"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ St. Augustine
Of course you can also travel the world by reading books.
Monsieur Honey and I both love to read whether it be fiction, non-fiction, auto biographies, instructional, etc.
Our tastes in reading material may differ but there are some genres that we both like to read.
Most times you will find the atlas and maps not far away when "Monsieur" is reading, so he can visualize the country, landscape and the roads travelled by the characters.
Of course there is no shortage of travel books full of suggestions and sometimes useful, helpful information of how to get there, where to eat and sleep, what to see and on and on.
Not long before our first travels to Europe together in 2003, quite by chance we found a second-hand copy of "Rick Steves' 2001 France, Belgium and the Netherlands" book for a mere dollar.
This was a well spent dollar as we were visiting both France and Belgium.
This book became our "personal concierge" because of the helpful info provided about the airport layout, the train stations, the Metro, tourist sights, and hotel recommendations.
While at the train station in Narbonne waiting to catch a train to Bordeaux, "Honey" noticed the next departing train was to Collioure.
After consulting Rick Steves' book, we changed our plans and headed south.
Rick Steves' writes " Come here to unwind and do nothing. Even with its crowds of French vacationers in peak season, Collioure is what many are looking for when heading to the Riviera - a sunny, peaceful vacation from their vacation."
Since that time we have returned to Collioure four times, it is a special place on the Mediterranean.
P.S. 10 years later and we still haven't made it to Bordeaux, maybe this year.
We enjoy reading about life in foreign countries and some of these books have provided inspiration for some of our travels
This book " From Here, You Can't See Paris " is about a small village, Les Arques in the Lot Valley. It is home to a very good restaurant "La Recreation" and the Zadkine Museum.
"La Recreation" restaurant is housed in an old schoolhouse and the food is superb.
Reading Frances Mayes books was the starting point for our plans to travel to Italy.
A beautiful villa in Pescara, Italy
View of a Tuscan village near Greve-in-Chianti
Our "French Connection" friends gifted us with the book...White Stone, Black Wine - Life Among the Ancient Vineyards of the Quercy Blanc written by Amanda Lawrence.
Ms. Lawrence lives in a village near our friends in the Lot Valley.
Amanda describes her day to day life in this ancient region of South West France and as you read her book, it's as if you are with her at the weekly market in Cahors, sitting in the "café" sipping a coffee, attending the village Fête and visiting with her French neighbours.
So until you can travel to the destinations of your dreams, grab a book and relax in your favourite chair.
Photos of Collioure, a seaside village on the Mediterranean....a special place!
