Before leaving, you should research the countries you are going to see. If you know a bit of the history of the country, you will appreciate it more when you see it firsthand. You can purchase some pretty great travel books that are dedicated to providing thorough travel information on specific countries. Lonely Planet and Frommers are two better known series.

You may also want to consult general information on travel, tourism, accommodations, food, and safety in the general area you are traveling to. Depending on the area, it may be harder to get around, find affordable accommodations, or the country may be experiencing unrest that you should be aware of before deciding to visit. You also want to make sure that you will be in the country during good weather. Make sure you know when the wet seasons are, when their winter is, or when hurricanes/cyclones/typhoons are most prevalent. You can find all this information on the internet or in travel books.

Travel movies, although mostly fictional, can help to provide some insight into the life of a traveler. Some movies convey quite aptly the experiences that travelers face, the ups and downs of being so far from home, and the feeling of impermanence that is felt by travelers as their scenery, friends, and beds keep changing. They also show the adventure, the fun, and the new and exciting experiences that travelers face.

There have been so many movies and books made about travel, or with a travel story found within it, that it is very hard to narrow them down. So I have decided to make a list of the five best travel books that have since been turned into movies about travel. The movies on this list were all fascinating books that translated well onto the screen.
• The Motorcycle Diaries: This movie follows the early life of Che Guevara as he travels from Argentina on up the coast of South America. This movie has beautiful scenery as we get a special look at rural South American life during that tumultuous time period.
• 7 Years in Tibet: A German mountaineer travels to Tibet and spends time with the Dali Lama. This thoughtful story gives an insightful glimpse into Tibetan Culture before the invasion by the Chinese.
• The Beach: Even though I prefer the book to the movie, in the movie the beautiful, descriptive imagery comes to life. It is a story about backpackers searching for Utopia in Thailand’s beaches.
• Under the Tuscan Sun: Tuscany serves as the subject of this film instead of merely being the backdrop. It is a beautifully told romance that makes you want to book a trip to Tuscany.
• Into the Wild: This is one of my favorite books and it translated really well to the screen. It is based on the true story of a young man who denounces his capitalistic fate for the freedom of a natural and simple existence. It is relatable to most backpackers who find everyday life dull in comparison to traveling.