5 have announced the commission of brand-new three-part travelogue series…
The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson embarks on the traditional European ‘grand tour’ of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries when it was fashionable for wealthy British families to send their children on a tour of Europe designed as a cultural coming of age. These young aristocrats were immersed in art, history and culture as a rite of passage before they returned to Blighty ready to take their place in High Society.
Tom Read Wilson:
“The route of the Grand Tour is dotted with enchantments of every kind: romantic, artistic, environmental, and culinary! It is a path I have always longed to tramp. I am so happy to be able to embark on such an historic continental voyage with 5.”
With his unique style, Tom Read Wilson will follow in their footsteps embracing the historical and cultural essence of yesteryear. Throughout his Grand Tour, Tom will be educated in the finest of dining skills and etiquette, his teacher, a Parisian Countess with familial links to Marie Antoinette. Fencing and Sculpting will be a few of the more physical skills, like those callow youths before him, he’ll also need to be mastered on his journey of enlightenment.
En route from Paris to Rome, he will navigate the treacherous Alpine crossings, before arriving in Venice and donning a bejewelled mask for the world famous Carnevale di Venezia an unmissable event for the Grand Tourists – and a way for the aristocratic classes to indulge in hedonistic pleasure – before straightening his collar and heading to the art galleries of Florence, and the architectural wonders of Rome.
Through lyricism, poetry, and history, The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson (W/T) will delve into paintings, sculptures, buildings, and landscapes, gaining a profound understanding of the lives of the young aristocrats who enriched their experiences centuries ago. Along the way, Tom will document his journey by recording on his Super 8 camera, offering a modern-day perspective on four centuries of culture, history, and change.
Kit Morey, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted, 5:
“We are delighted to bring The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson to our 5 audience. This series promises to be a captivating blend of historical exploration and cultural immersion and with Tom’s distinctive charm and insightful storytelling, this is without doubt a fresh and engaging perspective on the history of leisure travelling.”
