‘A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland': A Londoner Out of His Element
'Literature is made out of the misfortunes of others,' literary critic V.S. Pritchett once noted. 'A large number of travel books fail simply because of the intolerable, monotonous good luck of their authors.'
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New York Times
a day ago
- New York Times
Read All About It: True Tales of Men and Fiction
To the Editor: Re 'Attention, Men: Books Are Sexy!,' by Maureen Dowd (column, Aug. 3): Backpacking solo in 1995, reading voraciously, I met one of the loves of my life in Ubud, Bali. I was on a veranda overlooking rice paddies when Cherie, who was traveling with her mother, brazenly snatched the book I had my nose so buried in that I had not noticed her staring at me. It was a Penguin paperback, 'How Much Land Does a Man Need? And Other Stories,' by Leo Tolstoy. Cherie's eyes got wide, and I could tell she approved of my choice of authors, and my bookish interest in that collection of stories, to the exclusion of all around me. She told me that's sexy right then and there. We talked long into the night. The trip to Bali became ever better after that. Even her mother liked me. Lifetime memories. All because I was reading Tolstoy. Gowan McAvityBedford, N.Y. To the Editor: Maureen Dowd writes compellingly about men and fiction. Jane Austen of course is wonderful for men and women, and I read her voraciously because she is so good with language and thought. An added appeal is hearing the thoughts of a woman on men that we can all recognize: that our social posturing is just that, and a conscious female observer can see through it. I find myself far less interested in nonfiction. When I travel, I read a novel or a short story collection from the land I will visit rather than a travel guide — say, José Saramago before going to Portugal — because it tells me about how people there think, their worldview. It makes me feel at home and more understanding of the culture than any guidebook. Bill EslerChicago To the Editor: Maureen Dowd laments that men are reading less and reports, 'Women make up 80 percent of fiction sales.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
The Most Popular Beach in the U.S. This Summer Isn't in Florida or California
The U.S. is full of fantastic beaches. With nearly 100,00 miles of coastline to choose from, you can have your pick. Cliffside shores on the Pacific? There's endless options on the west coast. Tropical climates and turquoise waters? Head to South Florida. If you can dream it, you can find it. So what are most Americans searching for? Well, a new report from PrivacyJournal reveals that the most desired out of state beaches this summer don't just offer sandy shores; they are all accessible destinations designed for visitors. "What's fascinating is that even when Americans search beyond their home state for beach destinations, they still prioritize accessibility, with most states gravitating toward beaches within reasonable driving or flying distance,' Mauricio Preuss, PrivacyJournal CEO, said about the study. 'This suggests that while travelers crave new experiences, travel time and cost are still key considerations." To determine the most sought-after beaches in the U.S., PrivacyJournal used 2025 search volume data for more than 100 popular beaches and analyzed the volume of searches for each beach. By using commonly searched keywords with specific beach locations, the researchers were able to determine which beaches had the highest interest for residents living in other states. This methodology revealed that Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was the most searched for beach by other residents in other states. It was the top beach destination for 18 states—with the most notable volume of searches in Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. This isn't too surprising, given South Carolina's relatively central location on the East Coast, and its long established reputation as a beach town. With an iconic boardwalk, tons of attractions off the beach, and more than 60 miles of shore to explore, there's an abundance of options for visitors. Here are the top five most sought after beaches: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, top search in 18 states Clearwater Beach, Florida, top search in nine states Virginia Beach, Virginia, top search in eight states Cannon Beach, Oregon, top search in six states Orange Beach, Alabama, top search in four states Are you looking for even more late summer travel inspiration? We've got intel on the cleanest beach in the U.S., the most affordable places to travel in August, the coordinates of the best beach in the world, and the top travel trips for a Florida beach vacation, straight from locals. So whether you're looking to leave the state, leave the country, or just head a few hours away, there's still plenty of time to plan a quick beach escape before the end of summer.
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
I've Spent 10 Years Exploring Indonesia—These Are the Most Breathtaking Beaches I've Found
When I first moved to Bali, Indonesia, in 2014, I found myself swiftly enchanted by the island—the charming locals, the singular Balinese Hindu culture, and the swoon-worthy, emerald green jungles and abundant rice terraces. But as a certified ocean addict and surfer, it was the beaches and sublime stretches of sand that had me completely wowed. To find my little slices of coastal paradise, I've hiked hundreds of steps down to Nyang Nyang on the Bukit Peninsula, past cows and monkeys, to reach a turquoise heaven where I hardly saw another soul. I fell so hard for the island, I eventually built a house and split my time there, later moving permanently with my family. It's no secret, though, that Bali has only gotten more popular in recent years, and now many of the places I once deemed 'secret' are busy. Exploring Indonesia—an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands—over a decade has led me to some truly jaw-dropping beaches, some gloriously desolate, others vibrantly alive with international travelers, expats, and locals. These are the seven best beaches in Indonesia that go beyond Bali. Idyllic Mawun beach in the Kuta area of south Lombok. Picture electric turquoise water so bright it's almost glowing, and soft, powdery sand that wraps around in a horseshoe shape between two shapely hills, and you have Mawun, an off-the-beaten-path beach. I sunbathed here years ago, and during my time, sweet local kids ran up with petite juicy pineapples (cut and held upside down like ice cream cones) and mangos to sell. Mawun is only about six miles (about a 15 to 20 minute drive) from Kuta, one of South Lombok's main tourist villages, where you'll find plenty of eateries, day spas, charming hotels, and resorts such as Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort. Sunset at Bwanna beach on Sumba. GregoriousOne of the most dramatic and exciting beaches I've ever laid bare feet on in Indonesia is on the idyllic island of Sumba, southeast of Bali, by a couple of islands—it's almost Bali's complete opposite in terms of development and tourism. A guide from the gorgeously designed resort Cap Karoso (it made Travel + Leisure 's 2024 It List, with its own long, beautiful beach) took us to the spectacularly secluded Mbawana Beach, about an hour away on the ultra-quiet isle, where we encountered locals cooking nasi jagung (rice with corn) amid corn fields before embarking on the steep but worthwhile descent down a cliffside. Pro tip: go at low tide for enough space to enjoy the beach and rock formations, which are otherworldly. A unique pink sand beach on Komodo the most Instagrammable beach in all of the archipelago is the famed Komodo Pink Beach (also called Pantai Merah, which translates to 'red beach') in Komodo National Park. And yes, it's truly, vividly pink, thanks to tiny fragments of red coral that blend with the sand. The popular spot is only accessible by boat, often a feature of day trips from hotels like Ta'aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, or Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach on the nearby island of Flores that include visits to the famous prehistoric-looking Komodo dragons. Be sure your phone is charged up to capture the extraordinary combo of pink and cyan. A boat approaches Padar Kecil on Padar of my all-time favorite beach experiences anywhere in the world is so under the radar it's not even Google-able. While sailing on the luxurious phinisi charter Vela, the captain dropped anchor near Padar Island (home to a fabulous 40-minute climb to the top for sensational 360-degree panoramas) and then ferried a few of us to Padar Kecil beside it, letting us off in crystalline shallows the color of topaz. The soft, sandy, shallow bottom made swimming and floating about absolutely divine, while the beach itself is the definition of perfection. Bring a picnic or some beverages and you could happily spend all day soaking in rays and views on what feels like an unknown private beach. Wild horses on Nihiwatu beach on Sumba. Besides one of my life's most unforgettable surfing experiences on the private wave beyond, Nihiwatu Beach—stretching along one of T+L World's Best Hotels, Nihi Sumba—is iconic for its band of horses that run freely atop its sands, frolicking, rolling, and splashing in the water each afternoon. The sandalwood ponies and other equine beauties are not the only creatures enjoying the wide, long white beach, of course, but they do add a dose of awe to every beach day. And there's nothing quite like riding one into the surf for a once-in-a-lifetime horseback swim. Looking down onto hidden Suwehan beach on Nusa beachgoers and adventurers should have no problem making it the 20-minute stair hike on foot to Suwehan Beach on Nusa Penida, technically part of Bali, even though it's a separate island to the southwest, accessible by fast boat. It's the stuff of postcards and paintings, hugged by cliffs with improbably radiant aquamarine water and a giant conical rock formation right in the middle of the bay. For the most enjoyment, visit during lower tides and, if you're planning on capturing photos and videos, in the morning for the best light. It's also worth swinging by Atuh with its own 166-stair descent and striking setting. Overwater villas at Bawah Reserve, a secluded eco-resort in Indonesia's Anambas Islands. Courtesy of Elang at Bawah Reserve In the far-flung Anambas archipelago, the Robinson Crusoe-gone-glam private island eco-resort Bawah Reserve has 13 virginal beaches on its own sparkling blue lagoons, but one in particular is particularly unspoiled, raw and perfect: Coconut Beach. There aren't any facilities and guests must hike to reach the north-facing beach with almost blindingly white sand, but the effort is more than justified by a paradisiacal setting with mangroves, the clearest water and palms—private picnics are available, too.
