Not All Who Wander are Lost. We’ve all seen these words, right?  To some, this is nothing more than a travel blogger’s attempt to get our attention, however, for me it was a 10 year old’s introduction to wanderlust that has continued to this day.  My first copy of J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings took me on a journey that taught me the reward of embracing travel with excitement and wonder and sometimes even a bit of fear.

All that is gold does not glitter

Not all those who wander are lost

The old that is strong does not wither

Deep roots are not reached by the frost

 

 

Until that day comes again when we can experience what we can only dream about today, let one of these books take you on a trip.

 

• The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien: His detailed descriptions of scenery and the sheer amount of details will make your imagination run wild.  If you read as a child, go on the journey again as an adult. The theme of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and exploring the world is something we can all dream about! It’s not surprising that New Zealand was chosen as the backdrop to the movie. Your imagination will come to life!

 

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: A sweet story for young and old that follows a young shepherd boy who travels from his homeland in Spain in search of a treasure in the Pyramids of Egypt.  What starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. An inspirational story about following your dreams and listening to your heart.

 

 

• Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams: Retrace the steps that led Yale Professor, Hiram Bingham to discover Machu Picchu over 100 years ago. For those that never plan to hike, camp, and climb the remote areas of Peru to those that use this as inspiration, there is something for everyone to learn.  Through humor, history, and knowledgeable tour guides, the adventure can start right in your arm chair.

 

• The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in Scandinavia by Audrey Smit: Children ages 5–8 will love following Lily and her magic globe that takes her on whimsical adventures around the world. The first book of a travel series that shows kids the beauty and diversity of the world, gives them a brave female role model, and fosters their imaginations.  This book will teach little ones the power of travel.

 

 

• The Adventures of TinTin by Hergé (ages 9+): A 90+ year old adventure series based on the character TinTin and his faithful Wire Fox Terrier. Their travels take them all over the world both to lands real and fictional, even including a trip to the moon. If there was a question that children can learn from a comic book, this travel series will answer. Carefully crafted, beautifully illustrated rollicking adventure stories, filled with colorful characters, intrigue, suspense and humor. Sure to awaken the travel bug in your child.

 

I hope you find adventure and excitement while safe at home for now but in closing please remember:

 

“The world is not in your books and maps, it’s out there”    J.R.R Tolkien

 

We're looking forward to getting back “out there”!