The Bohemian writer's plan for cheap travel in 1911. The cameos of Franz K. — #1
Traveling with Max Brod
During the summer of 1911, Franz Kafka and his friend Max Brodin set out on a journey through Switzerland and France. While staying in Lugano, Switzerland, Kafka and his friend jotted down a memo to "reform" the traditional tour guide. Their new tourist guide ideas could be summarized in the concept of "Cheap Guide (Billig)", which can be rendered with the more modern "low cost travel". Kakfa and Brod envisioned a product that could compete directly with old-school guides like the Baedekers and Murray's Handbooks for Travellers.
Kafka and Brod drafted some notes for this series of low-cost guides and even scrambled to find a publisher, but unfortunately, the project never took off, apparently due to the millionaire fee the two friends were asking just to reveal their idea .
Brod himself recalls that «later I had very serious correspondence with various publishers on our idea of reforming tourist guides. The negotiations failed because we weren't willing to reveal the precious secret except in exchange for a colossal advance».
1. A millionaire company
Low cost through Italy, low cost in Switzerland, low cost in Paris, low cost in Bohemian spas and in Prague
It can be translated into any language
Motto: Let's go! (Nur Mut)
Our democratic age has created the foundations to make travel easy and accessible for anyone. Collecting and disseminating them systematically is our goal. Until now: search for news and practical advice (Berliner Tageblatt) from friends. Scattered, fortuitous, quickly put away in the drawer — the really useful ones are rare, as everyone knows. In the guidebooks, there is shockingly little of this practical stuff. An uncertain first step is the asterisk in the Bädeker, and the note "praised" — often with unsatisfactory results.
What does Billig mean? It has many facets. We don't want to talk about the luxury hotels and the flashy and tacky middle class. And we don't even want to talk about the low profile. We address those who consider travel a luxury, either by mistake or because they have received some bad advice, and who, consequently, only move around their own city (beautiful in itself, but already familiar). We want to demonstrate that there are low-cost stays around the world like those summer vacations close to home — possibly including travel costs as well.
And also to those who dare to travel, but whose journey is ruined by mathematics and cost calculations - and (sorry!) to those who allow themselves to be defrauded. Until now, any cheating was always taken into account, and often attributed to the host country. Italy, Paris. By doing this we will also help improve the reputation of those countries, and improve the understanding between those countries.
Educational moment for the energy of the whole person
Scammed only misdirected travelers.
The same pleasure for less money. Consommation at the Monico.
2.Budget
Accuracy, budget. It is necessary to economize the traveller's choice. E.g.: an itinerary for four hundred, five hundred francs, etc.
Principle of group travel, but alone. Comparison with the "do it yourself" studio.
No geography, but individual itineraries.
We propose only one hotel, if it is all occupied, we put others in descending order.
If there is public transport, we do not mention private cars. We recommend a precise period for the trip. With equal simplicity: doctors …
[the continuation of Kafka's hand]
Not hurried or slow travellers, but a well-defined in-between group. Exceptions are possible, as you can always refer to a specific program
Tips of well-defined amount.
[by Brod's hand again]
No pedantry: we suggest, for example, tipping lifeguards — spyglass on the Rigi (mountain in the Swiss pre-Alps)
On the itineraries: nothing is repeated. Only one cable car, but the best! — Extract from the railway timetable. What to bring on a trip?
3. Contents
We offer more. The short “General section” of other guides.
Clothing.
brothels. Watch out for the scavengers! (NB Authenticity of our guide).
Memory.
Buy cheap, e.g. silk in Italy; pineapples, madeleines, oysters in Paris.
No fear of fake money.
Free concerts
Expect cheaper days (museum) after expensive excursions. Where to get free tickets like the locals.
Second class steamboat.
Don't worry about third class in Italy. National color.
Renew maps and charts?
Gambling rooms explained, leaks.
Free maps in tourist offices and their evaluation in our guide, the rest can be trusted.
In addition to the point 3
What to do on rainy days. Or the last day.
In museums during the day with reduced admission. Only a few important works.
But in a thorough and didactic way (in the style of the magazine «Kunstwart»).
Good theater seats at reasonable prices known only to regular goers
4. Updates
Recommended hotels based on an audit by a hotel organization
We will take care of training the authors and reviewing the texts by carrying out spot checks.
NB How is Baedeker organised?
Update brochures about every two years at ten pfennnig each, five coupons in the books.
Watch out for illustrated postcards, limit yourself to twelve included (?)
5. Phrasebook
Conversation phrasebook, because knowledge of the language saves a lot of money.
Edition with and without phrasebook, for those who already know the language.
Our principle is that it is impossible to learn a language perfectly. One must therefore be satisfied that he has reached a sufficient level with a mini effort. That little is better than speaking badly of a well-studied language and fighting with its rules. Juxtaposition of infinities. Two hundred words. A kind of Esperanto. Sign language in Italy. Accurate pronunciation. No barrier to further learning. French alone. The most important things about the Swiss dialects.
Buy a copy low price
6. Graphic design
Layout (graphic appearance).
First published in: Max Brod/Franz Kafka, AnFriendship. Reiseaufzeichnungen, and. from Malcolm Pasley, Frankfurt am Main (S.Fischer) 1987, pages 189–192.
Original in German: Wie Kafka und Brod beinahe zu Millionärenwurden
In English: Reiner Stach, Is this Kafka? 99 FINDS, Translation by Silvia Dimarco and Roberto Cazzola, Adelphi, 2013
