{"id":10610,"date":"2020-04-14T09:54:02","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T08:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/?p=10610"},"modified":"2020-04-23T15:27:28","modified_gmt":"2020-04-23T14:27:28","slug":"books-that-transport-you-across-the-globe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2020\/04\/books-that-transport-you-across-the-globe\/","title":{"rendered":"Books that transport you across the globe"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Books have a fantastic way of transporting the reader to a world and time other than their own. Whilst some stories take place in locations that we consider familiar, many manage to portray images of places, cultures and eras around the planet so vividly that they take us to lands that are totally foreign. During times when the prospect of travel becomes impossible, books like these can become a restless traveller\u2019s saving grace. From the comfort of your sofa you can be taken to the wild plains of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Africa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the colourful clamour of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South America\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> colonial cities or the fascinating past of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/europe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eastern Europe<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with the turn of a page. We have compiled a list of books, both fictional and factual, that are perfect for both feeding the imagination and sparking the inspiration for travellers everywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Browse through our list of literary works that inspire travel, select a region of your choice, lose yourself in the book of your choice and prepare to be delivered across the globe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>South America<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10630 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/colombiablog.jpg\" alt=\"Colombia view from Guatape\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/colombiablog.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/colombiablog-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\/colombia\">Colombia<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps a somewhat ironic title for those stuck inside with little to do, but the storyline of Gabriel Garcia Marquez\u2019s surrealist masterpiece is anything but restrictive. Set in the fictional colonial town of Macondo in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\/colombia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colombia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the country of Marquez\u2019s birth, the story follows multiple generations of the Buendia family and the fantastical events that befall them through times of happiness and strife. Deemed the birth of magical realism, the book is spectacularly written and at times utterly bizarre.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The way of life in a colonial town in rural <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\/colombia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colombia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is almost tangible through the fantastic writing of arguably Colombia\u2019s greatest literary genius. Said to have been based on Marquez\u2019s home town of Aracataca, near <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/cartagena-city-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cartagena<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the novel follows Macondo\u2019s decline during the century following colonial <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\/colombia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colombia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the mirrored decline of one of its greatest families. Rich with potent symbolism, Gabriel Garcia Marquez\u2019s book manages to capture the lively character of Colombian life like no other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10629 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/mapiblog.jpg\" alt=\"View of Machu Picchu in Peru, South America\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/mapiblog.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/mapiblog-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Motorcycle Diaries, Che Guevara (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\">South America<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/central-america\">Central America<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An epic tale of travel and self discovery, written by one of the most iconic political figures in the history of Latin America. The Motorcycle Diaries follows Che Guevara\u2019s journey with friend Alberto Granado as they voyage from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/buenos-aires-city-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buenos Aires<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the USA via <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\/chile\">Chile<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\/bolivia\">Bolivia<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\/peru\">Peru<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\/colombia\">Colombia<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Their journey takes them from the rugged terrain of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\/patagonia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patagonia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/visiting-machu-picchu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Machu Picchu<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the sacred land of the Incas, meeting everything from helpless lepers to forgotten indigenous peoples en route. The journey is what would eventually spark a passion inside Guevara that led to his role in the Cuban Revolution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tale of the incredible trip taken by the duo tells of their experiences on the road, both enlightening and devastating, as the author encourages the reader to travel the world and converse with its people with both an open mind and an open heart. Encountering some of the most incredible locations across <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/south-america\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South America<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the book both celebrates the continent\u2019s unique beauty and encourages a certain attitude to take when travelling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10628 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/amazonungle.jpg\" alt=\"Amazon Jungle\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/amazonungle.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/amazonungle-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lost City of Z, David Grann (Amazon Jungle)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fascinating true tale of one of the greatest explorers of the early 20th century, Colonel Percy Fawcett, and his quest to discover a city lost to the gnarled roots and dense thicket of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amazon Rainforest<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Through research that he himself undertook during his own Amazonian expedition, Grann\u2019s novel attempts to uncover the mystery of Fawcett\u2019s disappearance and the city that he was attempting to discover, which he codenamed Z.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspired by one of the last true stories of pioneering exploration, the novel accurately depicts the violent wilderness of the Amazon and the jungle\u2019s curious mysteries that still remain today. The Lost City of Z is a must read for anyone intrigued by either the Amazon\u2019s wild depths or the myths that developed from the Spanish colonisation of Latin America. The book will give those with an adventurous spirit a desire to delve into the jungle\u2019s deepest reaches themselves, heading as far from the beaten track as our planet will allow.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Central America<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Esquivel (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/central-america\/mexico\">Mexico<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A story of forbidden love set in rural <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/central-america\/mexico\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mexico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Laura Esquivel\u2019s novel is a tribute not only to the passionate flair of the country\u2019s people, but also the importance of delicious food within their society. The story follows Tita, a young woman who must come to terms with the family tradition of the youngest daughter having to care for her mother until the day of her death, in spite of the feelings that she has for her lover, Pedro. Taking place over 12 chapters &#8211; one for each month of the year &#8211; the novel centres around Tita\u2019s passion for cooking, with each chapter starting with a traditional Mexican recipe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With elements of magical realism that see the story poetically alter its course in unforeseeable ways, the book is a beautifully written tale of forbidden love with underlying themes of passion, growth and of course food. Whilst it may not encourage the reader to explore a particular place in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/central-america\/mexico\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mexico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the theme of all things Mexican cuisine is sure to have your mouth watering and gut yearning to sample <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/food-and-drink-in-mexico\">some of the country\u2019s classic recipes<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10627\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/havanablog.jpg\" alt=\"Typical colourful cuban buildings\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/havanablog.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/havanablog-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our Man in Havana, Graham Greene (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/central-america\/cuba\">Cuba<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A comedic spy novel may not be the first genre that springs to mind when considering stories that inspire travel, but Graham Greene\u2019s iconic Our Man in Havana provides a vivid picture of Cuba\u2019s capital and the lifestyle that went with it during the 1950s. Following the story of vacuum salesman James Wormold, who is erroneously hired as a spy by MI6 during the Cold War. Exploiting the foolish British agents to make some money, Wormold creates a fictional spy network to keep him in their employment, leading to a muddled game of cat and mouse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite being published in 1958, the Havana that Greene describes remains very much the same to this very day, with many of the locations mentioned still very much intact. Whilst comedic, the novel does create a sense of unease under the surface that existed during the era and helps one gain some perspective on not only the physical makeup of Havana but also the history that has seen it become the city that it is today. Those that truly enjoy the book can even visit some of the traditional bars described by Greene as they wander the colourful, crumbling streets of the capital.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the Volcano, Malcolm Lowry (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/central-america\/mexico\">Mexico<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set a short distance to the south of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/mexico-city-city-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mexico City<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the colonial city of Cuernavaca, Malcolm Lowry\u2019s novel follows the story of British consul Geoffrey Firmin during the country\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/experiences\/festivals-on-tour\">Day of the Dead festival<\/a>. Starting a year after the main events of Firmin\u2019s story, the book look\u2019s back on a 24 hour period during the festivities. As the protagonist drinks himself into ruin, the reader is introduced to a number of quintessentially Mexican traditions and cultural traits, creating an enticing backdrop in front of which the tale unfolds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lowry perfectly captures the passionate history and culture of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/central-america\/mexico\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mexico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that makes it so alluring. As the protagonist\u2019s emotional story unfolds, the author creates an undeniably Mexican atmosphere that is not only a relatively unique environment for such a tale but also perfectly captures the energy of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/central-america\/mexico\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mexico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through its most famous celebration. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/experiences\/festivals-on-tour\">Day of the Dead festivities<\/a> ensure an explosive array of Mexican cultural traits to feed the reader\u2019s adventurous curiosity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Africa<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10626\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/kenya.jpg\" alt=\"Wildlife in Kenya\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/kenya.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/kenya-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Out of Africa, Karen Blixen (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\/kenya\">Kenya<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The expertly written memoirs of author Karen Blixen, a Danish woman who moved to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\/kenya\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kenya<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the early 20th century to help run a coffee farm with her husband. Written in no particular chronological order, the novel follows Blixen\u2019s memories and experiences with the variety of local peoples that worked on her farm as well as the stunning surrounding landscapes and the incredible animals that call it home. Blixen learns about the local culture and customs as her personal life entwines with the nation that she called home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blixen\u2019s writing is beautiful and portrays an image of colonial <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\/kenya\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kenya<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or British East Africa, that is at once poetic and pragmatic. Elements of the book have not aged well, namely the terms used in reference to characters\u2019 races and Blixen\u2019s hunting of local wildlife, but her zealous portrayal of the country always shines through. Her love for the country and its people is blatant and her untamed passion for all things <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\/kenya\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Africa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> proves infectious to any that choose to delve into her story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\/south-africa\">South Africa<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Written by the most iconic figure in the history of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Africa<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Long Walk to Freedom is a vitally important piece of the nation\u2019s literature. An essential read for anyone wishing to truly understand the controversial history and cultural nuances that have shaped modern day <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\/south-africa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Africa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Mandela\u2019s autobiography follows his journey from freedom fighter to his years in prison to his role in the creation of a new, democratic nation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beginning with his traditional Xhosa childhood spent in the village of Mveso, the book develops into a firsthand story of the terrible period of South African apartheid from the viewpoint of one of its most vital characters. Long Walk to Freedom offers an insight into the indigenous cultures of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\/south-africa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Africa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and how they were ravaged by apartheid. The book sheds light on a vital piece of the South African puzzle and is a testament to the stoic resilience of South Africa\u2019s people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10625 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/gorillasblog.jpg\" alt=\"Gorillas in Uganda\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/gorillasblog.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/gorillasblog-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gorillas in the Mist, Diane Fossey (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\/rwanda\">Rwanda<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More so a testament to the famous wild inhabitants of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rwanda<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than to the nation itself, Diane Fossey\u2019s Gorillas in the Mist is a memoir chronicling her 25 years spent amongst the gorilla population in Rwanda. The book derives from Fossey\u2019s unparalleled research into the local mountain gorilla community and how it sparked her spirited anti-poaching stance. Her work in preventing poaching in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/africa\/rwanda\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rwanda<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would eventually lead to her brutal and mysterious death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A narrative about the family that she studied, the book is a fascinating look at the workings of the gorillas\u2019 social lives and the undeniable parallels between them and our own species. The story chronicles both moments of gleeful joy and desperate sadness, with each moment adding layers to the creatures\u2019 individual personalities. Reading Fossey\u2019s story is sure to inspire a yearning to visit these fascinating relatives of ours, observing them interacting with one another in their natural habitat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Asia<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/india\">India<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gregory David Roberts\u2019 true story of life in the slums of Mumbai, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/india\">India<\/a>, is a fascinating adventure in a world completely foreign to his own. Having escaped from prison in his native Australia, Roberts finds himself in the thick of the slum community, bombarded with the alien culture that makes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/india\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such a remarkable country. Adopting the local ways of life as his own, he embarks on a journey of grand adventure and self discovery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extremely popular amongst the travelling community, both those venturing to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/india\">India<\/a> and those with a penchant for all things travel, the book is an inspirational tale of true exploration in a foreign land. Roberts\u2019 story can appear overzealous at times, but his descriptions of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/india\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the people that call it home brings the country to life. Shantaram is a story that will inspire a yearning for genuine adventure and immersion into a new culture in all who read it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10620 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/thaibeach.jpg\" alt=\"Crystal blue water and white sand beach in Thailand\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/thaibeach.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/thaibeach-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Beach, Alex Garland (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/thailand\">Thailand<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is much irony in the fact that Alex Garland\u2019s cult classic has become a literary staple for those passionate about travel. The novel follows Richard, a backpacker from the UK who discovers a secluded and seemingly utopian society of travellers on an undiscovered beach during his travels to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/thailand\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thailand<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As the group faces internal conflict and a false veil is slowly peeled back to reveal its ugly underbelly, the beach loses its mysterious allure and paradise spirals into chaos in a Lord of the Flies style twist of events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garland\u2019s novel is in fact a criticism of the increasingly superficial nature of Thailand\u2019s tourism industry at the time of writing, but his tale of discovering a hidden slice of paradise has inspired travellers for years. Garland\u2019s writing transports the reader to white sand, jungle fringed, turquoise watered beaches that exist only in dreams. The notion of escaping the mundanity of everyday life and discovering a place of pure paradise is a thought that is sure to appeal to all who are craving the thrill of dropping it all and exploring all corners of our planet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Dragon Apparent, Norman Lewis (Indochina)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Norman Lewis\u2019 A Dragon Apparent gives fascinating insight into a vitally important era of history in what was French Indochina. Telling the story of his travels through modern day <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/laos\">Laos<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/vietnam\">Vietnam<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\/cambodia\">Cambodia<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Lewis portrays a region of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/asia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a period of great change prior to the devastating effects of the Vietnam War. His story brilliantly explores the intricacies of these countries and their people, which have made them such a desirable destination in recent decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lewis meets a region and its peoples, from kings and emperors to farmers and guerrilla fighters, in turn presenting the wide scope of Southeast Asian society from the viewpoint of an outsider. There is an ominous feeling resonating throughout the book due to the upcoming devastation that the reader knows is lying around the corner. However, the author\u2019s detailed accounts of the region and its people are sure to inspire feelings of wanderlust as he takes the reader on a journey through a region rife with historical and cultural significance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Europe<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10623 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/russland.jpg\" alt=\"Famous landmark in Russia\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/russland.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/russland-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/europe\/russia\">Russia<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A true tour de force and one of the more substantial novels to ever have existed, Tolstoy\u2019s masterpiece of Russian literature is as spectacular as it is sizeable. Following the lives of a number of aristocratic Russian families during the 19th century, Tolstoy creates a perfectly intertwined collection of narratives that depict the nation at its most regal and glamorous. From grandiose ballroom celebrations to the gritty conflict on the frontline of the war, this epic is deemed one of the best fictional portrayals of Russian history that can still be experienced to this day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whilst War and Peace may seem a daunting read &#8211; spanning over 1000 pages in total &#8211; the intricate artistic detail of Tolstoy\u2019s writing makes it all the more worth reading. The depth of each and every character and their interactions both with each other and their lavish environment brings this fascinating period of history to life. Many of Moscow and St Petersburg&#8217;s iconic buildings mentioned in the novel still stand along their historic streets and canals, bringing one of Russia\u2019s most famous stories alive in the current day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neither Here Nor There, Bill Bryson (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/europe\">Europe<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The story of Bill Bryson\u2019s travels across <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Europe<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 1990, beginning in Norway and slowly making his way through the likes of Italy, Switzerland and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/europe\/bulgaria\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bulgaria<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before finishing in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/europe\/turkey\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turkey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Amongst his experiences between the two are robberies in Italy, avoiding ordering tripe in Germany and browsing the continent\u2019s red light districts. As with all of his travel stories, Bryson\u2019s book is full of laugh out loud humour as he humorously dissects the quirks and characteristics of the multiple cultures that he encounters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lighthearted writing of Bryson makes this book an easy read whose upbeat tones are sure to lift your spirits and have readers dreaming of observing the Northern Lights in Norway or wandering the quaint alleyways of central Paris. A wonderful antithesis to the likes of dense Russian literature or sombre tales of Europe at war, Bryson\u2019s tongue in cheek novel will keep your spirits high as it inspires the traveller inside you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>North Africa and the Middle East<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10622\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/pyramid-egyptblog.jpg\" alt=\"Pyramids in Egypt\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/pyramid-egyptblog.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/pyramid-egyptblog-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/north-africa-the-middle-east\">North Africa<\/a> \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/north-africa-the-middle-east\/egypt\">Egypt<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whilst the book is not set entirely within <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/north-africa-the-middle-east\/egypt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Egypt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it is the very driving force behind the journey of Santiago, the novel\u2019s protagonist. A humble shepherd boy living in the Andalusian region of Spain, Santiago has a recurring dream which he believes to be a prophetic insinuation that he will discover treasure underneath the Egyptian pyramids. An eloquently written piece that sees Santiago face some of the greater questions in life, its primary focus is on his journey, both metaphorical and literal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More of a tale to appreciate for the questions it poses rather than the physical locations in which it is set, the beauty of The Alchemist lies in its characters and their interactions with each other. However, Coelho does portray the Mediterranean and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/north-africa-the-middle-east\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Africa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a beautiful light, adding another layer of wonder to the tale. Following Santiago on his quest sees him encounter kings, tribesmen and his one true love, as he discovers the workings of his very soul.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arabian Sands, Sir Wilfred Thesiger (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/north-africa-the-middle-east\">The Middle East<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A tale of pioneering exploration in the face of genuine danger, Arabian Sands is Sir Wilfred Thesiger\u2019s true story of his five years spent in the deserts of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/north-africa-the-middle-east\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Middle East<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. One of the greatest explorers of his time, Thesiger visited regions that had never before been seen by westerners. Battling sweltering heat and at times unbearable thirst and hunger to reach his goal, Thesiger sheds light on the formerly undiscovered nomadic tribes that have thrived in such lands for millennia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The author\u2019s journey through the seemingly inhospitable land amongst those who call it home pays homage to their incredible way of life. Amongst the people with whom he integrates are the Bedouin, a community still living in the deserts of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/north-africa-the-middle-east\/jordan\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jordan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to this day. The story of his life in the sands portrays the spectacular environment of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/north-africa-the-middle-east\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Middle East<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in great detail but the true beauty comes from those who are only too happy to show him a way of life that is foreign to the vast majority of the planet. Published in 1959, the legendary hospitality referred to by Thesiger is something that is still experienced in the modern day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Antarctica<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10621\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/arctic.jpg\" alt=\"Penguins in Antarctica\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/arctic.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/arctic-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South, Sir Ernest Shackleton (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/antarctica\">Antarctica<\/a>)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South is a first hand account of the incredible true story of Sir Ernest Shackleton\u2019s journey to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/antarctica\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antarctica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. With the original intention of crossing the frozen continent, Shackleton and his men had to abandon their ship and endure the hardships of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/antarctica\">Antarctica<\/a> for over 2 years. The crew, made up of 28 men, was eventually rescued thanks to the valiant efforts of Shackleton in what is considered one of the greatest examples of great leadership in the history of mankind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond the incredibly inspiring story of endurance and survival, the book goes into intricate detail about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/antarctica\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antarctica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; the final frontier in an age of epic expeditions to every corner of the globe. His descriptions perfectly encapsulate the serene white expanse that he deems as dangerous as it is beautiful. To this day, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/antarctica\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antarctica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> remains largely unexplored, making its frozen landscape almost totally unspoiled by human influence. Given his three expeditions to the planet\u2019s southernmost continent, not many can claim to know the southern ends of the earth quite like Shackleton and this relationship with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/destinations\/antarctica\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antarctica<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows through in South.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/\">Tucan Travel\u00a0<\/a>to start planning your next adventure.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Books have a fantastic way of transporting the reader to a world and time other than their own. Whilst some stories take place in locations that we consider familiar, many manage to portray images of places, cultures and eras around the planet so vividly that they take us to lands that are totally foreign. During [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":10631,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,5,355,368,1776,4,8,7,1806,354,1845],"tags":[1774,1852,1854,173,1850,1853,1851,1849,442],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v15.2.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Books that transport you across the globe - Tucan Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2020\/04\/books-that-transport-you-across-the-globe\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Books that transport you across the globe - Tucan Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Books have a fantastic way of transporting the reader to a world and time other than their own. Whilst some stories take place in locations that we consider familiar, many manage to portray images of places, cultures and eras around the planet so vividly that they take us to lands that are totally foreign. During [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2020\/04\/books-that-transport-you-across-the-globe\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Tucan Travel Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/en-gb.facebook.com\/tucantraveladventures\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-04-14T08:54:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-04-23T14:27:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/booksblog.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"700\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@tucantravel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@tucantravel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\">\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Archie Fiddes\">\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\">\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\">\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Tucan Travel Blog\",\"description\":\"Inspiration, Information &amp; Experiences\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\",\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2020\/04\/books-that-transport-you-across-the-globe\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/booksblog.jpg\",\"width\":700,\"height\":400,\"caption\":\"Man reading book in Thailand\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2020\/04\/books-that-transport-you-across-the-globe\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2020\/04\/books-that-transport-you-across-the-globe\/\",\"name\":\"Books that transport you across the globe - Tucan Travel Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2020\/04\/books-that-transport-you-across-the-globe\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-04-14T08:54:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-04-23T14:27:28+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/96dd183bebf70b5bdd6c225109fbec35\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/2020\/04\/books-that-transport-you-across-the-globe\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/96dd183bebf70b5bdd6c225109fbec35\",\"name\":\"Archie Fiddes\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fd27cfb58582e1f50dac02099dfc4063?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Archie Fiddes\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10610"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10610"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10610\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11210,"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10610\/revisions\/11210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}