Mark Twain · 1880 · overland

Mark Twain's 1880 travel book, a comic account of a walking tour through Germany, the Alps and Italy that its author takes every possible opportunity not to walk. With his companion Harris, he rafts down the Neckar, mangles the German language, attempts the Matterhorn, and ascends Mont Blanc by telescope, larding the journey with tall tales and invented legends along the way.

1. 1
   Hamburg

   Twain and his friend Harris set out to walk across Europe, a plan they will avoid honouring at almost every turn.

2. 2
   Heidelberg

   A long, happy sojourn at Heidelberg, and a comic raft voyage down the Neckar.

3. 3
   The Black Forest

   Through Baden-Baden and the deep woods of the Black Forest.

4. 4
   Lucerne

   Into Switzerland and the Alps, with ascents of the Rigi and Pilatus.

5. 5
   Zermatt

   To Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn, and the absurd expedition up the Riffelberg.

6. 6
   Chamonix

   Over to Chamonix, where he scales Mont Blanc by telescope.

7. 7
   Milan

   And across the Alps into Italy, to Milan and its cathedral.

8. 8
   Venice

   To Venice and its canals.

9. 9
   Rome

   And at last to Rome, the tramp complete, almost none of it on foot.