▲Lake Maggiore and the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées, where Ernest Hemingway set part of his novel 'Farewell to Arms,' is seen here in this delightful 1949 hotel luggage label.

▲A 1950's New Jersey state travel poster. The American destination is publicized as a vacation merry-go-round.

▲Long before the break up of Yugoslavia, travelers were being lured to the resort town of Bled, which is now in Slovenia. Years later, it's still a hugely popular place to visit.

▲This poster advertises traditional Dutch life—and reduced price excursions! Artist: Henri Gray.

▲This poster illustrates the routes and timetables from destinations in Germany to Strasbourg, in France.

▲Dinant S. Meuse and its casino (open all year) is wonderfully illustrated in this poster artwork, created by Henri Gray.

▲The Holland-America Line advertising its trans-Atlantic cruise to the Netherlands. Artist: Willem Frederick Ten Broek.

▲The scenic Aberglaslyn Pass is featured on this holiday poster promoting North Wales. Artist: Norman Wilkinson.

▲Rouen's famous 14th-century astronomical clock, Gros-Horloge, is the subject of this travel poster. Artist: Pierre Commarmond.

▲There's plenty of ice and a polar bear or two in this 1932 illustration promoting a 1932 winter cruise that takes in Norway, Madeira (Portugal), Spain, and Morocco. Artist: Hans Vogel.

▲Four Streamliner locomotives are the subject of this London & North Eastern Railway poster from 1937. Artist: Tom Purvis.

▲The picturesque Chamonix-Montenvers railway line, which opened in 1909, depicted here circa 1930s. Artist: David Dellepiane.

▲Cactus, poncho, guitar, and sombrero. Where else but Mexico? Artist: Espert.

▲A detailed P.O. Midi PLM travel map for the South of France. Artist: Maurice Barbey.

▲An Indian State Railways poster urging people to visit the country. Artist: W.S. Bylityllis.

▲This attractive poster is announcing a 1936 carnival parade in Panama. The Carnival Queen is seen on her float.

▲According to this 1939 promotion, Australia is the "Crossroads of the South Seas."

▲In the 1920s the US state of Michigan was "The Nation's Playground," at least according to this stylish poster.

▲Idyllic rural life on a family farm is perfectly captured in this 1916 poster issued by the Ministry for the Interior.

▲"The Gem of the Tropics—Beautiful, Healthy, Accessible" is how Jamaica is described in this poster from 1910.

▲An early example of travel promotion is this circa 1890 poster advertising "Aerial Voyages" by tethered balloon above Chelsea in London.

▲The seaport of Odessa as it looked in the 1930s is the subject of this striking poster, which has a deliberate air of propaganda about it.

▲The country's Mount Fuji is the landmark natural feature in this sketchy travel poster.

▲The Western Highlands of Scotland promoted by men and women in kilts and period dress is the theme of this elegant travel poster. Artist: Maurice Greiffenhagen.

▲The London North Eastern Railway can get you to England's East Coast in this circa 1920s travel poster by Tom Purvis.

▲Killiney Bay is the location seen here in this poster issued by Great Southern Railways to promote the "Emerald Isle." Artist: Walter Till.

▲This outstanding piece of artwork depicts locals looking on as golfers and their young caddies take to the fairways in front of the Le Grand Hôtel du Coq-sur-Mer at De Haan. Artist: Henri Cassiers.

▲June to September is Norway's summer season, as publicized in this pleasant artwork, created by Ben Blessum.

▲A striking and stylishly modern-looking poster from 1914 promoting Malmö and the Baltic region. Artist: Ernst Norlind.

▲Exotic Meknes, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is depicted in this early 20th-century poster. Artist: Matteo Brondy.

▲Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Ugly Duckling' is the theme of this simple but highly effective poster publicizing the Danish author's birthplace. Artist: Viggo Vagnby.

▲The Pennsylvania Railroad message is clear. It's the "largest fleet of air-conditioned trains in the world." Artist: Grif Teller.

▲Luxury cruises to Florida sailing in considerable style are offered by Savannah Line in this wonderfully evocative poster.

▲Here, Netherlands Railways invites you to visit picturesque Holland. Artist: Joseph Rovers.

▲Edinburgh Castle provides the backdrop for this 1920s-era poster. The flapper fashion is unmistakable. Artist: Anton Abraham van Anrooy.

▲The fashion may have changed, but this poster captures a timeless scene as people enjoying a winter vacation in St. Moritz follow a cross-country ski trail. Artist: Emil Cardinaux.

▲Santarém in Portugal's Ribatejo province still hosts an annual agricultural fair in much the same way as it did back in 1955.

▲Holidays afloat on "safe inland waterways" is the theme of this poster, and the tranquil scene perfectly captures England in the late 19th century. Artist: Anton Abraham van Anrooy.

▲Sunglasses and lipstick 1950's-style in the Bavarian Alps. Artist: Corlier.

▲Bathing beauties gather poolside for this Rotorua destination poster. Come in, the water's fine! Artist: L.C. Mitchel

▲Dating back to around 1934, this luggage identity label not only promotes the hotel, but the Roman landmarks Saint Peter's Basilica, Roman Forum, and the Colosseum too.

▲Germany's late 1920's commercial shipping fleet included the SS Bremen and the SS Europa, both seen here in this dramatic presentation by artist Bernd Steiner.

▲It's changed a bit since it opened in 1902, but Canobie Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire still draws the crowds.

▲Before it achieved independence in 1962, Algeria was a popular destination for "wintering" French tourists. Artist: Leon Cauvy.

▲A poster advertising Imperial Airways' Empire Flying Boat. It's difficult to believe that air travel was once this exclusive. Artist: David Dellepiane.

▲Paris to Lyon and onward to the Mediterranean, gracefully illustrated by the artist Cussotti.

▲Once upon a time you could visit the city that never sleeps by flying Trans World Airlines. This iconic promotional flyer was created by artist David Klein.

▲The Hotel Bristol in Naples, "sumpteously [sic] renovated in 1902" has reopened for business, according to this poster created in the Art Nouveau style.

▲A witty illustration promoting European air travel using Pan American World Airlines. The French policeman bottom left is commenting on the daily queues outside the Pan Am office in Paris.

▲A 1936 luggage label for Raffles Hotel in Singapore—still one of the most famous hotel properties in the world.

▲Produced during the heyday of transatlantic cruise liner travel, this is a poster for the Compagnie Generale Transatlantique French Line. Artist: Albert Sebille.

▲Representing an achingly stylish, fashionable, and exclusive destination, this Monte Carlo travel poster by Louis Icar precisely captures the atmosphere of 1930s Monaco.

▲The Business Man's London travel poster depicts various London neighborhoods and the trades they're associated with. It is one of the most elaborate and creative pieces of artwork ever conceived to promote a destination. Artist: R.T. Cooper.

▲"Visit India Land of Sunshine & Colour." It's a tagline still applicable today.

▲The Italian province of Pola existed from 1923-1947. This poster obviously dates from that period and was created by artist Leopoldo Metlicovitz.

▲A colorful hotel luggage label from 1925 featuring the property in Sanremo overlooking the Italian Riviera.

▲In the 1920s and '30s Syria was a favorite winter destination for visiting tourists interested in history and culture, and remained so until recently.

▲This 1910 Calendrier Marseillais travel poster by David Dellepiane is representative of the high quality of art used in bygone days to promote a destination.

▲Morecambe Bay, a popular resort destination located in Lancashire, captured in its lively and carefree heyday by artist Warren Williams.

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One of Cuba's historic landmarks is the subject of this artwork created in 1923 by artist Jim Heimann.

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Long before mass tourism took hold, a vacation abroad was the preserve of the wealthy and the privileged. Even a holiday at home was seen as an extravagance few could afford. Marketing an overseas travel destination was therefore aimed at those with money to spend, and the advertising created to promote a place, service, or hotel reflected this exclusive segment of society. The result was the golden age of the travel poster, beautiful and evocative banners, placards, and even luggage labels that reflected not only the appeal of the destination, but period fashion trends too.

Browse the gallery and draw inspiration from the art of travel created in a bygone age.