Twain states the purpose of the book: to chronicle a large-scale pleasure trip of over 60 American men and women in Europe and the Middle East, helping readers to see the various locales as if they were there. 

In 1867, Twain signs up for a pleasure excursion to continental Europe and the Holy Land by steamship with a group of Americans (mainly pious religious folk) from 15 different states. The excursion, a “picnic on a gigantic scale” (5), is unique in its breadth and ambition, and the public has greatly talked about it.

The party is to depart from Brooklyn in June, travel across the Atlantic to the Azores islands, then take in Gibraltar and the coasts of Spain and France; then travel to Italy, Greece, Constantinople, the Black Sea region, and the Holy Land. From there, the party will make their way back home while passing through Egypt, Sardinia, the mainland of Spain, and Bermuda. The total price for each passenger is $1,250, with comfortable amenities to be enjoyed on board the ship including ballroom dancing. Twain is excited about the prospect of touring the “Old World” with its many historic places as well as varied and exotic peoples.