Why so much travel?

I am starting to see that all of the characters in "Pride and Prejudice", no matter the income level travel and take extended holidays. This strikes me as odd. If I compare travel and time away from work or home in modern times to the era represented in the book, I would most certainly need to be wealthy to afford being gone for several months out of the year. As far as a I can piece together the Bennett's have been away from home several times. These trips have totaled at least a month of time , if not more. I hope we can discuss this topic in class next week. I am curious as to how travel and vacations seem to be prevalent in "Pride and Prejudice". In my modern life I am lucky to be able to travel out of state to see family once a year, or once every two to three years. If travel and vacations were built into the society and economic business structure two hundred plus years ago, then I would have to question our modern practices. Today we have many modern conveniences and travel is easier, yet we get to spend less time traveling and enjoying friends and family. I would consider giving up modern comforts for the ability to travel as much as it seems that the Bennett family does.