Feeling bored, First name / friend? 

 

It has been kind of a lazy boring weekend.  So my go-to remedy is planning a trip. 

 

Much to Sam's disgust (of course) I go WAY overboard, and we have four 

(maybe five) 2025 personal trips planned.   I am always scheming for just one more, but when I mention anything involving planes to Sam he just walks away.      

But if you are not ready to pack your bags, I have the next best thing:

 

A list of books that will (temporarily) take you away.

 

Have a favorite travel-inspired book? Hit reply and let me know—I’m always looking to add to the growing stack on my bedside table.  

 

My other “fun” habit of mine ( aside from travel and the horse addiction) is that I can not walk by a bookstore without stopping in and buying a book. 

 

If one of these titles sparks your wanderlust, let’s chat. Maybe we can turn it into your next getaway.

 

 Frances Mayes Under The Tuscan Sun took us to Tuscany 3 years in a row…it can happen!  

 

 

 

Dreaming of cobblestone streets, dramatic coastlines, and a  cup of tea? These books will take you  to some of Europe’s most captivating settings—no flight (or jet lag) necessary. 

 

📖 Windswept by Annie Worsley: Lose yourself in the rugged, untamed beauty of Scotland as Worsley paints a picture of landscapes, relentless winds, and the connection between people and place. 

 

📖 The Island by Victoria Hislop: Sun-drenched Crete, family secrets, and a hidden history make this novel an escape into Greek culture, love, and resilience. 

 

📖 The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles: For lovers of books and Paris, this historical novel weaves together resistance, romance, and the enduring power of literature in WWII-era France. 

Want to get really far away—without leaving your couch? 

 

📖 The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard: Escape to a lakeside retreat in Central America, where mystery, reinvention, and a touch of magic make this the kind of place you wish you could book a stay.

 

📖 The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See: Travel deep into the misty tea-growing mountains of China in this story of tradition, love, and fate—one that spans generations and continents.

 

📖 In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson: Australia, but make it hilarious. Bryson’s wit and sharp observations bring the land of kangaroos, deadly critters, and endless sunshine to life in a way that’ll have you both laughing and googling flights.  

And by the way, everything IS trying to kill you in Australia. 

No passport? No problem. These books prove that you don’t have to cross an ocean to find beautiful landscapes, history, and stories that stay with you long after the last page.

 

📖 The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah: Wild Alaska is as much a character in this novel as the people trying to survive it. A story of resilience, love, and the beauty of the Last Frontier.  

 

📖 A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.  Another hilarious gem from Bill, this one got me off the couch and thinking I could be one of those people that can hike the Appalachian Trail.  

Turns out I am not. 

 

📖 South of Broad by Pat Conroy: A letter to Charleston, where the Spanish moss drips, the history runs deep, and the friendships are impossibly  complicated.  

P.S. Need some ideas for your book club? Pass this list along—because great escapes (even the literary kind) are better when shared! 

 

That is totally cool! Use the link below to book yourself for the perks (upgrades, early and late check in, room and resort credits, daily breakfast) that come with my Virtuoso affiliation. Of course I am a quick call away if you have any questions and will happily manage your reservations booked through Virtuoso.