Epic Historical Journeys: Part 3 – Evelyn Waugh, Lewis & Clark, and Burke & Wills
In the third and final installment from Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Experiences, discover three legendary historical journeys. Grab your compass, ready your donkey, and follow in the footsteps of these famous explorers.
Evelyn Waugh: Labels
Between marriages, English satirical novelist Evelyn Waugh traveled restlessly through the Mediterranean, inspiring his 1930 book Labels—later republished in the 1945 compendium When the Going Was Good. Ports like Malta, Cairo, Naples, and Constantinople (now Istanbul) serve as backdrops to his sharp wit, from middle-aged widows thrilled by ad copy to nuanced praise for Gaudí's Barcelona architecture. The true draw? Razor-sharp satire—pack your sense of humor.
Lewis & Clark Expedition
Tracing Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's daring 1803–06 trek across the American West requires a team of about 30, resilience against frostbite (and amputations), and grit for bear and buffalo encounters. Their mission: explore lands west of the Mississippi and connect with Native American tribes, offering beads, thimbles, and brass rings—gifts that left many unimpressed then and now.
Burke & Wills Expedition
This tragic bid to cross Australia's uncharted (by Europeans) interior claimed Robert Burke and William Wills. The well-provisioned party left Melbourne in August 1860, racing for a Victorian government prize. They reached Normanton in the Gulf of Carpentaria but starved on the return, perishing at Cooper's Creek in June 1861. The etched 'Dig Tree' at Innamincka, South Australia, endures as a poignant landmark.
