“1000 Places to See Before You Die”

You know that book that you pick up and you feel like packing your bags? Well, “1000 Places to See Before You Die”, it's exactly like that.

When it came out, back in 2003, it became a worldwide hit — more than 3 million copies sold, translated into a bunch of languages, including our Portuguese.

It's not just a regular travel guide, the kind that tells you where the cheapest hotel is.

It's almost like a friend telling incredible stories about the coolest places on the planet, from the most famous to the ones you never imagined existed.

So, come with me to write this 2000-word article about this bestseller that makes anyone want to go out and explore?

Who is Patricia? A traveler at heart

First of all, let me tell you who is the mind behind this. Patricia Schultz is an American journalist who breathes travel.

She has already written for big newspapers like The New York Times and famous guides like Frommer's, but this book was the great goal of her life.

It took seven years to collect stories, research and write — can you imagine the work? She herself says she has already set foot in about 801 countries around the world, which is a lot.

You can feel in the pages that she's not just listing places; she's telling you what she saw, what she felt, as if she were a friend inviting you to travel with her.

Living in New York, Patricia has that way of someone who has lived every bit of what she writes.

It’s no wonder that the book has such a great vibe, mixing useful information with the enthusiasm of someone who loves what they do. It’s as if she were saying: “Look at this incredible place, you NEED to visit it!”

How the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die works

The book is big — almost a thousand pages in the original edition — but it doesn't leave you feeling lost.

It is divided by continents: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, as well as a special section on cruises, for those who enjoy traveling by sea.

It's not a specific thing per country or city; it mixes everything: natural and historical places, parties, good food.

It's like a salad of destinations, each with its own special seasoning.

Each place has its own little text, like a mini-story of one or two pages.

It has a description, some practical tips — like the best time to go or where to stay — and, in the newest editions, beautiful photos that make you want to jump into the paper.

You can use the book in many ways: to plan a real trip, to daydream about it or just to read out of curiosity, like someone watching a documentary.

The really cool thing is that it’s not just in the obvious places, like the Eiffel Tower or Disney.

Of course they are there, but there are also some corners you've never heard of, like a floating market in Vietnam or a village in Japan that looks like a movie set.

It is this mix that makes the book so special.

The Classics: Places Everyone Wants to See

There are destinations in the book that are the kind you see in a movie and think: “One day I’ll go there!” The Great Wall of China, for example.

Patricia doesn't just talk about the rocks and the history — she tells what it's like to step on them, feel the wind in the mountains and imagine how it was all built thousands of years ago. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

Another one that couldn’t be missed is Machu Picchu, in Peru.

She describes the place as dreamlike, with mist rising from the mountains and a silence that connects you to something greater.

And here's a smart tip: go on the trail if you have the stamina, but the train is also worth it.

It's the kind of place you feel you have to see with your own eyes.

In Europe, there's Paris, Rome, Venice — the usual suspects.

But it doesn't just stop at the basics. In Paris, in addition to the Eiffel Tower, it sends you to the Musée d'Orsay and the charming cafés of Montmartre, where you can sit and watch the world go by.

In Rome, the Colosseum is there, but she also takes you to hidden trattorias, with pastas that make you forget about life. It's as if she knows the secrets of each place.

Surprising Finds: Places You Didn't Know You Wanted to See

Now, what I think is coolest about the book are the places that no one talks about much.

Seriously, have you ever heard of Civita di Bagnoregio in Italy? They call it “the dying town” because there are hardly any people living there anymore, but Patricia says it’s such a beautiful stone village that it looks like something from another time. It makes you want to go tomorrow!

In Africa, she talks about the Sossusvlei desert in Namibia, with its red dunes that look painted. Forget the usual safaris — this place is different, almost from another planet.

And in Asia, the Batu Caves in Malaysia, with temples inside the rock, are one of those finds that leave you thinking: “How did I never know about this?”

These lesser-known corners are the spice of the book.

They show that the world is full of surprises, and that sometimes we don't even need to go that far to find something magical.

More than Places: Culture, Food and Adventures

The book is not just about tourist attractions. Patricia also takes you inside the experiences.

She talks about Salvador's Carnival, for example, as a party that explodes with energy — you can feel the ground shaking just reading it.

Or the Toronto Film Festival, for those who enjoy a more artistic vibe.

And the food? My God, she loves food! She has suggestions for fancy restaurants in Marrakech, with spices you've never tasted in your life, and for stalls in Italy where the pasta is simple but perfect. For her, eating well is part of the trip, a way to understand the place.

And there are adventures too: imagine flying over the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon or sailing along the Negro River to where the waters meet in Brazil? These are things that stay in your memory forever, and she convinces you that it's worth every second.

Why does everyone love this book “1000 Places to See Before You Die”?

Since its release, this book, 1000 Places to See Before You Die, has become a phenomenon. It was even made into a TV series on the Travel Channel in 2007, and to this day it inspires a lot of people — bloggers, travelers, dreamers.

He stayed number one for a long time The New York Times, and in Brazil it has already sold more than 300 thousand copies of the first edition alone. That's a lot!

Today, with so much information on the internet, you might even think: “Why a book?”

But that's where it shines. Unlike a site full of reviews, it has a soul. Patricia takes you by the hand and tells stories, not just facts.

New editions still bring photos and updates, such as new hotels or tips to avoid bad seasons, so it doesn't become dated.

Not everything is rosy: What was missing from the book “1000 Places to See Before You Die”?

Of course, not everyone loves everything in the book “1000 Places to See Before You Die”.

Some say it focuses too much on Europe and North America, leaving Asia, Africa and Latin America with less space.

For example, I missed Ilha do Mel or Valparaíso, in Chile — places that I think are incredible.

And there are those who think that, with so many destinations, the texts are sometimes a bit shallow.

But, look, I don't think she ever wanted to make a perfect list.

The title is more to provoke you, to make you think about what you want to see before leaving for the better.

It's a personal selection, and she says so herself. It's up to you to complete it with what's missing.

Using the Book Today: A Guide to 2025

Here in 2025, with the world starting to turn again after crazy times, this book still has its place.

You can combine his tips with Google Maps and some travel apps to create the perfect itinerary. Or just read at home, imagining each place — I do that all the time.

And, at a time when we talk so much about sustainability, it reminds you to take care of places like Fernando de Noronha, which are beautiful, but fragile.

To close: A little push to travel

In the end, “1000 Places to See Before You Die” it's about dreaming and living.

Patricia Schultz shows you the world with such care that you want to run out and see everything. It doesn't matter if you're one of those people who lives with a backpack on your back or if you only travel in your imagination — this book is for you.

So, grab it from the shelf, mark the places that call to you, and let's plan the next adventure — or just dream a little.

The world is out there, waiting. Which place on the list do you want to visit first? Tell me!