The etymology of travel.

In the not too distant past there were really only two reasons why people travelled: to wage war and to conduct trade. And setting off on a journey for whatever purpose was frequently, if not always, an arduous task. In the 21st century, when we think nothing of getting on a plane and landing a few hours later on the other side of the world, it is perhaps difficult to appreciate what travel involved for our forebears. A brief time exploring the etymologies of the relevant vocabulary, however, soon leaves us in little doubt about the sheer hard slog getting from one place to another used to be.