Road trippin'

For perhaps the first time, it occurred to me the other day that a large part of the reason I've always had a penchant for fantasy literature is that it's usually about travelling. Not that I don't also appreciate the fantastic creatures and the magic and the heroic battles -- I'd add something about romance, only I've honestly never cared for it that much in my reading; I don't mind if it's there, but I don't really miss it if it's not and I certainly don't want it to be the sole focus of the story. And because most fantasy stories involve a Quest, it's only natural for the show to get on the road, as it were. And I can understand a writer, after having spent so much time creating a universe, wanting to give the guided tour.

While it's true that any good story tells a journey, be it physical or internal, the allure of discovering new fantasy worlds never gets old for me. That being said, I'm rather uninterested in reading real-world travel memoirs. Not that I'd turn my nose up at any, should it come to hand, but I've never even thought of seeking one out. However, I greatly enjoy books that tell a story in which the location plays an important part, or when the author manages to draw me in with a strong sense of place*, making me want to visit. Good fantasy worlds do the same thing, the only drawback being that one can't actually do the tour afterwards, unless someone like Peter Jackson comes along and serves it up in cinematic form.

So without further ado, here are my ( Top Ten Fantasy Destinations I Can Think Of At The Moment )

Now, what are yours?

* I've just started Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil and it's making me think Savannah, Georgia, is a mighty interesting and alluring place.