If you are anything like me, picking your next travel destination can prove to be a difficult choice. Lately, however, I have been turning to some of my favorite books for travel inspiration.
Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Talented Mr. Ripley weaves the elements of a gripping crime novel with the alluring tale of a young American exploring the beauty of Italy. The idle, relaxing atmosphere of the coastal village of Mongibello—full of warm beaches, local shops and zero responsibilities—creates a picturesque backdrop to this engaging thriller.
Sadly, we cannot visit Mongibello this summer (it is a fictional location made up by Highsmith), but it is possible to visit Ischia and Procida, Italy, the locations used to shoot the novel’s 1999 film adaptation. These small islands are right off the Gulf of Naples and are just as charming as their neighbor, Capri. On the cliffs of Ischia, you can see the homes from the movie, while the colorful shop fronts and cobblestone streets from the film sit nearby on Procida’s seafront.
Ischia and Procida are the perfect literary destinations—as long as Tom Ripley is no longer around.
