I totally agree. One of my favourite books of all time has to be 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. It takes me away to a special place... 
Have you read the sequel?
But yes, I agree. 20,000 Leagues holds a special place in my heart, if for no other reason than it was one of the very first sf novels that I ever read. It takes me to a happy place.
xander