No time to waste, let’s start our journey!
#10 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
I wanted to start and end with my two favorite pieces of literature. This was the first book I ever remember thinking, “Gosh, I wish I could go there, too.” Just imagining Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace makes me want to reach for my well-loved copy and go on a journey with them once again all around the universe.
#9 A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
I have always wanted to go to Maine because it was the home of my dear great-grandpa. Bill Bryson’s funny narrative just increased that desire. Comedy, nature and bear sightings all wrapped into one (very long) hike.
#8 The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
Hey, Mars Colony guys, if you’re ever looking for a snarky, wannabe photographer and her giant dog to join your expedition, you know how to get a hold of me.
#7 Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen
I love Florida. It is home to some of my favorite people on Earth. But I’ve always liked beachy Florida, or lighthouse lookout Florida, or swim with dolphins Florida. Leave it to a crazy kayaker and man-eating crocodiles to make me want to see the Everglades.
#6 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
First question, will Jamie be there? If the answer is yes, I have no follow up questions; I will be booking my trip ASAP. If the answer is no, could it be arranged? If the answer is a final no, I guess I would settle for the rich history and culture, the landscapes even Photoshop couldn’t enhance, actual castles, those cute shaggy cows, and all the plaid.
#5 Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Tracking a mysterious sea creature in a spaceship-esque submarine not exciting enough for you? This book has the lost city of Atlantis. Of course I would love to see the infamous civilization and walk/swim(?) through its ruins.
#4 Off the Road: A Modern-Day Walk Down the Pilgrim’s Route into Spain by Jack Hitt
The thought of a pilgrimage has been in my head most of my adult life, but from a purely theoretical standpoint. Enter this book, and all of that changed. While my future walk won’t center on the divine, if I’m ever in the neighborhood, I would happily take a stroll down the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
#3 Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I know, I know. It’s an incredibly obvious choice, but stick with me. I could have picked Wild by Cheryl Strayed or Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes for a better emotional journey. EPL simply has three places for the price of one – and they’re all on my bucket list. Plus, I’ve always wanted to have a Julia Roberts moment.
#2 Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Aaah, already mentally packing my bags. Get me on the fastest flight out of here so I can see some dinosaurs. Yes, I might get mauled by a T-Rex. No place is perfect.
Drumroll please…My number one literary destination is:
#1 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Seriously, when can I leave? I would be one kick-ass Hobbit. Sure, they have that pesky problem of the all-consuming evil that is Sauron, but the rolling hills of the Shire, the ethereal beauty of Rivendell and Lothlorien, the Misty Mountains all would be amazing vacation destinations. Let’s just say if there were ever a LOTR theme park opened (a la Wizarding World of Harry Potter), I would be tapping into my rainy day fund as quickly as humanly possible. Hogwarts, Winterfell, Narnia, you are in my heart, but that heart belongs solely to Middle Earth. Allow me to present my argument for the best place ever.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit C:
I rest my case.
Tell us, if you could go anywhere you have read about in a book, where would you go?
Haha, I’m not sure if I would do Jurassic Park. But YES LORD OF THE RINGS. I would love to do a road trip through the shire, Rivendell, see the the beautiful cities in Gondor…
I’m currently reading Outlander, and it’s only strengthening my love for Scotland 😀
Celine recently posted…Review: Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong
Yes, yes, yes to Middle-earth! I’d love to spend some time in Hobbiton and Rivendell and Edoras and Minas Tirith and just ALL THE PLACES.
That picture of Scotland is also stunning.
Great picks!
Amanda @ Late Nights with Good Books recently posted…Ten Places Books Have Made Me Want To Visit
Love your list 🙂
I need to read Outlander…
Cora @ Tea Party Princess
Cora @ Tea Party Princess recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #17
Admittedly, Jamie being around would certainly make me MORE eager, but I’m absolutely dying to go to Scotland! It just seems like such a gorgeous place. Oh, and YES to Middle Earth! Or New Zealand. I’d take it, if I had to, though Middle Earth would certainly be better. Rivendell especially! 😀
This is a great list! I second your thoughts on Outlander; can we just pretend Jamie is a real person? I’ve been lucky enough to go to Scotland, and it’s awesome!
Liza recently posted…Ten Places Books Have Made Me Want to Visit
Scotland is top of my list (Jamie, are you listening?), and Middle Earth is a must-go-to choice for me as well. I’d thought about Carl Hiaasen’s Florida settings, but wasn’t entirely sure where I’d want to go! (Not sure that I’d do very well in the Everglades…) I love the idea of traveling the worlds of A Wrinkle in Time, so long as there’s no stop at Camazotz. Great list!
Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Places Books Have Made Me Want To Visit
Even without Jamie, Scotland was so amazing! It is the only trip I have ever made out of the country and it was just incredible — would love to go back if I am ever so lucky to have the opportunity again.
Of course, if an appearance by Jamie could be arranged, you would hear no complaints from me 🙂
Christine @Buckling Bookshelves recently posted…Judging a Book By Its Cover: Classic Holiday Editions
You have so many places on your list that I almost included on mine! I ended up leaving off Carl Hiassen, Outlander and Bill Bryson, and I considered putting Mars/space after reading “The Martian.” I did put “Eat, Pray, Love” on my list for Bali. It looks so beautiful there! Sounds like we have similar taste in vacation destinations! 🙂
Lindsay recently posted…Top 10 Places Books Have Made Me Want to Travel + One I Already Visited
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