It has been a while since I sat down and wrote about traveling on this blog. My last traveling post dates back to January, if you’re not counting the time my sister talked about her wonderful hometown. I’m not sure whether it’s because of my lack of traveling lately, the weather and winter and work and life wearing me out, or…I don’t know, really. But one thing I know is that despite me not talking about it, I still love this just as much.
So today I’m happy and a bit nervous to be back and talk, really talk, about traveling. It’s kind of a different post to what you’re used to but I really hope you’ll enjoy it. BOOKS really are my main source of screams and fangirling here, and if they provide a cheap and incredible way to travel to new places and discover new people for free – well, you’ll admit that the price of a book is much, much cheaper than plane tickets, traveling does make my heart do this little flip flop like nothing else does. Except for books. OBVIOUSLY. (And food. And watching a Friends episode. And the people I love.)
I’m lucky enough to have been born with the travel bug, taken from my family and I don’t regret it at all. Every holiday I got, every time summer came around, I was always able to look forward to little road trips with my family in France and some European countries as well. When I got older, we -my sister / travel-buddy / crazy planner- took our suitcases, our crazines and got off to England, exploring, map in hand, stopping to every single Waterstones and Prêt à Manger on every corner, thriving to talk more and more in this language we love so much. Flying to the other side of the Atlantic and seeing these lights I had seen so many times in the movies light up from this cab probably was, and always will be, the consecration of all of this, and the eternal reminder of why I love traveling so much: to be able to discover, to live inside of these places I have always dreamed of going to.
Just like being lost in a new book, there is something about getting lost in a new city. So this is the moment where I brag about how I can figure out how to read a map and don’t get lost often, but you know, figuratively speaking. I love the new vibe you get in a new city you explore, the beating heart at the great monuments the world just hasn’t managed to destroy yet. “The world is your oyster”, that stupid expression I picked up from a Friends episode really is a good one. Just like in a new book, being in a new city and slowly but surely falling in love with every new step you take, every single moment where ordinary life, everyday routine gets left behind for evenings in hotel rooms planning the day afterwards with your city guide in hand, the computer, and your camera lying on the bed filled with these treasures discovered a few hours ago.
I don’t love traveling. I need traveling, just like I need a good book to get through a bad day, or any day, really. I need the thrill of knowing where I’m going to be heading to next, the feeling of buying that new city guide for my collection, the almost-euphoric feeling of looking up at places to stay, must-sees and plane fares. Something I might do a bit too often if you ask me, but there’s nothing like the thrill of the possibility of where you might find yourself next. Just like when you pick up a new book.
Since you didn’t ask – my next weekend away is in one month, for my sister’s birthday, and it’s in France. My next – next weekend away is in May but it’s not really away when it’s someplace you’ve lived for a while. My next – next holidays are soon (or so, I hold on to that thought), and I have a plan A, plan B, and a lot of possibilities. The world is my oyster, after all, and nothing will hold me back from exploring it all.
I really hope you enjoyed this kind of very different post. Let me know your thoughts in comments!
What’s one thing you love as much as you love books? What’s one of your biggest passion? About traveling…if you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Since I can’t help it…what’s one book that made you want to travel the most? Let’s chat in comments!
Dina says
I absolutely LOVE <3
photography,
traveling and
reading equally, but in this order. 🙂
Wishing you a fabulous Sunday,
The Fab Four of Cley,
Dina
Marie says
Oh thank you so much Dina! 🙂
heather anne says
Many years ago I read the book River Town- it was about a man living and teaching in rural China and everything he learned there. I feel like that’s one book that really inspired me to go explore and take interest in new cultures.
This was a lovely read. ?
Marie says
Ohhh that’s so great! Thank you for the recommendation! 🙂
bookdrblog says
Great post! I love books but I hate travelling, the journey part anyway. I enjoy being in other places, but I hate having to actually get there!
Marie says
Haha I get it, the journey isnt my favorite part either, it’s just a lot of waiting to finally get there ahah 🙂 Thank you so much! 🙂
Shanti says
I loved this reflection on why books and travelling are both so important! I also love doing both, and I’m so glad that my parents have taken me to lots of places, and there are so many more I want to visit. I love writing, fiction and poetry, but I’m also obsessed with journalism and I love writing analytical essays. I love travelling too, especially going hiking with my family which we do every summer (we used to do it a lot more though), and we’ve been to all sorts of crazy places in the himalayas. I love visiting historical places, which India is perfect for–I recently visited Orccha Fort near Bhopal which was amazing! I would love to go back to Europe–I’ve only been to Spain, the very south of France, and the UK, and visit more museums and history. The book Chanda’s Secrets by Alla Stratton made me want to visit sub-saharan africa.
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much Shanti, I’m so happy you liked it! <3 It's so great that you too did so many trips and hiking with your family, it must be so much fun! 😀 Also, you need to come back to Europe someday, maybe in France so I can give you a tour of my lovely hometown ahah 😀 Thank you so much! <3
Lashaan and Trang (Bookidote) says
YOURE SO LUCKY MARIEE ?? I lived in France for a few years and since then I wasn’t able to come back 🙁 I love traveling too!! Wish I could go more to the Europe side. We Montréal We’re stuck with the Vastt America here ?-Trang
Marie says
Ohhh really? Where did you live, if you don’t mind me asking? I could say the same thing, YOU are so lucky, I dream of visiting Montréal someday, it seems soooo pretty <3 <3 Thank you Trang! <3
Lashaan and Trang (Bookidote) says
I lived in Rennes 😀 in Bretagne teehee 🙂 Thank you HAHA I guess we all have our own advantages and inconvenients ?
Marie says
Ohhh at the complete opposite of where I am ahah, I never went there but…I probably should aha ? Yeah I guess so ?
Jane the Raincity Librarian says
I’ve been thinking about writing a few travel posts on my blog, because travel is something I’m passionate about, too! There’s nothing quite like exploring a new place and immersing yourself in a new culture. I always return home rejuvenated and ready to take on the world!
Marie says
I get the same feeling, it is the best! <3 If you love travelling, well…talk about it on your blog, it's your space after all 😀 thank you so much! <3
lostartofreadingblog says
Yay, be sure to tell us about France when you get back! I also love to travel and I should traveling again this fall I hope.
Marie says
I’m French, actually, so I live there ahah 🙂 This is so great you get to travel again soon! 🙂
Jen Lucas says
Great post. 🙂 I love travel too but don’t do nearly enough of it. I have to travel the UK with my job so see a lot of the motorway but it’s never as glamorous as it sounds as I am limited to mostly industrial estates and rarely see the cities I visit. My other passions are theatre and music.
Book wise, I loved reading anything and everything in locations I have either visited (A lot of North America) or want to go for example touring more of Ireland. I don;t want to go to Antigua having read A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid. I know a lot of tourist traps are the same if you look beneath the glossy surface but it really did put me off.
Marie says
Thank you so much! 🙂 Oh I get it, it’s too bad you can’t visit the cities just as well. I guess a change of scenery is still nice though 🙂
I definitely want to tour IReland just as well, I went only once and it seems like there are so many hidden treasures ahah 🙂 Thank you so much! <3
ravenblake99 says
Love this post! I don’t travel much but If I could go to anywhere in the world I would love to visit Japan and Egypt.
Nice pics btw! 🙂
Marie says
Oh thank you so much Raven! <3
May Everly says
What’s one thing you love as much as you love books?: I absolutely LOVE to write. And also blogging, though I haven’t been at it for very long. 😉
What’s one of your biggest passions?: Reading and writing. 😉 I also love to dance.
About traveling…if you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?: Oh, gosh. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to visit London and Paris. My dream vacation would just be to travel all over Europe — I haven’t been there before but I really really want to! Europe is so cool. <3
Marie says
Okay so I have no idea how I missed answering to this comment…. :O I hope you’ll get to travel around Europe and maybe stop by France so I’ll give you a little tour 😀
May @ Forever and Everly says
Haha, no problem! And that would be awesome! XD
Kristin @ Flickering Lights says
Love this post! I love traveling as well, we’re planning on going to Namibia, which is just outside of South Africa (where I live), in December I think, so it’s still a long way away but still exciting nonetheless :p
Marie says
Ohhh that’s so great! Please do post pictures ahah, I would love to hear all about your trip 🙂 Thank you so much Kristin! 🙂
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
This is an amazing post Marie, and I completely agree with everything you said as well. When it comes to travelling I do honestly love it as much as I do books, if only we could afford to travel as often as we can afford to buy a new book right? I would have been all over the world by now if that was true. But I love exploring new cities and countries and cultures, and there’s nothing more I like than getting lost in a new city and seeing what I can come across completely by accident. Some of my best memories from holidays have been doing things we discovered after getting completely lost in a city.
I really love your pictures as well Marie, they’re definitely making me want to travel somewhere again soon. My next holiday isn’t until June but I hope both you and your sister have a great time on your next weekend away! 😀 <3
Marie says
Oh thank you, Beth! Writing this post made me feel a bit better and gave me all the feelings of wanderlust again ahah 🙂 Ohh, where are you going in June, if you don’t mind me asking? <3
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
That’s all right, and yeah I bet writing this made you even more excited for your trip than you were before! I’m heading to Krakow (Poland) with my mum, my sister and my aunt. I’m really excited, by the time it comes around I feel like it would have been too long since my last holiday! 🙂 <3
Marie says
Ohhh that’s great! And for How long? I hope You will share some pictures of your trip ?
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
It’s only three days, so we have a lot planned for those three days! And of course, I always share pictures from my hols with everyone on here! 😀
theorangutanlibrarian says
Ah I love travelling too!! If I could go anywhere in the world right now, I’d probably pick Greece- it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go and right now I really fancy it. And the Anna and the French Kiss series really made me want to go back to Paris. I hope you enjoy your next weekend away!
Marie says
Ohh yes, I would LOVE to go to Greece just as well, the islands, it seems soooo pretty. Thank you so much! <3 <3
theorangutanlibrarian says
Ahh yes me too!!! You’re welcome!! <3 <3 <3
Jess says
Great post! Lovely photos❤
Marie says
Thank you so much Jess! <3
Jess says
Uwc ? ❤
Melissa @ BookNerdMomo says
I love this post, Marie! I was born with the travel bug too except I’ve not gotten to travel nearly as much as I want to. If only gas and plane tickets were cheaper! I’ve only ever been one state over from my own and it was probably the best experience. I was so giddy to be in a new state and town and wanted to explore everything ?.
The one place I want to travel to more than anywhere in the world is Ireland, specifically I want to see the Cliffs of Moher in person. I’m slowly starting to save up for it so hopefully one day! ?
As for one book that has made me want to travel the most that’s probably Daughter of Smoke and Bone because Laini Taylor’s descriptions of Prague gave me major wanderlust.
Marie says
Ugh I get it, I wish it weren’t so expensive, I would travel everywhere if I could <3
Ohh yes, I'm hoping to see the Cliffs of Moher someday just as well, Ireland is such a gorgeous country <3 <3
I haven't read Daugher of Smoke and Bone but heard a lot about it, would you recommend it? 😀
Melissa @ BookNerdMomo says
Right? I would never be home if it wasn’t. I would just travel everywhere all of the time lol.
Yes! I would so recommend it! It’s been years since I read it but Daughter of Smoke and Bone is really good. Laini Taylor’s writing is gorgeous and the world building was fantastic. Definitely a great fantasy series. ?
Marie says
I need to add it to my TBR then 😀 Thank you Melissa! <3
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence says
I love to travel as well Marie and I’ve been to a lot of different countries! It wonderful exploring a new city, culture, sights and sounds. Lovely post!
Marie says
Ohh that’s so great, you’re so lucky Jeann <3 Which countries have you been to, if you don't mind me asking? Thank you so much <3
lindseyhabets says
Ah, this post makes me want to pack my bag and go travel right now 🙂 Definitely love your travel posts because they are inspirational so feel free to keep ’em coming, Marie 😉
I love travelling as well and when I was in high school I always thought I would spend my life travelling as much as I can. And I do, but you know, life gets in between sometimes and I do feel like I’ll never be able to see all the places I want to see or travel half as much as I really want to. But it just means that every time I get to travel, I appreciate it so much more and I love it so much!
Last year I got to cross one dream destination off my bucket list, which was the Amalfi Coast in Italy and I’m still so happy I got to see it because it was amazing <3
I have a lot more dream destinations, but I think number one at the moment is Japan. I'd love to travel there and discover everything about it. I just need a bit more money, time and preferably a travel buddy because travelling alone makes me too anxious 🙂
A book that really makes me want to travel is Wanderlost. Especially because it takes place in Europe which is where I live so really these locations shouldn't be too unreachable… I love how this book makes me want to pack my bags and just go roadtripping through Europe.
It's so great that your sister is also your travel buddy! Someone equally excited to travel and discover new places makes the trip that much better I think 🙂 Hope you'll enjoy your upcoming trips!
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much, this makes me so happy <3 Traveling posts like these take me so much more time, so I'm glad it's worth it 🙂
I get your feeling, there are so many places on my bucket list and I feel like I will never have the time to get thorugh them all because of life commitments and work and everything ahah.
I need someone to travel with just as well, travelling alone makes me anxious too ahah.
I loved Wanderlost so much, it was such a cute book <3
Joey @ thoughts and afterthoughts says
I think the real question here is which fictional world is your top 3 destinations, if you had to choose. And remember, if you ever come to Toronto et al. I MUST KNOW FOR BLOGGER CHILL TIMES!
Marie says
YES I WILL. I want to go so badly ahah, someday I will <3
Lydia Tewkesbury says
I have been saving for some non-specific trip for months now. I am sort of teetering on the edge of leaving, still a little bit too scared to go. Mostly because I’ll be going by myself. Most of my friends are way too entrenched in their lives (I am the loser of our group, it’s super fun!) to just go off somewhere whenever they feel like it. None of my family have ever really travelled much. A lot of my relatives struggle with their mental health (anxiety disorders abound!), which, combined with there never being much money around has led to most of us ending up some small place and staying there forever. I don’t want that for myself, but it’s hard to break out of, and over the past couple years since I graduated, I feel like I’ve got very stuck.
I think an extended trip is probably the best way to unstick myself – but FEAR!
Thank you for this post. I found it very inspiring 🙂
Marie says
Oh I understand, to be honest I couldn’t travel alone – or I don’t think I could, I have never done it. I was always with family. The most “alone” I did was really alone with my sister for the first time and we were both so nervous ahah but it went really well. I guess if you are feeling stuck, traveling and changing things up really can help. I have that feeling too, you’re definitely not alone. I hope you’ll go there and face your fears and have a wonderful trip 😀
Thank you so, so muc, I’m so happy you liked it <3
Lydia Tewkesbury says
Thank you! Me too. x
Analee @ Book Snacks says
This post is giving me a serious case of wanderlust I LOVE IT. Such pretty pretty pictures and ahhhhh you’re so lucky to have travelled so many places! You’re right, it’s so amazing to completely immerse yourself in a new place (though I don’t have your skills and would probably get lost ?). Love this post, Marie!! ❤
Marie says
Oh thank you, I am so happy you like it <3 <3 And if you ever get lost, you can always tell me and I will flyyy right next to you and we'll get un-lost together, hahaha.
Lashaan and Trang (Bookidote) says
Ohhh thank you for sharing your love for travelling! I have to admit that travelling will ALWAYS be one of the most thrilling things you could possibly do in your life. You couldn’t have stated it better. So many discoveries to make! Getting lost and finding yourself, two things you never thought would go together, will always come together when you’re in foreign lands! I also the pictures you took, it’s another thing I can’t NOT do when travelling! Immortalizing the moment and taking pictures of places that have existed FAR longer than I ever did. I’ve been to France to visit cousin’s who were born there and I definitely had a blast checking out the Eiffel Tower, la Seine, la musée du Louvre, and what not! I was quite young (16?) and would definitely love to check it out AGAIN. With my older and wiser self, I’m pretty sure I’ll find new ways to make the most it this time!! 😀
– Lashaan
Marie says
I take way too many pictures when I’m traveling ahah, but I just love it so, so much <3 It's the best way to keep memories of the places you've been to. Ohhh that's so great! I hope you'll be able to come back soon and explore the city again – or maybe some other cute places in France, I have tons to suggest haha 😀
Anisha @ Sprinkled Pages says
A huge passion of mine, other than reading and blogging is to bake! I love baking because it’s so therapeutic for me and I get yummy results at the end. I discovered my love for it two years ago and I haven’t stopped since! And I also love to travel of course because it teaches me new things and helps me realise the world is a lot bigger than my house, school, friends and local community and shows me the similarities and differences we all have with each other! What a fantastic discussion post! <3
Marie says
Ohhh that’s so great. I wish I could bake ahah, I do at times but I’m far from being an expert haha. Teach me your ways please? 😀
Thank you so, so much Anisha! <3
Anna says
This is a beautiful post Marie! So feel free to write more about your travels it exudes so much passion. I love FRIENDS as well! It helped me get through the slow long months of homesickness when I first got here in my new “home” country. Hopefully, I will receive my green card soon and I can now travel. Me and my husband are planning to visit Paris and Venice next year. Our “travel bug” is a gift. Every time you visit a new place it makes you see a new perspective in life. The beauty of diversity… art, culture, architecture and food. The world is our playground.
Also, the book “The Fault in Our Stars” made me want to visit Amsterdam and especially visit the Anne Frank Museum. My husband is my travel buddy as well. 🙂 It is also our wish to visit Germany for the Christmas Market and see the Northern lights maybe in Alaska or in Northern Europe and stay in a lovely transparent igloo bedroom lol. There’s just so much to see. We have a beautiful world. 🙂
Marie says
oh thank you, Anna, I am so happy you enjoyed reading this <3 And FRIENDS is the best show, isn't it? It always gets me through hard times as well and never fail at making me laugh even if I've seen everything a gazillion times now.
Ohhhh these are such awesome projects, and it's so great that your husband is your travel buddy just as well <3 I hope you'll do all these trips and provide TONS of pictures 😛
Anna says
I will for sure. I love taking pictures. ?? Yes, Friends is really the best. It is so light and funny. Also heartwarming. When it ended, I was like can it just go on forever. It was heartbreaking.
Lol, I never travelled alone yet. Maybe I will someday in Asia like Singapore perhaps. Somewhere really safe. ? When Green Card comes , we can finalize these travel plans. I actually made a lot of them. It is fun making Plan A and B and C lol. ?❤
Marie says
OH yes. I cried when it ended, and… I always cry whenever I rewatch the finale. I can’t help it ahah.
OH YES, I’m so happy you said that! I love planning my trips just as well, making plans A, B and C and everything, it’s just so great to think about where we might go next 😀
Anna says
So true. ? I love seeing my plans laid it. Also, to redo them over & over again lol. With Friends, I think any generation can appreciate it. Even our future grand children when they hit their 20’s. It’s the holy grail of tv shows lol. Oh, btw.. I have followed you on twitter & IG ??❤️
Marie says
It really IS the best show in the world. Aww, I will just as well 😀
thegreynomadblog says
Thanks for this, very helpful! 🙂 Hope we could share more travel ideas so do follow us too! 🙂
Marie says
Aww thank you! 🙂
elisabethandlife says
Traveling and reading books, my two favorite things! Any book that takes place in Paris makes me want to travel there ASAP. Great article, thanks!
Marie says
Ohh thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed this article 🙂
thebooktrailer says
Love this post! Think I’ve found another bookbuddy! Hello!
Marie says
Aww thank you so much, hi, book buddy! 😀
Ilsen Leon says
Wow I’m so glad you love traveling so much! I do love traveling but not to the extent that you do but this post right now makes me want to go back to Europe and explore more! Great post!
Marie says
Awww well that was the goal haha so thank you so much! I hope you’ll get to explore more of the world soon 🙂