Category Archives: Travel Writing

A Memorial Centennial

Posted on May 21, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Way back in the antedeluvian days of the last century, I spent quite a bit of time in Washington D.C.. So much so that I eventually wrote a travel guidebook for budget travelers to the U.S. capital. During my book … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, History, Tourism, Travel Writing, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Social Network

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Up until quite recently, I was a habitual buyer of postcards during my travels. Mind you, I rarely ever sent the postcards to anyone, but rather keep them as reminders of the places that I had visited. When I was young, postcards … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Art, Books, Europe, History, Public Transport, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Brilliant Bookshops

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

You would be hard pressed to discover a bookshop in a more beautiful setting than the charming Atlantis Books in the tiny village of Oia on the stunning Greek island of Santorini. But it’s just one of the wonderful bookshops … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism, Travel Writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Improving on the Travel Notebook

Posted on August 15, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

If you are a writer, or a traveler, or even a travel writer, it’s quite likely that at one time or another you have utilized an iconic Moleskine notebook (or in some of our cases a very good knock-off). But … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

there is no happy ending

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since we lost one of its most entertaining, likable, and exasperating cultural personalities. Anthony Bourdain was one of those special people who found a way to engage folks from all walks … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, movies, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Living in the Wild West (of Iceland)

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

At some point during every trip that I take to Iceland I entertain the fantasy of moving to a small coastal town and opening a little bookshop. But reality always wins out when I remember what Icelandic winters are like. … Continue reading →

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Wild in Scotland

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Way back around the turn of the century I had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time in Scotland. While I have great affection for Edinburgh and Glasgow, the true treasure of the country is to be found … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Poison Book Project

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Just in case you needed another reason to wash your hands these days… The bright emerald green cloth on the books (above & below) gets its intense color from copper acetoarsenite, more commonly known as arsenic. The inorganic pigment was … Continue reading →

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The Narrow Road to the Deep North

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

As some readers know, much of my time is generally occupied finding and selling antiquarian travel books. Although I focus mostly on 19th and early 20th century travel guidebooks, I am interested in other travel literature and unrelated genres, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Tourism, Travel Writing, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

We All Have a Touch of Fernweh These Days

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

It’s highly likely that you know Teju Cole for his innovative novels and essays, but he is also a dedicated photographer. This spring he release a photobook called Fernweh. The word in German translates literally to “farsickness”, the opposite of … Continue reading →

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