Many of our readers have told us they need to take a break. Let’s be honest, after the last two years, which we would rather forget, many of us have already made travel plans for the summer.
Your suitcases are already packed, you are so desperate to leave!
Having said that, it’s not too late, there is still time to peruse a map and plan your next trip. You just have to be open-minded and flexible to find availability, and be consistent in your plans.
Regardless of how advanced your holiday plans already are, Charly’s Team would like to inspire you with new ideas. And we will do so by sharing with you recommendations for books, games and even podcasts, which provide an ideal way to escape, metaphorically at least.
Have you read it ?
Here is our selection of novels, travel stories and comic books, for both young and old readers, to pack in your suitcase before leaving for your holidays, or to display proudly on your coffee table.
«L’échappée belle» [The great escape] A solitary journey across New Zealand. Adrien Falewée. Ed. La Bruyère (June 2021). “Adrien is not a sportsman and without ever having walked for more than three days beforehand, he set himself an unthinkable challenge: cross New Zealand on foot, alone and independently, covering over 3000 kilometres, following the famous Te Araroa trail.
«Sur les routes de la musique»: [In the footsteps of music: stories from a music lover] stories from a music lover] André Manoukian. Ed. Harper Collins (May 2022). Did you know that Pythagoras created the twelve-tone scale by drawing inspiration from the pyramids of Egypt? Or that wolves invented singing in choirs? Or that Bach excelled at improv battles? Through forty stories, André Manoukian retraces the fascinating and unsung history of music, an art form that was born in the Orient, in the refinements of Indian, Persian and Egyptian civilisations.
«961 heures à Beyrouth» [961 hours in Beirut] ]: Tristan Savin. Ed. La Table Ronde. (Intemporel, April 2015). In a hundred or so stories, the author will take you on a journey around the world of literature, to regions with marvellous names (Lapland, Patagonia, the Carpathians, Rajasthan), or to fictional places (Atlantis)… From Jules Verne to Nicolas Bouvier, from the European literati of the 1920s to the Beat Generation, this is escapism in its most beautiful form, for travellers who never leave home, as well as seasoned nomads.
«Esprit des lieux : Chroniques du monde» [The spirit of places: stories from around the world]: Tristan Savin. Ed. La Table Ronde. (Intemporel, April 2015). In a hundred or so stories, the author will take you on a journey around the world of literature, to regions with marvellous names (Lapland, Patagonia, the Carpathians, Rajasthan), or to fictional places (Atlantis)… From Jules Verne to Nicolas Bouvier, from the European literati of the 1920s to the Beat Generation, this is escapism in its most beautiful form, for travellers who never leave home, as well as seasoned nomads.
Tell me a story!
“L’expédition”[The Expedition]. Stéphane Servant. Illustrations by Audrey Spiry, Ed. Thierry Magnier (February 2022 – / from 5/8 years old). The Expedition tells a story of emancipation. But this invigorating fairy tale, set on the high seas, in which the illustrations swirl like the currents of the sea, in a hypnotic and dramatic fashion, is also an open book on childhood, parenthood, as well as attachment and letting go.
“30 destins d’aventuriers” [30 destinies of adventurers], for boys and girls who dream of exploring the world. Victoria Jacob. Ed. Paulsen Jeunesse. Illustrations by Emmanuelle Halgand (November 2020). As the title suggests, 30 destinies and experiences, to explore the planet through the eyes of unforgettable characters, who threw themselves body and soul into adventure. Evoking historical moments and vast open spaces, this book contains 30 biographies, and is perfect for children aged 8 to 12 who seek thrills and spills.
Book and CD sets for young adults, to set off on adventures, dream and awaken their curiosity.
“Moby Dick” (from 7 years old). Stéphane Michaka. Illustrations by Juliaon Roels.
“Molière, sa majesté l’acteur” [Molière, his majesty, the actor]” (from 6 years old). Pierre Senges / Arnaud Marzorati / Serge Bloch
Shh, I’m listening!
In Quebec, a podcast is called a ‘balado’. Such a pretty word to describe these stories you can download and listen to on the go, wherever you please. This medium of modern times is particularly apt for travel podcasts.
“Le son de la Terre: Chroniques radiophoniques” [The sounds of the Earth: radio stories]. Jérôme Sueur. Ed. Acte Sud. (March 2022). What do two elephant seals say to each other when they meet on a beach? Do hot sand dunes sing? Where is the most beautiful sound landscape on Earth? Through 45 stories of natural history, illustrated with 145 sounds accessible through QR codes, this book invites you to open your ears, discover and understand the tempo, rhythm and melody of our planet. Depart today on a nature listening journey!
“Bourlinguez“, everyone has a story to tell. Morgan reports on North Korea, discovering this secretive and still very isolated country. Adrien recounts a boat trip down the Amazon River. Thomas travels the world in search of volcanoes, finally quenching his thirst in Vanuatu… Put your headphones on and be transported.
“We call them digital nomads in English”. They were not born with the pandemic, but they are more numerous now than ever before. In “The Story”, the podcast of French newspaper ‘Les Echos’, Pierrick Fay and guests discuss the phenomenon of a peculiar form of nomadism, linked to remote working, which is developing in new places and new destinations. January 2022 – Editor-in-chief: Clémence Lemaistre. Guests: Martine Robert from Les Echos and Mathilde Giard, nomad journalist. Director: Willy Ganne.
“Parlons livres photos”. [Let’s talk about photo books]. (February 2022) Julien Gérard, professional photographer, shares his time between France, Benin and the rest of the world. When recording this podcast, he sets off to meet artists keen to share their experiences. In this episode, he meets Philippe Pons, a former railway worker, whose travels around the world are chronicled in his book “30 years of travels”. He travelled solo in Mexico and Guatemala, at a time when the internet and travel blogs did not yet exist…
Who’s playing?
Do you play board games for self-improvement, or do jigsaw puzzles to relax? While some rediscovered these simple pleasures during lockdown, others never stopped playing. Having fun, competing and training ensure that you will never be bored!
“The grand tour of the world” by Lonely Planet. Set off on a journey around the world to relive past trips and dream of new destinations: for players aged 7 to 77, this game will awaken your taste for adventure. Throw the dice and make a stopover by answering as many questions as possible. Warning: a voyage is always full of surprises! Consider using the ‘priority boarding’ option to skip the queue. .
«Your world tour». Game by Bruno Maltor. Ed. Gründ (November 2020). Bruno Maltor has been criss-crossing the world for 10 years, including France. He is not just an influencer, but also a travel blogger and digital nomad. The principle is simple: go around the world by completing your itineraries, accumulating objects to fill your suitcase and recognising places caught on camera. Be wary of traps: nasty surprises along the way and crafty adversaries could make this trip longer than expected.
“The Puzzle Box” brings back the experience of high-quality artisanal jigsaw puzzles, made in France with environmentally responsible processes.
«Mes mondes rêvés». [My dream worlds]. Johanna Basford. Ed. Marabout (April 2021). A colouring book for curious people, with relaxing, calming motifs. Page after page, you will discover airborne kingdoms, underwater castles, or buildings reclaimed by nature. An escape into beauty!
Experiencing the joy of travelling with your mind, without leaving your home, is great for a while, but we all agree that actually going away is 100 times better.
Your senses reawaken, during breaks from everyday life, and your desires come alive. The end of summer is an excellent time to travel whilst avoiding the crowds; September and October are just around the corner!
As you know, Charly’s Team is always there to listen, and we know how to make your dreams come true, whether you’re hoping to take it easy, or you’d rather explore every corner of your destination energetically:
