Historians have become increasingly interested in tourism over the past few years. Likewise, tourism scholars are recognising more than ever the relevance of historical perspectives on the development of their field. This collection of specially commissioned essays is intended to encourage the development and reciprocation of these concerns. The editor's introduction argues for a closer relationship between the disciplines, to their mutual benefit. The essays presented here provide a set of comparative case studies that make critical use of key concepts in tourism studies while remaining firmly grounded in historical approaches to argument and evidence. Written by an international team of contributors, this book explores the relationships between tourism, representations, environments and identities in a variety of settings, from the British and Roman Empires to Hitler's Germany, the Basque Country of northern Spain, the English Lake District and the Essex coast. The essays are based on original archival research and provide an accessible practical introduction to historical methodology as applied to tourism. The book will be useful as a course reader as well as for the originality, distinctiveness, range and weight of its research findings.