Escape to Shape | Travel

Located on the Bosphorus Strait the magical Turkish city of Istanbul offers a taste of both worlds- the allure of Asia & the sophistication of Europe. From it’s past days as Constantinople to it’s modern day name of Istanbul this great city  is rich in both history and culture… and style! As a gateway between Europe and Asia, Istanbul embodies a unique blend of influences unlike any other place in the world. From Hamam’s (Turkish Baths) to shopping at the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul’s mystique is sure to capture your heart. Below are a few literature & film recommendations sure to transport you, even if only temporarily, to this great city.

Novels

Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk

Savarona by J. Patrick Hart

The Towers of Trebizond by Rose  Macaulay

Ataturk: A Biography by Patrick Kinross

Memed, My Hawk by Yashar Kemal

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Films

Midnight Express

Murder on the Orient Express

From Russia with Love

Topkapi

Head On

And if you can think of any others please let us know!

Well known for it’s pristine beaches  and magnificent setting where the Adriatic and Ionian Sea’s meet , Puglia is one of  Southern Italy’s most prized treasures.  It’s old World charm and landscape make for a popular backdrop and setting for a variety of novels and films.

Films

The Passion of the Christ

The Omen

The Nativity Story

La Lupa

The Star Maker

Novels

Christo si e fermato a Eboli by Carlo Levi

Head Over Heel by Chris Harrison

Casa Rossa by Francesca Marciano

Blood, Bones and Butter” by Gabrielle Hamilton – Gabrielle is the chef and owner of Prune in NY….part of the book revolves around her experiences and influences of being at her husbands family villa in Puglia

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco- Part of this intellectual mystery is set in a castle in Puglia _also made into a movie starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater

The area just outside of Merida serves as a remarkable example of the history and culture of this vast county called Mexico. Evidence of the deeply rooted Mayan traditions and history can be seen everywhere, from the pyramids to the people and the flavorful cuisine. Add to this the exquisite natural beauty of a region long known for it’s lush jungles and hidden cenotes and top it off with a Spanish colonial flavor- from the architecture and the narrow streets to the palatial haciendas to the festive music. Step back in time…

TO READ

Escape To Mexico- An Anthology of Great Fiction, Edited by Sara Nickles

Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

The Lacuna: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver

Mayan Cuisine-  Recipes From The Yucatan Region by Daniel Hoyer

Foods of the Maya: A Taste of the Yucatan  by Nancy Gerlach

Mayan Cooking: Recipes From the Sun Kingdoms of Mexico by Cherry Hamman

A Forest of Kings: The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya by Linda Schele

Star Gods of the Maya; Astronomy in Art, Folklore, and Calendars by Susan Milbrath

The Fall of the Ancient Maya; Solving the Mystery of the Maya Collapse by David L. Webster

Chronicle of the Maya Kinds and Queens; Deciphering the Dynasties of the Ancient Maya by Simon Martin

Maya Cosmogenesis 2012: The True Meaning of the Maya Calendar End-Date by John Major

TO SEE

Apocalypto- Mel Gibson’s take on the fall of the Mayan Civilization

Frida- starring Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina & Antonio Banderas. Directed by Julie Taymor

Like Water For Chocolate, based on the best selling novel of the same name. Critically acclaimed example of Mexican storytelling at it finest.

Long referred to as “The Island of the Gods”, Bali is a natural paradise. With a culture deeply rooted in tradition, spirituality and the arts, Bali provides a perfect backdrop for many books and even a few films.

TO READ

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

A Little Bit One O’clock: Living with a Balinese family  by William Ingram

A House In Bali by Colin McPhee

A Short History Of Bali: Indonesia’s Hindu Realm by Robert Pringle

Night of Purnama  by Anna Mathews

The Last Paradise  by Hickman Powell

Revolt in Paradise  by K’tut Tantri

Dancing Out Of Bali by John Coast

The Painted Alphabet by Diana Darling

Green Mangos & Lemongrass: Southeast Asia’s Best Recipes From Bangkok to Bali by Wendy Hutton

TO SEE

Eat, Pray, Love staring Julia Roberts

Road to Bali starring Bob Hope & Bing Crosby

St. Petersburg, Russia is is gem of a city, rich in history. From Tolstoy to Dostoyevsky the contributions the great      Russian writers have made to literature are second to  none. The city shaped each of them as writers and St. Petersburg’s  magical appeal is evident throughout many of the classic’s pages. Below are a few recommended classics  inspired by St.  Petersburg or written by authors born in St. Petersburg.

Literature

Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Brothers Karamazov- Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Anna Kerenina- Leo Tolstoy

The Man from St. Petersburg- Ken Follett

Eugene Onegin- Alexander Pushkin

The Fountainhead- Ayn Rand

Speak, Memory- Vladimir Nabokov

Dr. Zhivago- Boris Pasternak

City of Thieves- David Benioff

Films

Irony of Fate

White Nights

GoldenEye

Brother

Onegin

Please let us know if you have any to add to the list!