One for the Road: Burton Holmes Travelogues

by Kelly Amabile on

Do you know who coined the term “travelogue”? Until today, I didn’t know that it was this guy. Burton Holmes is known as America’s most famous travel showman, and even has his very own Hollywood star. A camera enthusiast from a young age, Holmes dropped out of school at sixteen and began traveling, first to Europe with his grandmother, and then to Japan. Early film clips from his travels are recognized as the very first travelogues. He soon established a travel film production company and began capturing the world.

There’s much more to the story, and a good place to continue learning about this travel pioneer is between the pages of Burton Holmes Travelogues: The World’s Greatest Traveler, which was released last fall by Taschen. Holmes took over 30,000 photos and 500,000 feet of film during the course of his travels through every continent. This 300+ page archive has collected the very best of his work.

Bonus for folks in the Rochester, NY area: Author and editor Genoa Caldwell will be giving a presentation about Burton Holmes at the George Eastman House tomorrow, Oct. 18 at 6 pm, as part of their Wish You Were Here travel photography lecture series.

One for the Road: Quiet Corners of Paris

by Kelly Amabile on

It’s been awhile since we’ve mentioned some of The Little Bookworm’s unique travel guides. So let’s get right to it — The boutique publisher has released two new books about Paris that are surely worth a mention. The first is this pretty little peek at the Quiet Corners of Paris. Hasn’t the title alone transported you to some narrow cobblestone rue off the Seine? Wandering through winding lanes and courtyards of the arrondissements sounds quite magical. Author Jean-Christophe Napias has identified over eighty of these hidden spots for wander-lovers to explore at their leisure while visiting the city of lights.

And after several hours strolling through the streets of Paris, the hunger pangs will surely require a stop at an authentic Paris brasserie. Which is where The Brasseries of Paris will come in handy. This guide to some of the very best French eateries includes photos and details about the history of these city landmarks. It’s also lightweight enough to throw in your bag when boarding that flight to Paris. Now get going — what more motivation do you need? Bon Voyage!

One for the Road: Planetwalker

by Kelly Amabile on

Here’s an inspirational story that’s more about transportation than it is about travel. Actually, it’s a tale of determination and inner strength. Planetwalker is the memoir of John Francis, an environmental activist who embarked on a remarkable journey of courage and conviction. After witnessing an oil spill in San Francisco Bay in 1971, he stopped using motor transportation, and began to walk everywhere he went, for a total of 22 consecutive years. Early into his walking pact, he also took a vow of silence, which lasted 17 years.

During his silent walking journey, Francis took a pilgrimage across the U.S. on behalf of the environment and world peace. He managed to earn a PhD in land management as well. On Earth Day in 1990 he broke his vow of silence. Francis now runs a non-profit environmental education program called Planetwalk. He travels the world speaking about pilgrimage and change, and about an environmental studies curriculum he has developed for high schools and universities. He’ll be speaking at the National Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium this coming Wed., Oct. 17 at 7:30 pm. Sure sounds like someone I’d like to hear speak, although his actions and activism have spoken volumes already.

One for the Road: Walking Haunted London

by Kelly Amabile on

We’ve already mentioned some spooky travel-related titles for folks who may find themselves in Louisiana, California or Indiana this Halloween. But how about a suggestion for folks who may be visiting our pals across the pond? Walking Haunted London is a collection of 25 walks that explores the city’s ghostly past.

Home to Sweeney Todd and Jack the Ripper, London is considered to be one of the most haunted capitals in the world. This guide features original walks that highlight this sinister side of the city. Author Richard Jones (who looks scared silly and/or really creepy in this photo) is owner of a tour company that organizes ghost walks and other London tours. The book features easy-to-follow route maps for each walk, as well as information on dates and times when ghosts are most likely to appear. Which is handy to have, of course, because you wouldn’t want to travel all that way and miss out on a paranormal sighting, right?

From narrow alleyways to the Tower of London, this ghostly guide will take you on a spine-chilling journey into the darkest parts of the city, ensuring a hair-raising look at London.

One for the Road: Haunted Hoosier Trails

by Kelly Amabile on

Does the thought of traveling to Indiana frighten you? It might if you’ve read any of Haunted Hoosier Trails, which explores scary spots throughout the state. This guide to Indiana’s “Famous Folklore Spooky Sites” visits 75 haunted locations in the heartland, including the Hazelcot Castle, the Slippery Noodle Inn, the 100-Steps Cemetery and the Point of Death. Organized by county, each chapter reveals chilling historical details about the state’s horrors and haunts.

Author Wanda Lou Willis is a fifth generation Hoosier and folklorist who has carefully researched all these ghoulish tales. In fact, she found so many that she had to write a second book as well: More Haunted Hoosier Trails includes visits to Hannah House in Indianapolis, and Indiana University in Bloomington, believed to be one of the most haunted campuses in the country. Although the books were published a few years back, they’d certainly serve as good guides to the scarier side of the Hoosier state.