Travel provides all manners of unexpected adventures, twists and turns, which contribute to experiences you would never have in your ‘normal’ non-travelling life.
Books & Movies sensationalise the excesses of youthful lifestyle choices, so here are a few of my favourites that make me want to jump up & out of the mundane and experience it all.
Books & Movies sensationalise the excesses of youthful lifestyle choices, so here are a few of my favourites that make me want to jump up & out of the mundane and experience it all.
The Movies
- The Beach -
The Alex Garland novel of the same name that everyone once loved to read when travelling later became the movie. Leo is told about a secret ‘beach’, a backpacker utopia cut off from the rest of the world. His adventures getting to the beach and once there show off the natural beauty of the southern islands of Thailand.
After receiving a not-so-secret map to a secluded island from a stoned-out loony (Robert Carlyle, full of dark portent and spittle), Richard sets out to find the hidden paradise with a young French couple (Virginie Ledoyen, Guillaume Canet). What they find is a tropical commune existing in delicate balance with Thai pot farmers, and before long–as always–there’s trouble in paradise. There’s trouble in the movie, too, as DiCaprio is reduced to histrionics when the plot turns into a muddled mix of Lord of the Flies and Apocalypse Now, with shark attacks tossed in for shallow tension. –Jeff Shannon
- Eurotrip -
- Eurotrip -
Guaranteed to make you book the next available flight to Europe to see for yourself why “Scotty doesn’t know…” Highlighting all the unique things about Europe, from the redlight districts of Amsterdam to the cheap booze in Prague.
Eurotrip views the Old World as a goofy parade of soccer hooligans, horny camera saleswomen, and pawing lechers reeking of cologne. After being dumped by his girlfriend, Scotty (Scott Mechlowicz) discovers that the German e-mail correspondent he thought was a guy is actually a hot girl–so naturally he jets off to Europe to find her, joined by his friends Cooper (Jacob Pitts), Jamie (Travis Wester), and Jenny (Michelle Trachtenburg, trying to leap into sexier roles after her adolescent characters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Harriet the Spy).
–Bret Fetzer
–Bret Fetzer
- Into The Wild -
An excellent adaption of the Jon Krakauer book, directed by Sean Penn, that tracks the true life story of 22 year old Christopher McCandless who gives up his wealth and career opportunities to follow his ideals and seek adventure across the USA. It’s what most backpackers dream of doing one day, and although the guy took his travels to the extreme, it has inspired many people to let go and see the world in a new way. If you want the feeling of leaving everything behind in search of proving to yourself that you can see the world, consider this a must watch movie.
This is the true story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch). Freshly graduated from college with a promising future ahead, McCandless instead walked out of his privileged life and into the wild in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way transformed this young wanderer into an enduring symbol for countless people — a fearless risk-taker who wrestled with the precarious balance between man and nature. — Amazon.com
- The Da Vinci Code -
Based on Dan Brown's popular and controversial novel, The Da Vinci Code begins with a spectacular murder in the Louvre Museum. All clues point to a covert religious organization that will stop at nothing to protect a secret that threatens to overturn 2,000 years of accepted dogma. Frowned upon by the “literarati,” The Da Vinci Code is an exciting watch, especially for those planning on making a trip to the Louvre in Paris. Not only interesting for conspiracy fans but also for art lovers alike. Guaranteed to make you see art in a different light.
The Books
- The Alchemist -
(Paul Coelho)
A delightfully magic fable about following ones dreams. Powerfully simple and oozing with inspirational wisdom, the Alchemist is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids.
Along the way he meets a Gypsy, a King, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able
to overcome the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods
turns into a discovery of the treasures found within.
The story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams
and the importance of listening to our hearts.
An incredibly iconic book that has fueled the imagination of several generations of readers.
Following real life accounts of some exuberant characters as they make
their way through America in search of enlightenment.
Along the way he meets a Gypsy, a King, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able
to overcome the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods
turns into a discovery of the treasures found within.
The story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams
and the importance of listening to our hearts.
- On The Road -
(Jack Kerouac)
Following real life accounts of some exuberant characters as they make
their way through America in search of enlightenment.
A Bible for those “On the Road” in search of meaning and adventure.
- Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas -
(Hunter S. Thomson)
A cult novel (later film) that is an account of Thomson’s drug-infused,
paranoia ridden journey to Las Vegas.
paranoia ridden journey to Las Vegas.
Not only is “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” an entertaining novel/film, a travelogue, and a biography,
but also an important study on the idea of the “American Dream.”
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