For many of us, literature is a fundamental part of our lives. The places I have enjoyed the most while traveling have been somewhat connected with my readings. Taking that into consideration, I decided to ask other Travel Blogger what books have inspired their wanderlust. First, I will expose a little bit of the book that has inspired most of my wanderlust until now.

Rayuela (Hopscotch) – Julio Cortázar

This is not a book about a specific journey (well, it might be a book about an internal journey) but the way Paris is depicted in this book is definitely something that inspires wanderlust and a huge wish of getting to know that city someday. In 2013, part of the 50th Anniversary of this novel, the Instituto Cervantes in Paris released a “Rayuela route” with the places mentioned in the novel. The route ends up in Cortázar graveyard at the Montparnasse cemetery. I was lucky enough to make the route myself and it was definitely one of the best experiences I’ve ever had traveling.

It’s Only the Himalayas: And Other Tales of Miscalculation from an Overconfident Backpacker – Sue Bedford

Danielle Des from The Thought Card

If I could backpack the world with one person, I would seriously consider taking Sue Bedford along with me!

In her latest travel memoir, It’s Only the Himalayas: And Other Tales of Miscalculation from an Overconfident Backpacker, Sue details her travel mishaps during a yearlong backpacking trip with her best friend. Her close encounters with a lion, epic fails (and triumphs) trekking to Annapurna Basecamp and her steamy romances in Asia made me laugh out loud. It also made me think about all the strange and amusing experiences I’ve had while traveling.

It’s Only the Himalayas is one of my favorite travel reads because lots of people go backpacking with the hope to “find themselves”. Sue didn’t find herself under an African dune or nestled between the Mayan ruins, maybe…just maybe… she’s known who she was all along.

You can check out more about Danielle’s impressions of this book here

Oh! The Places You’ll Go! – Dr. Seuss

Elizabeth from Compass & Fork

I just love this book.  It is a quick, inspirational read.  I first received a copy of it around the time I was leaving college, so it was a great time to be reminded there is a whole wide world out there just waiting, all you have to do it go exploring.  When I find myself with itchy feet or feeling “stuck”, it is a great book to turn to for a quick reminder to get out of your comfort zone and go somewhere new!  I have given this book as a gift now many times to my nieces, nephews and friends and hope it has the same impact on their own life.  I have lived, worked and traveled all over the world.  I’m even amazed sometimes at the places I’ve been. And there are still oh so many places to go!

Tudor Series – Phillipa Gregory

Jamie Italiane from The Daily Adventures Of Me

I always read books in preparation for any trip that I take. I recently traveled to England with my family. English history has long inspired me to visit this part of the world. For years I have read Phillipa Gregory, an author with a PhD in English history. Any of her books are great, but leading up to the trip I reread her Tudor Series, the most well known being The Other Boleyn Girl. The series brings to life the court and lives of Henry the Eighth’s wives. It made it especially poignant to stand on the execution site of the Tower of London and visit Warwick Castle. Other books which inspired my travels to the UK were The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, a feminized, fictional account of King Arthur’s Lady of the Lake and the very romantic fantasy,Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

Green Hills of Africa – Ernest Hemingway

Hannah & Addam – Getting Stamped

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