Have you read the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho?
Remember how Santiago had to cross the Strait of Gibraltar and traveled from Spain to the fiery desert of the Sahara just to chase his destiny? Well, the thrill he endured on his journey wasn’t on the page of that book only, Every suspense, adventure, and excitement could be felt through the words of the novel. When I read the book, I had goosebumps and was amazed when I finished the book. This book created my love for travel books and has raised the bar for a good travel book.
Some people enjoy their adventures in fiction, with a good book in hand. For others, the thrill lies in exploring new lands and scaling majestic mountains, But what if you could do both without having to pack a suitcase? Travel books offer the perfect blend of escapism and exploration. It transports us to new landscapes and cultures, all from the comfort of our armchair.
Travel books can be magical gates that transport us from our doorstep, unfolding the sights, noises, and traditions of places far away. Through them, we may walk on crowded markets or along silent beaches. We gain empathy and understanding as we travel with these authors; We become a citizen of the world through our seat at home. These books are igniters for adventure. The stories of explorations incite our passion to form our program whether it is a single European getaway or a journey along the ancient Camino de Santiago. When real-life adventures have been put on hold, we can find our mental escapes in travel books. Inside their pages’ descriptions made by ink writers map out vibrant cities, serene islands, and uncharted paths across all over the Earth’s surface. It is a refuge for the mind where one can wander even if his feet stay firmly planted on the ground.
A great benefit of a travel book is it can be very refreshing. Suppose you are reading a slow-paced 500-page novel. It’s a possibility that you have become bored reading it for a long time. This phase is risky because it can drag you to the Reader’s block phase. To avoid that, you need something that will be something refreshing or adventurous story that doesn’t need character build-up. A travel book is an excellent genre for that. Most of the travel books are usually fast-paced and easy to read. Every page of the book contains adventure and new stories. Another benefit is that a well-written travel book can work as your itinerary guide. You are able to use it to plan your next travel destination. You can read a travel book after you have traveled to the place described in the book. You may find the attention to detail of that place that you didn’t notice and see the place through the writer’s eyes.
Here are a Few Titles to Spark Your Curiosity:
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Venice by Jan Morris
Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed.
Famous travel books in Bengali literature to get you started:
Vromonsomogro by Humayun Ahmed.
Chander Pahar by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay.P
Payer Tolaye Sorshe by Sunil Gangopadhyay
Deshe Bideshe by Sayed Mujtaba Ali
Marcel Proust said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. Travel books not only open our eyes to new cultures but also allow us to see through the author’s eyes. It ignites a passion for exploration, all from the comfort of a cozy armchair.” So, why not grab a cup of coffee, pick up a travel book today, and embark on your next adventure?
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Writer,
Abdul Ahad Bin Feroz
Intern, Content Writing Department,
YSSE.