Unless there is a strong sense of place there is no travel writing, but it need not come from topographical description; dialogue can also convey a sense of place. Even so, I insist, the traveler invents the place. Feeling compelled to comment on my travel books, people say to me, "I went there"---China, India, the Pacific, Albania-- "and it wasn't like that." I say, "Because I am not you.

There's a lot of sensuality that I associate with travel. And that's romance.

All places, no matter where, no matter what, are worth visiting.

The people of Hong Kong are criticized for only being interested in business, but it's the only thing they've been allowed to do.

Loneliness in travel directs you and tells you about yourself. You don't become lonely unless you're alone.

In a way, Che Guevara's fate was far worse than Simon Bolivar's. Guevara's collapse was complete: his intentions were forgotten, but his style was taken up by boutique owners (one of the fanciest clothes stores in London is called Che Guevara). There is no faster way of destroying a man or mocking his ideas than making him fashionable. That Che succeeded in influencing dress-designers was part of his tragedy.

The man who is tired of London is tired of looking for a parking space