ick Hunt’s Walking the Woods and the Water is a remarkable travel memoir that combines historical reverence, philosophical reflection, and raw adventure into a journey that is both physical and deeply personal. Retracing the legendary 1930s walk of Patrick Leigh Fermor—from the Hook of Holland to Istanbul—Hunt brings a fresh, contemporary perspective to a route steeped in European history and cultural transformation.

Hunt is an engaging and thoughtful guide. His writing is vivid, lyrical, and often laced with wry humor, capturing not only the landscapes and cities he passes through but also the diverse people he meets along the way. From rural shepherds to urban artists, the hospitality and eccentricity of strangers breathe life into his narrative and underscore a shared human generosity that transcends borders.

What makes the book particularly compelling is its blend of past and present. Hunt walks in the shadow of Leigh Fermor, often quoting from A Time of Gifts and other works, but he never tries to imitate his predecessor. Instead, he examines what has changed in Europe—politically, economically, culturally—while exploring the timeless rhythms of travel on foot. His reflections on solitude, slowness, and what it means to see rather than simply pass through are beautifully rendered and quietly profound.

Walking the Woods and the Water is more than a travelogue—it’s a meditation on movement, memory, and meaning in a rapidly shifting world. For readers who love literary travel writing in the tradition of Bruce Chatwin or Robert Macfarlane, Nick Hunt’s journey offers insight, inspiration, and a deep sense of wonder.