themselves. When costs became less prohibitive, however, the doors opened for a larger percentage of the population, and the idea of seeing the world has become something that is not available only to certain classes. In fact, the more adventurous spirits come from all walks of life, and the ones who are willing to stay in places that are more economical are more likely to get a more grounded taste of a place.
The elite traveler of the past was able to learn about other places first hand that could give them an edge in debates on how people do things in other parts of the world. 
Today, it’s a very different story. The first-hand information that was once only available to the super rich is now something that is rather more subject to reconsideration. The connections between venetian blinds in the 19th century and contemporary honeycomb shades are fascinating, and somewhat more likely to see from a first-hand experience on the streets of a European city somewhere. Today, it is far more likely to meet kids from more humble means traveling, finding out about other cultures, and making connections that are entirely unique and essential to a view of the world.
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