Where the extraordinary meets the everyday—Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya / Credit: The Safari Collection
Imagine stepping into a world where each corner invites you to explore vibrant colours, quirky characters, and enchanting architecture, reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film. This dreamlike experience is precisely what Wally and Amanda Koval offer in their new book, Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures, a curated journey across unique locations that celebrate the whimsical aesthetics of the iconic filmmaker.
Overview of the Book’s Concept
Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures is a visual journey. It guides readers through beautiful real-world places resembling Wes Anderson’s unique, vintage style. Each spot features amazing photos and intriguing stories, enriching the travel experience.
The collection covers destinations across every continent, making it a perfect addition to any travel bucket list. Readers will discover unique stories and thrilling adventures in stunning places, from the remote Drake Passage to the fascinating Tierra del Fuego.
This guidebook combines storytelling with stunning visuals, making it ideal for travel enthusiasts and design fans seeking adventure. Enjoy a book of postcards that takes you on a journey of discovery through real-life locations with each turn of the page.
Jantar Mantar, where ancient astronomy meets architectural marvel / Credit: Joana Zokos
Rømø Kite Festival, a whimsical explosion of vibrant colours against a clear blue sky / Credit: Søren Nørgaard Jakobson
The Aesthetic Influence of Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson’s visual style holds a memorable charm. Pastel colours, uncanny symmetry, and dollhouse-like designs stand out. These elements make his style a hallmark of modern cinema. The book beautifully captures this aesthetic in real-world places.
The collection features works from 162 people. It serves as a visual tribute to locations that mirror Anderson’s unique style, inspiring others to discover and photograph similar scenes.
Understanding the Book Layout and Design Elements
The book engages readers with its unique 368-page layout and design. It combines classic-style text and imagery, using a sans-serif typeface in two neat columns for clarity. The photographs vary from half to full-page and sometimes span both pages, enhancing the storytelling. Featured AWA team stories appear on tinted pages with decorative borders, making them stand out and bringing each real-world location to life in vivid detail.
Discover Roozengaarde’s vibrant charm in Skagit Valley, where blooms evoke a Wes Anderson film / Credit: Haley Gilbert
Engaging with the Community of Anderson Fans
The Accidentally Wes Anderson community, founded by Wally and Amanda Koval on Instagram in 2017, has captured the hearts of nearly two million Adventurers worldwide. Their first book, Accidentally Wes Anderson, became a New York Times bestseller, translated into eight languages, and showcased in museums globally. This speaks to the community’s extensive global reach and love for whimsical and unique travel destinations.
The new title continues this legacy with amazing photos and unique stories. This collection was selected from 50,000 submissions from their community.
This charming Church on a Hill stands as a beacon of serenity in a whimsical landscape / Credit: Chelsea Matz
A whimsical ascent against a vividly painted sky in a Hot Air Balloon / Credit: Candy Rachel Goodman
Exploring Unique Settings: Iconic Images from the Collection
The book takes readers on a visual journey around the world, showcasing real places in Anderson’s playful style.
Among the featured locations, the Peculiar London Umbrella Shop stands out as a delightful gem, capturing the essence of whimsical retail experiences reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s cinematic worlds. This charming establishment serves not only as a store but also as a captivating journey into the eccentricities of design and storytelling.
The Hatcher Pass Lodge in Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Borough showcases the whimsical aesthetics typical of Wes Anderson films. The lodge’s vibrant facade stands out against lush mountains and a blue sky, evoking nostalgia akin to a storybook or cozy film setting.
You’ll visit a town in the Arctic Circle where doomsday vaults hold essentials for survival, including the Oreo cookie recipe.
Each setting reflects Anderson’s style, perfect for travel and adventure fans.
The Post Office at the End of the World—a unique haven where mail is delivered by a mustachioed letter carrier on an anarchist island / Credit: AWA CAP
Step into a world where academia and artistry collide at Queen’s College / Credit: AWA and Marjorie Becker
The Impact of the Book on Travel and Adventure
The book reimagines travel by turning real places into stunning visual adventures. With incredible photos and entertaining stories, it creates the perfect travel bucket list for enthusiasts. Each page offers a story that brings locations to life. You’ll discover fascinating tales, such as that of the father of American skydiving or a post office on an anarchist island. These unique stories have a vintage style, adding wonder to each place.
The book captures Anderson’s distinctive style and encourages readers to discover hidden gems around the world. Responsible exploration is a key theme, urging adventurers to verify travel details before setting off.
Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures by Wally and Amanda Koval
Where to buy this book
Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures by Wally and Amanda Koval is available in bookstores worldwide and online. It’s a must-have for anyone eager to discover beauty in every corner of the globe. For collectors, the deluxe edition is bound in vegan leather and includes exclusive prints, a sheet of stickers, a signed certificate of authenticity, and a handy travel bucket list.
