Great literature can bring places to life, stirring our wanderlust as it ignites our imagination. Whether it’s the tale of a search for buried treasure, a battle against one’s inner demons, or an epic, perilous journey home, brilliant narratives can inspire us to embark on new adventures.
Follow Odysseus’ Voyage Home
For most travelers, the journey home is a dismal affair filled with mediocre in-flight movies and muffled sobs. Not so for King Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s ancient Greek epic The Odyssey. His island-hopping return from the Battle of Troy lasted a decade due to colossal storms, man-eating monsters, and mischievous divine beings.
Travelers eager to explore some of the Greek isles along Odysseus’ route, but who have less than ten years to spare, should focus on the final leg of his drawn-out journey. Begin by touring the charming villages of Corfu, where Odysseus encountered the hospitable Phaeacians. Myth holds that the ship which transported him home was transformed into stone by a vengeful Poseidon, and it still lies in the bay as the islet of Pontikonisi.
Next, take a ferry south to the beautiful, pebble-strewn Paxi, a serene isle rumored to be the modern-day Aeaea, where the witch-goddess Circe turned half of Odysseus’ crew into pigs with her cursed wine—drink responsibly! Finally, sail to Ithaki, Odysseus’ homeland, where you can behold the great warrior himself—his bronzed statue greets visitors at the port.
The prologue: Direct flights to Corfu are available from Athens, and ferries frequently run from the mainland city of Igoumenitsa. From Corfu, ferries connect to Paxi and onward to Ithaki (via Lefkada).
Take a Walk on the Wild Side along the Pacific Crest Trail
Forest bathing, or simply walking in nature, has long been considered beneficial for mental health. Author Cheryl Strayed explores this theory in her memoir Wild. Struggling with drug addiction following her mother’s death, Cheryl embarks on a 1,000-mile solo trek along a section of the USA’s Pacific Crest Trail, where she conquers both her demons and the challenges of wildlife, harsh weather, and physical trials.
The Pacific Crest Trail is a magnificent hiking route that meanders along the western coast of the USA. Travelers looking to emulate Cheryl’s journey of self-discovery—or simply explore a vibrant cross-section of landscapes—should start from Mojave, California.
Heading north, the trail traverses burnt-orange desert landscapes into the snow-capped High Sierra, extending across the rugged wilds of Oregon to the Bridge of the Gods, marking the boundary between Oregon and Washington, which is also Cheryl’s chosen finish line. Any traveler reaching this point deserves to celebrate their success with a delicious ice cream.
The prologue: The easiest way to reach Mojave is by taking a direct bus from LA to Bakersfield, then hopping on the Amtrak to Mojave. Prospective hikers should review essential tips on how to tackle the trail prior to departing.
Sail the High Seas in Search of Your Own ‘Treasure Island’
Responsible for inspiring generations of children to search for buried treasure, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island remains a beloved classic that popularized the image of pirates as rum-loving seafarers with peg-legs and parrots. The tale follows young Jim Hawkins, the innkeeper’s son, as he sets off from England to find a legendary treasure buried on a remote islet.
While Stevenson keeps the location of the island intentionally vague, those aspiring to uncover a share of the famous treasure should board a dive boat bound for Cocos Island off the coast of Costa Rica, reputedly the inspiration for this adventurous tale—British trader Captain William Thompson allegedly buried treasure here during the early 19th century.
Although discovering gold may be improbable, the island represents a treasure trove for experienced divers, teeming with rich marine life including sharks, rays, and dolphins. Treasure hunters, don’t despair: many other destinations offer opportunities to unearth real fortunes.
The prologue: Although Jim’s adventure kicks off in Bristol, England, reaching Cocos Island is more efficiently done from the Costa Rican mainland. Liveaboard dive boats leave from the port of Puntarenas, with some excursions lasting ten days or longer.
Ride the Rails with Inspector Poirot
Long-distance train travel boasts many attractions: the gentle sway of the carriage, the thrill of adventure as you glide through uncharted landscapes, and, of course, the intrigue of a murder mystery at the center of a tangled conspiracy. One of Agatha Christie’s most iconic tales, Murder on the Orient Express, highlights the allure of European train journeys through the story of detective Hercule Poirot’s quest for a killer aboard the luxurious train.
While the original Orient Express, which ferried Poirot from Istanbul to Calais, ceased operations in 2009, rail enthusiasts can recreate most of the journey using Europe’s remaining night trains and long-distance services.
Beginning in Istanbul, spend the day at the Pera Palace hotel, where Christie penned much of her novel. After, board the overnight train to Sofia, and catch a glimpse of the onion-domed churches before securing a place on the morning train to Belgrade. The journey continues to Vienna, from where long-distance services lead to Paris, allowing a short stopoff for breakfast in Zurich. Although slightly more demanding, this expedition costs significantly less than Poirot’s fare and should be far less perilous.
The prologue: The express train to Sofia departs nightly from Istanbul’s Halkali station, easily accessible from the city center by bus or taxi.
Follow Richard to Find Your Own Private Thai Beach
Before the term ‘overtourism’ ever entered the public discourse, Alex Garland’s The Beach critically mirrored the downside of commercial tourism while questioning how far travelers would go in pursuit of authenticity. Set in Thailand in the mid-90s, the novel focuses on Richard, a British backpacker who, feeling disillusioned with life along the ‘Banana Pancake Trail’, follows a mysterious map to a hidden island boasting an idyllic, off-grid community.
Fittingly, given its longstanding legacy as a travel launchpad, the story begins amidst the bustling hostels of Khao San Road in Bangkok. After enjoying a Chang beer and pad thai, travelers aiming to mirror Richard’s quest for tranquility should board a night train south to Surat Thani, then hop a ferry to Ko Samui, a once-charming hippy haven turned busy holiday hotspot.
From here, boat trips head to the stunning Ang Thong Marine National Park, the site of Richard’s hidden paradise. While the probability of discovering an international community is low, visitor numbers to the park are closely monitored, allowing you to uncover a sandy spot to call your own—a notable feat in such a loved destination like Thailand.
The prologue: Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport links to major airports across the globe. From there, travelers can access Khao San Road via bus, taxi, or a combination of train and bus connections.
Retrace Frankenstein’s Doomed Journey Around Europe
For many, travel serves as the ultimate form of escapism, and nowhere is this more palpable than in Mary Shelley’s horror classic, Frankenstein. Drawing inspiration from her journeys throughout Europe, the book narrates the tale of gifted yet unconventional scientist Victor Frankenstein. His attempts to reanimate dead tissue lead to the creation of a creature, which eternally haunts him.
While Frankenstein doesn’t fit the typical travel genre, Victor accumulates an astonishing list of locations while fleeing from his creation. Readers can follow his tragic journey from the Bavarian town of Landshut, where he assembles the monster, to the mountains of Geneva, where creator and creature finally meet, and continue to the misty Orkney Islands in Scotland, where he endeavors to construct a mate for the monster.
While following in Victor’s footsteps to the book’s epilogue setting, the North Pole, may be overly ambitious for even the keenest fan, a more tranquil alternative could be a visit to Frankenstein’s Castle. This ancient stone stronghold in the Odenwald mountain range is rumored to have inspired Shelley’s famed narrative.
The prologue: The closest international airport to Landshut is Munich Airport, with a 30-minute train ride to reach the city. For a visit to Frankenstein’s Castle, set your sights on the Frankfurt airport, which is only 40 minutes by car.
