There’s something about traveling that unlocks the brain. It gets you out of your routine, it shows you a different way of life, the jet lag puts you in a creative fog.
Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”
St. Augustine sad, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
I’m traveling now, so posts will be a bit more sporadic than usual, and perhaps arriving at odd hours. But I want to hear what travel means to you – do you like to travel? Are all writers wanderers by nature?
And where is your favorite place?
magarentse says
Scotland, truly magical…. And yes, travel is essential for a writer.
Rosasharn says
Cuba. Craziest place on earth.
The Red Angel says
I have to say that visiting Germany was my all-time favorite trip. My family and I went to Berlin quite a few years ago and I still have not forgotten what it was like. We visited several historical sites (Berlin Wall, museums), and real German cuisine is fantastic. Berlin is an urban center, but from what I experienced it's also rather serene, a quiet city. I loved it and I definitely want to go back some day.
Honorable Mentions (haha): Britain and Hawaii!
~TRA
https://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
Bookish says
By far, Bath, England has to be my favorite. As an Anglophite, I devour english literature almost daily, and relished seeing the corner of the world which was the scene of many of Jane Austen's novels. The gentle rain, the lush green landscape, the crescent on the hill, and the famed hot springs and pump room made me feel at the time, and still today, as if I were in a dream.
Dorothy L. Abrams says
Traveling to the UK unlocked my novel set in Cumbria and the Lake District. I actually found the places I had imagined in the book. Very magical. We are off again to England and Scotland next spring.
In the States, we are going to the Boston area and Sturbridge sometime soon. We have family and genealogy to do, but there are stories to find as well.
Karen Stivali says
I traveled a ton when I was younger, not as much since I've had kids. I still love exploring new places. Favorite US city: NY. Favorite European cities Oxford and Florence. Favorite beaches: Rhode Island coast.
The thing I've always liked most about travel is that you get to experience a glimpse into the lifestyles of the people who live in that place all the time. I love finding places that the locals frequent rather than doing the standard touristy things.
Sierra McConnell says
I haven't traveled much, money and all, but I would love to go to the places I've written about and read about. Odd places like Hiram, GeorgiaMaineOhio, Straubing Germany, and perhaps even Kittery, Maine.
I like Maine most. XD
Josin L. McQuein says
I've traveled very little, but not for lack of desire. I *want* to go just about everywhere in the world, but if we're going on places I've actually seen, then I'll say Orlando Florida.
Pathetic, I know. 🙁
AlvaradoFrazier says
The quotes you mentioned are posted on my bulletin board beside a small color map.
Venice is one of my favorites, because of the feeling the canals and buildings evoke both during the day and evening, there is an eerie serenity about the place.
Paris is a close second because of the parks, bridges,architecture and food. Travel provides more than just a new locale for a writer.
Eden Bradley-Eve Berlin says
Scotland was magical. I loved that as I'd walk down the street in Edinburgh passing modern buildings, I'd suddenly come upon a church or some other structure that was 800 years old. And the people were so lovely-every cab driver and waitress was ready to take us home and feed us.
St. Andrew's was beautiful, especially the rugged coastline, the long expanse of sandy beach. It was November and freezing, but I'd go back any time.
Travel is absolutely essential for a writer. It opens the world to us in a way that just doesn't happen by Googling a place (which I've also done, when necessary). But only experiencing a place can give you the true flavor.
sue laybourn says
the Hunza Valley in Pakistan. Sadly off-limits these days (probably) but very beautiful.
Quinn says
Iceland. I only got to see a little bit of the country around Reykjavik, but the alien beauty of the landscape was like nothing I'd ever seen, and I almost got lost in a canyon full of volcanic ash, which makes for a good story.
Also, the BEST HOT DOGS IN THE WORLD. No joke.
David Gillaspie says
Spain did it for me, national afternoon shutdown and tappas gave it a universal happy hour feel.
P.I. Barrington says
Britain. Probably because that was the first major out of country place I visited. Of course that I am an Anglophile doesn't hurt either. It was stunning to the point of beyond tears of disbelief!
All writers must needs be travelers…they cannot take their readers on journeys otherwise!
Kate Larkindale says
Berlin. It's the perfect mixture of chaos and organization, bustling and vibrant in one moment, tranquil and gorgeous in another.
NYC is a close second though….
Kathryn says
Rome. The sunshine is golden unlike anywhere you've ever see the sun.
Susan Antony says
I agree with Kathryn. Rome the Eternal City.
Matthew MacNish says
When I was young I moved to a new city every six months. I'd loved to wander. Now that I'm a parent, traveling is prohibitively expensive, because obviously four tickets cost more than one.
That being said, I've still never left the continent. I intend to spend my retirement seeing the world, if I can afford it.
Deb says
That's like asking which child is my favorite. Impossible to answer. Each place is so different and so magical in its own way. Venice, Jerusalem, the Dingle Peninsula, Barcelona, Banff, Tuscon, Maui … it's not even comparing apples to oranges. It's comparing falafel to croissants.
Roger Floyd says
Anywhere in New Mexico.
Tasha Seegmiller says
San Juan Islands, WA. Amazing and serene. I wish I could go back just to sit, take it all in, and write.
Ms. Blasé says
Even though I've been to Europe and Latin America, my favorite destination is still Tulsa, Oklahoma.
CourtLoveLeigh says
What?! Nobody has said France yet? I did a study abroad in Lyon once and got to live with a host family. It was my first big adventure alone with no family and no friends. So I guess it's always gonna have that special place. Of course, there are many wonderful places left to visit! I will never get to all of them in one life (also, I like that Scotland seems so popular).
Heidi Windmiller says
Norway. I've never been anywhere as spectacularly beautiful as the fjords. Very literally breath-taking.
Other Lisa says
In my case I don't think you need to ask…
I mean, about the travel part — I love travel, and it's essential to my work.
China's on my list, not too surprisingly, in part because the place has been such a large part of my life and a key to my own self-understanding. Places in China: Yangshuo, Guizhou, Xinjiang and even old Beijing.
But I really love traveling anywhere. I still judge natural wonders on the Big Sur scale, which is just a drive up the coast for me. I visited St. Louis MO for the first time last month, and I loved it. I think sometimes it's just about getting out of your comfort zone and seeing something new.
Have fun!!!
abc says
I'm on board with travel. But I have to say I'm pretty picky. I'm not that person that wants to climb mountains and sleep under the stars and try exotic foods. I love to see culture and beauty and all that, but I like boutique hotels and hot showers and clean toilets. Maybe prissy is the right word. Though you'd never know by looking at me.
I love Dublin the most out of all the places I've been to. For the vibe and the people. For the history. And the beer.
Jen McConnel says
Egypt is by far the most amazing place I've ever been. The sand pulses with magic, and the people there are the friendliest folk I've met. It's funny, I traveled to Egypt after I began writing a book set there, and I found that I had made up all the details really well…but I never predicted how much the trip would mean to me, nor how much I want to go back.
Heather says
Paris. Watching the people stroll by the cafes, feeding sparrows outside the Louvre, walking along the Seine. It's the most peaceful place I've ever been, considering I was in a big city. The architecture just takes your breath away.
And yes, I believe writers are wanderers by nature. Even if we don't leave the house we travel to different worlds in our minds. Real travel just stimulates something that's already implanted in our lives.
Marta says
So many wonderful places that it's hard to decide, but I'd have to say Istanbul. Didn't expect to like it the first time. Now it calls to me. Layers of history and culture, great views, fabulous food, pleasant people. And the contrast between east and west, old and new constantly surprises.
John says
I enjoy traveling from my couch to the bathroom during advertisement breaks on the Travel channel.
OK, not really. I've been to Italy, Spain, and Morocco. I only go to other places so I can write a fictionalized version of my travels and sell millions of books under my pen name, John Grisham. It's really easy to do.
In fact, there aren't enough people writing about their trips to the bathroom or their lives in general! So I created a list. How to Write a Book in 10 Easy Steps. https://bit.ly/ph1T81 It's almost as easy as sitting on the couch, eating ice cream, and pretending that you're a world traveler.
Anonymous says
I travel all the time through my imagination. But my favorite place, is the place I haven't been yet.
Lisa Shafer says
Edinburgh, Scotland. Hands down the coolest place ever.
DearHelenHartman says
It's not a where but a how. My favorite way to travel is to drive – to wander, to stop, to meet people, to zip off the highway and find something amazing. A car trip to anywhere is as wonderful as a magic carpet ride if you do it right.
L.G.Smith says
I'm gearing up for a trip to England, Scotland, and Wales (setting for my WIP). Cannot wait. I've been to London before, but didn't get outside the city to explore. This time I will. I'm even daring to rent a car and tour the countryside.
Crystal says
I'm another Scotland person. It's unreal there. The kind of unreal that could make me believe in magic.
Tracy says
Montreal in winter. The contrast between the -28c, frozen streets and the warm underground city is incredible. It is a must for any hard-science fiction writer that wants to get a feel for inhospitable places that might one day be colonized.
Anne-Marie says
Italy, hands down, although if I could use the other hand too it would point to Scotland.
Rick Daley says
"There it is kids! Big Ben! Parliament!"
– Clark W. Griswold
I was in London in early September, and had a colleague take a picture of me doing a silly walk in front of Buckingham Palace. Experience of a lifetime for a Monty Python geek like me.
My favorite place internationally is probably Amsterdam. In the US, San Diego.
Least favorite: Tijuana (international, scary) and Omaha (domestic, boring).
WORD VERIFICATION: lootords. Floaters in a British restroom.
@rjdaley101071
https://mydaleyrant.blogspot.com
L. Shanna says
Phuket, Thailand. I had no idea the ocean was that beautiful.
P.I. Barrington says
LG!
So am I!
London is astounding but up in the border country, Scotland, the Yorkshire Dales your heart will break from the beauty of it! Not to mention the HISTORY!
I may drive too!
Sarah says
Venice. Always Venice. I think it might be my favorite city in the world.
Dana Strange says
It's a flat out tie for me between Phuket, Thailand and Rome. I cannot choose. Phuket for the amazing Thai people, beaches and adventures. Rome for complete awesomeness in every possible category.
chitrader says
The Canadian Rockies. I could sit and stare at mountains for hours. And the golf is spectacular up there, too.
Carrie Filetti says
Prague! I must find my gypsy roots. 😉
L.G.Smith says
P.I. – I know! I'm already delirious thinking about all the history and gorgeous country I'll see. Amazing. Have a great trip!
Lauren Alissa Hunter says
Luang Prabang, Laos.
Out of 18 countries I've backpacked, it's the only place I have done *twice*. I think travel not only cultivates an open mind for people who are different from you, but shows how similar all of us really are in our desires, struggles, dreams etc… Consequently, traveling so many places alone has forced me to endure some of the most painful and introspective loneliness I've ever felt… Which, we all know, does wonders for the "creative process."
Bryan Russell says
The mountainous south coast of Ireland and the fjords of Norway (and the Trollstigen, of course). The pedestrian resort town of Zermatt, in Switzerland, is also pretty lovely.
Elsie Chapman says
Tokyo!
Bryan Russell says
And Seville and Salamanca are two of my favourite towns.
Okay, I want to travel again.
Mira says
I'm not really a traveler; I prefer to snuggle up with the comforts of home.
Although I do enjoy luxury travel – lovely bed and breakfasts and gorgeous hotels that pamper me.
That said, I think it was crucial I left my own country and experienced a different culture from my own. It expanded my sense of what it means to be human in a major way.
My favorite places tend to be more about beauty or tranformative experience.
Yosemite is probably my favorite place in the world. The Alps were gorgeous and Switerland is pristine, but I think Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places in existence.
I also think that anyone who can should try to stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon at least once in their lifetime.
Another thing to do in one's lifetime is to stand in the presence of one of Michalangeo's sculptures.
And be inside the Notre Dame Catherdral in Paris.
There are so many other places I haven't been, so it's a short list, but that's my list so far.