Beautiful settings in books can be as powerful as the characters, some may even inspire your next holiday...
Whether you are an escaper, learner or plain old lover of words, we’ve rounded up some of the best books that have inspired us to travel (or at the very least add to our lengthy wanderlust lists).
#1 EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert – Bali
Follow the story and stay in Ubud, the centre of the island. It’s in the highlands so it’s cooler plus it has a more laid back pace of life, attracting wellness and nature lovers. Visit the countless Balinese art galleries and museums, The Ubud Monkey Forest, home to long-tailed macaques, and stunning Tegallalang rice fields. Sample the local warung (roadside eateries) or head to Sawah Terrace at Mandapa for some fine-dining Indonesian style, and there’s plenty in between. What’s more Ubud is home to some amazing budget guesthouses like Ubud Inn Cottage and equally amazing resorts like the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (which is where Ms Roberts is rumoured to have stayed whilst filming!)
#2 THE ISLAND by Victoria Hislop – Crete
Victoria Hislop has a home on Crete and it is evident in this heartfelt tale. So, the first thing to do is visit Spinalonga Island but combine it with a trip to Agios Nikolaos and it’s bottomless lake. Explore the waterfront and soak up the atmosphere at one of the restaurants serving up the very freshest fisherman’s catch. We stayed at Elounda Peninsula and a must is dinner under the olive trees at The Old Mill Restaurant at sister property Elounda Mare.
#3 CRAZY, RICH, ASIANS by Kevin Kwan – Singapore
Singapore has so much to offer from the historic temples to mammoth (air-conditioned) malls, and it never fails to impress. Stay at the Marina Bay Sands for some stunning views and attractions that will make you want to stay on site your whole stay, or go old-school with the effortless elegance of Raffles, alongside throwing those nuts on the floor in the Long Bar and enjoying a Singapore Sling. No trip to Singapore is complete with a trip to the traditional hawkers markets for some of the best dishes to suit your mood and taste. Then there’s the Supertrees of Gardens By The Bay and the perfect excuse to head out for a river cruise in Merlion Park.
#4 THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR by Yewande Omotoso – South Africa (Cape Town)
Set in a bougainvillea-laden Cape Town suburb, even Marion and Hortensia would have to agree, that Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain it is the perfect winter sun break, and add-on to that bucket-list safari you have your eye on. Stay in the hidden oasis of Kensington Place the ideal base to explore all there is to offer, from penguins on Boulder Beach to iconic cable car and so much diverse history to explore, including Robben Island. The food is amazing and there is something to suit all budgets from Baia seafood restaurant to the artisanal and inspiring V&A Food Market. Oh, and within an hour’s drive there’s the spectacular winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschoek…
Our wanderlust list is a lengthy one, so please do check back for new additions and do let us know if you have been stirred to travel after reading and escaping into a really good book.
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