Gertrude Bell was an enthusiastic traveller throughout her life. She went on two around the world tours. Between 1899 and 1902, she climbed in the Alps and became one of the most respected female climbers of the time. Bell also extensively travelled across the Middle East, from Turkey, to Mesopotamia and Arabia, to Egypt, Israel and Syria. Her desert travels are also noteworthy for their extent and the dangers she had to face. During her travels, she frequently wrote long letters back home, who give us an insight into the life of this extraordinary Victorian woman.
Encourage your children to think about how it would be to travel away from home. Ask them write down a letter to their family: What would they miss? What would they like?
Letter writing.