
A bright‑eyed twelve‑year‑old named Rollo is about to embark on his first real adventure beyond the comforts of home. When his well‑meaning uncle proposes a three‑week tour of the Swiss Alps, the whole Holiday family gathers around the breakfast table, debating passports, permits and a modest budget. The opening scenes capture the bustling bureaucracy of 19th‑century Europe, turning a simple trip into a lesson in responsibility and curiosity for the eager youngster.
From the moment Rollo steps onto the Alpine road, the narrative blends lively description with gentle instruction. Readers are treated to vivid sketches of snow‑capped peaks, tranquil lakeshores, and narrow mountain paths, all filtered through a boy’s wide‑open wonder. The story balances humor and insight, showing how a young traveler navigates unfamiliar customs while discovering the rugged beauty of Switzerland. It’s a charming portrait of youthful ambition set against a richly rendered continental backdrop.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (234K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by D. Alexander, Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2007-08-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1803–1879
A 19th-century American writer and educator, he became famous for lively, morally grounded books written especially for young readers. His stories and histories helped shape early children's literature in the United States.
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