Books to Fuel Wanderlust

With prime vacation season almost upon us, I start thinking about all of the wonderful places I could go or have been.  Because of this, I start reading all sorts of travel books - not those books that tell you the best restaurants in all the world, but the books that tell you how amazing travels were or how this country or that made them feel.  You know, the best kind. They are fabulous because they enhance the wanderlust or the itchy feet I already have and they make me want to get out in the world and see as much of it as I possibly can.

1. "In a Sunburned Country" by Bill Bryson:  Australia has always seemed like this dream destination just out of reach - it might have something to do with the fact it takes 17 hours to get there by plane.  But hearing Bryson confirm everything I've ever thought of the land down under, pushes me to risk the jet lag and see as much as the giant country as I can.

2. "Lunch in Paris" by Elizabeth Bard: Between the descriptions of her Paris to the recipes she shares, this is by far my most favorite book about the city of light (and I read a LOT of books about Paris.)

3. "Mediterranean Summer" by David Shellack: If you yearn for the open ocean and you happen to love to eat, this is the book for you.  I'm fairly certain I'd go stir crazy spending an entire summer in the galley of a mega sail boat, but I have to say, this author makes it sound downright appealing.  Between the sea breezes, all the best markets and all the best ports in the Mediterranean, I could almost smell the salty waves and taste the 5 course meals he was preparing.

4. "Holy Cow" by Sarah McDonald: I have this strange fascination with India.  On one hand, I'm not sure I'd do well there between the sand & dirt, the possibility of intestinal issues and just having to navigate the madness.  But on the other, there are parts of India that are breathtakingly beautiful, and getting a chance to learn more about their religions would be a chance I couldn't pass up.  Mostly, after reading this fabulous book, I came to the conclusion I usually do after reading about a place, I'd never turn down the opportunity if it was handed to me.

5. "The Spice Necklace" by Ann Vanderhoof: I knew nothing of the Spice Necklace Islands. After this beautiful book, they're most definitely on the bucket list.  Of course, I'll need to perfect my cooking first, so I can actually do something fantastic with all those exotic spices I could finally wrap my hands around.