Books – Journeys with Eileen Diane

Armchair Traveler ~ Book: Secret Journeys of a Lifetime

February 5, 2021February 4, 2021Journeys with EileenDiane

The sub-title of this fabulous National Geographic book is “500 of the World’s Best Hidden Travel Gems.” The book does not disappoint ~ there are indeed numerous travel gems.

Magnificent photos will captivate the armchair traveler’s interest as well as information about the sites including when to go, how to find it, planning and websites. It is a treasure trove of places near and far, ranging from the “Frank” (Idaho) to the Wrangell-Kluane Wilderness (Alaska-Canada) to La Bagatelle (Paris) to Kerinci Seblat (Sumatra) to Galle Fort (Sri Lanka). Every continent is well represented.

On chilly, rainy days in the Pacific Northwest, this is a favorite book to browse. In addition to the photos and intriguing descriptions, there are marvelous off-beat “top 10” lists, including Odd Museums, Ghost Towns, Perfect Beaches, Ferry Journeys, Backwaters and Roman Sites.

In addition to looking at photos or reading about favorite places, it’s enjoyable to look at mementoes of your travels. Or asking friends about their mementoes – share your love of travel with others. Even if you currently cannot travel to a place you dream of, keep imagining.

Be an armchair traveler ~ learn about your favorite places: perhaps a language or cooking class, a history book or a good novel set in that county or city. You might well learn far more than tourists who travel but never become a traveler.

Most important, have fun and be creative as you “journey” to a favorite spot … even if for now, it is a dream.

Savor your journeys, near or far, real or imagined

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. Henry Miller

Once you have travelled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey. Pat Conroy

The journey not the arrival matters. T.S. Eliot

Armchair Traveler ~ The Last Courts of Europe

November 22, 2020November 21, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

Let’s go back in time for another Armchair Traveler journey. But not too far back …Let’s explore Europe, late 19^th ~ early 20^th century. And let’s narrow it down to royalty during this era. A marvelous book for just such a tour is “The Last Courts of Europe ~ A Royal Family Album 1860 – 1914.” Picture research and descriptions by Jeffrey Finestone.

The books’ well-written introduction by Robert K. Massie sets the scene for the reader. Each county or area has a very good overview of the monarchy plus fabulous photos, ranging from state funerals and family gatherings at marriages to candid shots. The books genealogical tables are interesting to note how all of the families were related.

The closing section, titled The Eleventh Hour, relates how many of the monarchies would not survive WWI. The age of royal pomp and splendor would end, tragically for some, but we can marvel at their unique world via beautiful photos and books.

Leafing through the book will transport you to another time and place. At the same time, it might awaken a desire to explore a particular country further. The internet is your starting point … pick a country or a royal family and explore. You may end up planning your next vacation.

As a start, here are my three favorite palaces in Europe. Each has a terrific web presence so that you can easily spend hours exploring … perhaps with a glass of wine from that country or a special dessert.

France ~ Versailles (a must visit!!)

http://en.chateauversailles.fr/

http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news/life-estate/versaillesvr-palace-yours

Austria ~ Vienna ~ Schoenbrunn (a delight)

https://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/

Should you journey to Vienna, definitely plan to visit Demel – the atmosphere and the desserts (think Sachertorte) are incredible

https://www.demel.com/en/

Sweden ~ Stockholm area (take the boat ~ beautiful palace)

https://www.kungligaslotten.se/english/royal-palaces-and-sites/drottningholm-palace.html

Savor your journeys… real, imagined or virtual, near or far

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things ~ Henry Miller

Armchair Traveler ~ Ancient Egypt

October 25, 2020October 25, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

As an armchair traveler, your only limit is your imagination. You can journey via books or online to not only contemporary, world-wide destinations, but also to different eras. Let’s be time travelers and journey to Ancient Egypt.

Start your adventure on YouTube by searching “Ancient Egypt.” You can easily spend many hours exploring Ancient Egypt, from history to music to tombs to the Nile to … wherever your imagination leads.

A favorite book is “The Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt” (General Editor: Helen Strudwick). There is a wealth of information that keeps the reader enthralled for many hours. There are photos below to give you an idea of its contents which range from history (including Cleopatra), to religion, to art, to impressive information about their everyday life. There is also an intriguing section about their writing, reading hieroglyphs and the Rosetta Stone.

Over the years, I have read the marvelous Amelia Peabody mystery series by Elizabeth Peters. The author had a Ph.D. in Egyptology and while the series is set in the late 19^th, early 20^th century Egypt, the author imparts to the reader much information about ancient Egypt. As I had not read the books in order, two years ago I decided to do so, as it is a favorite series. It was thoroughly enjoyable, renewing acquaintances with interesting characters and scenarios and learning more about Ancient Egypt.

The book, “Amelia Peabody’s Egypt” contains fascinating photos from that era plus information about Egypt. It is a must read for any reader that has enjoyed the series. In addition to the photos, there are favorite quotes from the characters, a detailed synopsis and photos of The Winter Palace, a fabled hotel (opened in 1886) in Luxor. The reader will have spent enjoyable time with the characters at the hotel and it’s rather fun to see a photo, from 1905, of the hotel.

Of course, you can also watch mummy movies or check out a favorite, “Death on the Nile.” The Agatha Christie book is a fun read as are the movies: the 1978 film with Peter Ustinov, David Niven, Better Davis and Mia Farrow and the 2004 film with the very familiar David Suchet as Hercule Poirot. The settings are beautiful … and you may find yourself adding Egypt to your list of countries to explore and plan a journey for the near future.

And while you are exploring Ancient Egypt online, take time to discover Egyptian food and experiment with recipes. Immerse yourself in your armchair traveler country of a different era … explore the possibilities.

Savor your journeys… real, imagined or virtual, near or far

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things ~ Henry Miller

Egypt is not a country we live in but a country that lives within us ~ Pope Shenouda III

Armchair Traveler ~ US National Parks ~ Photos

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020Journeys with EileenDiane

One of my favorite Armchair Traveler books contains gorgeous photos and essays about many of the incredible US National Parks. When I browse the book I remember past journeys (my favorites include Denali, Glacier, Mt Rushmore, Shenandoah and the Grand Canyon) and plan new adventures (Grand Teton, Yosemite, Crater Lake are on my list).

In addition to books and maps about various National Parks, there is a wealth of information on line: https://www.nps.gov/index.htm Remember when you plan your trip to a National Park, some are far more crowded than others and going in spring or fall is less crowded than the summer months.

Each park is very special and unique. While there are travelers whose goal is to journey to each park, there are others (like me) who prefer to return to a favorite park. I find that each time, I discover new vistas.

Be creative and have fun as you “armchair travel” using photo books, guidebooks and online sites. You could well be planning your next journey.

Take the time to put the camera away and gaze in wonder at what’s there in front of you ~ Erick Widman

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things ~ Henry Miller

Savor your journeys… real, imagined or virtual, near or far.

Armchair Traveler ~ Book: Rome, Then and Now

December 8, 2019December 8, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

On a rainy day, what’s better than browsing a beautiful photo book of a place you have visited or want to visit? I have visited Rome many times and always loved it. Below are photos, thoughts about “Rome, Then and Now” by Federica D’Orazio.

The book was published in 2004. Many of the vintage photos have dates (ranging from 1860’s to 1944) and the contrast is amazing: Rome has retained its ancient feel while being a vibrant modern city. The Eternal City is a marvelous blend of ancient and new, which you feel as you walk about this gorgeous city. Each photo has historical information so that the reader can fully appreciate the beauty of Rome.

Let’s begin at the Baths of Caracalla, where you can attend operas or concerts during the summer. I did attend an opera and highly recommend it. We ate after the performance at a local neighborhood ristorante where we saw many of the performers. Great fun.

Baths of Caracalla

Rome is a marvelous city to walk about and get lost, even with a map (which happened to me several times). Think serendipity … you will eventually reach your destination, but if time is not a factor, enjoy the side streets …. you never know where they will lead. Wander about the Piazza Barberini (at the foot of the Via Veneto), walk to the Trevi Fountain (on a side street) … check out the Spanish Steps.

Piazza Barberini

Trevi Fountain

Spanish Steps

Tour ancient Rome visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum, take the time to walk about;; imagine what it must have been like during Caesar’s time …

Colosseum

Colosseum, 1865

Colosseum

Roman Forum

Other marvelous photos show the changes to the Piazza St. Peter, Piazza del Popolo, and Piazza Navona, where I have marvelous memories of Tre Scalini Ristorante.

Piazza St Peter

Piazza St Peter, Easter Sunday 1870

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza Del Popolo

Piazza Navona

As you wander about Rome, either for real or as an armchair traveler, here are some additional sights …

Water Clock in Villa Borghese

Vittoriano

Vittoriano, 1944

Via Condotti

Via Condotti, early 20th century

Theater of Marcellus

Theater of Marcellus, 1880

Porta St. Sebastian

Browse thru your photo books or visit your library for ideas. Pick a special destination. The photos will have you reminiscing about previous journeys and/or planning a new adventure. After browsing this splendid book, what better way to continue my Italian armchair travel than preparing an Italian dinner (a favorite: spaghetti carbonara with Orvieto wine). Viva Roma!

Savor your journeys, near or far, real or imagined.

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Take the time to put the camera away and gaze in wonder at what’s there in front of you ~ Erick Widman

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