An interpretation of evidence from various medieval sources suggesting that travel in the Middle Ages was far more extensive and commonplace than would be expected. It covers the travellers and their routes, and emphasizes their importance to the exchange of ideas and the spread of civilization. The deterrents to, and dangers of, travelling are recreated as is the general uncertainty about maps and routes. Yet the author reveals that many diverse groups of people did set out on major journeys, and that the routes and tracks which they used have formed the basis of the modern European road network.