When I’m not studying or taking notes for my upcoming research paper, I have found myself drawn to books and movies that take me away. Flipping through pages is an incredible tool to escape the present and discover new places. Stories hold the power of transforming our world and, during this time in which reality is uncertain, they bring a sense of calm and stability. Take advantage of a quiet afternoon and take a trip inside one of these books or movies, perfect for avid travelers itching to get away.  

“The Alchemist”:

If you feel like getting a taste of something exotic and unique, this book is a great stop. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, tells the mystical story of a young traveling shepherd named Santiago on a journey to Egypt in search of buried treasure. Along the way, Santiago encounters many different characters that guide him, including a gypsy woman, king and an alchemist. While it appears Santiago is always in search of a place, he begins to discover his own worth and humanity along the way. “The Alchemist” was an award winner of both the Nielsen Book Award in the United Kingdom and Germany’s 2002 Corine International Award for Fiction. This much loved story has also been translated into 67 languages, and is found on many recommended book lists for young adults. I recently dove into this novel, and fell in love with Santiago’s journey.    

“Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour”: 

“Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour” by Morgan Matson is perfect for the traveler who craves a fun cross-country road trip with a little romance along the way. Nineteen-year-old Amy Cohen has been too afraid to get behind the wheel ever since her father passed away. When her mother decides to relocate them from California all the way to Connecticut, Amy must figure out a way to get her car across the country. This is when Roger, an old family friend, offers to join Amy and the trip becomes an adventure, without the use of Amy’s carefully arranged itinerary. This is a great reminder that sometimes the best things happen in unexpected ways, like seeing the Colorado mountains, visiting old diners and conquering fears. 

“Paper Towns”:

“Paper Towns” by John Green is not only a fantastic getaway novel, but now a movie as well. Whether you prefer the book or the screen, this is a great title for discovering new places. When adventurous and mysterious Margo Roth Spiegelmen goes missing, her friend Quentin wants answers. Having spent his life watching Margo from afar, Quentin discovers Margo has left clues intended for him to follow. Take a chance and join Quentin on his search to bring back the Margo he thought he knew. 

“Midnight in Paris”:

This movie came highly recommended to me and is currently at the top of my list to watch. Oscar-winner for Best Original Screenplay in 2012, “Midnight in Paris” promises to sweep viewers away to not only Paris, but back in time to the 1920s. Join aspiring novelist Gil Pender who, on a vacation in Paris, time travels and encounters famous figures of art and literature. 

“Under the Tuscan Sun”:

It seems that Disney+ finally fixed the problems with #LizzieMcGuire revival as @HilaryDuff revealed that there's still hope for Lizzie and her animated counterpart as there was a meeting with series creator Terri Minsky! https://t.co/PfVeWQDGw9 pic.twitter.com/OeXiqUanoG

— Walt Disney Television Animation News (@DisneyTVANews) April 7, 2020

In a time when you cannot drop everything and use your life’s savings to buy a fixer-upper villa in Italy, you can live the dream by watching “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Francis (Diane Lane) impulsively buys a house in Cortona, Tuscany and through the hard work and trials of house repair, finds a community and new life in Italy. The beautiful sunny hills are a welcome retreat from your four living room walls right now. 

“The Lizzie McGuire Movie”:

Looking for a comfort trip to somewhere delightfully familiar? Take a trip down memory lane and go to Rome with “The Lizzie McGuire Movie.” Now streaming on Disney+, relive a bit of your childhood and join Lizzie on her incredible identity-redefining adventure in Rome. This school trip turns out to be anything but museums and guided tours for Lizzie, as she ends up impersonating a famous singer and falling in love. What more needs to be said? Don’t forget to make popcorn, or perhaps spaghetti. 

Related Content:

Husky on the Road: A winter day on the beach  

Husky ‘On The Road:’ From the couch

Kate Luongo is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. She can be reached via email at kate.luongo@uconn.edu.