Which best explains why Europeans wanted to discover a direct trade route to Asia?

Asia at that time was the source of silk, spices and other luxuries desired by Europeans. To get from Europe to India and other parts of Asia for silk, spices and other luxuries, merchants had to cross deserts and mountains and be fearful of bandits along the way, while travel by water was easier, safer and faster than travel by land. ---- Venetian and Arab traders controlled the overland routes and the prices of goods. <--Nova Net.