The Best Travel Destination In The World Is Closer Than You Think

We asked: What’s the best travel destination in the world? Member Elizabeth Baldwin had this sneaky answer.

At risk of sounding rather dull, I would contend that the best place on the planet to visit is one’s local library.

(Bear with me!)

Though it may not have the architectural delights of Greece, nor the iconic cuisine of Italy, the humble library does have books on both – and thousands of other topics.

With a library, you’re not forced to choose one destination – you can travel the world (and traverse time) in a day.

Perhaps you’d like to swing by 19th century Russia? Why not try Tolstoy? Or is Sweden more your cup of tea? Jonas Jonasson will take you there. From Edinburgh (Alexander McCall Smith) to outback Australia (Craig Silvey); New York (F. Scott Fitzgerald) to Afghanistan (Khaled Hosseini) – books are your (free!) ticket to the world.

All this is done, of course, from the comfort of one’s home. There’s no denying that the mechanics of travelling aren’t fun - usually a long, back-pain-inducing flight followed by noisy accommodation, uncomfortable bed, and getting lost in a strange place. Why put yourself through this struggle when the whole world is at your fingertips with a book, and you can enjoy the familiar amenities of home?

The magic ingredient here is imagination – putting yourself in the shoes of the characters described. In many ways this gives one a more authentic experience of the culture than simply visiting the usual tourist traps.

With a book, you really understand life in another place, rather than just which trite photo op will garner the most likes on Instagram. Truly, then, the library is the best place on the planet – because it has the whole planet within its bounds.

Congratulations to Elizabeth for winning this writing challenge, answering: The Best Travel Destination In The World. Elizabeth wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!