Travel The World Without Leaving Your Beach Chair

To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Stuck in staycation mode this summer? NY1's Valarie D'Elia filed the following report on a way to beat the August doldrums and travel the world without leaving your beach chair.

Idlewild, an independent travel bookstore near Union Square in Manhattan, carries the original name of JFK Airport, and a visit here is like a ticket around the world.

Owner Dave DelVecchio and I settled on the top-five picks for paperbacks this summer.

"Learning to Breathe: One Woman's Journey of Spirit and Survival," is a personal memoir by National Geographic Photographer Alison Wright, who narrowly escaped death in a bus accident on a remote jungle road while on assignment in Laos. Now in paperback, Wright takes the story full circle, by bringing five doctors and $10,000 worth of medical equipment to support the local clinic that helped her.

"City of Thieves," by David Benioff, is a darkly-humorous novel set during World War II, specifically during the Siege of Leningrad. Benioff's wild premise, great characters, and strong writing have made this a sleeper hit.

Lovers of literary fiction who want an easy read for the beach will devour "The Hakawati," by Rabih Alameddine. It weaves back and forth between present-day Lebanon and tales from antiquity.

If you're one of those who subscribes to the "Wherever You Go There You Are" theory of travel, then you'll relate to author Eric Weiner. Weiner's book "The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World" is a witty travelogue that takes readers on a whirlwind tour of countries in pursuit of moments of "un-unhappiness."

People who love London or fantasize about ex-pat life will enjoy "The Old Man and Me" by Elaine Dundy, a classic reissued just in time for travelers to stuff in their carry on. This is a smarter, more literary version of Bridget Jones.

For more information, go to http://www.idlewildbooks.com.

•

Now here's a D'Elia's Deal you don't want to miss at Idlewild Books. Take 20 percent off everything in the store the weekend of July 25-26, from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Just tell them Val sent you.

For this and other travel news, go to TravelWithVal.com.

As is common practice in the travel industry, Travel With Val often receives complimentary travel or reduced "media" rates at hotels, resorts and attractions, including those that may be featured in these reports. Such consideration is not taken in exchange for any express or implied promise or understanding of any nature, particularly regarding the content of these reports. These reports only feature travel providers personally recommended by Valarie D’Elia in the exercise of her independent editorial judgment, and do not represent the endorsement of Time Warner Cable or any third party.