Embarking on a journey is like breathing life into our souls, setting our spirits free to explore. Yet, there are times when our adventurous flicker, yearning for inspiration to reignite the passion for travel. If you are looking for inspiration, we think it’s the best time to give up on travel blogs and pick up classic travel books. From the accounts travellers with fridge to travelling in 80 trains, here are ten remarkable books that are canons in travel writing and books one should read to rekindle their spark in the travelling.
- The Innocents Abroad: Famous American author mark twain, pens down his experience voyage that takes him to parts of Europe and Africa. It is more than interesting to read the observations and critiques that twain provides of European culture and how it was different from American Culture. Apart from some political and philosophical themes, Mark twain focuses on the concept that, in travel the true meaning and enjoyment of a moment can be truly felt and cherished when it’s gone.
- The Art of Travel: Public intellectual Alain de Botton is famous for bringing in different concepts of psychology and philosophy into the daily life, in his book The art of travel Alain de Botton blends philosophy, literature, and personal experiences, reflecting on the intricacies of travel, urging us to appreciate the beauty in the ordinary and find solace in the art of exploration. The book will make you rethink about how you view travel while giving enough time to absorb the content.
- A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe: A Woman Alone is an engrossing collection of individual accounts that honours the spirit of bold women who set off on amazing trips around the world. These motivational stories reveal the transforming potential of solo travel while illuminating the delights, difficulties, and deep self-discovery moments encountered by female explorers.
- The Great Railway Bazaar: Considered a classic in travel writing, the novel tells tale of Paul Theroux and his four-month railway journey to Africa, Asia and Europe. Theroux brings his conversation and insights of his travel to write a compelling travel book. Theroux book traces the history of the places such as colonialism, imperialism and violence. The author reflects on his own insights and thoughts. The four month long narrated journey will definitely make you curios and fuel to venture out again.
- The Half Known life: In Search of Paradise: Famous essayist and travel writer Pico Iyer writes about the conflict ridden and war inflicted zones of the world. Iyer emphasises that it is easy to find a paradise when things are going well, but finding a paradise in a war zone where its existence is nearly impossible is a true challenge. Pico Iyer travels to all the war ridden zones in the world and writes the intricacies and other side of travel that is mostly overlooked.
- Butter Chicken in Ludhiana: For all the folks who enjoy the urban exploration, Pankaj Mishra’s Butter Chicken in Ludhiana is a compelling book decorated with unusual characters and India’s development in the early stages of globalization. The book focuses on small towns of India and how the towns were blend of different aspirations and dreams. You can give your travel journey a different experience by starting a simple conversation with the folks around.
- Round Ireland with a Fridge: We all have made unnecessary and unintentional bets with our friends, Round Ireland with a fridge is another travel tale that comes out of a drunk bet between hawks and his friend. Hawks is supposed to hitchhike Ireland with a refrigerator. Throughout the journey, Tony hawks ponders upon some of his life choices and career decisions. For people who have travelled with unusual and interesting companions, here is another tale to relive the memory and maybe take your boots out for another one.
- A Walk in the Woods: Bill Bryson Embarks on a hilarious and insightful trek along the Appalachian Trail. During their trek Bill realises the difficulties of trekking with his friend who is a recovering alcoholic. Bryson’s witty narrative captures the essence of the journey and the unique characters encountered along the way.
- Around India in 80 Trains: Its no surprise that Indian railway is the heartbeat of the nation and almost all of us have some comical, hilarious, uncomfortable and unimaginable train stories in our memories. Monisha Rajesh in her book talks about the wisdom passed down by different destinations of India. From hustling and packed trains of Mumbai to luxurious trains of India, Rajesh accepts that there is more to travel than arriving at a destination.
- Seven Years in Tibet: Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer is an extraordinary memoir that chronicles the author’s captivating journey through the majestic landscapes of Tibet. The story begins with Harrer’s escape from a British internment camp in India during World War II. In this deeply personal account, Harrer takes readers on a remarkable adventure filled with cultural encounters, spiritual awakening with Dalai Lama, and profound self-discovery.
Each of these literary masterpieces has the capacity to rekindle the fire inside us and serve as a constant reminder of how freeing and transforming travel can be. So, make yourself a cup of coffee, read through these pages, and prepare to be whisked away to other lands. Let these books serve as your navigational aids as they lead you back to the excitement and wonder of adventure and rekindle your love for the beauty that lies beyond our doorstep.
Films That Will Reignite Your Passion in Travelling
The magic of cinema can transport us to far-flung destinations, ignite our wanderlust, and reignite our passion for exploring the world. Films serve as our windows into many cultures, stunning landscapes, and transforming adventures. In light of this, here is a list of the top 10 films that will inspire you to go off on your own incredible journeys and awaken your inner traveller. These cinematic treasures have engaging stories, breathtaking scenery, and compelling individuals that go on life-altering adventures.
- Darjeeling Limited (2007)
The Wes Anderson-directed movie takes us on a colourful train ride across India’s breathtaking landscapes. Follow three brothers as they go across the stunning Darjeeling area, meeting interesting individuals, experiencing spiritual awakenings, and admiring the wonders of cultural immersion. “The Darjeeling Limited” also explores the difficulties of interpersonal relationships and the transforming potential of travel.
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Put yourself in Walter Mitty’s shoes as he sets out on an incredible journey to locate a misplaced photo negative. This film transports us on a visually spectacular journey that from the untamed landscapes of Iceland to the busy streets of New York City. Inspiring the audience to embrace spontaneity and seize the opportunities that lie ahead, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” serves as a reminder that many of life’s greatest adventures are just beyond our comfort zones.
- Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
Based on the true story of Che Guevara, the film chronicles his transformative journey across South America on a motorcycle. What begins as a carefree adventure soon evolves into a voyage of self-discovery, social awakening, and political consciousness. As Che encounter people from different walks of life, and witness the harsh realities of poverty and inequality, his perspectives on the world are forever changed.
- Enchanted April (1991)
Married Rose Arbuthnot takes a break from her family and womanly duties and ventures for a holiday in Italy. Accompanied by four women, the ladies are liberated from the constraints of society and family. All the women find themselves massively transformed from the experience.
- Everything is Illuminated (2005)
In the film, Elijah Wood portrays young American author Jonathan Safran Foer admirably as he embarks on a search for the Ukrainian woman who saved his grandfather during World War II. He sets out on a road journey with his lively Ukrainian translator, Alex, weaving together humour and sorrow from the past and present.
- Shirley Valentine (1989)
Trapped inside the four walls and domesticity Shirley with her friend ventures out for a holiday in Greece. The real adventure starts when Shirley’s friend ditch her and Shirley is left on her own. She starts exploring and finds joy again in her life.
- Tracks (2013)
Based on a true story, “Tracks” takes us on a mesmerizing journey through the Australian desert. Follow Robyn Davidson, played by Mia Wasikowska, as she embarks on a solo trek accompanied only by her dog and a small herd of camels. The film captures the awe-inspiring beauty of the vast Outback and celebrates the indomitable human spirit in the face of isolation and adversity.
- Kilometers and Kilometers (2020)
A local tour guide takes an American tourist woman on a road bike trip throughout India. The journey reshapes their understanding and perspectives towards each other. The journey brings out the good and bad side of Indian and American culture.
- The Bucket List (2007)
Two terminally ill men (Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman) escape from a cancer ward and embark on a journey to fulfil their bucket list, traveling to various destinations and seizing life’s precious moments. What comes next is a remarkable experience as Edward and Carter travel the world and cross off items on their bucket list. Each encounter strengthens their bond and aides in their quest to understand the meaning of life, whether it is skydiving over the Grand Canyon or touring the magnificence of the Egyptian pyramids.
- Anandam (2016)
The coming-of-age Malyalam movie directed by Ganesh Raj traces the journey of Seven college who travel to Goa and Hampi, in their journey the uncover the complexities of relationships and love.
Each film on the list has something special to offer and resonates with a distinct facet of travelling. These films have transcended the confines of the screen and sparked human wanderlust, from uplifting stories of self-discovery to heart-pounding escapades. The films share the potential to take us to far-off locales where we can discover various cultures, interesting characters, form relationships and discover some hidden aspects of ourselves.
