I love to travel. Don't get me wrong, I do love being home, too. But the world is such a great big place, and there is so much to see and do, so much to experience, and I want to see it all.
I have really been looking forward to this August this year (not that I was wishing away July by any means!) Early this spring, my husband came upstairs and asked my thoughts on him taking me to Italy in August.
Um, yes.
When I was in grade 12, I went on a Europe trip. We spent a lot of time in Germany, stopped in Austria, visit Switzerland, and made two stops in Italy: In Venice and in Verona.
I fell in absolute love with Italy.
I vowed I would go back.
And now I get to.
We aren't seeing Verona again, but we will be revisiting Venice. And also Rome, Florence, Naples, the Tuscany region, the Amalfi coast...
We are seeing a lot of Italy.
I'm writing this a week before we leave, but it will be posted on our first full day. We will be in Rome today, having landed in the morning. We will be tired, jet lagged. We will also be sightseeing today, and visiting the catacombs tonight. Tomorrow morning we head toward Florence, with a couple stops along the way. We can sleep on the bus; today and tonight, we explore.
And also probably eat gelato. And pasta. And pizza. And tiramisu. And did I mention gelato? And if we're really tired? Well, that's what espresso is for. Lots and lots of espresso.
I love history and art and architecture and food and obviously literature... I think I am going to really like Italy.
Anyway, in honour of our trip, I thought I would do a couple blog posts focusing on recommended reads for traveling and Italy.
(You can see a list of recommended reads for sea-themed travel here, beach themed reads here, and another post about my love of travelo, here.)
First up: Books great for traveling that are on my VERY extensive TBR (to be read) list.
A travel diary kept by a man who traveled through South America by motorcycle. Even if you aren't looking for a travel book specifically, this book is an interesting bestseller and now a movie.
Another bestselling novel that offers a window into the last 30 years of history of Afghanistan. I'm rather embarrassed that I haven't read this one yet, but I will get to it, one day, I promise. This is from the author of The Kite Runner, so if you haven't read it yet (like me!) I still recommend you do.
This fictionalized account of Kerouac’s journey across America spoke to a generation of wanderlust and is recognized to be a change in literary form. Very influential as a voice of America, this is one of "need to read" books I am shocked and again, slightly embarrassed to say I haven't read yet.
This adventure tale recounts how the author spent seven years observing the culture and politics of Tibet after escaping from a British internment camp in India. I've wanted to read the book ever since I saw the movie.
This inspiring story tells how one man campaigned to build schools in the farthest reaches of Asia. A few years back this book and the author's claims reached major scrutiny and controversy. It almost makes me want to read it more.
A summer motorcycle trip through the American northwest, that contemplates life and love and fear and family. It's considered a classic, and it's been on my shelf for a couple years now.
I enjoyed this movie when I first saw it. I had no idea it was based on a true story, of Frances Mayes, who, after a messy divorce, bought an abandoned Tuscan villa. She then set about restoring it, in the process discovering and revealing local beauty. Food, culture, art, love, community... I am so looking forward to this read.
What are your recommended travel reads that I should add to my TBR list?
I'd love to read your suggestions, below. And don't forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter, that comes out the first Tuesday of every month.