Books That Made Us Travel
Ever taken a trip because of a book? We have, again and again. Some stories don’t just stay on the page; they send us packing.
For me, it’s always been Italy. My first brush with the country came through The Godfather—maybe not the most conventional tour guide, but it planted the seed of infatuation. From there, the book-inspired wanderlust grew: Under the Tuscan Sun with its olive groves and golden light, The Monster of Florence with its chilling dive into the city’s shadows, and Still Life, which reads like a love letter to Florence itself. That one feels like having a private guide lead you through the piazzas, art, and hidden corners I already adored.
Ray and I are about to set off on our next adventure: a month in Florence, our favorite city. At this point, we’ve been twenty times, and yet it never loses its magic, the food, the people, the sunsets, the art, ah… Italy has my heart. And it’s not just Florence. Italy is a country of endless stories: the mystery of Venice’s canals, the romance of Verona, the lakeside serenity of Stresa and Varenna, the medieval charm of Lucca, the eternal grandeur of Rome, the sleek style of Milan, the rugged beauty of Cinque Terre, and the breathtaking cliffs of Positano. Each town and region carries its own history, flavors, and rhythm. The true beauty of Italy lies in the way its countryside, cities, and culture weave together into one unforgettable tapestry.
Looking back, the trip Natalie and I took to Italy back in 2019 may have planted the very first seed for what eventually became The Literary Escape. It was a reminder of how transformative travel can be when you find your people and your place, the friends who see you, the setting that inspires you, and the moments that whisper new dreams into being. Sometimes the best ideas come while wandering cobblestone streets with a glass of wine in hand, laughing until your cheeks hurt, and realizing you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
Books are often the sparks that light these journeys. They give us courage to step out of our routines, curiosity to explore new cultures, and wonder at the possibility that the places we’ve only read about could become part of our own stories. When you finally arrive—when you stand in the piazza you’ve imagined, sip the wine described in a novel, or trace the footsteps of characters you’ve come to love—you realize the line between fiction and reality is thinner than you thought.
✈️ Top 5 Books That Send Us Packing
Still Life by Sarah Winman → Florence, Italy
The Godfather by Mario Puzo →
Sicily & Rome, Italy
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes → Cortona, Italy
The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston & Mario Spezi → Florence, Italy
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter → Cinque Terre & Rome, Italy
Now it’s your turn—what book has sparked your wanderlust?
We’d love to hear about the story that made you want to pack a bag and take off. Send us an email with the book that inspired you and the destination it made you dream of. Who knows? Your recommendation might even become the inspiration for one of our future reading retreats—so we can bring your bookish adventure to life together!
Written by Jennifer, co-founder of The Literary Escape. Jennifer has always believed the best journeys start with a story. Books first sparked her wanderlust, then she turned that inspiration into unforgettable girls’ getaways—from NYC rooftops to the hills of Tuscany and beyond. Whether it’s a novel that plants the seed or a cobblestone street that brings it to life, she curates travel with care, heart, and a touch of magic.