best travel book to read

34 Best Travel Books That Will Take You All Around the World

No plane ticket required.

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These expansive reads range from scenic train trips in Kazakhstan ( Around the World in 80 Trains ) to romantic jaunts in Europe ( Under the Tuscan Sun ) to hiking treks ( Wild ). Vintage accounts like Freya Stark's excursion to Persia in the 1930s, or Beryl Markham's feat of aviation in 1936, capture a time when crossing an ocean was no easy task. Travel books by Black authors like Tembi Locke's Italy-set From Scratch or Overground Railroad by Candacy Taylor explore the intersection of race and voyaging. And gorgeous coffee table books from National Geographic and the New York Times will inspire constant wanderlust for everyone, whether you're a young adult looking to backpack or a retiree planning a long-awaited vacation.

These timeless travel books are as relevant in 2021 as they were when they were written, and they all have one thing in common: they'll take you on a journey and perhaps even change the way you see the world.

Due North by Lola Akinmade Åkerström

Lola Akinmade Åkerström has what many people would consider a dream job: She's an award-winning travel photographer and writer.  Due North  is a collection of all that she's learned. Amid spirited insights about destinations, Åkerström also gets personal about her experiences abroad as a Nigerian woman. "The more visa stamps in my passport, the more my motives for travel were deeply questioned," she writes. 

Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish

There are no better Scotland travel guides than the Scottish stars of one of TV's most Scottish series,  Outlander . In  the show  Men in Kilts , co-stars and off-screen friends  Sam Heughan  and Graham McTavish travel around their native country for the best off-the-beaten-path delights, historical insights, and Outlander  tie-ins.  This book is best enjoyed with a glass of scotch. 

Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities, and the Pleasures of Solitude by Stephanie Rosenbloom

Alone Time  offers a reminder that the best travel companion is...you. In the memoir, Stephanie Rosenbloom documents solo trips across four cities: Paris, Istanbul, Florence, and New York. The book explores what it means to make peace with solitude. 

My Little Cities: Paris by Jennifer Adams

After reading this board book over (and over), your toddler will be better acquainted with the City of Light. Soon, they'll be asking for baguettes and saying merci. Follow this book up with other installments in the My Little Cities series, like New York and London . 

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

In this YA page-turner, Ginny receives an inheritance from her recently deceased aunt in the form of 13 envelopes, each naming a destination. What does Ginny's Aunt Peg want her to find? Combine the adventure of a scavenger hunt with the joy of travel, and you'll get this novel—which adults will enjoy, too.

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders

Every city has its list of must-sees. But what about the places that don't make any Top 10 list, and are all the more magnificent for it?  Atlas Obscura  is devoted to rounding up the world's hidden gems. 

This Way Back by Joanna Eleftheriou

Memoirist Joanna Eleftheriou spent her life traveling between the mountain village in Cyprus where her father was from and Queens, NY, where she went to high school.  This Way Back  is about the challenge of creating a sense of identity when you're from a place that has an identity crisis of its own: In 1974, following a Turkish invasion,  Cyprus was partitioned , with its Greek population confined to the island's southern portion and Turkish population to the north. 

World Travel: An Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever

For years, the late Anthony Bourdain was a tour guide to our world through shows like  No Reservations and  Parts Unknown . He espoused a kind of travel that was less about sight-seeing, and more about learning about and respecting the culture around you through food. This book compiles Bourdain's guidance for navigating his favorite cities, including Buenos Aires, New York, and Shanghai, as well as other destinations. 

Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips

Journeys of a Lifetime  is the kind of book that will delight readers at any stage—because there's a trip for everyone. Retirees looking for their next adventure might enjoy some of the lengthier trips. Train across Europe, anyone?   

From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke

In this tear-jerker of a memoir, Tembi Locke—an actress who has appeared in  The Mentalist , Castle and Bones —recalls the defining relationship of her life. While she was studying abroad in Florence, Locke met Saro, a Sicilian chef, and fell in love almost instantly.  From Scratch is being adapted into a movie starring Zoe Saldana . 

All the Way to the Tigers: A Memoir by Mary Morris

Featured as a pick in  O , the Oprah Magazine's summer books round-up,  All the Way to the Tigers   is the refreshing literary answer to  Tiger King .  Mary Morris, author of the solo travel memoir  Nothing to Declare , documents her trek to India to get up-close-and-personal with striped felines. 

West with the Night by Beryl Markham

West With the Night  is a gripping tale set in a time when air travel itself was a death-defying act. Beryl Markham was the first person to fly solo over the Atlantic, leaving from England and surviving a crash-landing in Nova Scotia in 1936. She was also an adventurer, a horse trainer, an adrenaline-seeker—and as this memoir shows, an excellent writer. 

Falling Off the Map: Some Lonely Places of The World by Pico Iyer

Pico Iyer is one of the most acclaimed and prolific travel writers working today. Whether he's documenting trips to  Bombay or Japan , Iyer's observations are sharp. But  Falling Off the Map  has a special appeal: It's a humorous tour through some of the world's most remote places, which you may never see otherwise. 

Pocket Atlas of Remote Islands: Fifty Islands I Have Not Visited and Never Will by Judith Schalansky

Reading a book about travel is, indeed, a journey—but one of the mind. Cartographer Judith Schalansky's  Pocket Atlas of Remote Islands   pairs gorgeous illustrations to accompany each poetic description of a far-off island.

Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America by Candacy Taylor

For Black motorists in the 20th century United States, taking a road trip was a dangerous proposition. Many businesses were closed to Black guests, while towns were hostile to Black visitors. Published between 1936 and 1966, the Green Book was a guide to friendly businesses throughout the country—and was an essential part of any road trip.  The Overground Railroad uses the lens of travel to tell a story about being Black in America. 

36 Hours: USA & Canada

This coffee table book will fuel your wanderlust, and may eventually lead to some weekend getaways. A compilation of the  New York  Times '  36 Hours column , the book gives off-the-beaten-path itineraries for short trips for cities around North America. You can also check out the Europe or world editions.  

Eurydice Street: A Place In Athens by Sofka Zinovieff

Sofka Zinovieff, a Brit, moves to her husband's native Athens to raise their two daughters. From her vantage point between cultures, Zinovieff can observe Greek customs as she participates in them.  Eurydice Street  is the honest and vivid portrait of life in modern Athens you may be missing on that tour of the Acropolis. 

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

With this memoir and Oprah's Book Club pick , Cheryl Strayed singlehandedly changed many people's associations of the word "wild." Now, when people say "wild," they picture Strayed hiking the Pacific Crest Trail after her life fell apart, and walking her way to wholeness. 

Footsteps: From Ferrante's Naples to Hammett's San Francisco, Literary Pilgrimages Around the World

Footsteps   is an anthology for bibliophiles and adventure-seekers alike. In each essay, a different writer explores their own relationship to a place—like L.M. Montgomery’s Prince Edward Island, and Elena Ferrante's Naples. 

The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World

The title says it all. Every two-page spread in  The Travel Book  is devoted to a different country. Part reference guide, part color-saturated coffee table book,  The Travel Book  makes for a gift that will be revisited. 

Elena Nicolaou is the former culture editor at Oprah Daily. 

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30 Best Travel Books to Inspire The Wanderer in You

Written By: The Planet D

Inspiration

Updated On: January 7, 2024

The best way I know how to spark my wanderlust is to get inspiration from great travel books. My favorite travel books cover everything from a life changing experience to overcoming adversity. They make me laugh out loud and inspire me to explore the world. These books don’t focus on one theme they focus on many. So get your Kindle ready and start downloading today!

Table of Contents

Best Travel Books to Explore the World

In this article, we wanted to share some of the best travel books that made me laugh, made me cry, and inspired me to get out and travel around the world.

Disclosure: If you click the links below and make a purchase from Amazon, we do receive a referral commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Masked Rider by Neil Peart

Many people know him as a massively talented drummer from  Rush . But what they do not realize is that Neil Peart was not only one of the greatest drummers in the history of music , he was also an avid cyclist. Sadly, Peart died of cancer, but through his music and travelogue and travel books his genius lives on. (yes he has more than )

Masked Rider is an honest and undisguised account of his time cycling in West Africa. It’s a must read for anyone who wants to go on a great adventure. Neil Peart lets us see the man behind the rock star and he makes us realize that superstars are people too. Purchase Masked Rider – Neil Peart on Amazon

2. Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard

If you love dogs, this is one of the best adventure travel books you’ll read to make you smile. Ultramarathon runner Dion Leonard traveled to China with one thing on his mind; to finish on the podium of a 155-mile race through the Gobi desert.

Follow the story of Leonard, whose heart is warmed by the persistence of a stray dog that kept pace through heat and exhaustion for 70 miles. See how Leonard is transformed from a focused veteran to a man that gives up what little food he has in his pack to share with the stray dog that he named, Gobi. Buy Finding Gobi – Dion Leonard on Amazon.com to see what happens next

3. American Shaolin by Matthew Polly

A regular American guy, Matthew Polly recounts his time living, studying, and performing with the Shaolin monks in China. This is one bizarre and hilarious travel memoir about fulfilling your dreams. Follow along as Matthew drops out of Princeton to pursue his ambitions of transforming his scrawny physique into that of a kung fu master.

He tells tales of breaking into the secret world of Shaolin Kung Fu which has strange disciplines like “The Iron Crotch” and other various indestructible body parts. I seriously think this is also one of the funnest travel books to read out there. Check out American Shaolin – Matthew Polly today.

4. Crazy Rich Asians – Kevin Kwan

The movie took the world by storm and it is one of the few travel books that translates to screen beautifully. Peek behind the looking glass of the secretive billionaire families that have more money than Vladimir Putin.

Follow along as Rachel joins her boyfriend in Singapore on a summer holiday only to find out that her humble boyfriend is Asia’s most eligible bachelor and everyone (including his mother) is out to tear them apart.

This is one of the best travel books based in Asia depicting the unique culture of Singaore. Read Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan now.

5. White Tiger – Aravind Adiga

White Tiger tells of a dirty and unforgiving India, an India that doesn’t allow people to claw their way out of their Caste. It is now a movie on Netflix. I haven’t watched it yet but if it’s good you can be sure I’ll add it to my favorite travel movies.

This was one of those travel books that neither of us could put down and a book that we feel is a must read for everyone  traveling to India.   Those who have spent their time in an Ashram or driving around the country in an organized tour isolated from the truth won’t like it. But, like one review said, “This is the book that India Tourism doesn’t want you to read.” Get White Tiger by Aravind Adiga on Amazon.

6. The Beach by Alex Garland

Let me set one thing straight, I hated the movie The Beach, but I loved the book by Alex Garland. The Beach captures what travel was like in Thailand way back in the 1990s. (trust me, we were there). This is one of the first travel books we read that really brought us back. toa place we had been to.

The rooms in Thai guesthouses were disgusting, and the streets were filled with backpackers seeking adventure while escaping the world drinking cheap beer. There were still undiscovered coves and beaches that nobody had heard of, and there were probably several drug kingpins running the land.

Visiting Thailand for the first time is still a great adventure and this is a must read anyone going to the land of Smiles for the very first time! The Beach by Alex Garland is available on Amazon.

7. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is the king of writing travel books that make you laugh our loud. Anything by Bill Bryson is a winner, but my personal favorite memoir by Bryson is “In a Sunburned Country”. This was the first book I read by Bryson and it inspired me to read them all! I laughed out loud.

Written at a time when the world was still getting to know Australia, it shows the quirkiness of the island country and makes you want to book a ticket to see it for yourself. If you pick up any book by Bill Bryson, you won’t be sorry but, In a Sunburned Country is our favorite.

Go Around the World with Bill Bryson:

• A Walk in the Woods – Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail spanning the Eastern Coast.
• A Stranger to Myself – Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away
• The Best American Travel Writing
• The Road to Little Dribbling – An American in Britain

8. Dave Barry Does Japan

He may be old school when it comes to mentioning travel books and authors, but Dave Barry is hilarious. It was Dave Barry who sparked my love for travel writing and how powerful, funny, and inspiring it could be.

I never thought I’d become a travel writer, but I loved reading about his escapades around the world. He explains Japanese traditions through humor and experiences at karaoke bars, geisha encounters, kabuki theatre, and confusing comedy clubs. Japan is still very confusing even today so it is worth a read. Check out Dave Barry Does Japan and have a great laugh today.

9. Love Africa by Jeffrey Gettleman

Love Africa tells the story of Jeffry Gettleman the East Africa bureau chief for the New York Times. It begins with his first trip to Africa when he volunteered and fell in love with the continent.

But he kept being called back to the United States to his other love, his girlfriend Courtenay who is a criminal defense lawyer. Follow along as he navigates his career as a journalist, to his love for Africa and his true love relationship with Courtenay. We know how Africa can tug at your heart.

Can you have it all? Read and follow along on this travel memoir through Africa, because we’re not giving it away. Buy Love Africa by Jeffrey Gettleman on Amazon.

10. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

It’s an oldie but a goodie. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is the story of a shepherd boy named Santiago who sells his flock and purchases a ticket to Tangier, where he is robbed and must work at a shop to find his way home.

At the heart of the book lies Santiago who embarks on a quest to find his true purpose in life. As he encounters a series of characters and navigates the challenges of the journey, Santiago learns valuable lessons about faith and perseverance.

“The Alchemist” is a book that invites readers to reflect on their own lives and aspirations. Coelho’s emphasis on listening to one’s heart, embracing the unknown, and overcoming fear resonate deeply, inspiring readers to question their own paths and pursue their personal legends with courage and determination.

He ends up taking a great adventure across the Sahara and after all his adventures, discovers his fortune right back where he started. I read this book before we started traveling full time and it put me in the mood to wander. And to appreciate life.

I think The Alchemist was the catalyst for my dream of becoming a travel writer and taking the leap to explore the world. This book taught me that you don’t need to go far to discover the beauty in life. Buy the Alchemist on Amazon

11. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

This no-holds-barred autobiography of a child soldier, Ishmael Beah, is gripping.  A Long Way Gone tells how an innocent child can be forced into savage warfare in Sierra Leone. It may not belong in your typical travel books listing, but it is something that people should read and know about.

Having lost everything including his family, his home, and his soul, Ishmael tells of his journey to evade the military. For three years he hid in the jungle and half-starved to death. It recounts the fear and despair he felt each day until he was finally captured by the government army.

Hopped up on drugs, he was forced to commit unthinkable acts. This is a story of going to hell and back, living a life of revenge and violence. He was rescued by UNICEF but it was a long and painful rehabilitation. Read A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

12. The Bang Bang Club – Greg Marinovich & Jaoa Silva

Set in Apartheid-Era South Africa, the  Bang Bang Club  is a true account telling the tale of the four photojournalists that dared to enter the townships and document history as it was happening.

It was written by two surviving journalists Greg Marinovich & Jaoa Silva Heartbreaking and shocking, the Bang Bang Club doesn’t hold back when telling of the brutality of that time.

The photographers had to come to terms with their own demons and what they witnessed day in and day out as war correspondence reporters. Their photos made history and set new standards, earning a Pulitzer Prize for two of the photographers. Get Your Copy of The Bang Bang Club – Greg Marinovich & Jaoa Silva

13. The Girl in the Picture – Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, photographer Nick Ut captured the shocking photo of children running from a napalm blast. Kim Phuc was the center of that photograph, with her naked body covered in severe burns. It became known as “the photo of the century” winning the Pulitzer Prize

In her own words, Kim tells her story of what happened to “The Girl in the Picture” Read the fascinating tale as she journeys from Vietnam eventually landing in Canada where she faced many hardships along the way. This book not only showed me what it was like for Phuc, but taught me about communism in Vietnam and what it took to break away. The Girl in the Picture – Vietnam

14. Touching the Void – Joe Simpson

Joe Simpson recalls his harrowing climb of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes back in 1985 with Simon Yates. Disaster struck after their summit when Joe fell into a crevasse and broke his leg (very badly).

We love adventure travel, but this is an entirely new level. The book stands the test of time as Joe recalls the three days he spent trying to get down the mountain after a near fatal fall and what he had to endure along the say. It was also  made into a movie  in 2003. Touching the Void – Joe Simpson

15. Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is a gripping and harrowing firsthand account of the tragic 1996 Mount Everest disaster. As an acclaimed travel writer and mountaineer, Krakauer brings his expertise and storytelling prowess to this unforgettable true story that resonates with readers long after the final page.

Krakauer’s ability to convey the physical and emotional challenges faced by climbers on the world’s highest peak is unparalleled. I couldn’t put this book down. Krakauer captures the essence of the mountaineering experience, immersing readers in the awe-inspiring beauty and perilous nature of Everest that inspired us to visit Everest Base Camp.

Krakauer candidly reflects on his own role and decisions during the ill-fated expedition, providing a raw and introspective narrative that adds depth and authenticity to the book. His vulnerability and willingness to share the emotional toll of the tragedy make the story even more compelling.

We’ve been to  Mount Everest Base Camp  and it was exciting to read about a place that we’ve been to and retrace steps through Namche Bazaar, the Tengboche Monks, and the Sherpa monuments to those who have fallen. Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer

Into the Wild by John Krakauer

We go directly to another John Krakauer. As a travel writer, Krakauer goes beyond mere adventure storytelling and has a knack for delving into the complexities of human nature and Into the Wild certainly does that.

Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer is a captivating and introspective exploration of the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who abandoned civilization to embark on a solitary adventure in the Alaskan wilderness. It begins with a typical road trip across the country and then takes a turn.

Through interviews, personal anecdotes, and McCandless’s own writings, Krakauer pieces together the motivations, struggles, and ideals that led him to seek solace and freedom in the untamed wilderness.examining his desire for self-discovery, his rejection of societal norms, and his yearning for a simpler existence. Krakauer offers insights into the allure of the wild and the inner turmoil of a young man searching for meaning and transcendence.

The book delves into the complexities of McCandless’s character, and Krakauer’s skillful storytelling and introspective analysis allow readers to appreciate the complexities of his subject, even if they do not completely align with McCandless’s actions. Read it now.

16. Dark Star Safari – Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux is one of the Greatest modern travel writers of our time. And he has written many classics such as Mosquito Coast and the Great Railway Bazaar, but our favorite travel book by Paul Theroux is Dark Star Safari.

Dave and I started our travel adventures cycling from Cairo to Cape Town and Dark Star Safari takes Theroux overland as he revisits the continent but he was on a road trip (not bicycle). This book took us back to Africa and brought back all the feelings we had – the good, bad, the ugly, and the depressing parts that we forget.

Through his vivid account, sharp wit, and introspective reflections he brings to life the people, places, and complexities he encounters along the way from Cairo to Cap Town. From bustling cities to remote villages, readers are transported to the heart of Africa, experiencing the triumphs, hardships, beauty and every day life that define the continent.

What we like about Dark Star Safar, is how he shows the less glamorous aspects of travel. He confronts the realities of poverty, political instability, and cultural clashes, providing a nuanced and balanced perspective of Africa. Through his encounters with locals, aid workers, and fellow travelers, he unveils the complexities and contradictions that exist within each country and challenges common stereotypes. See our Cairo to Cape Town adventures at It All Began in Egypt: Cycling a Continent

Get Dark Star Safari – Paul Theroux on Amazon

17. Wild – From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Adventure travel can be transformational. When taking on a challenge, it is an emotional roller coaster. I’ve definitely been there with negative and productive thoughts and regrets. But as at the end of any grand adventure, the struggle can be healing and you can come out triumphant.

One of the most successful travel books (it always is when turned into a movie right?) focuses on the journey of the author along the Pacific Crest Trail while she navigates the physical and emotional challenges of hiking over a thousand miles in search of healing and self-discovery.

At the heart of the book lies Strayed’s emotional and psychological journey. As she grapples with grief, loss, and personal demons, she confronts her own vulnerabilities and gradually finds strength and resilience. Her candid exploration and raw honesty of her past mistakes, relationships, and the complexities of human nature is both relatable and inspiring.

Follow along as Cheryl Strayed faces her demons and struggles her way along the way. You can purchase Wild – Lost and Found on The Pacific Crest Trail. On Amazon here.

18. A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe

A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe is an anthology that celebrates the spirit of solo female travel. Edited by Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick, and Christina Henry de Tessan, this collection of personal narratives showcases the empowering and transformative experiences of women who have ventured out into the world on their own.

Solo female travelers will love this travel book. The book features a diverse range of stories from women of various backgrounds and destinations, offering a mosaic of perspectives and travel experiences. From exploring bustling cities to traversing remote landscapes, readers are treated to a rich tapestry of cultures, encounters, and adventures.

The anthology captures the essence of travel, going beyond mere descriptions of destinations to delve into the transformative power of exploration. A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe is an empowering and inspirational read for both seasoned travelers and those dreaming of embarking on their first solo adventure.

Get it on Amazon

19. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz

1,000 Places to See Before You Die  is the original brainchild of the talented and wonderful Patricia Schultz. If you have a serious case of wanderlust to travel around the world, buy this travel book by Patricia Schultz. This travel book makes for a great gift!

Many travelers are always looking for inspiration and there is an endless supply here. I’ve taken my Sharpie Marker and gone through all the destinations around the globe that she recommends. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die is the world’s best selling travel book. I wish I had thought of this idea. If you are a collector of travel books, you need to have this in your library.

20. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I read Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert while traveling through India, so it certainly reminds me of my travels there. It is the real life story of Elizabeth Gilbert finding herself after divorce.

I didn’t identify with India (pray) part of the book since I was there at the time, but I could definitely get on board with eating through Italy and finding love in Bali. Many travelers love following in the footsteps of Eat Pray Love and why not? Who doesn’t want to run away from it all, find themselves, fall in love and write a book about it?

21. Grand Adventures by Alastair Humphreys

Grand Adventures is written by National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Alastair Humphreys. We first heard of Alastair while he was cycling around the world and were inspired so much by him, we followed his bike peddles to cycling Africa. This book round up the world’s most grand adventures to inspire you to try your own. (We make an appearance or two from one of our adventures around the globe as well.)

22. Concierge Confidential by Michael Fazio

Concierge Confidential by Michael Fazio gives the inside scoop from behind the scenes of the rich and famous. He was New York’s top concierge and he shares stories and secrets from the madness of catering to the elite. From the ridiculous demands to having to get people in to anywhere possible, it’s an at times hilarious read.

I wouldn’t want his job for the world, but it is fun to take a peek inside the secret life of a concierge. One of the more unconventional travel books since it’s from the perspective of the Concierge getting travelers their every whim, it still transports you to another place.

23. Ontario Escapes by Jim Buyers

Ontario Escapes is written by Veteran journalist and top travel writer in Canada, Jim Byers. He shares his personal experiences and tips for traveling around Ontario Canada.

As a native Ontario resident, I found so many hidden gems in this book offering great Ontario travel tips and ideas. I love Jim’s writing style as he shares practical information with inspiring personal stories and recommendations.

24. Ultimate Journeys for Two by Mike and Anne Howard

Ultimate Journeys for Two was written by our friends Mike and Anne Howards Mike who are currently on the world’s longest honeymoon. And you can find us there too talking about Greenland travel!

This travel book is more of an account of a bunch of couples giving advice and snippits about a place. Its more of a travel reference giving people travel ideas to inspire couples to go out and see the world and have a great adventure. There are ideas for couples to travel on every continent!

25. How to Travel the World on $50 a Day – Matt Kepnes

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day by Matt Kepnes shares money-saving tips on transportation, food, beverages, accommodation, and airline tickets, it’s the how-to guide for twenty-something budget travelers. Nomadic Matt has parlayed his highly successful travel blog into a best selling travel book on the New York Times’ best sellers list.

While I’m not sure if you really can travel for $50 a day in today’s world, it is still a good reference for budget travel and budget tips and advice.

26. Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023

If you are looking for good travel guide books while traveling we recommend Lonely Planet. It is still our go-to travel book to help plan our adventures.

Lonely Planet was once often referenced as “The Bible of Travel.” Dave and I never booked a trip without buying a lonely planet country guide. While travel blogs have taken away a lot of travel guide book revenue, the Lonely Planet is still highly regarded. And you can never Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel series. Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023 follows the formula of the previous Best in Travel series.

Published annually, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel showcases the top destinations, experiences, and trends around the world, curated by travel experts. What are the top destinations for 2023? You’ll have to purchase it to find out.

Here’s a cool fact, we named The Planet D after The Lonely Planet in 2007. We were so inspired by the Lonely Planet travel books that when trying to think of a name for our travel blog, we simply took off the lonely, and added a “D” Plus, the Lonely Planet is what inspired me to get into travel writing. It was my dream to write for them one day.

Get the Lonely Planet Best of 2023 on Amazon Here

27. The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s “Innocents Abroad” takes readers on a delightful through Europe and the Holy Land aboard his voyage in a retired Civil War ship (the USS Quaker City). Why do we love it? Well, this travelogue, first published in 1869, offers a unique perspective on the experiences of American tourists during the mid-19th century.

Twain’s witty and satirical writing style shines throughout the book, making it an enjoyable and entertaining read. While the book is primarily a humorous account of his journey, it also delves into deeper themes and critiques of society. Twain reflects on the idiosyncrasies of human nature, the follies of tourism, and the stark contrasts between cultures.

It is worth noting that Innocents Abroad can be a dense read at times, particularly for readers who are not familiar with the historical context or the locations mentioned. Twain occasionally includes lengthy digressions and references to classical literature, which might require additional effort from the reader to fully appreciate. Get it on Amazon

28. Right Turn at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams

Right Turn at Machu Picchu is a travel memoir by Mark Adams that weaves together history, archaeology, and personal discovery as Adams retraces the footsteps of Hiram Bingham III, the explorer who rediscovered the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

Blending his own travel experiences and encounters with informative and fascinating insights into the history and culture of the Incas creates an infectious story where readers will find themselves eagerly turning the pages to uncover the secrets of Machu Picchu.

One of the book’s strengths lies in Adams’ ability to convey the awe-inspiring beauty and mystique of the Peruvian landscape. With a modern travel writing tone, Adams transports readers through the rugged terrain, lush jungles, and awe-inspiring ruins that make up the region surrounding Machu Picchu.

It even provides a wealth of historical and archaeological information, offering a deeper understanding of the site’s significance. See reviews and purchase it on Amazon

29. This Contested Land: The Storied Past and Uncertain Future of America’s National Monuments by McKenzie Long

A new addition to our best travel books article is This Contested Land: by Mckenzie Long delves into the history and complex issues surrounding America’s national monuments. (Shall we talk about Mount Rushmore anyone?)

Long sheds light on America’s national monuments including their creation, significance, and the ongoing debates surrounding their management. Through modern travel writing, Long explores the intertwined narratives of nature conservation, cultural preservation, and the conflicting interests that have shaped these sites.

This Contested Land does not shy away from exploring the controversies and conflicts surrounding national monuments. Long examines the various stakeholders involved, including local communities, indigenous groups, environmentalists, and commercial interests. By presenting multiple perspectives, the book encourages readers to contemplate the intricate balance between preservation, public access, and economic development.

This Contested Land serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in America’s national monuments and the broader debates surrounding land conservation and cultural heritage. Check it out

30. In The Kingdom of Men by Kim Barnes

Kim Barnes takes readers on a mesmerizing journey into the heart of Arabia with her novel, “In The Kingdom of Men.” Set in 1960s Saudi Arabia, Barnes’ paints vivid prose of the desert landscape, transporting readers to a world of contrasts and contradictions in the Middle East. From the vast expanses of sand dunes to the opulent palaces and bustling markets, the setting becomes as much a character as the individuals who navigate its complexities.

The protagonist, Gin McPhee, a young American woman thrown into the unfamiliar Saudi Arabian culture, brings a fresh perspective to the narrative. As she grapples with the oppressive societal norms and her own desires for independence, readers are drawn into her struggle and resilience.

Barnes skillfully explores the clash between tradition and modernity, particularly through the lens of gender dynamics and the stark divide between the Western expatriates and the local Saudi community of the Middle East. She delves into the intricate web of power, politics, and cultural tensions, illuminating the challenges faced by those who seek to bridge these divides. Get it on Amazon

So have these travel books inspired you to go around the globe? What is the best travel adventure you’ve ever read? If you have other travel books to share, leave them in the comments below, we are always looking for good reads.

Read Next: 

• Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust 
• Best Travel Tips from 20 Years of Traveling
• Best Travel Songs to Rock the Long Drive
• 48 Best Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust
• 40 Best Gifts for Travelers That they will love
• 20 Best Motorcycle Movies and TV Shows To Inspire Wanderlust

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Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

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About The Planet D

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65 thoughts on “30 Best Travel Books to Inspire The Wanderer in You”

Doing great job man… Keep it up.

Wonderful list. This is what I was searching for. Thanks for doing the hard research for me.

Awesome list. Thanks for sharing. It’s really very useful.

Thanks for sharing!

These are very interesting books about travel, I had the opportunity to read some of them. very nice

I can’t wait to read more of these books! Reading has always been one way that I keep my wanderlust alive and well.

I was just searching for some good books which can take me into the world of wanderlust. As expected, you are on the internet with your awesome experience. I would love to read all of them. The Alchemist I have done and I am approaching other ones from now onwards. Thanks for sharing this post.

Very useful thing for those who like traveling. Thanks for sharing this with us,

Love those books… thanks for sharing Regards! Thank You!

Michael Palin’s Pole to Pole and Levison Woods Walking the Himalayas!

The only book in this list that I have read (partly) is Eat Pray Love but I also didn’t love it! I was actually in Bali when I started it and it just didn’t grab me, but I’ll definitely be trying out some others on this list! A good book on holiday can do wonders!

I hope to get my hands on Eat, Pray, Love soon. It must be a great read coz it’s on every travel books list.

Wonderful collection. I was in deep search. Thanks a lot to write about these books.

Thanks, Actually I am searching these collection from so many times. Great !!

Thanks for sharing. I was actually not aware about Michael Crichton’s book. Great list of books, I better start reading.

Lot’s of new books for me to add to my list! Thank you! I loved In A Sunburned Country, I consider it one of my favourite travel books and it definitely encouraged me to travel to Australia where I am now!

Thanks, guys some great books there. Think I need to get my hands on Dave does Japan. I am hoping to visit next year.

My all time favourite travel book that I never seen included on any lists is called WorldWalk by Steven Newman. In his early 20s, over a period of 4 years, Steven walked around the world relying on the kindness of strangers. This was the mid-1980s well before the time of internet and mobile phones being common place. His book is inspirational and entertaining and eye-opening all at once. I can’t recommend it enough.

it is very helpful for me like a traveler

An amazing list of books. I watched the film Eat Pray Love (starring Julia Roberts, maybe) but never took the time to read the book. THis list inspired me.

I think one books may be worth adding is Vagabonding.

I just want to say “wow” you have an amazing collection of books.

I was looking for a list like this! I just finished reading a series of books for foodies and Eat Pray Love was one of them. Thanks for sharing yours! Concierge Confidential seems like an interesting read.

thanks for sharing

i have planning to travel 2or3 places.i read this article.it is very helpful it provide great ideas.amazing article thanks for sharing.

Great recommendations! Some of it are already on my list. I just pick some great additions on my list. Thanks!

I think i watched the movie American Shaolin like 20 years ago. I didn’t know it was from a book. Gonna check it for sure. Thanks for great post.

I really love “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer as well as his other book “Into the Wild”, The book and Sean Penn movie are amazing. I also love anything by Bill Bryson with my favorite being “A Walk in the Woods”

For something hot off the press, check out Oblivious; the story of a ride through Africa on a Royal Enfield. Lost teeth, hitchhiking on iron ore trains in the Sahara, romance… Check it out: obliviousthebook.com

Thank you for this! I’ve been into Kerouac lately because I love (and love to hate) his frantic writing style but I needed some other material =)

Hey Awesome List of books, I read eat pray love that is totally awesome and every traveler must read. Now I am going to add The Alchemist and American Shaolin in my bucket list.

Nice post! thanks for sharing.

I was searching for best travel books ad I found this. I have only Paulo Coelho from this list and i am definitely going to get myself a few. Thanks for the wonderful list. Really useful.

This is a great list – most of these I’ve not read so my reading list has just grown! A Long Way Gone is one book, though, that has been on my shelf for years – I’m a bit afraid to read it….

(I don’t admit this too loudly, but I couldn’t stand Eat Pray Love …)

Which is your favorite?? Obviously not Eat Pray Love! lol

The alchemist from the Paulo Coelho is very good book….i´m brazilian and like Paulo Coelho

Whenever I enter a bookstore, I always look for books pertaining travel, whether they are memoirs or a compilation of essays. I also made a post about these books that I have in my shelf. I can spot three of them here in your list. I’m interested in the other books you have cited here and I hope to get my own copies.

I am so happy to read this blog about 21 travel book. it is so much interesting and helpful for every person of the world who travel form one place to another. Canada is consider most visited place in the world. So Hamilton Airport Limo service is well known for Ground transportation medium to or from airport.

This is a great list… there’s also a lot of great poetry (Heights of Machu Picchu- Neruda) and Siddhartha by Herman Hesse really had me thinking Southeast Asia big time! Great post, guys!

I love to read travel books. This is a very resourceful list. I have read some of the books from this list. Very inspiring post. Loved it:)

This post has defiantly inspired me to get reading! please take the time to check out my travel blog: earthsmagicalplaces.com

All of these traveling books look amazing, especially if you’re on a long journey or waiting for your ride and need to kill time! Thank you for sharing these.

Awesome list, thanks for sharing with us

Many read and many added to the list. I’m neither a fan of books that paint a pretty picture of a country nor of the ones that put down a country altogether. But I still read them because there is no such thing as bad book 😉 We all learn a thing or two from a book anyway 🙂

I’m ashamed to admit that, of these, I’ve only read The Alchemist – although White Tiger is sitting waiting patiently on my bookshelf.

I do like to read books about / set in places I’m going to travel to, though. One of the best examples was before I went to Kansas last summer, I read all of the Little House on the Prairie books, and it actually really opened up the history of the area for me, and helped me to understand the formation of the state, and why it looks & is the way it is.

I’m currently reading Alain de Botton’s The Art of Travel, and it’s really making me think about how I write about my own travels, and how I tie together my travel blogging with my other writing (poetry & fiction).

All of Bill Bryson’s travel books make me want to just get off the couch and just go (and record my travels with dry wit and sarcasm), but aside from Bryson’s Road to Little Dribbling, I think my other favorite travel read of the last year was Mo Willems’ You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons: The World on One Cartoon a Day. Not only does one cartoon a day actually create a bizarrely interesting read, but it makes you start noticing the little moments that make your day. I also enjoyed Storybook Travels by Colleen Dunn Bates and Susan La Tempa. It’s a great book for parents traveling with children!

Awesome list, I will definitely be picking up a few of those, and read some of them again. Thank you Dave and Deb 🙂

Ha! I loved The Beach, the movie! Haven’t read the book but maybe I’ll put it on my list. 🙂 I did stopped reading Eat, Pray, Love in the India chapter but I went back to read it a second time and I’m glad I did. Her book, Big Magic, is really great for aspiring creatives so I would recommend that. 🙂

Interesting. I should maybe read Eat Pray Love again. The India chapter might be better for me since I’m no longer in India. Being removed from the location might put her writing into a different perspective

Great recommendations! I can’t wait to check a few of these titles out!

Kate | http://www.petiteadventures.org/

I’m saving this post in Bloglovin’ for as a future shopping reference, haha. I’ve gone through all my books and need more reading material. Thanks so much for sharing! I own and have already read Nomadic Matt’s book. It was super helpful!

Oh lordy my stack of books that I want to read is already sizable but I can see I’m going to add a few more to it….you have some great recommendations here. 🙂 .-= Trisha´s last blog .. PR-Blogger Relations Manifesto =-.

I agree – I loved White Tiger and couldn’t put it down. I read about five or six of the “must reads” that were popular for India travelers at the time and White Tiger and Shantaram were tops!

I have to read Shantaram. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before writing this post. That is what I love about posts like this, you can learn so much from other people.

White Tiger by Aravind Adiga is really cool and also Travels by Michael Crichton…great list D&D! .-= agentcikay´s last blog ..Hokkien Mee and its Cult status =-.

Thanks. I am glad that someone else has read travels. When we tell people that Michael Chricton had a travel book they think we are mistaken. But it is very good.

Hahaha, I am laughing because the two books I can’t stand about India are The White Tiger and Shantaram — and both are mentioned here, in your post and in the comments. I have read a lot of books about India and I think there are far better books, more balanced, more insightful, more honest. I find these two blow a lot of hot air.

I think there is a kind of reactionary response to the “shining” India of economists or the “magical” India of travel writers and spiritual seekers. In fact, India — like life — is all of these things. Magical, poor, spiritual, dirty, friendly, nerve-wracking. A lot depends on your perspective, attitude and perception.

I have said before that India is like the cave that Yoda sends Luke into. When Luke asks, “What will I find there?” Yoda answers, “Only what you bring in with you.”

Mariellen .-= Mariellen Ward´s last blog ..Photo of the Week- Naga Sadhu =-.

Well, we will agree to disagree on this subject. We enjoyed many parts of India and made friends with many wonderful people, but a book that talks about the negatives of any country is important. That is how change is made. The poor need a voice and White Tiger gives them one in a very entertaining way to let people know their side of the story. I would love to know the books that are more balanced and insightful, it would be great if you could list a couple of recommendations and I will check them out. And your Star Wars quote (while very profound) has nothing to do with the book and the point we are making. White Tiger is about the people that are living in India, not about what a tourist is supposed to get out of their spiritual journey to India. Thanks for your comment Mariellen, I know that you love India and this recommendation isn’t meant to offend people that do, it is just a book that we felt hit the nail on the head of a lot of what we saw and read in the papers while we were there.

I’m glad you replied to this Dave, the post made me feel stupid and ignorant when I first read it, but then I thought about it more and my point still stands – I read the book and it made me want to go to India. I will stand with the agreement to disagree – Shantaram is a work of fiction, which is a story with hints of lives and attitudes in India, but through extreme views. It’s like saying you’d never go to Virginia because of Patricia Cornwell’s books. If I wanted earnest travel writing with a true anthropological view, I’d have gone to the travel writing or the history section. Perhaps it’s even more impressive that a work of fiction can open your mind to a country. I get a better view of what it’s really like from Indian friends, but I’m also a literature fan and have many influences in my travel life.

I’m currently struggling through Open Veins of Latin America, which is a socio-historic view of the region, before travelling out to Costa Rica later this year. It’s very worthy and I would really like to understand more of the politics, history and culture before I go but I’m highly unlikely to finish it as history presented in fact is rarely inspirational and certainly more difficult to absorb. My partner bought me Costa Rica: A Traveller’s Literary Companion, which is a series of local, translated short stories and folklore. I’ve whizzed through it because it was enjoyable and accessible – far more inspiring than the worthier tome that will give me a ‘better’ view.

Sorry to rant – apparently I feel quite strongly about this!

Thanks for the comment and don’t be sorry at all. That is what we love about blogging, it encourages discussion. I think that your point is bang on. Books of extremes can make me want to go the a country even more. The Bang Bang Club is very unforgiving and yet, I think that it inspires people to go to South Africa. I read it while I was there and loved it even though it didn’t portray the country is a perfect light. I guess, a lot of the books we mentioned don’t paint a pretty picture of any country, but they all have inspired us to explore them more. And you are right, this is a book of fiction and it is impressive that a book can open your mind to a country and evoke such strong feelings on either side of the coin. That makes for great writing I think, when people feel passionate about it either way…absolutely loving it, or genuinely hating it.

Shantaram is also a very inspiring picture of India. Bittersweet, laugh out loud, exciting book. I’d never wanted to visit before reading this, now it’s definitely on my list.

Laura, I will definitely have to check out Shantaram thanks for the recommendation.

Oops, I replied to Trisha on the wrong post, that is supposed to be on Celebrities that inspire travel post. Taking it off now, but didn’t want you to think that I was a crazy person and going off on a tangent regarding celebrities:) Sorry Laura.

I must say it did confuse me!

Haha, sorry about that. If you didn’t reply back, I would have never known and we would have had an odd message on our books post about celebrities. 🙂

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Best travel books of all time: see our top holiday picks

By Condé Nast Traveller

A good travel book means you can get lost trying to navigate the sleepy backwaters of Kerala , taste unidentifiable foods on the streets of Ho Chi Minh , and drive for miles across the wild plains of Africa , spotting nothing but wildebeest. Spend lazy days lying in a hammock strung between palm trees on an exotic beach and hazy evenings drinking the local brew in a shack in some hard-to-get-to village. Revisit a treasured spot or discover somewhere new.

Stories evoke a sense of place and reveal secrets about a destination , so here's our selection of inspiring novels set in foreign lands, from Alaska to Papua New Guinea , for armchair travellers and jet-setters.

Books that make you want to travel

TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY BY JOHN STEINBECK

Read it before you go to: the USA, on a road trip

'Nearly every American hungers to move.'

The book that is probably Steinbeck’s most endearing is not only a love letter to the USA , it’s also an ode to our innate desire and need to travel, and the joy and lifeblood it can breathe into us. 'A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike,' he says. 'And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.' At age 58, Steinbeck couldn’t fight his restlessness and, feeling he no longer knew or understood his country outside of New York , he hit the road for a year in a camper van, which he christened Rocinante after Don Quixote's horse. This riveting travelogue describes the many people he met along the way, the social and cultural patterns he noticed, the changing landscapes and seasons – and his heart-warming relationship with his sidekick, Charley the poodle. Buy now

LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA BY GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ

Read it before you go to: Cartagena, Colombia

‘From the sky they could see, just as God saw them, the ruins of the very old and heroic city of Cartagena des Indias, the most beautiful in the world’

This is a book to start once you’re away, ten-minute bursts on the tube won’t do if you’re to keep up with Marquez’s lyrical language, which is crammed with detail, just like every cobbled street in Cartagena ’s Old Town. Magical realism comes close to reality in this city where the balconies of rainbow coloured houses heave with bougainvillaea, where locals knock back fiery aguardiente neat before noon, where squares shimmy to life with spinning salsa dancers at night. Here an epic love story unfolds over the course of a lifetime, and a passionate romance laced with an ugly seediness seems to crawl out from the very walls of this Spanish-colonial city on the Caribbean sea.

A MOVEABLE FEAST BY ERNEST HEMINGWAY

Read it before you go to: Paris

‘If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.’

This retrospective memoir by the American author documents his time as a struggling writer in the French capital during the early 1920s. He talks about the every day: the tables being washed down outside the cafés of Saint Germain first thing in the morning, lunches of cheese and baguette, on the days he can afford to eat – in some ways it is a very simple book about a city. But it's also a tale of the luminaries, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, that he meets along the way. Hemingway writes about the nature of love, and of the passing of time – with every sentence excruciatingly calculated in its simplicity.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY BY JAY MCINERNEY

Read it before you go to: New York

‘Tad’s mission in life is to have more fun than anyone else in New York City, and this involves a lot of moving around, since there is always the likelihood that where you aren’t is more fun than where you are. You are awed by his strict refusal to acknowledge any goal higher than the pursuit of pleasure.’

New York in the 1980s was a place of rampant corruption, extraordinary violence and moral degradation. It also boasted the best nightlife in all human history. McInerney’s novel is supposed to be a takedown of the city’s crass materialism, but he is too in love with the target of his satire to make any of the charges stick. Because really this is a paean to Manhattan and its glorious degraded glamour. The second person narration – ‘You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time in the morning’ – drags you in from the first page before you know it you are overcome with an urgent desire to stalk the Lower East Side at 6am, the consequences be damned.

CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN BY LOUIS DE BERNIERES

Read it before you go to: Ionian islands, Greece

‘Once the eyes have adjusted to the extreme vestal chastity of this light, the light of any other place is miserable and dank by comparison; it is nothing more than something to see by, a disappointment, a blemish. Even the seawater of Cephalonia is easier to see through than the air of any other place.’

The year is 1941 and even the idyllic paradise of Cephalonia is not immune to the onslaught of the second world war. With the arrival of Italian Captain Antonio Corelli, the young and beautiful Pelagia is torn between a new suiter and her Greek fisherman fiancé, Mandras. As war sweeps the island, desire builds and ‘a love delayed is a lust augmented.’ The pages burn with the heat of passion, the rage of war and the scorch of the sun. Against all this action the mythical beauty of the island becomes even more patent, a landscape that jingles with the bells of rambling goats, sways like a breeze through twisting olive groves and dances with bobbing fishing boats in blue seas.

MY BRILLIANT FRIEND BY ELENA FERRANTE

Read it before you go to: Naples or Ischia

‘In that period it became a daily exercise: the better off I had been in Ischia, the worse off Lila had been in the desolation of the neighbourhood; the more I had suffered upon leaving the island , the happier she had become. It was as if, because of an evil spell, the joy or sorrow of one required the sorrow or joy of the other; even our physical aspect, it seemed to me, shared in that swing.’

The author, who shuns publicity, and whose identity is a mystery, captures southern Italy’s grittiness on every page of this four-part series. The chaotic tale of friendship begins in a poor but vibrant neighbourhood on the outskirts of Naples in the 1950s. And through the lives of two girls, Elena and Lila, the story of a city is told in a way that transforms the relationships of the protagonists too. The star of the show, though, is Ischia . The 17-square mile island, just an hour’s ferry from Naples, is where Elena spends one memorable summer – fleeing from the heat, and poverty of Naples.

INTO THE WILD BY JON KRAKAUER

Read it before you go: on an American road trip

‘In reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.’

Into the Wild follows the heartbreaking internal struggle of Christopher McCandless, an Emory University graduate and the son of wealthy parents who abandons all ties to modern day society in search of freedom, and happiness in nature. From kayaking down the dusty Colorado River, prancing on branches on the Pacific Coast Trail, running with wild horses in South Dakota, dancing on Salvation Mountain to walking waist-deep in freezing water down the Stampede Trail in Alaska, this book will inspire a road trip through the American south-west or California .

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THE DRIVER’S SEAT BY MURIEL SPARK

Read it before you go to: Italy

‘I never trust the airlines from those countries where the pilots believe in the afterlife. You are safer when they don’t.’

There are books that inspire you to travel and then there are books that make you question why exactly you travel in the first place. The Driver’s Seat is an oddity of a novella, a short, staccato film noir, a crime story that’s not a crime story, about a woman, Lise, who flees 16 years of working in the same accountants’ office for an unnamed city in Italy . She dresses in garish, clashing colours – a yellow top, a skirt patterned with blue, mauve and orange, with a red-and-white-striped coat on top – so clashing that the porter of her hotel laughs at her. In her hands is a book she describes as 'a whydunnit in q-sharp and it has a message'. Though, actually, that works pretty well as a description of Spark's own work. Dark, witty and really quite disturbing.

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EAT PRAY LOVE BY ELIZABETH GILBERT

Read it before you go to: Italy, Indonesia, India – or anywhere solo

‘I love my pizza so much, in fact, that I have come to believe in my delirium that my pizza might actually love me, in return. I am having a relationship with this pizza, almost an affair.’

Often dismissed as light-hearted chick-lit, Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling memoir of her travels through Italy, India and Bali will have you salivating over pizza in Naples and checking into an ashram, such is the power of her words. There’s plenty of soul-searching, sure, but there’s also humour, friendship and a bucket load of satisfying symbolism found in the most unlikely of places.

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RUNNING IN THE FAMILY BY MICHAEL ONDAATJE

Read it before you go to: Sri Lanka

‘From ten until noon we sit talking and drinking ice-cold palmyras toddy from a bottle we have filled in the village. This is a drink which smells of raw rubber and is the juice drained from the flower of a coconut. We sip it slowly, feeling it continue to ferment in the stomach.'

There are so many extraordinary, evocative, almost sensual depictions of Sri Lanka in the country’s novels. But, turn to Michael Ondaatje to take you straight to the intoxicating tropical heat of an island where everything smells of coconut oil (from the street-side cooking to the slick sheen of schoolgirls’ plaits). The novel is ostensibly fiction, a constructed memoir, but Ondaatje spent his childhood in Colombo and clearly draws heavily on that. His depiction of the family network within Sri Lankan society is vivid and vibrant. You can feel the drops of sweat, hear the buzzing chirping barking sounds of the steamy nights, as the dialogue intersperses itself with anecdotes and chapters of poetry. It’s magic. And gets better on second, third, fourth reading. Or you can follow on with the numerous-award-winning Anil’s Ghost for a narrative rooted in the harrowing shadow of the country’s civil war.

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SHANTARAM BY GREGORY DAVID ROBERTS

Read it before you go to: Mumbai

'The open windows of our battered bus gave us the aromas of spices, perfumes, diesel smoke, and the manure of oxen, in a steamy but not unpleasant mix, and voices rose up everywhere above ripples of unfamiliar music. Every corner carried gigantic posters, advertising Indian films.'

The story goes that the manuscript for Shantaram was destroyed. Twice. By prison guards. But author Gregory David Roberts persisted, penning one of the longest travel tomes about India , and more specifically, Mumbai . It’s a (supposedly) autobiographical love story in which Roberts falls for a woman and a city, intoxicated by life in the slums and a hefty amount of opium. It’s raw, romantic and revealing of some of Mumbai’s inner workings – the good, the bad and the really, really ugly – and it’s utterly compelling.

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THE MINIATURIST BY JESSIE BURTON

Read it before you go to: Amsterdam

'Looming above the sludge-coloured canal, the houses are a phenomenon. Admiring their own symmetry on the water, they are stately and beautiful, jewels set within the city’s pride. Above their rooftops Nature is doing her best to keep up, and clouds in colours of saffron and apricot echo the spoils of the glorious republic.'

From a quiet, rural childhood, Nella Oortman finds herself delivered via marriage to a grand townhouse on the Herengracht. Here she navigates a city bubbling with dangerous contradictions, where the repressive atmosphere of the Protestant Reformation mingles with excessive wealth, prolific trade and greed. With vivid description Jessie Burton conjures an image of Amsterdam as beautifully as a Vermeer painting, from the bustling canals to the Dutch East India Company’s dock-side warehouses to the sugary bakeries and the intricacies of life within the merchant’s houses in the glittering Golden Age. Visit the Rijks Museum and see for yourself the dolls house of Petronella (Nella) Oortman that inspired the book.

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THE POISONWOOD BIBLE BY BARBARA KINGSOLVER

Read it before you go to: East Africa

‘In Congo, a slashed jungle quickly becomes a field of flowers, and scars become the ornaments of a particular face. Call it oppression, complicity, stupefaction, call it what you like, it doesn't matter. Africa swallowed the conqueror's music and sang a new song of her own.’

The Poisonwood Bible tells the story of an American missionary family who moves to the Congo in the late 1950s – a time of political instability in the fight to shake off colonial rule. This is a book that brings Africa alive; the flavours, the smells, the sense of community, the jungle, the reverence for nature. Set against a background of racism and oppression, as the family’s tale unravels an initially alien world becomes multi-faceted and familiar. And while the family is fictional, many of the events their story wraps around – from the Congolese Independence ceremony to the assassination of politician Patrice Lumumba – actually happened, making it an interesting insight into the history of the area too.

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FOOTSTEPS BY RICHARD HOLMES

Read it before you go to: the South of France

‘Then I went down to the Loire, here little more than a stream, and sat naked in a pool cleaning my teeth. Behind me the sun came out and the woodfire smoke turned blue. I felt rapturous and slightly mad.’

In 1964, when he was just eighteen, Richard Holmes, the future biographer of Shelley and Coleridge, decided to recreate Robert Louis Stevenson’s twelve-day hike recorded in his Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes . He then ventures to Paris during the tumult of ’68, an homage to Mary Wollstonecraft’s similar journey across the Channel in search of revolutionary fervour. Part autobiography, part biography, part hymn to the glory of France (and Italy in a later trip following Shelley), Footsteps is occasionally thrilling and always hilarious. Reading the book leaves you rapturous and utterly mad with the urge to travel.

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AROUND INDIA IN 80 TRAINS BY MONISHA RAJESH

Read it before you go to: India

'To understand India you have to see it, hear it, breathe it and feel it. Living through the good, the bad and the ugly is the only way to know where you fit in and where India fits into you.’

Rajesh spent four months travelling around India by train to try and get to know a country that had become a stranger to her. In that time she covered just over 40,000km – almost the circumference of the earth. Whether she’s trundling on a toy train to Darjeeling, hanging out of a rammed Mumbai local or watching cataract surgery on a hospital train, the author evokes sounds and smells and tastes that make you feel like you’re riding alongside her. Being a British Indian she’s both an insider and outsider: explaining mannerisms, translating conversation, and engaging her fellow passengers with wonderful wit and humour. Aside from being a hilarious travelogue, the book explains how to negotiate the railway ticketing system, which trains have the best food, and uncovers beautiful places off the typical tourist trail.

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45 of the Best Travel Books That Inspire Wanderlust

I love reading a great book especially if it takes place somewhere that I dream of traveling to . I am always looking for the best travel books that inspire wanderlust so I asked my fellow travel bloggers to name their favorite inspirational books about travel.

Whether looking for books that inspire you to travel or the best books to read while traveling, here are 45 of the best travel books every traveler needs to have on their reading list.

Best Travel Books

The ultimate travel book is the nomad’s bible. I’m talking about On the Road by Jack Kerouac. This book is fast-paced (some might say rambling) but no other piece of travel literature so evokes the spirit of adventure and excitement that travel brings. It is especially descriptive and inspiring with regards to the quintessential American road trip . Follow Sal Paradise and his kooky, often drug-addled friends in a cross-country quest for something deep, spiritual, and unforgettable.

There are few pieces of modern travel literature that has captivated readers around the world in quite the same way as Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. The part-truth, part-fiction novel tells the story of an Australian convict named Lin who escapes prison and ends up in Bombay, India. His journey is both poetic and chaotic as he learns about his new environment and surrounding culture while living in the slums. Roberts’ writing is breathtaking, and his descriptive and elegant style transports the reader directly into the heart of bustling Indian society.

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”

When it comes to book that will make you want to pack your bags and chase your dreams, you really won’t find anything better than Paulo Coelho’s legendary tale found in “The Alchemist”.  It’s a quick and easy read (less than 200 pages), but it’s chalk full of inspirational travel quotes , life lessons, and thought provoking questions.  It was recommended to me by a friend, and once I finished it — I was only mad at myself for not reading it sooner.  It may be one of the most famous travel books out there, and it’s for good reason.  If you haven’t read this one yet, than don’t wait any longer!  It’s truly something special!

We are inundated with advice on where to travel to, but we hear little of why and how we should go, even though the art of travel seems naturally to sustain a number of questions neither so simple nor so trivial…” writes Alain De Botton in ‘The Art of Travel’ . The book is neither a guide book nor an account of experience in far away places. Rather it is journal about how our thoughts and our very being is affected by the ‘not so simple’ act of travel. The book definitely creates a craving to leave everything and travel to far off places. But what it does better is being a companion who that helps you put in words exactly what you felt while travelling.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail  by Cheryl Strayed

If there is one ‘wild’ travel book you should read this year, it’s Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. While the travel movie starring Reese Witherspoon is good, the book goes a mountain canyon beyond. Cheryl Strayed’s gritty portrayal of herself as a broken woman seeking redemption through nature and physical challenge is both a nail-biting travel adventure and a literary masterstroke. The way she entwines her inner journey with the harsh awe-inspiring landscape is, to my mind, inspiring. You won’t just find yourself rooting for her through every snowy pass and rocky trail, you’ll want to get out there and do it yourself.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Gabor Kovacs, Surfing the Planet

Into the Wild is probably one of the best motivational books for those who want to travel with the objective of finding themselves. In Jon Krakauer’s book we can read about Christopher McCandless’ real story, who after his university graduation decided to get rid of all his material possessions and set out on a great adventure completely alone. McCandless was found dead in Alaska and this book tells us his tragic adventure based on his diary and the author’s investigations. Into the Wild teaches us a lot about life and makes us reflect on what we really want from it. Despite the tragic end, I enjoyed reading every bit of this adventure, which made me desire to live something like that.

The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho

Claudia Tavani, My Adventures Across the World

The Pilgrimage tells the story of Paulo as he walks his way to Santiago in what is both a journey and a self-discovery experience. To this date, it is still one of the books that most inspired me to travel, not only to discover new, beautiful places but also to better understand myself.  While traveling became a way of life for me – as a result of a long trip across Central and South America in which I had plenty of time to think and figure out what I wanted to do with my life – it actually took me much longer to eventually walk the Camino de Santiago. I walked the Camino del Norte (the Northern route) to Santiago de Compostela last summer and, needless to say, it was an incredible, enlightening experience.

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

Allison, Eternal Arrival

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino is a masterpiece, somewhere between poetry and fiction. The narrator, a young Marco Polo, entertains Kublai Khan with stories of intriguing cities, each more impossible sounding than the next. As the book goes on, it becomes more and more fantastical, leaving you wondering whether or not any of these cities exist at all — or whether they’re all one city described in various ways from the vivid imagination of a young traveler. Calvino’s lush prose makes this question almost irrelevant, and after reading this short but sweet novella you’ll be left wanderlusting for all these impossibly beautiful cities. To be able to describe a city the way Calvino does these “invisible cities” is a lifelong pursuit.

A Fortune Teller Told Me by Tiziano Terzani

Barbara Wagner, Jet-Settera

Tiziano Terzani’s A Fortune Teller Told Me is a book about an Italian journalist who travels across Asia and consults some of the most famous fortune-tellers of Asia along the journey. He consulted shamans, soothsayers and sorcerers during his travels. One of the fortune tellers in Hong Kong told him that he should not get on a plane for a year, because the plane would crash, so he ended up traveling across Asia taking trains, boats, cars. The book describes his journey across Burma, Thailand , Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore , and Malaysia over land.

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Samantha, There She Goes Again

This incredibly complex book takes place over the decades, with the two main threads taking place during the sixties in southern Italy and present day Hollywood. The whole book is rife with nods to the entertainment industry, both in the height of its glamourous days to a sarcastic view of its current reality-ridden state. Walter is great at invoking the various settings, and this is best seen in his descriptions of southern Italy. It’s so beautiful, so nostalgic, you want to book your ticket to Positano as soon as you’re done reading!

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

They say most good books are based on a true story, and Eat, Pray, Love is exactly that and one each person can identify with.

It is a story of a woman who decides to end her marriage and go on a journey of discovery around the world and food for her soul. Set in three beautiful locations of the world Italy (Eat), India (Pray) and Bali (Love). We follow Elizabeth on her travels while she eats bowls of pasta and gelato which leave one instantly hungry and craving all the things she goes searching for in this book. Each part of the journey literally inspires one to book a ticket and go do their own Eat, Pray, Love trip. India a land of miracles and temples gives us a glimpse of the arranged marriage ceremonies while in Bali one learns to open their heart and love again.

The book not only inspires one to travel but also to follow their dreams. Life is too short not to eat that gelato or fall in love with a tall dark stranger.

Verushka Ramasami, Spice Goddess Blog

The Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevara

Himanshu, Everything Candid

The Motor Cycle Diaries written by Che Guevara is a cult book and thus a must read for every travel loving soul. It has all the elements to ignite wander thirst within you and put you in a whirlwind of thoughts that will make you travel. It’s a frank account of an inquisitive traveler who experiences the amusing world and that changes himself forever.

This book is a travel journal written by revolutionary hero Che Guevara when he was 23 years old and decided to travel the world with his friend Alberto riding their old motorcycle they christened “the Mighty One”. During their 9 months of travel on battered road of Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela to do their medical residency and serve at leprosy colonies of Latin America. His narration of his experiences are free-spirited and original to the core just like his shaping-up rebellion nature.

This book has all the elements that define a perfect road trip and make you realize how you can explore your true self by traveling across geographies and meeting different people. This journey, thus, transformed Che and by the end of journey it was clear what would be his destiny. This high-spirited book is an impactful read and an inspiring tale of a great legend in the making. A truly iconic book by a larger than life icon from last century.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson

Nisha Jha, Lemonicks

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson has to be my book which inspires wanderlust. If you are into hiking or love outdoors, this book is for you. The author Bill Bryson tries to take the Appalachian Trail stretching from Georgia and has a hilarious take on it. The book is written in a humorous style, with more serious discussions and curiosity relating to the trail.

The book teaches us about our co-travelers and how it could be, in some cases, a daunting experience. The goals, outlook could be different. At times, you need to discard many things which are really not needed. He has wonderfully described the natural beauty of majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes.

The Places Inbetween by Rory Stewart

Alice, Teacake Travels

There’s nothing I love more than going to countries people tell you you shouldn’t go to. There are a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions out there about what a country is really like, how the people are and your level of safety once you’re there. Understandably, some countries are more dangerous than others but I feel we shouldn’t leave them alone and books like The Places Inbetween keep my wanderlust for these countries pulsing. Rory Stewart’s amazing account of his walk across Afghanistan in 2002 following the US invasion is a unique insight into this fascinating country and I love how personal it is. Like all good stories, it’s the local people that really make it.

In Xanadu – A Quest by William Dalrymple

Maria, Maria Abroad

In Xanadu – A Quest  is a personal travel memoir of William Dalrymple’s journey along Marco Polo’s footsteps from Jerusalem to Xanadu, the summer palace of Kubla Khan. As an avid traveler, Dalrymple spends his summer break from Cambridge to take an overland journey from Jerusalem to Aleppo, to Eastern Turkey, across Iran and Pakistan, and finally through China until his final destination – Xanadu. Along the way he shares his encounters with locals and other travelers, funny stories, bureaucratic hurdles and historic insights on the places he visits.

Can We Live Here?: Finding a Home in Paradise by Sarah Alderson

Jolene and Andrzej Ejmont, Wanderlust Storytellers

‘’In 2009, Sarah and John Alderson quit their full-time jobs in London and headed off, with Alula, their three-year-old daughter, on a global adventure to find a new home.’’

It is easy to connect with Sarah as you read her witty novel about what it is like to give up your job and to chase adventure in life!  Her story is honest and real; one can’t help but feel inspired to chase a similar lifestyle! But mostly to simply be brave enough to follow your dreams! Destinations you will read about include: London, India, Australia, USA , Bali and more!

Rohan Cahill-Fleury, Travels of a Bookpacker

The story of a man determined to visit all the countries in the former Soviet Union. Some are popular tourist destinations e.g.  Czech Republic but he also travels to some more ‘off the beaten track’ locations such as Kyrgyzstan and Moldova.

It provides interesting account of local life in these countries as well as the practicalities and issues traveling there as a tourist. There is some simple, easy to follow history of each country explained as well as interesting anecdotes. You’ll find yourself adding countries to your travel list you’d never considered before!

A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History’s Greatest Traveler by Jason Roberts

This biography follows the life of James Holman, a British guy who went blind during the course of his life but wasn’t discouraged by it and travelled the world anyway. Known in the 19th century as the “Blind Traveller”, he hopped on sailing boats across the oceans, crossed Siberia until he overstayed his welcome, and got invited to explore South America . His books were both despised and celebrated by his contemporaries. Unfortunately, many works have not survived to this day – hence the man’s obscurity. This budget-minded, nifty and unstoppable fellow is one to read about. After picking up your jaw, you’ll likely travel with a changed perspective.

Iris, Mind of a Hitchhiker

The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé

Inma,  A World to Travel

As a very visual person , the first books I read – if you want to call them that – were indeed comics. I would literally read one or two daily as the local library was a few steps away from my home and – newsflash! – travel ones were my favorite of them all. The Adventures of Tintin by Belgian cartoonist Hergé was a comic series that took me to Egypt, Congo, Tibet and even the Moon before I turned 8. Such great memories!

Around the World in 50 Years: My Adventure to Every Country on Earth by Albert Poddel

Megan and Mike from  Mapping Megan  and  Waking Up Wild

This is an inspiring story of an ordinary guy who visited every country on Earth. He survived riots, revolutions, civil wars, trigger-happy child soldiers, robbers, pickpockets, corrupt cops, voodoo priests and Cape buffalo. He went around, under, or through every kind of earthquake, cyclone, tsunami, volcanic eruption, snowstorm, and sandstorm that nature threw at him. He ate everything from old camel meat, rats, dung beetles and the brain of a live monkey.  And he overcame attacks by crocodiles, hippos, anacondas and several girlfriends who insisted he stop this nonsense and marry them.

This is a remarkable and meaningful tale of quiet courage, dogged persistence, undying determination, and an uncanny ability to escape from one perilous situation after another and return with some of the most memorable, frightening and hilarious adventure stories you have ever read.

The World by hitchhiking: 5 years at the University of Life by Ludovic Hubler

After business school, Ludovic decided to get on the road to get a Life PhD. His hitchhiking tour of the world ended up lasting for 5 years during which he also experimented with boat-hitching and  ice-breaker hitching  – A story full of beautiful life lessons in kindness and inspirational meetings, including one with the Dalaï-lama.

Covering 59 countries around the world and people of all background, this book inspires wanderlust not only to seek new landscapes but new connections and understanding of life. It is a book that makes you want to meet all mankind. But be careful, after reading it you will have a strong urge to pack a bag and lift your thumb!

Claire,  ZigZag On Earth Travel Blog

Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach

Penny Sadler,  Adventures of a Carry-on

Without Reservations, by Alice Steinbach, is THE book that I credit with giving me a chronic case of wanderlust. Perhaps because I suspect she and I are close in age, I could relate to her observations of the people she met in her travels, and her self observations. Her writing is so sensual, I always felt I was right there with her — in Paris, Italy and England. This paragraph is beautifully descriptive it made me want to go and have my own adventures.

“Last night on the way home from a concert at Sainte-Chapelle, I stopped on the Pont Royal to watch the moon struggle through a cloudy night sky.

From the bridge my eyes followed the lights of a tourist boat as it moved like a glowworm across the water.  Here in Paris, I have no agenda; here I can fall into step with whatever rhythm presents itself. I had forgotten how wonderful it is to stand on a bridge and catch the scent of rain in the air. I had forgotten how much I need to be a part of water, wind, sky.”

Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

Liz, Lizzie Meets World

Even if you’re not a fan of chick lit, you’ll love Torre DeRoche’s “Love with a Chance of Drowning.” It’s a love story wrapped in adventure, delivered with a healthy dose of humor and innuendos. DeRoche takes you through the gorgeous remote islands of the Pacific while riding on a leaky boat, as she shares her greatest fears and how she conquers them. This book will have you laughing and crying (cry-laughing even) and dreaming of palm trees and blue seas.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlo Ruiz Zafón

Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s most acclaimed novel, The Shadows of the Wind, is a magnificent book about a young boy whose life revolved around Barcelona where he eventually found himself in a tangle of mystery and drama. I can’t tell much because you have to read it actually to feel what I’m talking about.

So, how did this particular book inspired me to travel? It made me intrigued about Barcelona. So intrigued that I invited myself to join my friends who already planned their trip to the mystery city – they had to change plans to fit me in, but they were a real sport about it. Also, my visit to Barcelona ignited my passion for travel and also it is the place where I swore I’ll make it a goal to enjoy whatever our pretty wild world can offer us.

Evan, Pretty Wild World

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

In an era today where we mostly go to work for around 9 hours a day, and spend another few hours preparing for work, and even commuting to/from it, Tim Ferris gives us a chance to open our mindset that we can actually have a 4 hour work week instead of a 40 hour one. Four hours a week to work anywhere we want. Sounds too good to be true? It really isn’t. By working remotely, creating businesses and putting systems in place, you, as a business owner/worker, can actually do whatever you want. Most people who want to travel full time but are just wondering how to fund their travels can definitely pick up this book to become inspired, and eventually become a full time nomad.

Ruby,  A Journey We Love

Delaying The Real World by Colleen Kinder

I read this book by Colleen Kinder towards the end of my college career. This book was immensely responsible for a change in my beliefs of how life worked after graduation. Delaying The Real World is “a twentysomething’s guide to seeking adventure.” Within its pages, you will find hundreds of suggestions for things you could do around the world, other than heading straight into a cubicle. Suggestions include wanderlust-inspiring options such as teaching English abroad, working on a cruise ship, building homes in villages, or leading tour groups. There are also tons of helpful websites and inspiring anecdotes from real people living out adventurous lives. I highly recommend this book to anyone bitten by the travel bug, and looking for a way to make life an adventure.

Brianna,  Archives of Adventure

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts

In 2013, my boyfriend and I planned to quit our jobs and go for a RTW trip for a year. We were reading dozens of travel guides, found some travel blogs and hosted lots of people from different countries via Couchsurfing community so we could learn about their lands and traditions.

And then we discovered the Vagabonding. Without any exaggeration, the book changed our lives. It gave us not only necessary courage to leave our comfortable life in Germany and set off for an adventure, but it also proved that long-term travel is a lifestyle. A fascinating lifestyle!

Rolf Potts will guide you, he will warn you, he’ll give you plenty of practical advice, and he’ll definitely inspire you to hit the road.

Ivana Greslikova & Gianni Bianchini, Nomad is Beautiful

It’s Only the Himalayas: And Other Tales of Miscalculation from an Overconfident Backpacker by S. Bedford

One of the most recent books that inspired wanderlust was “It’s Only the Himalayas: And Other Tales of Miscalculation from an Overconfident Backpacker”. This laugh-out-loud travel memoir by Sue Bedford chronicles her year long adventures and misadventures with her best friend.

In her book, Sue details her close encounters with a lion, epic fails and triumphs trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with her dad, and her steamy romances in Asia. Since I’ve never backpacked across the world, this book gave me a lot of insight on both the challenges and amazing experiences to have on this type of journey.

This book also inspired me to travel with my mom. Since reading this book, we’ve traveled to Bermuda, Italy and Switzerland together. As Sue describes in the “It’s Only the Himalayas” author interview, traveling with your parents builds on your friendship and strengthens your bond.

Danielle,  The Thought Card

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

A book that completely captured my imagination and wandering spirit and inspired me to explore regions of the earth I never thought I would surf in was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The tale of adventure and discovery helped inspire me to go surfing in places like Iceland, Africa and numerous small islands in the Pacific. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea goes into the underwater exploration of almost every region of the globe it describes an underwater world that is almost impossible to comprehend yet drove my imagination wild. From navigating under ice in the Antarctica to fending off natives off the islands of Papua New Guinea and exploring the Corals of the Red Sea it is a tale of travel and adventure that has transcended centuries and stays relevant today.

Dane,  Holidayfromwhere

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness might sound like an odd choice when naming books that inspire wanderlust, but for me it did just that. It reminded me of the raw, real, tough travel that backpackers make through developing countries, getting right into the middle of the unknown and making their own pathway through. In the book the subjects are travelling by boat through the jungles of Congo, and the further down stream they get the higher the sense of danger. Things just keep getting weirder and weirder and you begin to feel as if they are descending into a madness. The book is dirty and gritty, but so eloquently written that it transports you deep into the heart of Congo and sits you right next to the authors alter ego – Marlow.

Crystal, Castaway With Crystal

Around India in 80 Trains by Monisha Rajesh

Less a travel guide than an odyssey of self-discovery, Around India in 80 Trains is the account of a British woman of Indian origin who returns to travel the country she left as a child.

In a largely unplanned journey she visits the four corners of India’s train network by taking as many different trains as possible, from the crush of Mumbai’s commuter trains to a truly special hospital carriage.

While Monisha doesn’t have the easiest of journeys, the sheer variety of the places she sees and the effervescent people she meets puts India near the top of my travel list.  I’ll definitely be taking the train when I visit.  And if a spiritual awakening is thrown in too, so much the better.

Emily, from Kids and Compass

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah Macdonald

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure is a hilarious memoir about a journalist’s unanticipated return to India; the country she hated and vowed never to visit again.

The book follows Sarah as she tries to settle into a new life in Delhi and documents all the culture shock and frustrations that go with it. Having already visited India , I found myself laughing out loud because I could completely relate to her story.

Sarah does a great job of bringing all the smells, colours, sounds and chaos of India straight to the hands of the reader, while also thoughtfully and light-heartedly explaining the many faiths and religions that embody the country.

This book makes the eccentricities of India seem so endearing that you’ll want to book your flight and experience them for yourself!

Nicole. Wee Gypsy Girl

The Beach by Alex Garland

The Beach is a story of American and European backpackers who found a paradise in an island in Thailand. The island features an untouched beach and lagoon. It is part of a huge marine park, making it inaccessible to tourists. There they lived in a secret small community, doing idyllic chores everyday – planting, fishing and construction – until this thin slice of civilization crumbles through a series of incidents. The Beach is written in 1996 but remains a classic. It fulfills the wish of every modern backpacker: getting out of the race for an authentic experience and finding a beautiful, unspoilt paradise that’s in no danger of turning into a typical commercialized tourist attraction.

Katherine,  Tara Lets Anywhere

The Promise of Iceland by Kari Gislason

Long before I traveled to Iceland, it was a destination which fascinated me for its unknownness and unusualness. I read everything I could, but my favourite was a memoir by half-Australian, half-Icelandic author Kari Gislason , called The Promise of Iceland. Gislason was born in Reykjavik but left at age ten; he returned in his late twenties to track down his father and his regular explorations of many significant parts of Iceland convinced me that it was a place I absolutely had to visit. The book is the perfect mix of intriguing story and sightseeing, and will definitely get you booking an Iceland trip as soon as possible.

Amanda, Not a Ballerina

The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna

The book that sparked my interest about Finland is The Year of the Hare written by Arto Paasilinna, one of the most famous Finnish novels. It’s the story of a frustrated journalist who hits a hare with his car, then decides to rescue it and moves to the countryside together with the hare. It inspired me because it’s a fun story, and it talks about the love that Finnish people have for their nature. Visit Helsinki in winter  and you’ll see what I mean – Finns like to enjoy nature even when it’s -30 outside!

Margherita Ragg, The Crowded Planet

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

For anyone who has read The Millennium Trilogy, which includes The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, you would be aware it is a crime book that is rather dark, which then opens the question, why would this book inspire wanderlust? Well for me, the book obviously did but for a slightly strange and odd reason. As an Aussie, snow is foreign and rare to us down in the sunburnt country. Reading this book, however, opened my mind to the beauty of snow and what I could experience. Since then I have been attracted to the cold and the cool white fluffy stuff. I have fallen in love with it so much I will be embarking on a trip to Antarctica.

Lauren,  The Traveller’s Guide By #ljojlo

A Year in Provence  by Peter Mayle

Amy, A Traveling Broad

Whether you’ve been to France or not, you’ll be drawn into this best-selling memoir by Peter Mayle. In it, he regales readers with tales of his year he lived in a 200 year old stone farmhouse in southeastern France with his wife and dogs. His wit and humor make the book an easy and enjoyable read. His vivid descriptions of people, places and things makes it easy for readers to see things through his eyes. His stories include his first experience with “le mistral” (a violent, cold northwesterly wind); his initial resistance to French customs such as kissing hello; and his interactions with a local construction crew. “A Year in Provence” offers readers a glimpse of life in this beautiful region of France, making you want to buy a ticket when you’re done.

My Life in France by Julia Child

This will not inspire you to take the road and travel but it will definitely make you curious about how the French eat, cook, sleep and cook. It really is true — France is a country that will teach you how to cook. When Julia arrived in France, she didn’t know anything about cooking (nor spoke a single French word) and I kind of resemble to that experience. I did a culinary trip in South America for 3.5 years and when I came back home, my mother was surprised that I already know how to fry an egg properly. Believe me, I never learned to cook back home because my grandmother and mother are pretty good at it. My siblings and I didn’t bother learning at all.

That trip also made me very fluent in Spanish — something I never thought I will be capable of. In Julia’s book, it is highlighted that when you are surrounded by a certain culture for a long time, you will definitely know how to adapt and adjust to its setting. I think this is one of the best reasons to travel and to keep traveling.

Trisha,  PS I’m On My Way

Shopping for Buddhas: An Adventure in Nepal by Jeff Greenwald

Lance and Laura Longwell, Travel Addicts

Over 25 years ago, I discovered the Jeff Greenwald book, Shopping for Buddhas:  An Adventure in Nepal.  I would soon be moving to Nepal for a study abroad program and was riveted by the story of shopping for the perfect Buddha statue.  Less than a year later, I would find myself in Nepal exploring the back alleys of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur in the early days of the civil war .

The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen

Peter Matthiessen was a CIA agent and a co-founder of the literary magazine The Paris Review. He was also a student of Zen Buddhism, which he explores in this classic travel book. In 1973 Matthiessen trekked in the remote mountains of Nepal with a field biologist friend, who was there to study the Himalayan blue sheep. During this trek they hoped to see the rare snow leopard. He writes about the harsh physical challenges of the trip, and on life and death, and practicing Buddhism. Even though they travel through such challenging conditions, this book really made me want to go to Nepal .

James Clark, Nomadic Notes

Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai

One of our favourite books that inspired wanderlust, specifically for Sri Lanka, was “Funny Boy”, written by Shyam Selvadurai. It is almost an autobiographical story about a young Tamil gay boy growing up in 1980s Sri Lanka during the civil war era, struggling to come to grips with his homosexuality in a very religious and traditional family and society.

It’s a really good insight into what it was like in the country during these awful civil war years. In addition for LGBT travellers, it is particularly insightful to read, mainly because since the 1980s, the country has not changed at all with regards to LGBT rights. It’s still illegal to be gay in Sri Lanka and many of the issues faced by Arjy are still the case today.

Stefan and Sebastien, Nomadic Boys

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The book is set in Afghanistan and talks about an unlikely friendship between a wealthy Pashtun kid, Amir and his servant Hassan and their relationship growing up. The book traverses through the past and present with Amir making a decision to travel back to his homeland from the United States, his current adopted home to save the life of his friend’s son. The story is fascinating, not just for its strong characterization but also for the vivid portrayal of life growing up in this vastly unexplored country. The country has been in the news for all the wrong reasons but this book makes sure every reader is transported back to the beautiful country it was before the conflict tore it apart and made it what it is in now – a picture of warzone ruin. It remains one of our favorite books and incites wanderlust for the simple reason, the beauty we take for granted today, might not be available to see tomorrow.

Rishabh Shah, Gypsy Couple

The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca by Tahir Shah

This travel book is about culture, traditions and challenges faced by an Afghan person who convinced his wife to escape the stable life in UK and shift with the whole family to unpredictable Morocco. The main hero buys one of the posh old houses “Dar Khalifa” in Casablanca. As the house was missing residents for many years it started slowly falling into pieces. The hero decides to return the glory and the prosperity to the house. To achieve this goal he needs to confront local peculiarities of lifestyle and working culture. Tahir Shah describes different sides of Morocco: its colors, feelings, history and, of course, superstitions.

Natalia, mytriphack

A House in Fez by Suzanna Clarke

Tamason,  Travelling Book Junkie

Have you ever fell in love with a country so much that you imagine one day moving there?  This is exactly what happened to Suzanna and her husband. During a trip to Morocco they fell in love with the African country enough to purchase a property and rather than just using it as a holiday home, they decided to immerse themselves completely into the Moroccan way of life.

Without being able to speak Arabic, they move to the city of Fez, a city not necessarily known for its touristic pull, purchase a tired riad in need of serious renovation and spend a year transforming it into a beautiful home.

This is a story about courage and conviction,  Suzanna and her husband don’t linger on the consequences of such a move, they simply follow their hearts.

Wanderlust is all about following your heart and making decisions that will enrich your life for the better whilst exploring a different part of the world and for me this is a book that highlights just that.  It also led to us jumping on a plane to explore Fez for ourselves, highlighting that it is a book that inspires wanderlust in others as well.

Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux

Mar, Once in a Lifetime Journey

Dark Star Safari by Paul Thereoux is my all-time most favourite travel book. Brilliantly sarcastic and no-bullshit, Theroux recounts the adventures and misadventures of his overland trip from Cairo to Cape Town 30 years after he spent time as a teacher in Malawi. This book was the most beautiful way for me to remember all the places I worked in Africa and it was also slightly sad to realize that, for some of them, those 30 years Theroux talks about were actually detrimental to their development. Dark Star Safari is a poignant and honest view of the continent from the point of view of an outsider. Theroux has no qualms in being to the point and very honest, sometimes bordering insulting, when describing the people and places. There are no taboos in his vocabulary and no holy cows he tells it how it is.

If you are still looking for more travel inspiration, here are  other travel books for the book lover on your list. What are your picks for the best travel books to inspire wanderlust?

Related Posts

savvyglobetrotter

25 comments.

This is a great list of travel books and I have read few of them like kite runner, alchemist etc. Others I am going to grab soon.

LOADS of great books in there 🙂 🙂

This is a great list of travel books, have definitely added a few of these to my list!

Such inspiring reads! I’ve only read a couple but excited to download more to my Kindle. Cue the wanderlust!

Lovely compilation indeed. Given my passion for books and travel, I found this post really enjoyable. Before travel, books were the vehicles that I traveled the world on the wings of imagination. The books are great and each unique in its own way, My pick of the lot are, Shantaram and The Motorcycle Diaries.

Extensive list. I’ve read Eat, Pray, Love. And I’m reading the Alchemist. I’m on my way! Lol

Wow! What a fantastic compilation of books. There are so many gems that I’m adding to my reading list!

That’s a great list to fill up the evenings for the whole year 🙂 I love books about travel especially with a cultural twist))) Thank you for putting this post!

Ah wow, absolute go-to reading list here 🙂 I can see a fair few I need to get hold of 🙂

What a great list! So happy to see my favorite novel of all time on there: The Shadow of the Wind. I have read 12 of these books… which means you ahve given me a LOT of great reading ahead. Thank you.

Wow, epic list of travel books! I’ll have to refer back to this one when I’m looking for my next book. I love books, both fiction and non-fiction, that take you on a journey to new places and stirs that wanderlust to travel somewhere new!

I’d add Alastair Humphries’ “Microadventures” and “203 Travel Challenges. Travel the World. Discover Your Inner Self” – both are inspiring in a way that makes you act and improve yourself while having fun on the road.

Thanks for the suggestions! I’m putting them on my reading list.

At the risk of being spammy (sorry!), try my novel set in Greece: “Girl Gone Greek” – you might like it. Check out the Amazon reviews first (on COM and CO dot UK) and see if you like the sound of it. Enjoy!

Hi Rebecca, I lived in Greece a few years when I was younger so this book sounds really interesting. Adding it to my reading list!

These are definitely the absolute classics for travel!

I recommend An Embarrassment of Mangoes. Sailing and cooking in the Caribbean. Will have to check out some of your recommendations!

That’s a great list, found so many of my favourites in here including Alain de Botton’s Art of Travel that I dared to criticise in an article – he is my favourite contemporary philosopher but on the travel topic I reckon he could do a lot better 😉 Thanks for sharing, will download a couple about nomadic families to cheer myself up from fever and chest infection. Greetings from London!

So Darcee & I are heading to Morocco this year so I was looking for some great books to dive into the world of the area. I have never even heard of A House in Fez or The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca! We are hoping to head to Casablanca so I may start with The Caliph’s House! Thanks for this list. Many of the books are already on my list! Love Jack Kerouac!

wow, it`s huge! Noted. about ”Shantaram”

Very good performance but what a long story! Full of tragedy violence drugs and sadnesses. Makes you realize how people live in the rest of the world! Fighting for everything just to survive! An intimate look at life in India!

Thanks for this list! I’ll be checking out several of these titles. The interesting part about this blog post is the highlights about each book and how each book may be relevant. Great post.

So many of my trips have been inspired by reading novels! Last year, I took a January teaching job in Hawaii, after reading Honolulu and other fiction set on Oahu. I’m most interested in the fortune-teller book, I wonder if that will be my next trip…

Looks like some awesome reads to me. Anything by Paula Coelho absolutely rocks. Ryan

Great post/list and book review. I am placing Beautiful Ruins and a Walk in the Woods on my list.

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Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

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15 Travel Books That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust

The end of the year is just that time for favorites lists – and I’ve written about the best travel books many times over! I love talking about travel books. Why? Because part of the tool belt of any traveler is a good book. Long bus, train, or plane rides can get pretty boring and can give you a lot of “dead” time if you haven’t mastered the art of the 10-hour blank stare. Additionally, reading travel books helps you learn about the destinations you are visiting. The more you know about a place, the more you can understand a place.

I am a voracious reader and even used to have a book club on this website where I shared all the books I read. Today is another one of those days where I share some of the books I’ve read recently! If you’re looking for some great reads, here are my current list of the best travel books to inspire you to travel to far-off lands:  

1. The Alchemist , by Paulo Coelho

2. Love With a Chance of Drowning , by Torre DeRoche

3. The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca  by Tahir Shah

4. On the Road , by Jack Kerouac

5. Looking for Transwonderland , by Noo Saro-Wiwa

6. The Lost City of Z , by David Grann

7. The Beach , by Alex Garland

8. Vagabonding , by Rolf Potts

9. In A Sunburned Country , by Bill Bryson

10. Dispatches from Pluto , by Richard Grant

11. Turn Right at Machu Picchu , by Mark Adams

12. A Year of Living Danishly , by Helen Russell

13. The Art of Travel , by Alain de Botton

14. From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home , by Tembi Locke

BONUS: Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler’s Journey Home , by me!

Books about travel inspire us to go visit far-off lands and imagine us doing incredible things. Bryson’s In a Sunburned Country inspired me to visit Australia! I hope these travel books inspire you to travel the world and feed your wanderlust. If you have any suggestions that I can add to this best travel books list, leave them in the comments.

If you’d like to see some of the other books I’ve recommended (or are currently reading), check out this page I created on Amazon that lists them all!

You can also find them listed in our Bookshop store, which helps support locally-owned bookstores. If you’re in the US, click here to check out my Bookshop store!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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100 Must-Read Travel Books

Rebecca Hussey

Rebecca holds a PhD in English and is a professor at Norwalk Community College in Connecticut. She teaches courses in composition, literature, and the arts. When she’s not reading or grading papers, she’s hanging out with her husband and son and/or riding her bike and/or buying books. She can't get enough of reading and writing about books, so she writes the bookish newsletter "Reading Indie," focusing on small press books and translations. Newsletter: Reading Indie Twitter: @ofbooksandbikes

View All posts by Rebecca Hussey

Real travel is awesome when we can manage it, but sometimes we just have to travel from our armchairs, right? When armchair travel is the most we can do, it’s good to have many reading options from which to choose. So I put together a list of 100 of the best travel books that will take you around the world without requiring any more effort than lifting your hand to turn the pages.

I did my best to organize these by geographical region, although sometimes that’s tricky since there are many ways to divide up the regions of the world. And I had to include a large category of “various locations” since some travel books really do take you everywhere. Within the geographical region, the books are organized chronologically.

I hope you will find some books on this list that pique your interest and can help you find adventures from the safety of your own home. Or maybe they will inspire you to go on a journey, or prepare you for an upcoming trip. Maybe you will read one of these on an airplane. Whatever the case, if travel is something that interests you, I hope this list helps you find new books to love.

Best Travel Books Set In Europe

Mary Wollstonecraft, Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark (1796)

“ Originally published in 1796, Mary Wollstonecraft’s account of her trip to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, is compelling both in its picture of countries rarely visited in Regency times and insights into Mary’s personal life. ”

Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes (1879)

“ Ever hopeful of encountering the adventure he yearned for and raising much needed finance at the start of his writing career, Stevenson embarked on the120 mile, 12 day trek and recorded his experiences in this journal.”

Edith Wharton, A Motor-Flight Through France (1908)

“ Shedding the turn-of-the-century social confines she felt existed for women in America, Edith Wharton set out in the newly invented ‘motor-car’ to explore the cities and countryside of France.”

D.H. Lawrence, Sea and Sardinia (1921)

“ Written after the First World War when he was living in Sicily, Sea and Sardinia records Lawrence’s journey to Sardinia and back in January 1921. It reveals his response to a new landscape and people and his ability to transmute the spirit of place into literary art.”

George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London (1933)

“ This unusual fictional account – in good part autobiographical – narrates without self-pity and often with humor the adventures of a penniless British writer among the down-and-out of two great cities. ”

Rebecca West, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (1941)

“ Written on the brink of World War II, Rebecca West’s classic examination of the history, people, and politics of Yugoslavia illuminates a region that is still a focus of international concern .”

Mary McCarthy, The Stones of Florence (1956)

“ Mary McCarthy offers a unique history of Florence, from its inception to the dominant role it came to play in the world of art, architecture, and Italian culture, that captures the brilliant Florentine spirit and revisits the legendary figures Dante, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and others who exemplify it so iconically.”

Jan Morris, The World of Venice (1960)

“ Often hailed as one of the best travel books ever written, Venice is neither a guide nor a history book, but a beautifully written immersion in Venetian life and character, set against the background of the city’s past. ”

Patrick Leigh Fermor, A Time of Gifts (1977)

“ In 1933, at the age of 18, Patrick Leigh Fermor set out on an extraordinary journey by foot – from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople. A Time of Gifts is the first volume in a trilogy recounting the trip, and takes the reader with him as far as Hungary.”

Tété-Michel Kpomassie, An African in Greenland (1981)

“ Tété-Michel Kpomassie was a teenager in Togo when he discovered a book about Greenland—and knew that he must go there. Working his way north over nearly a decade, Kpomassie finally arrived in the country of his dreams. ”

Peter Mayle, A Year in Provence (1989)

“ In this witty and warm-hearted account, Peter Mayle tells what it is like to realize a long-cherished dream and actually move into a 200-year-old stone farmhouse in the remote country of the Lubéron with his wife and two large dogs. ”

Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun (1996)

“ Frances Mayes—widely published poet, gourmet cook, and travel writer—opens the door to a wondrous new world when she buys and restores an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. ”

Adam Gopnik, Paris to the Moon (2000)

“ Paris. The name alone conjures images of chestnut-lined boulevards, sidewalk cafés, breathtaking façades around every corner–in short, an exquisite romanticism that has captured the American imagination for as long as there have been Americans.”

Lori Tharps , Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain (2008)

“ Magazine writer and editor Lori Tharps was born and raised in the comfortable but mostly White suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she was often the only person of color in her school and neighborhood. At an early age, Lori decided that her destiny would be discovered in Spain. ”

Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor, Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story (2009)

“ Between 1998 and 2000, Sue and Ann travel throughout Greece and France. Sue, coming to grips with aging, caught in a creative vacuum, longing to reconnect with her grown daughter, struggles to enlarge a vision of swarming bees into a novel. Ann, just graduated from college, heartbroken and benumbed by the classic question about what to do with her life, grapples with a painful depression. ”

André Aciman, Alibis: Essays on Elsewhere (2011)

“ From beautiful and moving pieces about the memory evoked by the scent of lavender; to meditations on cities like Barcelona, Rome, Paris, and New York; to his sheer ability to unearth life secrets from an ordinary street corner,  Alibis  reminds the reader that Aciman is a master of the personal essay. ”

Sarah Moss, Names for the Sea: Strangers in Iceland (2012)

“ Novelist Sarah Moss had a childhood dream of moving to Iceland, sustained by a wild summer there when she was nineteen. In 2009, she saw an advertisement for a job at the University of Iceland and applied on a whim, despite having two young children and a comfortable life in an English cathedral city.”

Robert Macfarlane, The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot (2012)

“ In this exquisitely written book, Robert Macfarlane sets off from his Cambridge, England, home to follow the ancient tracks, holloways, drove roads, and sea paths that crisscross both the British landscape and its waters and territories beyond. ”

Best Travel Books Set In  Latin America

Zora Neale Hurston, Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica (1938)

“ Based on Zora Neale Hurston’s personal experience in Haiti and Jamaica, where she participated as an initiate rather than just an observer of voodoo practices during her visits in the 1930s, this travelogue into a dark world paints a vividly authentic picture of ceremonies and customs and superstitions of great cultural interest. ”

Sybille Bedford, A Visit to Don Otavio (1953)

“ In the mid-1940s, Sybille Bedford set off from Grand Central Station for Mexico, accompanied by her friend E., a hamper of food and drink (Virginia ham, cherries, watercress, a flute of bread, Portuguese rosé), books, a writing board, and paper. Her resulting travelogue captures the rich and violent beauty of the country as it was then. ”

V.S. Naipaul, The Middle Passage , (1962)

“ In 1960 the government of Trinidad invited V. S. Naipaul to revisit his native country and record his impressions. In this classic of modern travel writing he has created a deft and remarkably prescient portrait of Trinidad and four adjacent Caribbean societies–countries haunted by the legacies of slavery and colonialism .”

Bruce Chatwin, In Patagonia (1977)

“ An exhilarating look at a place that still retains the exotic mystery of a far-off, unseen land, Bruce Chatwin’s exquisite account of his journey through Patagonia teems with evocative descriptions, remarkable bits of history, and unforgettable anecdotes.”

Paul Theroux, The Old Patagonian Express: By Train Through the Americas (1979)

“ Beginning his journey in Boston, where he boarded the subway commuter train, and catching trains of all kinds on the way, Paul Theroux tells of his voyage from ice-bound Massachusetts and Illinois to the arid plateau of Argentina’s most southerly tip. ”

Salman Rushdie, The Jaguar Smile: A Nicaraguan Journey (1987)

“ In this brilliantly focused and haunting portrait of the people, the politics, the land, and the poetry of Nicaragua, Salman Rushdie brings to the forefront the palpable human facts of a country in the midst of a revolution. ”

Mary Morris, Nothing to Declare: Memoirs of a Woman Traveling Alone (1987)

“ Traveling from the highland desert of northern Mexico to the steaming jungles of Honduras, from the seashore of the Caribbean to the exquisite highlands of Guatemala, Mary Morris, a celebrated writer of both fiction and nonfiction, confronts the realities of place, poverty, machismo, and selfhood. ”

Jamaica Kincaid, A Small Place (1988)

“ Lyrical, sardonic, and forthright, A Small Place magnifies our vision of one small place with Swiftian wit and precision. Jamaica Kincaid’s expansive essay candidly appraises the ten-by-twelve-mile island in the British West Indies where she grew up, and makes palpable the impact of European colonization and tourism. ”

Isabel Allende, My Invented Country: A Nostalgic Journey Through Chile (2003)

“ Isabel Allende evokes the magnificent landscapes of her country; a charming, idiosyncratic Chilean people with a violent history and an indomitable spirit, and the politics, religion, myth, and magic of her homeland that she carries with her even today. ”

Best Travel Books Set In  North America

Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789)

“ Widely admired for its vivid accounts of the slave trade, Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography — the first slave narrative to attract a significant readership — reveals many aspects of the eighteenth-century Western world through the experiences of one individual. ”

Isabella Bird, A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains (1879)

“ Bird was born in 1831 in Cheshire, England, and became one of a distinguished group of female travellers famous in the nineteenth century–a time when it was considered that a lady’s place should be confined to the home. Isabella travelled and explored the world extensively and became a notable writer and natural historian.”

John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley in Search of America (1962)

“ In September 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a journey across America. He felt that he might have lost touch with the country, with its speech, the smell of its grass and trees, its color and quality of light, the pulse of its people.”

Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire (1968)

“ This is a rare view of a quest to experience nature in its purest form — the silence, the struggle, the overwhelming beauty. But this is also the gripping, anguished cry of a man of character who challenges the growing exploitation of the wilderness by oil and mining interests, as well as by the tourist industry. ”

Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (1974)

“ A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, the book becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions of how to live. ”

Edmund White, States of Desire: Travels in Gay America (1980)

“ In this city-by-city description of the way homosexual men lived in the late seventies, Edmund White gives us a picture of Gay America that will surprise gay and straight readers alike.”

William Least Heat-Moon, Blue Highways: A Journey into America (1982)

“ William Least Heat-Moon set out with little more than the need to put home behind him and a sense of curiosity … His adventures, his discoveries, and his recollections of the extraordinary people he encountered along the way amount to a revelation of the true American experience.”

Gretel Ehrlich, The Solace of Open Spaces (1984)

“ Poet and filmmaker Gretel Ehrlich went to Wyoming in 1975 to make the first in a series of documentaries when her partner died. Ehrlich stayed on and found she couldn’t leave. The Solace of Open Spaces is a chronicle of her first years on “the planet of Wyoming,” a personal journey into a place, a feeling, and a way of life. ”

Jonathan Raban, Bad Land: An American Romance (1985)

“ In towns named Terry, Calypso, and Ismay (which changed its name to Joe, Montana, in an effort to attract football fans), and in the landscape in between, Raban unearths a vanished episode of American history, with its own ruins, its own heroes and heroines, its own hopeful myths and bitter memories. ”

Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild (1996)

“ In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. ”

Jenny Diski, Stranger on a Train: Daydreaming and Smoking Around America with Interruptions (2002)

“ Using two cross-country trips on Amtrak as her narrative vehicles, British writer Jenny Diski connects the humming rails, taking her into the heart of America with the track-like scars leading back to her own past. ”

Rebecca Solnit, A Field Guide to Getting Lost (2005)

“ A Field Guide to Getting Lost draws on emblematic moments and relationships in Solnit’s own life to explore the issues of wandering, being lost, and the uses of the unknown. The result is a distinctive, stimulating, and poignant voyage of discovery. ”

Sarah Vowell, Assassination Vacation (2005)

“ With Assassination Vacation, [Vowell] takes us on a road trip like no other—a journey to the pit stops of American political murder and through the myriad ways they have been used for fun and profit, for political and cultural advantage. ”

Cheryl Strayed, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail (2012)

“ At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life.”

Suzanne Roberts, Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight Days on the John Muir Trail (2012)

“ It was 1993, Suzanne Roberts had just finished college, and when her friend suggested they hike California’s John Muir Trail, the adventure sounded like the perfect distraction from a difficult home life and thoughts about the future. But she never imagined that the twenty-eight-day hike would change her life. ”

Gloria Steinem, My Life on the Road (2015)

“ Gloria Steinem—writer, activist, organizer, and one of the most inspiring leaders in the world—now tells a story she has never told before, a candid account of how her early years led her to live an on-the-road kind of life, traveling, listening to people, learning, and creating change. ”

Best Travel Books Set In  Asia

Matsuo Bashō, The Narrow Road to the Deep North (1689)

“ In later life Basho turned to Zen Buddhism, and the travel sketched in this volume reflect his attempts to cast off earthly attachments and reach out to spiritual fulfillment. The sketches are written in the ‘haibun’ style–a linking of verse and prose. ”

Alexandra David-Néel, My Journey to Lhasa (1927)

“ In order to penetrate Tibet and reach Lhasa, she used her fluency of Tibetan dialects and culture, disguised herself as a beggar with yak hair extensions and inked skin and tackled some of the roughest terrain and climate in the World.”

Eric Newby, A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush (1958)

“ No mountaineer, Newby set out with a friend to explore the formidable peaks of the Nuristan Mountains in northeast Afghanistan. His witty, unorthodox report is packed with incidents both ghastly and ecstatic as he takes us where few Western feet have trod.”

Peter Matthiessen, The Snow Leopard (1978)

“ When Matthiessen went to Nepal to study the Himalayan blue sheep and, possibly, to glimpse the rare and beautiful snow leopard, he undertook his five-week trek as winter snows were sweeping into the high passes. This is a radiant and deeply moving account of a ‘true pilgrimage, a journey of the heart.'”

Michael Ondaatje, Running in the Family (1982)

“ In the late 1970s Ondaatje returned to his native island of Sri Lanka. As he records his journey through the drug-like heat and intoxicating fragrances of that ‘pendant off the ear of India,’ Ondaatje simultaneously retraces the baroque mythology of his Dutch-Ceylonese family. ”

Vikram Seth, From Heaven Lake: Travels Through Sinkian and Tibet (1983)

“ After two years as a postgraduate student at Nanjing University in China, Vikram Seth hitch-hiked back to his home in New Delhi, via Tibet. From Heaven Lake is the story of his remarkable journey and his encounters with nomadic Muslims, Chinese officials, Buddhists and others. ”

Christina Dodwell, Traveller in China (1985)

“ Christina Dodwell s wanderlust, combined with her inventive and unorthodox methods of travel and her unquenchable curiosity about people, make her the ideal guide to the remoter parts of China’s vast territory. ”

Pico Iyer, Video Night in Kathmandu (1988)

“ Why did Dire Straits blast out over Hiroshima, Bruce Springsteen over Bali and Madonna over all? The author was eager to learn where East meets West, how pop culture and imperialism penetrated through the world’s most ancient civilisations. Then, the truths he began to uncover were more startling, subtle, and more complex than he ever anticipated. ”

Pankaj Mishra, Butter Chicken in Ludhiana: Travels in Small Town India (1995)

“ From a convent-educated beauty pageant aspirant to small shopkeepers planning their vacation in London, Pankaj Mishra paints a vivid picture of a people rushing headlong to their tryst with modernity. ”

Andrew Pham, Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam (1999)

“ Catfish and Mandala is the story of an American odyssey—a solo bicycle voyage around the Pacific Rim to Vietnam—made by a young Vietnamese-American man in pursuit of both his adopted homeland and his forsaken fatherland.”

Ma Jian, Red Dust: A Path Through China (2001)

“ In 1983, at the age of thirty, dissident artist Ma Jian finds himself divorced by his wife, separated from his daughter, betrayed by his girlfriend, facing arrest for ‘Spiritual Pollution,’ and severely disillusioned with the confines of life in Beijing. So with little more than a change of clothes and two bars of soap, Ma takes off to immerse himself in the remotest parts of China. ”

Suketu Mehta , Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found (2004)

“ The book combines elements of memoir, travel writing as well as socio-political analysis of the history and people of Mumbai. Mehta writes as a person who is at one level outsider to this magnificent city and on the other hand is the one who is born here and has lived his childhood in the city then known as Bombay. ”

Faith Adiele, Meeting Faith: The Forest Journals of a Black Buddhist Nun (2004)

“ Reluctantly leaving behind Pop Tarts and pop culture to battle flying rats, hissing cobras, forest fires, and decomposing corpses, Faith Adiele shows readers in this personal narrative, with accompanying journal entries, that the path to faith is full of conflicts for even the most devout. ”

Barbara Demick, Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea (2009)

“ Award-winning journalist Barbara Demick follows the lives of six North Korean citizens over fifteen years–a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung, the rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il, and a devastating famine that killed one-fifth of the population. ”

Katherine Boo, Behind the Beautiful Forevers (2012)

“ In this brilliant, breathtaking book by Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Boo, a bewildering age of global change and inequality is made human through the dramatic story of families striving toward a better life in Annawadi, a makeshift settlement in the shadow of luxury hotels near the Mumbai airport. ”

Best Travel Books Set In  Africa

Mary Kingsley, Travels in West Africa (1897)

“ Upon her sudden freedom from family obligations, a sheltered Victorian spinster traded her stifling middle-class existence for an incredible expedition in the Congo. ”

Beryl Markham, West with the Night (1942)

“[Markham’s] successes and her failures—and her deep, lifelong love of the ‘soul of Africa’—are all chronicled here with wrenching honesty and agile wit. Hailed by National Geographic as one of the greatest adventure books of all time, West with the Night is the sweeping account of a fearless and dedicated woman. ”

Maya Angelou, All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986)

“ Once again, the poet casts her spell as she resumes one of the greatest personal narratives of our time. In this continuation, Angelou relates how she joins a “colony” of Black American expatriates in Ghana–only to discover no one ever goes home again. ”

Eddy L. Harris, Native Stranger: A Black American’s Journey into the Heart of Africa (1992)

“ Recounting his journey into the heart of Africa, an African American describes his encounters with beggars and bureaucrats, his visit to Soweto, a night in a Liberian jail cell, and more. ”

Philip Gourevitch, We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families (1998)

“ Philip Gourevitch’s haunting work is an anatomy of the killings in Rwanda, a vivid history of the genocide’s background, and an unforgettable account of what it means to survive in its aftermath. ”

Colleen McElroy, Over the Lip of the World: Among the Storytellers of Madagascar (1999)

“ McElroy’s tale of an African American woman’s travels among the people of Madagascar is told with wit, insight, and humor. Throughout it she interweaves English translations of Malagasy stories of heroism and morality, royalty and commoners, love and revenge, and the magic of tricksters and shapechangers. ”

Charlayne Hunter-Gault, New News Out of Africa: Uncovering Africa’s Renaissance (2006)

“ In New News Out of Africa , this eminent reporter offers a fresh and surprisingly optimistic assessment of modern Africa, revealing that there is more to the continent than the bad news of disease, disaster, and despair.”

Noo Saro-Wiwa, Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria (2012)

“ She finds [Nigeria] as exasperating as ever, and frequently despairs at the corruption and inefficiency she encounters. But she also discovers that it is far more beautiful and varied than she had ever imagined, with its captivating thick tropical rainforest and ancient palaces and monuments.”

Best Travel Books Set In The  South Pacific

Robyn Davidson, Tracks: A Woman’s Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback (1980)

“ Robyn Davidson’s opens the memoir of her perilous journey across 1,700 miles of hostile Australian desert to the sea with only four camels and a dog for company with the following words: ‘I experienced that sinking feeling you get when you know you have conned yourself into doing something difficult and there’s no going back.'”

Dea Birkett, Serpent in Paradise (1997)

“ Acclaimed British travel writer and journalist Dea Birkett, obsessed like many with the island’s image as a secluded Eden and its connection to the mysterious and intriguing Bounty legend, traveled across the Pacific on a cargo ship and became one of the very few outsiders permitted to land on Pitcairn. ”

Bill Bryson, In a Sunburned Country (2000)

“ Despite the fact that Australia harbors more things that can kill you in extremely nasty ways than anywhere else, including sharks, crocodiles, snakes, even riptides and deserts, Bill Bryson adores the place, and he takes his readers on a rollicking ride far beyond that beaten tourist path. ”

Kira Salak, Four Corners: A Journey into the Heart of Papua, New Guinea (2001)

“ Traveling by dugout canoe and on foot, confronting the dangers and wonders of a largely untouched world, [Salak] became the first woman to traverse this remote country and write about it. ”

Best Travel Books Set In The  Middle East/North Africa

Mary Wortley Montagu, The Turkish Embassy Letters (1716)

“ Her lively letters offer insights into the paradoxical freedoms conferred on Muslim women by the veil, the value of experimental work by Turkish doctors on inoculation, and the beauty of Arab poetry and culture. ”

Robert Byron, The Road to Oxiana (1937)

“ In 1933 the delightfully eccentric Robert Byron set out on a journey through the Middle East via Beirut, Jerusalem, Baghdad and Teheran to Oxiana -the country of the Oxus, the ancient name for the river Amu Darya which forms part of the border between Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. ”

Isabelle Eberhardt, The Nomad: The Diaries of Isabelle Eberhardt (1987, written in late 19th century)

“ Eberhardt’s journal chronicles the daring adventures of a late 19th- century European woman who traveled the Sahara desert disguised as an Arab man and adopted Islam.”

Sara Suleri, Meatless Days (1989)

“ In this finely wrought memoir of life in postcolonial Pakistan, Suleri intertwines the violent history of Pakistan’s independence with her own most intimate memories—of her Welsh mother; of her Pakistani father, prominent political journalist Z.A. Suleri; of her tenacious grandmother Dadi and five siblings; and of her own passage to the West. ”

Amitav Ghosh, In an Antique Land: History in the Guise of a Traveler’s Tale (1993)

“ Interspersing his quest with accounts of his stay in ‘Masr’ and the people he met, Ghosh weaves together a narrative packed with exuberant detail, exposing ties that have bound together India and Egypt, and Hindus and Muslims and Jews, from the Crusades to Operation Desert Storm.”

Rory Stewart, The Places in Between (2004)

“ In January 2002 Rory Stewart walked across Afghanistan–surviving by his wits, his knowledge of Persian dialects and Muslim customs, and the kindness of strangers … Along the way Stewart met heroes and rogues, tribal elders and teenage soldiers, Taliban commanders and foreign-aid workers. ”

Colin Thubron, Shadow of the Silk Road (2007)

“ Making his way by local bus, truck, car, donkey cart, and camel, Colin Thubron covered some seven thousand miles in eight months out of the heart of China into the mountains of Central Asia, across northern Afghanistan and the plains of Iran into Kurdish Turkey and explored an ancient world in modern ferment. ”

Gertrude Bell, A Woman in Arabia: The Writings of the Queen of the Desert (2015, written in early 20th century)

“ This is the epic story of Bell’s life, told through her letters, military dispatches, diary entries, and other writings. It offers a unique and intimate look behind the public mask of a woman who shaped nations. ”

Lynsey Addario, It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War (2015)

“ Lynsey Addario was just finding her way as a young photographer when September 11 changed the world. One of the few photojournalists with experience in Afghanistan, she gets the call to return and cover the American invasion.”

Best Travel Books Set In  Arctic/Antarctic

Ernest Shackleton, South: The Story of Shackleton’s Last Expedition, 1914-1917 (1919)

“ In an epic struggle of man versus the elements, Shackleton leads his team on a harrowing quest for survival over some of the most unforgiving terrain in the world.”

Barry Lopez, Arctic Dreams (2001)

“ Lopez offers a thorough examination of this obscure world-its terrain, its wildlife, its history of Eskimo natives and intrepid explorers who have arrived on their icy shores. But what turns this marvelous work of natural history into a breathtaking study of profound originality is his unique meditation on how the landscape can shape our imagination, desires, and dreams. ”

Sara Wheeler, Terra Incognita: Travels in Antarctica (1996)

“ Terra Incognita is a meditation on the landscape, myths and history of one of the remotest parts of the globe, as well as an encounter with the international temporary residents of the region – living in close confinement despite the surrounding acres of white space – and the mechanics of day-to-day life in extraordinary conditions. ”

Gretchen Legler, On the Ice: An Intimate Portrait of Life at McMurdo Station, Antarctica (2005)

“ Sent to Antarctica as an observer by the National Science Foundation, Gretchen Legler arrives at McMurdo Station in midwinter, a time of -70 degree temperatures and months of near-total darkness. ”

Various Locations

Ibn Battuta, The Travels of Ibn Battuta , (14th century)

“ Ibn Battutah—ethnographer, bigrapher, anecdotal historian and occasional botanist—was just 21 when he set out in 1325 from his native Tangier on a pilgramage to Mecca. He did not return to Morocco for another 29 years, traveling instead through more than 40 countries on the modern map, covering 75,000 miles and getting as far north as the Volga, as far east as China, and as far south as Tanzania. ”

Martha Gellhorn, Travels With Myself and Another (1979): “ Out of a lifetime of travelling, Martha Gellhorn has selected her ‘best horror journeys.’ She bumps through rain-sodden, war-torn China to meet Chiang Kai-Shek, floats listlessly in search of u-boats in the wartime Caribbean and visits a dissident writer in the Soviet Union against her better judgment.”

Barbara Savage, Miles from Nowhere: A Round-The World Bicycle Adventure (1983)

“ This is the story of Barbara and Larry Savage’s sometimes dangerous, often zany, but ultimately rewarding 23,000 miles global bicycle odyssey, which took them through 25 countries in two years.”

Elaine Lee, editor, Go Girl!: The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and Adventure (1997)

“Globe-trotting attorney Lee assembled 52 travel pieces presenting the uncommon perspective of black women, mostly African Americans. Assembled under the headings ‘Back to Africa,’ ‘Sistren Travelin’,’ and ‘Trippin’ All Over the World,’ many initially appeared in popular women’s or travel magazines.”

Cheryl J. Fish, editor, A Stranger in the Village: Two Centuries of African-American Travel Writing (1999)

“ Dispatches, diaries, memoirs, and letters by African-American travelers in search of home, justice, and adventure-from the Wild West to Australia. ”

Caryl Phillips, The Atlantic Sound (2000)

“ Liverpool, England; Accra, Ghana; Charleston, South Carolina. These were the points of the triangle forming the major route of the transatlantic slave trade. And these are the cities that acclaimed author Caryl Phillips explores–physically, historically, psychologically–in this wide-ranging meditation on the legacy of slavery. ”

Alain de Botton, The Art of Travel (2002)

“ Any Baedeker will tell us where we ought to travel, but only Alain de Botton will tell us how and why … de Botton considers the pleasures of anticipation; the allure of the exotic, and the value of noticing everything from a seascape in Barbados to the takeoffs at Heathrow.”

Geoff Dyer, Yoga for People Who Can’t Be Bothered to Do It (2003)

“ As he travels from Amsterdam to Cambodia, Rome to Indonesia, Libya to Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert, Dyer flounders about in a sea of grievances, with fleeting moments of transcendental calm his only reward for living in a perpetual state of motion. ”

Susan Orlean, My Kind of Place: Travel Stories from a Woman Who’s Been Everywhere (2004)

“ In this irresistible collection of adventures far and near, Orlean conducts a tour of the world via its subcultures, from the heart of the African music scene in Paris to the World Taxidermy Championships in Springfield, Illinois–and even into her own apartment, where she imagines a very famous houseguest taking advantage of her hospitality. ”

Ryszard Kapuściński , Travels with Herodotus (2004)

“J ust out of university in 1955, Kapuscinski told his editor that he’d like to go abroad. Dreaming no farther than Czechoslovakia, the young reporter found himself sent to India. Wide-eyed and captivated, he would discover in those days his life’s work—to understand and describe the world in its remotest reaches, in all its multiplicity.”

Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love (2006)

“ Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. ”

Tahir Shah, Travels with Myself (2011)

“ Travels with Myself is a collection of selected writings by Tahir Shah, acclaimed Anglo-Afghan author and champion of the intrepid. Written over twenty years, the many pieces form an eclectic treasury of stories from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and beyond.

Elisabeth Eaves, Wanderlust: A Love Affair with Five Continents (2011)

“ Spanning 15 years of travel, beginning when she is a sophomore in college, Wanderlust documents Elisabeth Eaves’s insatiable hunger for the rush of the unfamiliar and the experience of encountering new people and cultures. ”

Paula Young Lee, Deer Hunting in Paris: A Memoir of God, Guns, and Game Meat (2013)

“ What happens when a Korean-American preacher’s kid refuses to get married, travels the world, and quits being vegetarian? She meets her polar opposite on an online dating site while sitting at a café in Paris, France and ends up in Paris, Maine, learning how to hunt. ”

Emily Raboteau, Searching for Zion: The Quest for Home in the African Diaspora (2013)

“ On her ten-year journey back in time and around the globe, through the Bush years and into the age of Obama, Raboteau wanders to Jamaica, Ethiopia, Ghana, and the American South to explore the complex and contradictory perspectives of Black Zionists. ”

Amanda Epe, A Fly Girl: Travel Tales of an Exotic British Airways Cabin Crew (2014)

“ A Fly Girl gives insight to the highs and lows in the world of a former BA cabin crew, in an intriguing travel writing memoir. In the global landscape the memoirist meticulously documents personal adventures, social structures and political history throughout her daring and exciting expeditions.”

Robert Moor, On Trails: An Exploration (2016)

“ Throughout, Moor reveals how this single topic—the oft-overlooked trail—sheds new light on a wealth of age-old questions: How does order emerge out of chaos? How did animals first crawl forth from the seas and spread across continents?”

What do you think are the best travel books? Check out even more recommendations for travel memoirs here !

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The 15 Best Travel Books for Inspiring Your Next Big Trip

From fiction to memoirs to guidebooks, these escapist reads will have you booking a plane ticket in no time.

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.

For many of us, books were our first way to travel the world. As children, we went to imagined locations like Narnia and the land of wild things; as teenagers, we went to real life destinations like East Egg and the Salinas Valley. Every one of us owes some small part of the savvy adult travelers we are today to the traveling we did in our mind’s eye, way back when.

Now that shots are in arms, many of us are eager to resume traveling—the real kind, that is. "Travel more" might even be your New Year's resolution. If you haven’t decided which parts unknown to explore just yet, or you’re still socking away funds for the trip of a lifetime, we're here to help. We’re encouraging you to get back to basics by turning to those trusty books once again. We’re here with a rough and ready syllabus of travel reading for anyone looking to travel responsibly, imaginatively, and exuberantly.

Lee Boudreaux Books Less, by Andrew Sean Greer

In Less , an unforgettable comic novel, we meet Arthur Less, an aging writer embarking on a madcap global adventure in an effort to outrun heartbreak. Less’ travels take him everywhere from Berlin to Paris, a ski chalet in Morocco to a Christian writing retreat in Southern India, all of it a sparkling satire of Americans abroad, as well as a bittersweet travelogue of the heart’s vagaries. Greer masterfully blends absurdity, heartache, and pure, unfettered, laugh-out-loud joy, proving definitively that yes, literary novels can have happy endings. 

Harper Perennial Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter

Dreaming of a holiday on the Italian Riviera? Look no further than Beautiful Ruins , Walter’s luscious novel of midcentury Italy and contemporary Hollywood. Beautiful Ruins opens in 1962, when Pasquale, the young proprietor of a ramshackle inn on the Ligurian coastline, encounters Dee Moray, a beguiling American starlet. Pasquale soon learns that Dee’s stay at the inn is just a pit stop on the way to Switzerland for medical treatment, but it’s more than enough time for a wistful intimacy to form between them. On a Hollywood backlot many decades later, a disillusioned development assistant encounters an elderly Italian gentleman seeking answers about an actress he met long ago. Lavishly imagined and shimmeringly told, Beautiful Ruins is a fantasia of treachery and romance, showcasing a seminal American writer at the height of his powers. 

Catapult Rough Magic, by Lara Prior-Palmer

At age 19, Prior-Palmer discovered “the world’s longest, toughest horse race”—the Mongol Derby, a breakneck thousand-kilometer race through perilous Mongolian wasteland, designed to recreate the horse messenger system developed by Genghis Khan. The heavily televised race sends riders like Prior-Palmer through a punishing landscape of woodlands, wetlands, mountains, dunes, and steppes. In this sensual, spiritual memoir, Prior-Palmer recounts her grueling journey through immense physical hardship, and her surprising transformation from underdog to the race’s first female champion.

Little, Brown and Company How to Be a Family, by Dan Kois

Ever dreamed about uprooting your family for one life-changing, globe-trotting year? Kois did exactly that, and lived to tell the tale. Disillusioned with the screen-heavy grind of parenting two pre-teen girls in Washington D.C., Kois and his wife spirited their daughters away to seek new kinds of togetherness in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, and small-town Kansas. The product of their travels is this heartwarming memoir, wherein Kois meditates on parenting, community, and the parts of who we are that follow us, no matter how far we go.

Back Bay Books Blue Highways, by William Least Heat-Moon

Following two devastating personal losses, Heat-Moon set out across America on a road trip, hewing only to the country highways marked in blue on his atlas. Blue Highways will transport you to a lost place and time: blue collar America in the early eighties, as seen through truck stops, greasy spoons, and majestic landscapes. Sleeping in the back of a Ford pick-up and traveling wherever the winds blow him, Heat-Moon sketches vibrant portraits of strangers and communities, all while making an unforgettable voyage of self-discovery. 

St. Martins Press-3PL Stranger on a Train, by Jenny Diski

“If you want to see what this nation is all about, you have to ride the rails,” Colson Whitehead wrote in The Underground Railroad . Diski puts this principle to the test in Stranger on a Train , a travelogue meets memoir about her experience of seeing the United States by AmTrak. In these meandering pages, Diski unpacks the decline of American railways, recounts fateful meetings with fellow travelers, and excavates the lingering wounds of her past, proving that wherever we go, there we are. 

Riverhead Books Memorial, by Bryan Washington

At Memorial ’s center are two complicated men: Benson, a Black daycare teacher, and Mike, a Japanese-American chef. Benson and Mike’s years-long live-in relationship is on the rocks, with each one of them too apathetic to rekindle their romance or to end it. As Mike puts it: “We fight. We make up. We fuck on the sofa, in the kitchen, on the floor. I cook, and cook, and cook.” Their companionable stasis is turned upside down when Mike receives news that his estranged father is dying in Japan just as his mother Mitsuko arrives on their doorstep, forcing Benson and Mitsuko to become unlikely roommates in Mike’s absence. Come for Memorial 's bittersweet story of love, care, and what it means to be home, but stay for the novel's mouth-watering culinary travelogue, featuring everything from Japanese comfort food to Houston TexMex. 

Vintage Disappearing Earth, by Julia Phillips

At the center of this bewitching novel set in remote Russia is the mysterious disappearance of two young girls; around that fulcrum turns a maelstrom of social, ethnic, and gendered tension magnified by the crime. Phillips evokes a tight-knit community riven by loss, as well as an unreal landscape on the edge of the earth, replete with tundras, volcanoes, and startling, foreign beauty.

Mariner Books Dark Star Safari, by Paul Theroux

Veteran travel writer Theroux’s finest work is Dark Star Safari , an unputdownable account of his high-octane journey from Cairo to Cape Town. Traveling by bus, canoe, cattle truck, armed convoy, ferry, and train, Theroux traverses the African continent, all while encountering locals, aid workers, and tourists along the way. Richly observed and meticulously reporting, Theroux paints both a heartening and harrowing picture of Africa: a place of political turmoil, exhilarating change, and staggering beauty.

A Long Petal of the Sea, by Isabel Allende

From a titan of literature comes an epic novel that opens in 1930s Spain, where a pregnant widow makes a harrowing pilgrimage over mountains and oceans to escape civil war. Bound to her deceased lover’s brother in a marriage of convenience, she settles in Allende’s native Chile, where she builds a new home while reconsidering her relationship to the home she left behind. In this transporting novel of journeys and homecomings, Allende is as transcendent and life-affirming as ever, locating joy even in the refugee experience and light even in the darkness.

Eland Publishing Full Tilt, by Dervla Murphy

In 1963, adventurer Dervla Murphy packed a pistol, boarded a bicycle, and set out from Dunkirk to reach New Delhi. In  Full Tilt , a memoir composed of her daily diaries, Murphy chronicles her grueling overland journey through Europe, the Middle East, and central Asia, where she encountered vibrant remote cultures and spectacular landscapes. From dinner with the Pakistani president to firing her pistol in a few tense moments, Murphy’s action-packed journals are an ode to traveling alone and the spirit of adventure.

White Lion Publishing Hidden Places, by Sarah Baxter

If you’re the type of traveler who wants to get off the beaten path, look no further than Hidden Places , a lavishly illustrated guidebook highlighting some of the world’s best-kept secrets. Many of the places contained here are difficult to access, like a remote village in alpine Austria with a population of 39 people, or secreted away by their ancient makers, like the rock-cut underground churches of Lalibela. Whether you want to hike through craggy mountain passages or glimpse the ancient world, Hidden Places celebrates the road not taken.

Vintage The Art of Travel, by Alain de Botton

Plenty of travel writing concerns itself with where to go, what to do, and how to do it all “the right way.” But what about the why of it all? Enter The Art of Travel , a meandering meditation on why we travel and how it changes us, in which de Botton juxtaposes his own observations with the wisdom of great philosophers. Reflecting on travel’s disappointments, trials, and rewards, de Botton reveals how we fulfill and find ourselves along the way.

Between The Lines Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World, by Anu Taranath

Consider this conundrum: traveling abroad is one of the best ways to expand our thinking about inequity, power, and the long legacy of colonialism, but if we’re not careful, our crash landings into new communities can emphasize the very power and privilege we seek to dismantle. Taranath’s bible for the conscientious traveler offers invaluable tips for exploring the world with care and respect, providing tools for navigating discomfort and fostering mindfulness. Don’t set foot on a plane without first digging into this vital guidebook.

Three Rivers Press Footsteps, by the Editors of The New York Times

For so many of us, great literature is our first introduction to the destinations that will loom large on our "must visit" list. We fall in love with a place through a writer’s eyes, then vow to go there one day ourselves. In this anthology of bite-sized essays, contemporary writers do just that, retracing the footsteps of their favorite authors to reveal the cherished places that shaped their work. From Dashiell Hammitt’s San Francisco to Marguerite Duras’ Saigon, each gemlike essay reveals a new shade of a story and a setting. 

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Update : Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

With travel still largely at a standstill around the world, you may still be stuck at home for the foreseeable future. But just because you're trapped at home doesn't mean all your wanderlust has suddenly disappeared. Whether you're on government-mandated quarantine or simply practicing social distancing, here are some of the best travel books out there -- from classics to new debuts, memoirs to fiction, and even a few of our favorite books that will keep your kids excited about all the future travels to come.

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Ready to be transported to exotic destinations, or take an emotional or spiritual journeys? Add these books to your shopping list.

Best credit cards for buying books

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If you'd prefer to rent instead of purchase books, consider borrowing an e-book from the New York Public Library's collection -- there are more than 300,000 e-books to choose from.

Related: Best travel movies to satisfy your wanderlust

Best travel books for foodies

"my life in france" by julia child.

If you love Fresh cuisine and the romance of Paris, Julie Child's account of her adventures learning to cook (and live) like a Parisian is sure to delight. Read as she navigates the stark contrast between French and American cultures with her famous positivity and charm.

"World Travel: An Irreverent Guide" by Anthony Bourdain

OK, this book isn't available until Oct. 13, 2020, but you can preorder it now to receive a delightful travel surprise in the fall. And who couldn't use one of those right now? The book will feature some of Bourdain's favorite destinations and, of course, advice on where to eat once you've arrived.

"Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes

You've probably seen the movie, and who hasn't dreamed of moving to Italy and renovating a dilapidated mansion? But the book is even better and includes recipes that will help you channel the Italian countryside from your kitchen.

Best travel books for wildlife enthusiasts

"love, life and elephants: an african love story" by daphne jenkins sheldrick.

This book inspired me to plan my first African safari last year as I read about how the author worked tirelessly to save animals such as elephants, zebras and rhinoceroses, and fought to end poaching in Kenya. Jenkins Sheldrick's friendship with Eleanor (an African elephant, of course) is particularly heartwarming.

"Tracks" by Robyn Davidson

Accompany the author — and her dog and four camels — on her 1,700-mile journey from the desert of Alice Springs, across the Australian Outback to the Indian Ocean. And there are no FaceTimes with family members or uploading filtered Instagram photos here, because Davidson's journey took place in 1977. She had no cellphone, just a suitcase full of "inappropriate clothes."

Related: 11 life-changing destination novels

Best travel books for adventurers

"down the nile" by rosemary mahoney.

Solo women travelers will love the firsthand account of Mahoney's trip alone on the Nile in a small fishing boat. Though she'll face challenging obstacles, such as stifling heat, civil unrest, conservative social norms and even crocodiles, she still manages to enchant you with Egypt's mystical beauty.

"The Motorcycle Diaries" by Ernesto Che Guevara

Hop on the back of La Poderosa, a single-cylinder motorcycle, to explore Latin America with two 20-somethings (one of them is Che Guevara) in the 1950s. From the Andes to the Amazon, the two men discover a whole new world filled with social injustice but also kindness and hope. Warning: You may be inspired to sell your car.

"Turn Right At Machu Picchu" by Mark Adams

Although Machu Picchu is something of a tourist circus today, you'll be dying to visit after reading about the author's attempt to mimic Hiram Bingham's original expedition through the Sacred Valley and the lost Inca lands.

"Don't Go There" by Adam Fletcher

The perfect book to enjoy from the comfort of your sofa, Fletcher details the wild and nerve-racking adventures he's had in places you're probably very curious about — but may not actually want to visit. From North Korea to Chernobyl and little-known Transnistria, you can't help but laugh as the author injects his distinct sense of humor into his insane experiences in strange places.

Best travel books for self-discovery

"catfish and mandala" by andrew pham.

Grieving from the death of his sister, a young Vietnamese American struggles to understand where he belongs and embarks on a bicycle journey through Vietnam, Mexico and Japan. Undeterred by obstacles such as dysentery, scammers and his own conflicted emotions, Pham bikes thousands of miles over five months. This book is as much about the emotional journey as the physical one.

"Spirit Run" by Noé Álvarez

First-generation immigrant Noé Álvarez struggles to fit in at university, so he decides to change course after hearing about Peace and Dignity Journeys running events, dedicated to reinforcing cultural unity and diversity. The book follows his four-month-long run from Canada to Guatemala.

"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert

Although it's hard not to imagine Julie Roberts gallivanting across the globe, the book is just as good, if not better, than the film. Daydream of Italy's lively cobblestone streets, discover India's soulful spirit and imagine yourself surrounded by Bali's verdant rice fields as you follow Gilbert's quest to discover the meaning of life. (And yes, you can also file this under best travel books for foodies.)

"Wild" by Cheryl Strayed

Reeling from the death of her mother, drug use and divorce, Strayed impulsively decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Alone. From losing her hiking boots to seriously overstuffing her pack , the author details the good, the bad and the life-changing during her 1,100-mile journey on foot.

Other travel books we love

"cathedral of the sea" by ildefonso falcones.

Few books have fueled my wanderlust the way this one did. Set in 14th-century Barcelona, this work of historical fiction blends adventure with romance and, somehow, the Spanish Inquisition. Follow Arnau Estanyol and his fellow stoneworkers as they construct the city's famous Santa Maria del Mar cathedral, which still stands today.

"Cruising Attitude" by Heather Poole

The title pretty much sums it up, but the author -- flight attendant Heather Poole -- explains how the friendly skies are not always so friendly. Expect plenty of drama and tales of passengers behaving badly. For more up-in-the-air action, you can always dig into some flight attendant gossip from TPG's very own Carrie A. Tray .

Related: 6 trips you should book at least a year in advance

Best travel books for kids

"madlenka" by peter sís.

Show your children the world within a single city block. Madlenka, an endearing child with a loose tooth, experiences the world while stopping into spots like the French bakery, the Latin-American grocery store and the Asian shop on her city block.

"The Traveling Child Goes To Rio" by Monet Hambrick

Follow along as two young sisters explore Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The book not only appeals to a child's sense of adventure, but also explains the practicalities of travel, such as flights and passport stamps. Hambrick delves into Brazil's culture and landmarks in a relatable, kid-friendly manner.

"The Secret Island" by Enid Blyton

Older kids reading chapter books will be enthralled as siblings Peggy, Mike and Nora run away from an evil aunt and uncle to discover a secret island. Along with their orphaned friend, Jack, they build a home from a willow tree and live life in their very own paradise.

"Scarlett's Passport: Australia" by Alli Botto

For those dreaming of a family trip far, far away, "Scarlett's Passport: Australia" is first in a series of children's books about Scarlett, who heads to the land Down Under to have adventures with animals, food, language and more. Next in the series will be "Scarlett's Passport: Hawaii."

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

10 of the best travel books

We may not be able to venture far right now, but these travel books, from classics to comic travelogues, take us on journeys around the world Share your favourites in the comments below

Venice by Jan Morris

Recent reports suggest the now-quiet canals of Venice are at their clearest for 60 years, with swans spotted in recent days. The city, of course, has always had a touch of fantasy about it. “Venice is a cheek-by-jowl, back-of-the-hand, under-the-counter, higgledy-piggledy, anecdotal city,” writes Jan Morris in this 1960 masterpiece . “She is rich in piquant wrinkled things, like an assortment of bric-a-brac in the house of a wayward connoisseur, or parasites on an oyster-shell.” The book pens a portrait of a city thick with atmosphere and stuffed with history, conjuring an intoxicating sense of place with Morris’s trademark wit and wisdom. Faber

Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City by Guy de Lisle

Canadian cartoonist Guy de Lisle is no standard travel writer – and his books are far from standard travelogues. Using simple, unfussy, comic-strip illustrations, he recounts his first-hand experiences of living in some of the world’s knottiest destinations, from Myanmar to North Korea. The result is a series of graphic memoirs that brilliantly juggle the subtleties and oddities of being a stranger in a strange town. Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City is the product of a year-long stay in the region and, over the course of more than 300 pages, tries to make sense of somewhere rarely less than complex. Jonathan Cape

Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy

Few travel writers of any era compare to Dervla Murphy. Now in her late 80s, she’s been responsible for dozens of travel books , dwelling on destinations as varied as Cuba, Laos, Romania and Cameroon. Her 1965 debut remains her best known work, and tells the account of an astonishing solo bicycle expedition to Delhi. “Within a few weeks my journey had degenerated from a happy-go-lucky cycle trek to a grim struggle for progress by any means,” she writes, before encountering wolves, broken ribs and heat exhaustion. She also packs a .25 pistol, and has more than one cause to use it. Eland

The Crossway by Guy Stagg

This searingly honest account of an on-foot, 10-month journey from Canterbury to Jerusalem found its way onto more than one awards shortlist following its publication in 2018, and for good reason. Guy Stagg, a self-proclaimed non-believer and non-hiker, undertakes the trek as a form of self-healing, following years of coping with depressive thoughts that “stung and reeled”. If the pretext is downbeat, the journey itself is an odyssey, encountering memorable characters and a rippled patchwork of different cultures and beliefs. Almost unbelievably, he sets off from Kent in the dead of winter, requiring a crossing of the Alps in snow. And he writes like a dream. Picador

Stranger on a Train: Daydreaming and Smoking around America with Interruptions by Jenny Diski

After spending three weeks crossing the Atlantic on a cargo ship (“at night, the rabble of stars demanded to be watched”), Jenny Diski travels around the perimeter of the USA by rail . The joy of the book lies as much in her portrayal of characters she encounters en route as the immersive detail of the country she’s passing through. Or, as she writes, “it is much more as if America is passing through you, what you are, what you’ve known”. Part-memoir, and written around 20 years ago, Stranger On A Train captures an America that still feels familiar – albeit with cigarettes in place of smartphones. Virag

French Revolutions: Cycling the Tour de France by Tim Moore

Few writers since Bill Bryson have nailed the comic travelogue as well as Tim Moore. Dogged in pursuit of an adventure, he’s pedalled the former Iron Curtain on an East German shopping bike, walked the Camino de Santiago with a donkey and, most recently, crossed the USA in a breakdown-prone Model T Ford. He’s also properly, consistently funny, as evidenced in 2001’s French Revolutions , which sees him attempt to cycle the entire course of the Tour de France. The acknowledgement in the title pages (“The Tour de France press office, without whom none of this would have been difficult”) sets the tone for a hugely entertaining read. Yellow Jersey

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: A Journey Through Yugoslavia by Rebecca West

Readers get evangelical about this vast book, originally published in two volumes, which ostensibly describes Rebecca West’s travels through what was then Yugoslavia in 1937 . It is, however, far more than just a keen-eyed journal. Gathering up centuries of history and blending them with her own often piercing observations, West uses the book to paint a deep and intricate picture of a region on the brink of the second world war. The New York Times has called it a “masterpiece of history and travel”, while Time magazine would later describe West as “indisputably the world’s number one woman writer”. Canongate

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town by Paul Theroux

“All news out of Africa is bad. It made me want to go there…” So run the opening words of Paul Theroux’s 2002 classic, Dark Star Safari . Written more than two decades after his first long-distance travelogues, and some four decades after living in Africa as a young teacher, the book follows Theroux on a compelling, north-to-south journey down the continent. The narrative doesn’t shy away from harsh judgements – in Kenya “tourists yawned at the animals and the animals yawned back”, while aid workers also come in for some barbed criticism – but the people and landscapes he encounters are portrayed so vividly you can almost feel the equatorial heat from the pages. Penguin

Around the World in 80 Trains: A 45,000-mile Adventure by Monisha Rajesh

Monisha Rajesh has form when it comes to rail travel. This globe-straddling journey is the follow-up to 2010’s well received Around India In 80 Trains , and sees her undertake a 45,000-mile (72,000km) journey through Europe, Asia and North America. Her gift for detail means characters, as well as places, are brought to life. And from a high-altitude ride into Tibet to a trans-Canadian epic – not to mention a homecoming trip on the Venice Simplon Orient Express – the book does a fine job of affirming the things, large and small, that make rail travel such an absorbing way of seeing the world. Bloomsbury

A Short Walk In The Hindu Kush Eric Newby

“CAN YOU TRAVEL NURISTAN JUNE?” With this 1956 telegram – sent by disillusioned London fashion executive Eric Newby to a diplomat friend – begins an engrossing, at times comical, mountaineering journey into Afghanistan. The pair lack anything like the requisite climbing experience, but undergo a brief training period in Wales before travelling to the unforgiving peaks of Asia, with the aim of conquering the 5,800-metre Mir Samir. Newby’s prose is sharp and lively throughout , drawing the reader into remote villages and the “spiky and barren-looking” Hindu Kush, where hardships (and a chance hillside encounter with steely adventurer Wilfred Thesiger, who sneers at their air-beds) await. HarperCollins

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The Best Travel Books I’ve Ever Read

Last updated on November 14, 2023 by Shannon

When heading on the road, reading about the cultural nuances and history that shapes a country is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves before traveling. Certain books allow for more informed and considerate travels, as well as a deeper experience in the country. 

I’ve read about six books a month for decades—I’ve had a lot of time on marathon flights and overnight buses in far-flung places in the world—and have covered huge swaths of the travel niche. This list is less The Alchemist and more A Fortune-Teller Told Me —I love true stories and favor novels grounded deeply in the culture of a place rather than a philosophical book that happens to feature travel.

These travel books are hand-picked and provide cultural and political history of new countries, often woven through a story or personal narrative. The word “best” is subjective—travel books centered on some places may pique your interest more than others—but these books all stand out for sharing compelling journeys and insights any wanderluster will love.

Don’t ask me who’s influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he’s digested, and I’ve been reading all my life. Giorgos Seferis

The Travel Books that Moved Me

Countless lists try to suss about the best travel books of all time—the next section covers those. But here’s a list of travel books that have moved me. These are books that shifted something deep in my soul when I was finished reading them, or fundamentally shifted something about how I travel.

Most of these were books I read just before and while traveling through the country in question, though others are books I’ve encountered during my long years of wandering (since 2008!) and living abroad .

These are unconventional recommendations for the best travel books, but I guarantee each will shift your perspective in some meaningful way.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

A heartbreaking fictional story set in the real-life political turmoil in Afghanistan. Hosseini paints a fascinating picture of modern Afghanistan, with the main characters struggling with familial and cultural obligations. This book transcends travel and is generally a phenomenal book every person should read.

The White Tiger: A Novel by Aravind Adiga

A favorite read for me; Adiga’s novel paints a picture of two very different Indias—the crushingly poor and the rising global middle class. The story sheds light on India’s cultural dynamics, globalization, and politics, and the mess these elements are causing in modern India. It’s also a very quick, easy read.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

This book offers not just a journey through India, but a deep dive into the complexities of its society. Highly recommended for travelers heading to India, it shares an intricate portrayal of a family’s life in Kerala, blending political and social commentary with a poignant narrative.

Roy’s rich prose and keen observations bring to life the lush landscapes and intricate social structures of Southern India, making it a compelling and insightful read for anyone seeking to understand the nuances of this diverse and fascinating region.

A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East by Tiziano Terzani

A captivating overland memoir that beautifully intertwines the author’s personal experiences with the diverse cultures of the Far East. Terzani, guided by a prophecy from a fortune-teller, embarks on a journey avoiding air travel , which leads to a series of enlightening and often humorous encounters across Asia.

This book is a treasure trove of cultural insights and human stories, highlighting the author’s deep engagements with local traditions, spiritual practices, and the everyday lives of the people he meets.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Set in rural Florida, my home state , Hurston’s novel is controversial because of her choice to use local black dialects from the time (much like Tony Morrison’s novels).

The novel delves into black African American culture in a way unlike other writers—not from the racial black-white perspective, but instead through the eyes of her characters, who happen to be black and southern. It’s a must read for Americans and non-Americans alike traveling in the south of the U.S.

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Álvarez

A historical novel blending history and the true story of the Mirabel sisters, “ Las Mariposas ” and their fight against the Trujillo dictatorship.

These four sisters worked in the underground to overthrow Trujillo and three of the four were murdered shortly before the dictatorship ended.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Sometimes a book just hits you in all of the feels. I’ve lost two brothers to drug addiction over the years, and Strayed’s unvarnished honesty about her drug use when she started trekking the Pacific Crest Trail hooked me.

The book unfolds with that same unflinching prose . Strayed’s journey was hard. She processed a lot during her months of walking, and she ultimately used her travels as a way to unpack a tough time in her life. I could acutely understand using travel for this purpose and I know many others will too.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo

Boo is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who moved to India with her husband. While living in Mumbai, she followed the lives of several families within the Annawadi slum. This story weaves together the lives of these people in a way that reads as a novel.

The film  Slum Dog Millionaire  was many people’s only look at life in a slum—that was Hollywood’s version. Great literature challenges you to look at your preconceptions of the world and widen your thinking. Boo’s book does just that.

She takes a topic that is glossed over in mainstream travel narrative and adds a very real element to the struggles the world’s poorest people face. It’s a must read before visiting India, and for any armchair travel-lover curious about the world.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Many middle and high school students read this book, but if you missed this in your school curriculum, pick it up. Although I traveled the world for all of the shiny reasons we all do—food, culture, fun—I was also running from a difficult family situation that I could only come to terms with once I had some distance.

For this reason, Chris’ lonely journey pulls at me deeply. He was young and adventurous, but ultimately unprepared and unlucky. His final thoughts as his journey comes to an end still resonate with me decades after I first read the book.

Best Travel Books of All Time

When you sell a man a book you don’t sell him just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue—you sell him a whole new life. Christopher Morley

On the Road  by Jack Kerouac

This classic novel follows the travels of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty as they crisscross the United States in search of adventure, kicks, and spiritual fulfillment.

Kerouac’s spontaneous prose captures the essence of Beat generation counterculture, and the book remains a must-read for anyone interested in the American road trip.

The Great Railway Bazaar  by Paul Theroux

Train-travel enthusiasts most appreciate this fascinating account of the author’s journey across the world, but it’s an essential read for anyone planning or dreaming of world travel.

Through vivid descriptions and encounters with locals, Theroux provides a unique insight into the cultures and landscapes of the places he visited, and the book is a beautiful documentation of his four-month journey by train from London to Japan and back, passing through Europe, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.

The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

Weiner’s book focuses on how cultures and nations create and experience happiness . One of the core conclusions of The Geography of Bliss, one that he builds a case behind throughout, is that happiness does not correspond to those things you would assume.

In fact, neither cultural diversity nor social equality could predict or create higher levels of happiness. Each of the happy countries profiled had their own quirks. The happiness was subjective; what made one culture happy was often the exact reverse in the next happy country studied.

This book offers a fascinating tour of the world. I haven’t visit many of the places he visits—Iceland, Bhutan, Moldova—and I found the book a wonderful trip through these cultures.

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

This book is an epic tale that you’ll love for at least the first half, and still find riveting in the second half, when the tone changes a bit.

I began reading it on the plane to Mumbai , which proved to be the perfect companion as I backpacked across India. The novel, based on true events, follows the life of an Australian fugitive named Lin, who finds a new life in the underworld of Mumbai.

The story is rich with vivid descriptions of the city’s chaotic streets, its diverse inhabitants, and Lin’s tumultuous adventures. From living in slums to engaging with the local mafia, Roberts’ narrative is immersive, offering a raw and intense portrayal of life in one of India’s most dynamic cities.

Papillon (P.S.) by Henri Charriere

This gripping memoir tells the story of the author’s wrongful imprisonment and subsequent escapes from the penal colonies of French Guiana and Venezuela.

Set against the brutal yet captivating backdrop of the notorious penal colonies, including Devil’s Island, the narrative vividly portrays the contrasting beauty and danger of the South American wilderness. The book’s intense detailing of Charrière’s experiences, from his 1945 imprisonment for a crime he professed innocence to, to his daring escape attempts, captivated me completely.

The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story by Douglas Preston

This high-adventure travel book resonated deeply with my passion for the genre, a love first ignited by River of Doubt . In this compelling narrative, Preston recounts the true story of the discovery of an ancient city in the Honduran rainforest, often referred to as the White City or the Lost City of the Monkey God.

The expedition, fraught with danger and challenges, including dense jungles and deadly snakes, offers a vivid portrayal of both the natural wonders and the perilous undertakings in uncharted territories. This book not only provides a fascinating insight into a 500 year archeological mystery, but also captivates with its depiction of raw adventure, making it an essential read for anyone who cherishes high-adventure travel books.

Marching Powder: A True Story of Friendship, Cocaine, and South America’s Strangest Jail  by Rusty Young  & Thomas McFadden

An endlessly readable first-hand account of the McFadden’s time in a La Paz prison for cocaine trafficking. Young, a backpacker intrigued by McFadden’s story petitions for his release. Put this high on your list for insight into all of South America’s drug culture and more importantly a dizzying look at Bolivia’s internal dynamics.

The Bird Man and the Lap Dancer: Close Encounters with Strangers  by Eric Hansen

While this book may not hold up like others on this list, it is good fun. This collection of essays explores the bizarre, the unusual, and the deeply human side of travel. Hansen shares his unique experiences, from meeting a bird man in New Caledonia to a heartwarming encounter with a lap dancer in Piccadilly.

Each story delves into the unexpected connections and poignant moments that can happen when traveling—moments every traveler will understand, even if they make more … conservative … travel choices.

No Mercy: A Journey Into the Heart of the Congo by Redmond O’Hanlon

Sometimes you just want a unique travel book that reminds you that “No, you don’t have to do that, too.” O’Hanlon’s book is precisely that. This book takes you deep into one of the most challenging and mysterious regions on Earth: the Congo. O’Hanlon’s journey is filled with danger, humor, and the raw beauty of a land largely untouched by modern civilization.

His travel writing is unlike anything else you’ve read, and he vividly captures the lush rainforests, the diverse wildlife, and the complex cultural dynamics of the region, all while facing immense physical and psychological challenges.

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert

A personal memoir (and a Hollywood film with Julia Roberts), this book is a light and easy read—some people hate the narrator, while this book inspired thousands of to take a year off and explore the world solo . It actually inspired my roommate at the time—we were both living in Los Angeles —to go live in an Ashram in Kerala for three months.

I found it an enjoyable beach read and far better than the movie. It’d be silly to leave it off this list since it so deeply resonates with many.

Best Travel Books: By Country, Region, & Review

I’m passionate about the value in reading books about the specific places you’re traveling. For that reason, I’ve rounded up a number of guides to books about countries like Spain and Ireland, regions like Africa and Central America, and a fair number of individual travel book reviews.

Best Books to Read Before Going to Ireland

Books to Read Before Visiting Spain

The Best Books You Should Read Before Traveling Africa

Travel Book Review: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Travel book review: “the geography of bliss” by eric weiner.

Travel Book Review: Without You, There Is No Us by Suki Kim

Travel Book Review: One Amazing Thing by Chitra Divakaruni

Book Review: The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey

Travel book review: wild: from lost to found on the pacific crest trail by cheryl strayed, travel book review: behind the beautiful forevers by katherine boo.

Travel Book Review: Gold Rush in the Jungle by Dan Drollette

28 thoughts on “the best travel books i’ve ever read”.

I like your blog. Learning so much! If you have not yet read, Angela’s Ashes By Frank Mccourt – it is an amazing read that will inform a reader of a lot of Irish history.

Wonderful list! We came from trans-Siberian tour couple of months ago and it was a blast! I feel like that culture is my true culture, they’re honest and warm people, I love that about them. Guys from Travel all Russia suggested me couple of books and movies to help with the nostalgia, so your list will definitely help me too!

So glad it’s helpful! And what a great trip that must of have been — it’s still on my bucket list. And if you love any of their book suggestions, please feel free to comment with them here and I’ll add them! :)

What a great list – I will add quite a few of these to my “to read” pile! I would suggest to add “Watching the English” by Kate Fox for UK – a great and funny book about English culture and their habits and etiquette. For China – The Good Women of China by Xue Xinran is a very sad, but fascinating book of true stories about life of different women in China in 80’s. And for travel around the world inspiration fantastic read is Jupiters Travels: Four Years Around the World on a Triumph by Ted Simon.

Thanks for the rec on “Watching the English” — it looks fascinating and I’ve added it to my reading queue before I head back to England this fall. And the others too, I’ll update the list and add these recs, thanks Linda! :)

Do check out “Vagabonding: The uncommon art of long term travel” by Rolf Potts and “Marco Polo didnt go there” by the same author. Lovely insightful writing which will make you want to pack your bags right away

Thanks for sharing and weighing in — both are great books and sound wonderful.

Consider adding “Blue Highways” from William Least Heat Moon and/or “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. Both are top notch road trip/self discovery books.

I will check out Blue Highways for sure! Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is definitely in these lists under the US section — it was a fantastic read. Thanks for sharing, the other one is now in my Kindle queue. :)

I enjoyed your well selected list. Some of my favorites include stories written by Pearl S Buck about China, Shogun (and others James Clavell wrote) about Japan and of course many by James Michener.

Thanks Joanne, I’m revamping the list so I’ll research the authors you rec’d (add them to my queue) and here as well! Cheers and thanks for taking the time to share some great ones! :)

What were your niece’s favorite reads on the road? We will be leaving for our year around the world on about a year and will have our 11 and 8 year olds in tow. Would love her recommendations!

Hi Moira! Great question, I tried really hard at first to find relevant books on the local country, but instead switched to either 1) anything she wanted to read and found interesting and 2) themes. So her favorite author hands-down right now is Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson series to start if your 11 year old hasn’t yet; she couldn’t put the books down and read all five in less than 2 months). Then, she was really keen to read the Hunger Games, which I resisted at first, but then we read it and used it as a launching point to discussing revolutions, revolutionary heroes, and Aung San Suu Kyi before we went to Burma. So, look around for topical (also listened to Bamboo People audiobook before Burma http://www.amazon.com/Bamboo-People-Mitali-Perkins/dp/1580893295 and then try to incorporate themes is my best rec. I found a couple and added to pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shannonrod/family-travel/ — you have motivated me to dig around and create a child focused page like this one now! Keep me posted if you find good ones too! :)

Great list Shannon! I would also add “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. While not about a specific place, Coelho writes about the wonder and the mystic of travel. The way travel will open up your eyes not just to the things you see and experience while abroad, but also what you have at home. A fantastic read for the solo traveler. PS. Keep up the great work!

Thank you for the rec Tony, not having The Alchemist on there was an oversight for sure. I read the book years ago and remember really loving the core message and the easy story surrounding it that made it both enjoyable and profound. I appreciate you weighing in and would love any other recs as you find good ones! Cheers :)

Having traveled widely, as well, I love the photos on the “A Little Adrift” FB page! Margaret Bishop,

Thank you Margaret! I appreciate the support and wish you safe travels on your next adventure :)

Great list! You should read Goodbye Sarajavo- great read

Thanks Jen, I haven’t read that one, but will add it to the list next time I update! :)

I just read “Across Patagonia” by Lady Florence Dixie written in 1880.  It’s good and you can read it for free on Google Books!

Fantastic addition — I love books in the open domain, read a couple to prep for Burma that were also free, and good :) Will add this next time I update the list! Thanks Rachel :)

Awesome… This is a really good compilation. For India, you can also read and add the following 2 books of William Dalrymple – The City of Djinns and 9 Lives.

Thanks for sending along those recs, I’ll see about adding them to the list, then hunting them down and reading them myself! :)

I’m so happy I found this list. I always like to read a book related to the country I’m visiting but it’s not always easy to find books with the proper location quickly.

Glad you found it helpful, and if you come across any great ones I don’t have mentioned, please shoot me a message and I’ll add them! :)

What a comprehensive list! Can I nominate “The Hidden Europe” for the Eastern Europe category? At 736-pages, it’s the most comprehensive Eastern European travelogue.

Wow, somehow missed this comment a few months back, but thanks for sharing your book rec, and it will definitely be added to the list asap! (And I’ll add it to my huge list of “to be read in the future” books  :)  Cheers and thank! 

Great lists Shannon and all of them is great..Thank you for sharing the books. I want all of them specially the book of from Spain. Truly rich in culture and I would like to discover more from them.

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Top travel reads for 2024, from memoirs to nature writing

From epic travelogues and nature writing to a pioneering travel publisher’s memoir, these titles will inspire adventure this year.

The natural world continues to inspire travel writers. Standout books for the year ahead include a collection of stories, illustrations and poems that explore our connection with nature, plus a travelogue inspiring us to discover the small green spaces on our doorstep. Walking remains a popular topic for authors, as evidenced by a pair of upcoming travelogues that hit the trail in rural Spain and Istanbul, respectively, plus a collection of literary works that asks the question: why explore on foot? And to celebrate Bradt Travel Guides reaching its 50 th anniversary this year, founder Hilary Bradt is set to release a memoir about her pioneering journeys both in print and around the lesser-explored corners of the planet.

1. Local: A Search for Nearby Nature and Wilderness

World explorer Alastair Humphries spent a year examining every square metre of a 12-mile radius around his home in suburban England and found wonder close to hand. A former National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Humphries has cycled around the globe, rowed across the Atlantic Ocean and even walked a lap of the M25 in one of his pioneering ‘microadventures’. His latest book is a celebration of slowing things down and discovering a small wild world right on your doorstep – it’s also a rallying cry to revitalise Britain’s depleted natural spaces and our right to roam in them. £12.99, Eye Books.

2. Taking the Risk: My Adventures in Travel and Publishing

Trailblazing travel publisher, Hilary Bradt’s eponymous guidebook company celebrates its 50 th anniversary this year. The first Bradt Travel Guide was born on an Amazon river barge in 1974: Backpacking Along Ancient Ways Peru & Bolivia which included some of the very first descriptions of the Inca Trail geared for travellers. Since then, Bradt has published guidebooks to the remotest parts of the planet – Eritrea, Mongolia and Madagascar among them. Championing slow and low-impact travel before the concepts were widespread, this memoir looks at back at a lifetime of trials, triumphs and following the lesser-known trail. £20.00, Bradt.

3. To the City: Life and Death Along the Ancient Walls of Istanbul

A deep dive into the Turkish capital, framed by the crumbling walls of its Byzantine fortifications. Journalist, Alexander Christie-Miller journeys on foot in and around Istanbul’s ancient city walls, piecing together a jigsaw puzzle of its identity on the fringes of Europe and Asia. The imperialist rhetoric of current Turkish president Erdoğan still holds Istanbul in the image carved out by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, who captured then-Constantinople in 1453. But between the ancient minarets that punctuate Istanbul’s skyline, the author seeks out the real soul of the city in its diverse peoples, past and present, raising up voices rarely heard. £25, Harper Collins.

4. Wilder Journeys: True Stories of Nature, Adventure & Connection

Environmental writer Laurie King and bestselling author Miriam Lancewood have gathered a collection of original non-fiction stories, illustrations and poems examining the human connection with nature, penned by travellers, wildlife lovers and adventurers from across the globe. Take a walk across the desert with American explorer Angela Maxwell, discover how hermit Gregory Smith survived for 10 years in an Australian forest and learn how activist David Malana set up a surf school for people of colour in California. These bold stories aim to inspire you to find your wild animal soul and rethink your relationship with nature. £14.99, Watkins Publishing.

5. Vagabond

For anyone who loved Laure Lee’s As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning , this tale of one man’s 761-mile hike across the Iberian Peninsula should appeal. Mark Eveleigh brings the pioneering spirit of adventure previously seen in his travel books on Southeast Asian to the back roads of Spain. The author spent five weeks walking from Gibraltar to Punta de Estaca de Bares in the country’s northernmost tip, taking in blistering sun-beaten planes, grey stone villages hung with mist and vast chains of mountains, in homage to the disappearing lifestyle of the vagabundo , as well as a celebration of rural Spain and its remote communities. £10.99, Summersdale.

6. Globetrotting: Writers Walk the World

Take a literary stroll, from the streets of London to the pilgrim paths of Japan, the jungles of Ghana and beyond. Author Duncan Minshull brings together writing from explorers and adventurers, scientists and missionaries, pleasure-seekers and literary drifters in a new collection of over 50 travelogues that aims to answer the question: why explore on foot? Spanning seven continents, stories date back to as early as the 1500s, and take in lesser-known writers along with the likes of Herman Melville, Edith Wharton, Mark Twain, Isabella Bird and William Boyd. £15.99, Notting Hill Editions.

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Home » Gear » books to read while travelling

The Ultimate List of the 50 Best Books to Read While Traveling (Updated 2024!)

One of my favourite things about traveling is that I suddenly have time to read. When I’m hitching, camping or riding a 24 hour train whilst backpacking around the world, I often manage to read two or even three books a week. So over the course of the last year I’ve got through a fair few, some have been frankly life changing, others have been just as much of a slog as an overnight bus!

As travelers, we understand the transformative power of exploration, the allure of the unknown, and the magic of a well-told tale. It’s for this reason I have put together a list of the best travel books to read when backpacking!

Many of these travel books are best read when you’re actually in the country they are set in; for example, reading Shantaram in India is a really fantastic experience and you will get a lot more out of the book. Same goes for books about backpacking in general, they just seem to make the experience much more reflective and relatable.

From dog-eared classics to hidden gems, the best travel books serve as compasses guiding us through distant lands, exotic cultures, and incredible new experiences. They can fuel our wanderlust, ignite our imagination, and remind us of the infinite possibilities that await on the road.

And so, in no particular order, here we go with the 50 best books to read while traveling… The world is waiting – let’s explore it together, one page at a time.

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#1 – On the Road

Jack Kerouac’s seminal novel should be compulsory reading for all nomads, backpackers and folks who want to live off the grid. In ‘On The Road’ discover 1950s underground America as Kerouac hitches backwards and forwards across the states in search of Jazz, drugs, sex and the meaning of life. Definitely, one of my favourite books to read while travelling and one of the best backpacking books out there.

#2 – The Cloud Garden

The Darien Gap is a place of Legend. The only break in the Pan-American highway, which runs from Alaska to the tip of South America. The gap is often seen as an almost impregnable strip of swamp, jungle and cloud forest inhabited by FARC gorillas.

This fascinating book tells the story of two unlikely travellers who team up and try to get through the gap from Panama to Colombia, on foot. After a gruelling journey, they are just hours from success when they are captured by FARC fighters and held prisoner in the jungle for nine months. Ok, so you might not want to literally follow in their footsteps but it’s one of the most inspirational books about traveling the world.

#3 – Shantaram

The first book I ever read on India, Shantaram inspired me to book a one-way flight to Delhi and travel around India for 14 months. It might just be my favourite book about traveling around the world if I’m honest!

The book follows the possibly true, possibly exaggerated, story of an escaped Australian convict who finds his way to India where he falls in love, works for gangsters, fights the Russians in Afghanistan, gets imprisoned in Bombay, becomes a professional forger and an amateur doctor and experiences life in an Indian slum.

One of the best books to read while travelling in India, it is extremely well written and paints an accurate, although somewhat rosy, picture of life in India.

#4 –  Last Man in Tower

21st Century Mumbai is a city of new money and soaring real estate, and property kingpin Dharmen Shah has grand plans for its future. His offer to buy and tear down a weathered tower block, making way for luxury apartments, will make each of its residents rich – if all agree to sell.

But not everyone wants to leave; many of the residents have lived there for a lifetime, and many of them are no longer young. As tensions rise among the once civil neighbours, one by one those who oppose the offer give way to the majority, until only one man stands in Shah’s way: Masterji, a retired schoolteacher, once the most respected man in the building.

Shah is a dangerous man to refuse, but as the demolition deadline looms, Masterji’s neighbours – friends who have become enemies, acquaintances turned co-conspirators – may stop at nothing to secure their money. This is really one of the most poignant books to read while travelling in India, it changed how I viewed the country irreversibly.

#5 – A Long Petal of the Sea

Backdropped by the ongoing unrest of the Spanish Civil War, A Long Petal of the Sea offers a tale of love in the face of hardship, a complex cast of characters interwoven into the plot, and the daily struggle to survive. This was one of my absolute favourite reads of 2024 and an awesome bit of travel reading – another gem by Isabel Allende!

#6 – Mumbai to Ventiane

Need more India? I loved my 2 years in this country and Leon G Hewis similarly had an awesome adventure that began on this mysterious subcontinent.

His self-published travelogue-slash-thought-diary gives a refreshing look into South and Southeast Asia. He fully captures the feeling of being on the road and confronting new ideas and creatively working yourself out of situations you’d never encounter on your couch at home. If you’re looking for a definative book about traveling the world and the experiences that come with it then this is the one.

#7 – On a Shoestring to Coorg

This is the first travel book that tested the idea that a five-year old daughter makes for a decent travelling companion. A really interesting read on the now-defunct Indian state of Coorg, this book gives a fascinating insight into the origins of backpacker travel in India.

#8 – The Kite Runner

A fascinating, sometimes painful, read about Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The story follows the fate of two young boys, one of whom is able to escape to America whilst the other, of the Hazara minority group, is forced to stay behind.

#9 – A Thousand Splendid Suns

One of the most inspirational books to read while travelling, I felt that this gave me a real insight into the little known women of Afghanistan and the events that have shaped the country over the last thirty years.

#10 – Born to Run

A tale of a mysterious tribe of Mexican Indians, the Tarahumara, who live hidden in canyons and are reputed to be the best long distance runners in the world.

#11 – The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

This is THE book to read if you are interested in how the psychedelic movement began, squats, hippy culture or experimenting with LSD.

Follow Ken Kesey, author of One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest, as he leads his band of Merry Pranksters across America fermenting a revolution unlike any other. Definitely, one of the best books to read on the road.

#12 – The Lost City of Z

This is THE book you want to read if you are headed into the Amazon. The book tells the tale of an eccentric British explorer, Percy Fawcett, who spent his life leading expeditions into the Amazon in search of the legendary lost City of Z.

The book recounts his life, his encounters with un-contacted tribes and his final expedition, from which he did not return.

#13 – Indonesia, Etc. Exploring the Improbable Nation

 In Indonesia Etc, Pisani weaves together the stories of Indonesians encountered on her journey with a considered analysis of Indonesia’s recent history, corrupt political system, ethnic and religious identities, stifling bureaucracy and traditional ‘sticky’ cultures.

Fearless and funny, she gives a compelling and sharply perceptive account of a captivating nation.

#14 – The Motorcycle Diaries

A travel classic, these are the diaries of Che Guevara in which he travels around South America by motorbike. A book that is ALWAYS on the list of best books to read while travelling.

#15 – The Killing Fields

Hands-down THE best book you can read about Cambodia under the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Heartbreaking, beautifully written and historically accurate, this book will change how you perceive Cambodia forever.

#16 – First they Killed my Father

The personal account of a young girl who was taken from her family and trained as a child soldier by the Khmer Rouge.

#17 – The Waiting Land

It’s about an Irish writer volunteering in Nepal in the 1960’s. The innocent Nepal she writes about it is the one which hordes of travellers each year are still trying to find but which is sadly now gone forever.

#18 – Mud, Sweat and Tears

The inspiring autobiography of Bear Grylls in which he recovers from a broken back and goes on to become one of the youngest climbers to scale Mount Everest. One of the best books to read while travelling anywhere! It truly inspires you to challenge yourself.

#19 – Nine Lives

A Buddhist monk takes up arms to resist the Chinese invasion of Tibet – then spends the rest of his life trying to atone for the violence by hand printing the best prayer flags in India. A Jain nun tests her powers of detachment as she watches her best friend ritually starve herself to death.

Nine people, nine lives; each one taking a different religious path, each one an unforgettable story. William Dalrymple is one of the best writers when it comes to offering an insight into Indian culture and I highly recommend reading everything he has written.

#20 – Heart of Darkness

At the peak of European Imperialism, steamboat captain Charles Marlow travels deep into the African Congo on his way to relieve the elusive Mr Kurtz, an ivory trader renowned for his fearsome reputation.

On his journey into the unknown Marlow takes a terrifying trip into his own subconscious, overwhelmed by his menacing, perilous and horrifying surroundings.

#21 – Blood River

When Daily Telegraph correspondent Tim Butcher was sent to cover Africa in 2000 he quickly became obsessed with the idea of recreating H.M. Stanley’s famous expedition – but travelling alone.

Despite warnings that his plan was ‘suicidal’, Butcher set out for the Congo’s eastern border with just a rucksack and a few thousand dollars hidden in his boots.

Making his way in an assortment of vessels including a motorbike and a dugout canoe, helped along by a cast of characters from UN aid workers to a campaigning pygmy, he followed in the footsteps of the great Victorian adventurers. This is an epic book for anyone, but it’s epecially of of the best books to read while traveling alone.

#22 – Stranger in the Forest

The best account of an adventure expedition that I have ever read. Stranger in the forest recounts the humorous story of the author’s travels in Borneo where he made lifelong friends with the Penan, jungle people who can catch fish with their feet, imitate the cry of the elusive barking deer, and survive in a fearsomely inhospitable environment.

With their help Hansen learned to hunt pigs, danced in the tribal rituals, discovered the eye watering nature of Penan sex aids and was given the ceremonial name “Rajah Kumis”: King of the Moustache.

He conveys how he came face to face with himself in the patch of map marked “un-surveyed”, and records the experience of living in a proud and ancient tribal community based on mutual respect. One of the most interesting books to read while travelling.

#23 – Absurdistan

Award-winning foreign correspondent Eric Campbell has been stoned by fundamentalists, captured by US Special Forces, arrested in Serbia and threatened with expulsion from China.

He’s negotiated dating rituals in Moscow, shared a house with a charismatic mercenary in Kabul and taken up smoking at gunpoint in Kosovo.

#24 – Speed Bump Himalayas

A hilarious and moving true story of trials and tribulations from a time before mobile phones ruined travel. Mark escapes dreary England in search of adventure and washes up in India with his buddy Sean in tow.

Together, they head into the mountains of Nepal on an ambitious trek but Mark is doomed from the start and embarks upon one of the longest survival journeys I have ever heard of… A rollercoaster ride of amusing cultural observations along the hippie trail, pure survival grit and living the nomad dream.

#25 – Travels on My Elephant

With the help of a Maratha nobleman, Mark Shand buys an elephant named Tara and rides her over six hundred miles across India to the Sonepur Mela, the world’s oldest elephant market.

From Bhim, a drink-racked mahout, Shand learned to ride and care for her. From his friend Aditya Patankar he learned Indian ways. And with Tara, his new companion, he fell in love.

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Need more inspiration? Here’s 25 more of the best travel books…

Faq about the best books to read while travelling, final thoughts, #26 – chasing the devil.

For many years, war made Sierra Leone and Liberia too dangerous for outsiders to travel through. Facing down demons from his time in Africa as a journalist, Tim Butcher heads deep into this combat zone, encountering the devastation wrought by lawless militia, child soldiers, brutal violence, blood diamonds and masked figures who guard the spiritual secrets of remote jungle communities.

#27 – A Walk in the Woods

For those of you not familiar with Bill Bryson, he is point blank one of the most amusing travel writers out there. In this tale of walking and woe, Bryson attempts to traverse the Appalachian Trail, one of the longest continuous footpaths in the world which crosses tangled woods and heady peaks.

#28 – Royal Road to Romance

When Richard Halliburton graduated from college, he chose adventure over a career, travelling the world with almost no money. The Royal Road to Romance chronicles what happened as a result, from a breakthrough Matterhorn ascent to being jailed for taking forbidden pictures on Gibraltar.

#29 – The Great Railway Bazaar; By Train Through Asia

Paul Theroux’s account of his epic journey by rail through Asia. Filled with evocative names of legendary train routes – the Direct-Orient Express, the Khyber Pass Local, the Delhi Mail from Jaipur, the Golden Arrow to Kuala Lumpur, the Hikari Super Express to Kyoto and the Trans-Siberian Express – it describes the many places, cultures, sights and sounds he experienced and the fascinating people he met.

Here he overhears snippets of chat and occasional monologues, and is drawn into conversation with fellow passengers, from Molesworth, a British theatrical agent, and Sadik, a shabby Turkish tycoon, while avoiding the forceful approaches of pimps and drug dealers.

#30 – Just a Little Run Around the World

After her husband died of cancer, 57-year-old Rosie set off to run around the world, raising money in memory of the man she loved. Followed by wolves, knocked down by a bus, confronted by bears, chased by a naked man with a gun and stranded with severe frostbite, Rosie’s breathtaking 20,000-mile, 5 year, solo journey is as gripping as it is inspiring.

#31 – Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, A Journey Through Yugoslavia

Rebecca West’s epic masterpiece is widely regarded as the most illuminating book to have been written in the former state of Yugoslavia. It is a work of enduring value that remains essential for anyone attempting to understand the enigmatic history of the Balkan states and the continuing friction in this fractured area of Europe.

#32 – Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know

One of the first books I ever read about expedition-ing, I was inspired to start travelling and to get involved in trekking, climbing and rafting. Ranulph Fiennes has travelled to the most dangerous and inaccessible places on earth, almost died countless times, lost nearly half his fingers to frostbite, raised millions of pounds for charity and been awarded a polar medal and an OBE.

He has been an elite soldier, an athlete, a mountaineer, an explorer, a bestselling author and nearly replaced Sean Connery as James Bond. In his autobiography, he describes how he led expeditions all over the world and became the first person to travel to both poles on land.

He tells the tales of discovering the lost city of Ubar in Oman and attempting to walk solo and unsupported to the North Pole – the expedition that cost him several fingers, and very nearly his life.

#33 – The Worlds Most Dangerous Places

A serious read for the serious explorer, packed full of practical advice on how to travel in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Brace yourselves for one of the darkest books to read while travelling.

#34 – The Dharma Bums

Another Kerouac classic, The Dharma Bums is a journey of self-discovery through the lens of Zen Buddhist thought. Essential reading for all aspiring explorers. Another MUST in the list of best books to read while travelling.

#35 – The Piano Tuner

I read this whilst backpacking in Myanmar, it is beautifully written and enabled me to get a lot more out of my time in this stunning country. The story follows a quiet piano tuner, Edgar Drake, who is ordered by the War Office to travel to the jungles of Burma to tune a rare grand piano for an eccentric British officer renowned for his peace making methods in the war-torn Shan states.

#36 – Walking the Amazon: 860 Days

In April 2008, Ed Stafford began his attempt to become the first man ever to walk the entire length of the River Amazon. Nearly two and a half years later, he had crossed the whole of South America to reach the mouth of the colossal river.

With danger a constant companion – outwitting alligators, jaguars, pit vipers and electric eels, not to mention overcoming the hurdles of injuries and relentless tropical storms – Ed’s journey demanded extreme physical and mental strength.

Often warned by natives that he would die, Ed even found himself pursued by machete-wielding tribesmen and detained for murder.

#37 – The Carpet Wars

A personal odyssey through war, friendship and craftsmanship along the old Silk Route. A fascinating travel book that illuminates the contemporary story of southwest Asia and offers a unique insight into the characters of warlords, presidents and sheikhs.

#38 – The Wild Places

“The Wild Places” is both an intellectual and a physical journey, and Macfarlane travels in time as well as space. Guided by monks, questers, scientists, philosophers, poets and artists, both living and dead, he explores our changing ideas of the wild.

From the cliffs of Cape Wrath to the holloways of Dorset, the storm-beaches of Norfolk, the saltmarshes and estuaries of Essex, and the moors of Rannoch and the Pennines, his journeys become the conductors of people and cultures, past and present, who have had intense relationships with these places. One of the best books to read while travelling!

#39 – Extreme Survivors

60 of the World’s most extreme survival stories. One of the scariest but best books to read while travelling. Plus it has a foreword by Bear Grylls!

#40 – Kon-Tiki, Across the Pacific by Raft

“Kon-Tiki” is the record of an astonishing adventure – a journey 4,300 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean by raft. Intrigued by Polynesian folklore, biologist Thor Heyerdahl suspected that the South Sea Islands had been settled by an ancient race from thousands of miles to the east, led by the mythical hero Kon-Tiki.

He decided to prove his theory by duplicating the legendary voyage. On April 28, 1947, Heyerdahl and five other adventurers sailed from Peru on a balsa log raft. After three suspenseful months on the open sea, alone among raging storms, whales and countless sharks, they sighted land – the Polynesian island of Puka Puka.

#41 – Into the Wild

Perhaps one of the most popular books to read while travelling, although not one of my personal favourites. Into the Wild follows the true story of Chris McCandless, a young man who walked deep into the Alaskan wilderness in search of enlightenment. They also made a movie about it !

#42 – Honeymoon with my Brother

After being jilted at his wedding, the author heads off on his two-year, fifty-two country, honeymoon…. with a brother he barely knows. What follows is a series of emotional, amusing and unexpected adventures as the author battles to overcome his loss and reconnect with his brother. One of the most heart wrenching books to read while travelling.

#43 – Travels with Charley

When he was almost sixty years old, worried that he might have lost touch with the sights, the sounds and the essence of America’s people, Steinbeck took note of his itchy feet and prepared to travel. He was accompanied by his French poodle, Charley, diplomat and watchdog, across the states of America from Maine to California.

Moving through the woods and deserts, dirt tracks and highways to large cities and glorious wildernesses, Steinbeck observed – with remarkable honesty and insight, with a humorous and sometimes sceptical eye – America, and the Americans who inhabited it. One of the most honest books to read while travelling.

#44 – The Alchemist

Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is more to life than his humble home and his flock. One day he finds the courage to follow his dreams into distant lands, each step galvanised by the knowledge that he is following the right path: his own. The people he meets along the way, the things he sees and the wisdom he learns are life-changing.

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

#45 – Siddhartha

A travel classic, Siddhartha is perhaps the most important and compelling moral allegory our troubled century has produced. Integrating Eastern and Western spiritual traditions with psychoanalysis and philosophy, this strangely simple tale, written with a deep and moving empathy for humanity, has touched the lives of millions since its original publication in 1922. Set in India, Siddhartha is the story of a young Brahmin’s search for ultimate reality after meeting with the Buddha.

His quest takes him from a life of decadence to asceticism, from the illusory joys of sensual love with a beautiful courtesan, and of wealth and fame, to the painful struggles with his son and the ultimate wisdom of renunciation. Definitely, one of the most interesting books to read while travelling!

#46 – Full Tilt, Ireland to India with a Bicycle

Shortly after her tenth birthday, Dervla Murphy decided to cycle to India. Almost 20 years later, she set out to achieve her ambition. Her epic journey began during the coldest winter in memory, taking her through Europe, Persia, Afghanistan , over the Himalayas to Pakistan, and into India. It’s one of the most epic books on backpacking through europe and beyond.

#47 – The Dogs of Nam: Stories from the Road and Lessons Learned Abroad

A collection of short stories from over a decade of travel. This is no glamorous tale of #wanderlust, but a true and honest accounting of what it means to be a traveller.

#48 – Dark Star Safari, Overland from Cairo to Cape Town

Travelling across bush and desert, down rivers and across lakes, and through country after country, Theroux visits some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, and some of the most dangerous.

It is a journey of discovery and of rediscovery — of the unknown and the unexpected, but also of people and places he knew as a young and optimistic teacher forty years before.

#49 – 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus 

A great book to read while traveling the Americas because it corrects the incorrect history many were taught growing up.

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What book would you take on a long journey?

The key is to choose a book that is absorbing but also relatively easy to read as your attention will often be divided. I always try to find a book relevant to the place I am visiting as it really helps me get into the trip!

Which book is very useful for travel?

A copy of the local Lonely Planet will usually come in useful and also be sure to pick up a copy of The Broke Backpackers Backpacker Bible which is full of money saving travel tips.

How do you travel with many books?

Books can be heavy and I dont like carying too many. I personally only carry 1 or 2 at a time and then swap them with other travellers. Alternativley, try a Kindle.

Is reading books good while Travelling?

So reading whilst literrally traveling on a bus or train can put some strain on your eyes. The key is to take frequence eye breaks and not to read too much for too long.

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

So there you go! A great list of the best books to read while travelling. For even more reading inspiration, check out my buddy Chris’s new book What the Florida if you want to find the weird in Florida state!

My buddy James at Nomadic Note has put together another mammoth post on the best travel books to fuel your wanderlust, so check that out too if you’re looking for more of the best books to take on vacation.

If there are any I might have missed out, tell me in the comments section!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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50 Comments

I thoroughly enjoyed the list and even sifted through comments to see if our reading tastes align. “The Dogs of Nam: Stories from the Road and Lessons Learned Abroad” is my favorite for long road trips.

I suppose that ‘Cambodia’ offers a captivating account of the nation, combining personal encounters with insightful analysis. Another must-read on my list is ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ by Che Guevara. This travel classic takes readers on a journey through South America on a motorbike and is a constant presence on the list of best travel books. I enjoy reading it while traveling by train.

I miss traveling so much! As soon as things “go back to normal” a bit more I am heading to EUROPE! This is a great list and in the meantime I will definitely make due with good books about places that I can’t visit (just yet!). I read a super exciting thriller that takes place in the Greek Isles, U.S. and Europe that I thought did a fantastic job at making me feel like I was really there called “Cyclops Conspiracy” by author William McGinnis. It turns out that the author has a whitewater rafting company so when he describes sailing in Greece I could vividly picture it and even though the book is about terrorists smuggling in nuclear weapons this surprisingly scratched my itch for an international locale.

Curious, how do people usually read while travelling? A physical copy of the book or something like a Kindle? I, by far prefer reading physical books, though I wonder if second hand bookstores, book swapping, etc. with fellow travelers is a thing? On longer travels where I’d read more than 1 or 2 books, buying or carrying them with me is impractical. What do people usually do?

I also love a physical book, lots of places on the travel trail have second hand book stores and exchanges, still. If you’re in a particular area or country for a while, some book stores will buy the book back from you (tho for a lower price) if you keep it in good condition.

I’m late to this party, but readers might still appreciate the website Visit This Read That; a collaborative, crowd-sourced, effort, to determine what books best to read when visiting a place.

https://visitthisreadthat.com/

I would recommend Man Mission by Eytan Uliel, eytanuliel.com for his info. Got this for my husband who is not the biggest reader, just thought he might like it. He totally does, it’s clever and fun. He took it on a trip this week and said it’s hard not to want to just fly somewhere awesome and see it all!

This list is a treasure. Keep up the good work.

One of the greatest travellers of the modern era was Peter Penney who travelled mainly on foot with virtually no money. His travels took him from Europe to Australia on foot through Burma, right after WW2. His best books are “Dust on my shoes” and “Anywhere but here”. A not well known author Peter Penney has an innovative style of traveling with few resources, no passport and picking up food and money along the road. His playgrounds range from Africa which he traversed back and forth, Asia,the Pacific Islands, Australia, Papua New Guinea, etc. His books are a must read for anyone in love with travel, dry humour and adventure.

hey will, really liked your recommendations. however, just noted a small mistake, for the book absurdistan you are using the wrong book cover and the description is a straight copy paste from goodreads. I think for your readers (including me) it would be welcomed to hear about the book in your own words. Keep on doing what you are doing, I truly found your blog inspirational. Jan

Thanks Jan, I’ll look into that – some of these book descriptions were not added by me but my one of my other writers so maybe that’s the issue anyway 🙂

Will, it`s great list! love it.

about “The Alchemist” book…

This book was a life changing read for me. I was moved and spiritually uplifted by this remarkable story. I usually only read biographies and non-fiction stories, but this has become my favorite book because of the meaningful lessons that are taught throughout. I can’t say enough about this book other than the fact that my children will hear it over and over again and I believe every person should own this book.

Julie, https://www.julieannepeters.com/

Great recommendations here! I love a book that can help with my never-ending wanderlust. I have a historical fiction novel that should definitely be considered for this list called “The Jinn and The Sword” by authors Sara Cook and Robert Peacock. The book takes place during the 16th century imperial Ottoman court. There are some BEAUTIFUL descriptions of Istanbul and Venice. I really enjoyed the mental pictures the authors provided. Il Lupo, master swordswman, and his small posse crush an assassination attempt on the emperor and solve mysteries surrounding the theft of sacred relics. It is exciting, suspenseful, fun, and beautifully written. Check out the website for more info: http://www.thejinnandthesword.com/ Hope you will check it out!

I read “On the road” and was very impressed!

So many good books. Thank you for the list.

Ahhhh reading the Kite Runner in Pakistan = <3

Also, anything else by Khaled Hosseini, and The Alchemist are among my favourites!

I thought Shantaram was great, but frustrating in many ways…

‘Nice one Will!

I’ve read “Shantaram” a few times ‘cos it was just so inspiring and an exciting read! As well as “Just a Little Run Around the World.” I very much like the sound of “Honeymoon With My Brother: A Memoir.”

Have you ever read “Kevin and I in India” and “Rupee Millionaire” by Frank Kusy who is hilarious. In fact, I bought all his books! And “It’s on the Meter: One Taxi, Three Mates and 43,000 Miles of Misadventures around the World” a true story about three young British men who decide to travel the world in a London cabbie. It’s such a great read that not only did they make it, but they ended up breaking two world records along the way too!

I’ve read ‘its on the metre’, awesome book! 🙂

Good list mate. Shantaram and White Tiger enriched my experience in India for sure while of course Kerouac had a huge influence (Lonesome Traveller, Big Sur, Desolation Angels, Visions of Cody).. How about Jupiters Travels by Ted Simon.. he spends four years going 60,000 miles round the world on a Triumph in the 1970s. It’s epic and inspired me to travel in a big way. I read it twice. Also Ringolevio by Emmett Grogan, about the San Francisco Digger movement he helps put together after wild adventures in Europe. Good to see you spring back from that UK immigration dept pisstake and best of luck ….

Like you Will, I love to read books set in the country that I am travelling in. I love the feel of paper books but my kindle is more practical. I am looking forward to reading some of these from your list

Hi Will – A great list of books, many are personal favourites of mine. Would just like to add two follow up books of ones previously mentioned that might be of interset. Firstly, The Mountain Shadow, the follow up book to Shantaram (probably my favourite book). Obviously not as good as Shantaram but definitely worth a read. And secondly, Banco, the follow up book to Papillon, which details his adventures once he has found his freedom.

Will, if you didn’t know already, the film is out this year around April of Percy Fawcett and the lost city of Z. ,Was a great read and the film trailer looks awesome.

Holy shit but I did not know that, that is insanely exciting… thanks for telling me!

Can I add Marching Powder by Rusty Young for anyone going to Bolivia?!

Yes you most definitely can, epic book!

I am not fan reading while on travel, but I get interested with these books that you suggested. Gonna try this out.

Nice, a potential convert…happy reading on the road, Greg.

I love Bill Bryson! Check out Indonesian writer Agustinus Wibowo. His works have been translated into English. “Point Zero” is one of the best piece of travel literature I’ve ever read!

What a brilliant list! Some of the best books I’ve read and I imagine the rest are equally great. Thanks 🙂

Glad you like it, Jennie! More to come as I discover new favourites!

Great list – there’s lots I’m interested in reading. I completely disagree with Walking the Amazon, though. That book was very poorly written, which was so disappointing because it should be a fascinating story.

I would also suggest The Unconquered by Scott Wallace to learn about the uncontacted tribes in the Amazon. An incredible story.

For a book about South American, you can try to find ‘The Wizard of the Upper Amazon” which I read almost 40 years ago. About ayawasca and other jungle drugs.

Hi Will. Great site! Which book do you recommend to get ideas about places to visit? thanks 🙂

Hmmm… there’s a few around like ’50 places to visit before you die’ for example but really, it depends on what you want to see… I tend to do a bit of research online first and then simply pack my bag and head out on an adventure! 🙂

Hi – one of the books that inspired me when first travelling was Papillion – the tale of a French convict imprisoned on Devils Island off the coast of South America and his multiple escape attempts (sometimes to live with tribes in Venezuela) and solitary confinement for years on end. Also love the Tim Butcher books but my favourite African travel book is “Congo Journey” by Redmond O’Hanlon…he captures the Africa I know and love.

Papillion is now downloading to my kindle, it sounds absolutely awesome!! 🙂

there is also the film Dude, 1973 with Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen. You will probably love the bit when Stevie has to tattoo a tribesman using a mirror to copy the one on his chest. happy travels

I love this, a good book is so important on your travels! Which one is your favourite?

I always carry a copy of Illusions by Richard Bach…. Recently though, I read the Electric Cool Aid Acid Test – a great book, truly inspirational. I’m also a big fan of ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’ – Rannulph Fiennes is my hero! 🙂

I’m loving this list. Some excellent reads for the road on there. I particularly liked the underrated Travels on my elephant By Mark Shand. But dude I have a couple of bones to pick with you … How can you not include Notes from a small island, the Bryson classic!?! Or a single William Dalrymple book?! Time to update the list dude!

Hi man! There is Dalrymple in there! He’s one of my favourite writers around, I popped in ‘Nine Lives’ – a great book! Hmmm, it appears I did indeed miss out a Byron classic but you can’t have everything man; 50 is a shatteringly small number when it comes to trying to put every decent book up! 🙂

So many great books! Thanks for sharing – my Amazon wishlist just got a whole lot longer 🙂

I have actually read some of these. Many more to add to my to-read list.

This list is AMAZING!! Now to just get my hands on some of these titles while I am on the road…. hmmm… 🙂

Thanks Lina!! I’m currently working my way through a whole bunch of books on South America! Any recommendations?

51: Jupiter’s Travels 52: Dreaming of Jupiter

Thanks for the list; have read about half of them so time to crack on with the rest!

Shantaram has got to be one of the best books I’ve read so far! Love your blog and sorry about the Nepalese monster 🙂

Cheers Eve! I love Shantaram, I read it right before I headed to India and it somehow prepared me! Regarding the Nepalese monster… I still have the scar to tell of my tale down the pub!

I recently found the White Tiger on a book swap shelf. It’s such a great book!

I just discovered your blog today and have been really enjoying reading back though your articles. Thanks!

The white tiger was one of the first books I read whilst backpacking in India, it’s awesome -really describes the country well! Have you been to India yet?

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25 Best Travel Books To Read When You’re Stuck At Home

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Looking for a good travel book to add to your reading list while you’re stuck at home? Here you’ll find 25 of the best travel books , according to experienced globetrotters.

From historical fiction to thoughtful and thought-provoking travel memoirs, these books are just perfect not only for those moments when you need a bit of inspiration and a healthy dose of motivation but also when you cannot travel, regardless of the reason.

A good travel book has the power to transport us to faraway places, help us experience lives we were not born into, and meet some of the most interesting people, all from the comfort of our own sofa.

When I asked 25 travel experts what their favorite travel book was, the answers were of the most surprising and varied.

So I invite you to take a moment to browse through these fascinating travel books. Although traveling to exotic, far away places might not be an option right now, reading a good travel book can be almost as fulfilling.

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts is one of the best travel books of all time, said Michael of Books Like This One .

“Like many visitors to India, I read this book while traveling across the country and was astonished about how well it describes what it’s like being in India as a foreigner. While Shantaram is a fictional story, it includes real-life events that happened to the author which only adds to the story”, said Michael.

Shantaram is a novel set predominately in Mumbai. It tells the story of Lin, an escaped criminal from Australia who goes about creating a new life for himself in India.

His story results in him interacting with a range of different people from unique backgrounds who introduce him to different aspects of Indian culture and society from the slums of Mumbai to the gangs running the city.

The story is interjected with long philosophical musings on a range of topics that are sure to leave you thinking. With a length of approximately 1,000 pages, Shantaram will be sure to keep you occupied for a while!

Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer

After seeing the movie Seven Years in Tibet as a teenager, I wanted to read the original book as well. I’ve always been intrigued by this mysterious country and its peaceful inhabitants living on top of the world in the Himalayas. Reading the book definitely fuelled this love and placed Tibet on the top of my bucket list, said Heleen of The Global Wizards .

This is an autobiographic book written by Heinrich Harrer in 1952 after he and his friend Peter Aufschneiter, both Austrians, took off for British India in 1939 to climb some of the highest mountains of the Himalayas.

When WWII started, they got captured on the suspicion of being spies. They escape a few years later, cross the Himalayas, and eventually arrive in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Throughout the book, Heinrich is blown away by the beautiful culture of the Tibetans and ends up becoming a close friend to the Dalai Lama.

“ Seven Years in Tibet is an inspiring and intriguing story, showing unique insights into the life of the Tibetan people and the occupation of their country by the Chinese as seen through the eyes of a Western mountaineer. It only encouraged me to visit Tibet”, concluded Heleen.

🎬 ALSO READ: 25 Best Travel Movies To Fuel Your Wanderlust

London by Edward Rutherfurd

Some birthdays ago I was given a book by an author I had never heard of before — Edward Rutherfurd. This big book was called London and the first thing I thought was how long it would take me to read it. But then I read the synopsis and I was hooked, said Mario of the Italian travel blog Rest & Recuperation .

“I used to live in London but only read this book after coming back to Italy. It brought back good memories. It made me realize I didn’t truly know London before reading this book”, added Mario.

This epic novel masterfully merges history and fiction as it takes you on a journey across sixteen centuries, from Roman times all the way to the twentieth century. It follows three families from one generation to the next as their lives are constantly intertwined with the history of the city.

Many of London’s famous landmarks are part of the book and you can learn about their construction and change in use. You’ll also meet many historical figures, from Julius Ceasar to Shakespeare. Definitely a great travel book that will inspire a future trip to London!

A Year in Marrakech by Peter Mayne

I read Peter Mayne’s A Year in Marrakech before my first visit to Morocco, and his evocative descriptions of the city had me hooked before I even set foot on the red earth, recalled Heather of Conversant Traveller .

In this travel memoir, the author recounts tales of his life in Marrakech during the 1950s, and what it was like living amongst locals in one of the medina neighborhoods. His narrative takes the reader on a journey through secret alleyways, deep into the markets, and around the houses of his acquaintances, meeting new friends and discovering what it means to live in Morocco’s most famous city.

Despite the book being written over 60 years ago, anyone who has been to Marrakech will instantly recognize the place from Mayne’s words. It’s somewhere that has changed very little over the decades, or even centuries.

“This travel book stands out above the rest as it really delves beneath the surface of Marrakech’s life and takes you into hidden corners you’d otherwise not know existed. In terms of trying to understand Marrakech, this book helps far more than a guidebook ever could”, said Heather.

The Outrun by Amy Liptrot

The Outrun tells the story of Amy Liptrot’s escape from and return to her roots on Orkney, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. She does so during troubled times and her thought-provoking memoir delivers honest insights into remote living (both as trapping and therapeutic) and beautifully describes the challenges of the often wild elements and landscape of a sheep farming family, says Melanie, one of the bloggers behind Two Plus Dogs .

Melanie recalls she and her husband listening to this story via audiobook en route to the Scottish highlands for a holiday with their dogs. “We adore Scotland! We romantically dream of living remotely in this beautiful scenery one day, so this book really picked our interest.”

“Listening via audio meant we could enjoy it together during our road trip surrounded by the Scottish backdrop. This is why this book evokes really happy memories for me and has further inspired our desire to travel and see more of Scotland.”

As a big fan of autobiographical books, Melanie felt inspired by the candid portrayal of the author’s life. “Her positivity, strength, and courage when up against life’s more testing times is uplifting. Perfect lockdown reading!”

In addition to the atmospheric tales of Orkney, this book tackles thorny subjects such as family relationships, self-destruction, mental health, addiction, recovery, and hope.

The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen

A year after his wife died of cancer, Peter Matthiessen and his friend George Schaller embarked on a journey to the Himalayas. George was on a mission to study the Himalayan blue sheep. Peter had two things on his mind: to find the Lama of Shey at the Crustal mountain and to see the elusive snow leopard.

Throughout this journey of two months, on the remote Tibetan plateau, the two friends encounter Sherpas, blizzards, Yaks, and many other things.

The Snow Leopard is as much a physical as a spiritual journey. It’s about experiencing the here and now of the world as is. While Peter suffers for the past, his search for the present continues. And with that, the attempt to transcend our very human existence in the pursuit of something more, and the acceptance of not being able to do so.

“I read the book slowly”, said Deb, the travel blogger, and writer behind The Visa Project . “The afterimage of the book remained with me for a long time after I read it. It inspired me to travel to the Himalayas five years ago. And every time I read this book, I can feel its power and a will to visit the Tibetan plateau and perhaps follow his journey.”

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

When asked for her pick for the best travel book, Sharon of the Digital Nomad Quest chose The Alchemist , a fiction novel that has the power to change the reader’s life forever.

The action takes place in Egypt where a shepherd boy named Santiago has a recurring dream about a treasure. He decides to follow this calling, and the whole book describes his journey to the Egyptian pyramids.

“ The Alchemist is more of a self-help book than literature, as it goes deep into finding one’s destiny, which the book calls your Personal Legend “, said Sharon. The main message here is that every person is on their own quest for their Personal Legend and if you want it badly enough, ‘the universe will conspire so that your wish comes true’. 

“I really liked The Alchemist because the book was extremely relatable for me as a 20-something year old looking to find her way. When I was on my digital nomad journey, none of my friends were doing the same thing as me. I felt it was my Personal Legend to travel the world for 2 years, build passive income, and learn about myself.”

“When I decided to come home, I was still a bit lost trying to figure out my way. I had to listen to the different callings to figure out the next chapter in my life, and The Alchemist really gave me a sense of relief and taught me that listening to my heart instead of my fears is the way to go.”

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a great book to read when you’re stuck at home, but want to travel. Not only will it take you to other parts of the world, but it will also take you back to the 2000s, said Raquel, the lady with itchy feet behind Meals and Mile Markers .

Ann Brashares follows four main characters as they spend the entire summer in different parts of the world: Greece, Baja California, South Carolina, and Maryland. Through stories about visiting family, going to soccer camp, and dealing with annoying neighbors, the readers get to experience the coming of age moments of four lifelong friends as they go their own ways for the first time in their lives.

“I loved this book because each chapter begins with an inspirational quote that applies to the situations these four girls face”, added Raquel. “Brashares does a great job of transporting you into their exact lives. I have such vivid memories of visiting Greece although I only read about it in this book! Naturally, Greece became the ultimate bucket list destination for me.”

“This book will make you dream about future travels and reminisce on your past memories, so it’s perfect when you’re stuck at home! If you love this book, you can read the four other follow-up books or even watch one of the movies based on it (although the book is way better)”, concluded Raquel.

Sahara by Michael Palin

I love Michael Palin’s travel series so it was only a matter of time until I read Sahara , said Suze of Survey Suze .

This book details Palin’s experiences traveling through several African countries and is a fascinating glimpse into a whole other world. He visits Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco as he basically circles around and through the Sahara Desert.

“I love this book because it showed me a world I knew so little about. From spending five days in a camel caravan in Niger and visiting the mythical Timbuktu to touring a refugee camp in Algeria, Palin describes a world so remote and fascinating, like nothing I’ve had the opportunity to experience before”, added Suze.

Palin does all of this with his usual sense of wonder, positivity, and humor. Reading this book is not just educational but also entertaining. It’s also an easy read and accessible to anyone.

This book inspired Suze to travel to the Sahara. Not long after reading it, she booked a trip to Morocco and visited the Sahara desert and she hopes to get to West Africa sometime soon.

Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

Set in Penang, Malaysia, Tan Twan Eng’s first novel, Gift of Rain , starts in 1939 and chronicles the time before and during the Japanese occupation of the island during WWII.

My husband and I moved from Chicago to Penang in 2013 because we fell in love with the island and the Malaysian people. After living here for a while, I’ve learned that this book is more historical than fiction. Reading it taught me all about the war from a totally different perspective, said Kirsten of Sand In My Curls .

The central character Phillip is a half-Chinese half-English boy who doesn’t fit in with any cultural group. Making it even more complicated, he befriends a Japanese diplomat living in Penang. Endo-san teaches Phillip aikido and becomes his mentor and a significant influence on his life.

When the Japanese invade the island, Phillip is torn between his Chinese-English family, his Japanese teacher, and the country. To stay alive and protect his family, he has to walk a fine line.  

“Walking along the same streets the author wrote about, only solidified my connection to the book and the island”, Kirsten added.

According to her, “ Gift of Rain is a phenomenal book and a must-read for anyone that loves historical fiction, whether they plan to visit Penang or not. Even though the topic is intense and often brutal, this is such a beautifully written book, it’s almost lyrical.”

The White Masai by Corinne Hoffman

The White Masai is an unconventional autobiography and love story based in Barsaloi, a tiny Kenyan village where a community of Masai lives, said Annalisa the globetrotter behind Viaggio Vagando .

During a trip with her boyfriend, Corinne falls in love with a Samburu warrior and decides to leave her comfortable and secure life in Switzerland to start a new one in Kenya. Although she doesn’t speak the language and knows very little about the local customs, lifestyle, and traditions, she moves to a small hut far from every sort of civilization known by the Western world.

Throughout the book, she faces severe cultural and linguistic problems, bureaucracy issues, lack of hygiene, superstition and every kind of discomfort.

When she gets pregnant, her body is so weak that she gets seriously ill fearing for her and her baby’s life. When her relationship gets overcomplicated because of the huge cultural gap, she is convinced that love will win and overcome every difficulty.

“This book has a great climax of tension and craziness”, reminisced Annalisa. “I couldn’t stop reading it because I knew it was a true story and every fact left me more and more speechless. I was curious to see to what extent her stubbornness was leading her.”

“I loved this novel because it’s unique: her courage and determination are outstanding. Although the engaging story around the relationship is the main plot of the book, the reader can learn a lot and have a full immersion into the most traditional spirit and culture of the people of this small Kenyan village at the end of the 1980s”, she added.

The novel has been translated into over 25 languages and inspired a movie called The White Masai .

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding is a light-hearted travel memoir that the author herself describes as ‘meant to entertain, not educate’.

Newman, a sitcom comedy writer, shares how she diverged from her friends marrying and having babies, instead relentlessly diving into international adventures and ‘vacationships’ with local men that only lasted as long as the trip.

The book can get racy, but what’s really exciting are the small details that make you feel like you’re there along with her, said Stephanie of Explore More Clean Less . “My favorite parts were about how they had to hitch rides in Russia because there weren’t many taxis and how they were housed by a string of overly hospitable strangers in New Zealand. Oh, and about the tiny swimsuits in Brazil!”

“As a mother of two who married right out of college and travels with her family, I may not be the author’s intended audience”, admits Stephanie. “But I loved Kristin Newman’s book because it felt like hearing about a best friend’s fun romp.”

“While I love traveling with my family, having the kids in tow means I plan most of our days carefully. The rowdy, spontaneous decisions that ‘Kristin-Adjacent’ (as the author calls her vacation self) takes are fun to read about and even though I’d rather explore with my husband than an international fling, her story still sparks a desire to get lost and find some local flavor.”

Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux

When asked about the best travel book to read while stuck at home, Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux was the first that popped into Ed from Safari Africana ‘s mind. As a long-time traveler, he considers this his all-time favorite travel book.

Safari means ‘journey’ in Swahili, he explains, and this book documents Theroux’s ultimate African safari — an epic overland trip the length of a continent from Cairo to Cape Town by train, bus, car, and bike.

“The book is a must-read for anyone who’s planning — or even thinking about — a trip to Africa. It combines gripping writing with bucketloads of insights into all aspects of African culture and geography.”

“Descriptions of his experiences of people, countryside, villages, and towns across the continent he travels through are so vivid you almost feel you’re there with him”, declares Ed.

Theroux spent time living in Malawi and Uganda in his youth, and his understanding of how life works in much of Africa shines through in the book. He’s also obviously done his research, as there’s plenty of backstory to each of the countries he visits, including Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa.

“It was this book that inspired my first trip to Africa with a tent and a backpack, ready to explore many of the places Theroux wrote about. I soon established a lifelong passion for the continent”, recalls Ed. This book is definitely a great read for those with itchy feet or an interest in Africa.

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell 

I first read My Family and Other Animals when I was at school. In fact, I was probably about 10 years old, the same age as Gerry is in this autobiography, reminisced Nancy who blogs at Map and Family .

The book focuses on a few years in the 1930s when Gerry and his family left England to go and live on the Greek island of Corfu.

Durrell went on to become a famous naturalist and conservationist who founded a zoo to help safeguard endangered species. But he’s a naturally funny writer as well and this travel memoir is packed with oddball incidents involving his unusual pets and his equally unusual family and friends on Corfu.

“His descriptions of ‘the bright looking-glass world of Greece’ captured my imagination from the start and I was determined to see Corfu for myself. A lot has changed since Durrell’s pre-tourism life there, but I still go to Greece whenever I get the opportunity and write about it too”, said Nancy.

“Obviously it’s more touristy now but on the olive studded, Ionian islands around Corfu, the views are still just as Durrell describes them.”

“I’ve seen skies ‘the smooth enameled blue of a jay’s eye’, the Ionian sea with shades of ‘kingfisher blue, jade-green’ and houses like Durrells’ ‘tall, square Venetian mansion with faded daffodil-yellow walls, green shutters, and a fox-red roof’. And just like his family, we’ve stayed in a villa on ‘a gentle curve of hillside that rose from the glittering sea’, added Nancy.

This is a fun read just for the humor — try the first chapter that describes the family’s chaotic arrival at their hotel in Corfu Town! But Durrell’s love of the natural world is clear and he writes effortlessly about the beauty of the island.

The book has been popular for years and was recently adapted into the hit TV series, The Durrells .

Walking Home From Mongolia by Rob Lillwall

If you are someone who enjoys stories where the destination is the main feature of the book, I highly recommend Walking Home From Mongolia by Rob Lillwall, said Sinead of Map Made Memories .

Rob’s novel charts his epic 3,000-mile walk with fellow adventurer Leon McCarron from Sainshand in the Gobi Desert to his home in Hong Kong. The arduous journey took nearly seven months and was undertaken to raise awareness and funds for a charity that Rob supports.

“I read this book shortly after completing an overland trip by rail from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom with our three children as part of our family gap year. Rob’s portrayal of Mongolia evoked wonderful memories of our time in this stunning country and the warm, welcoming people we met there”, reminisced Sinead.

“My favorite section of the book is the part located in Mongolia. Rob’s excellent writing accurately depicts the expansive, wild landscapes of this beautiful country”, he added.

Rob is honest throughout his writing about the highs and lows of adventurous travel recounting the many challenges and adversities the duo faced. The text is a fascinating insight into the author’s determined character as well as an entertaining travel memoir which is littered with the various colorful characters the pair met along their journey. A wonderful travel book to read while stuck at home!

No Summit Out of Sight by Jordan Romero

No Summit Out of Sight is the extremely impressive story of Jordan Romero climbing the highest summit on all seven continents. Oh, and he was only thirteen when he did it, said with enthusiasm Megan of Red Around The World .

Jordan got the idea from a mural he passed every day on the way to school in third grade and convinced his parents to let him do it. So, they all climbed together, and at 13 years, 10 months, and 10 days old, he was the youngest person to summit Mount Everest. Then at fifteen, he was the youngest person to climb the highest summit on all seven continents.

“ No Summit Out of Sight takes us along the journey from start to finish. We get to see how they prepared and what it was like on the climbs. Plus, there are some pictures to go along with it”, added Megan.

“I think this is officially a young adult memoir, but it’s great for anyone to read, especially if you’re interested in the outdoors, Everest, or mountaineering. I loved reading this, especially getting to see it from a teenager’s perspective. While it doesn’t make me want to get into mountaineering, his story is inspiring and shows that anyone can do pretty much anything they put their mind to.”

Married To A Bedouin by Marguerite van Geldermalsen

The rose-red ancient city of Petra in Jordan, once home to 30,000 people, is a magical place. It is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and is home to the Bedouin, a tribe who inhabited the caves and tombs of Petra, a few of whom remain today.

Written by Marguerite van Geldermalsen, Married to a Bedouin tells the story of how she left her life in New Zealand to marry Mohammad Abdallah Othman, a Bedouin souvenir seller in Petra. She met Mohammad as she hitchhiked around the Middle East with a friend. They fell in love and, instead of returning home, she moved into his Bedouin cave, accounted Elaine and Dave, the couple behind Show Them The Globe .

“It is incredible to learn about Marguerite’s transition from life as a New Zealand nurse to living in a cave with no running water or electricity and raising children”, added Elaine and Dave. “Eventually, the family was forced to move to modern housing as Petra developed as a tourist destination.”

The ancient city springs to life within the pages of the book and each chapter provides a fascinating insight into life in Petra and the Bedouin culture.

“ Married to a Bedouin is best read after visiting Petra and having the scene set for the story. Once you read the book, Petra is no longer just ruins. It’s a thriving city where the caves are filled with family life, friendships, and extraordinary tales.” concluded Elaine and Dave.

The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux

If books are the ultimate way to make us nostalgic for not just travel, but adventures, experiences, and the immersion into sights, smells and sounds different than our own, then perhaps reading about train travel is the ultimate virtual adventure — or at least it has been for me, said Ellie of  Soul Travel India .

When asked about her favorite travel book, she decided to talk about Paul Theroux’s  The Great Railway Bazaar , a book that follows the author’s own travels from London to South East Asia by train and back again.

Theroux’s four-month journey takes him through Europe, Central Asia, South Asia, and Japan before returning via the Trans-Siberian express. His adventures are realistic, down-to-earth, and evocative of that period of time when travel really was about the journey.

Expect gritty tales about searching for food in the stans, meeting literary characters in Istanbul, and of course all of his various companions along the way. A good section of the book sees Theroux traveling India by train — perhaps one of the best places in the world for train travel.

Written in the 1970s, Theroux did go back and do the route again in 2005 which you can read about in the follow-up book  Ghost Train to the Eastern Star . “Although the title of the second book might have more of a ring, I preferred the first”, concluded Ellie.

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee

A friend recommended me The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee while I was living in Hong Kong. Little did I know I would get swept away back in time to the same streets I walked on every day, recalls Ingrid, the blogger behind Ingrid Zen Moments .

The book tells the story of Claire Pendleton, a married Englishwoman who arrives in Hong Kong in the 1950s only to discover this far-from-home town, its people, and herself along the way.

The book unravels before the reader’s eyes a love story, the life of the rich Asians living on this island, but also brings back to life events that happened under the Japanese occupation during WWII.

“I loved reading about the places I walked by in my everyday life, like the wet markets of Wan Chai and the Peak. But what I liked most were the mentions of Hong Kong’s beaches and nature reserves not many think or even know about even today”, added Ingrid.

“The insights shared in this book could help any traveler thinking about visiting Hong Kong to make a decision and book that trip. Hong Kong is so much more than many expect, and you will fall for the city just as Claire Pendleton did.” If you’re into historical novels, The Piano Teacher is a fascinating read.

Love With a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

This uplifting memoir tells the story of how Torre DeRoche found herself sailing across the Pacific Ocean with an Argentinan she met in a bar. Despite having a fear of the ocean, she falls in love with a man whose dream is to sail around the world and decides to join him.

The story starts in San Francisco, taking readers across the Pacific Ocean via a string of remote islands all the way to Australia. Despite the boat mishaps, this book really made me want to visit French Polynesia, said Lora of Explore With Lora .

“I’m an underwater lover and the descriptions of the marine life they come across, from breaching humpback whales to giant manta rays, show how incredible a destination it would be for snorkeling and diving. Furthermore, the stories of hospitality and the friendly locals show just how special these islands would be to visit”, she added.

“I have no sailing experience so a journey like this seems out of reach. But seeing how the author was the same and was able to learn in a less-than-reliable sailboat, is truly inspiring.”

Part travelogue, part romance,  Love With a Chance of Drowning  is a wonderful read, showing that anyone can face their fears and take big risks.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Wild is a memoir following Cheryl Strayed’s journey solo hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. The story spans 1,100 miles — from the Mojave Desert, through California and Oregon, and all the way to the Bridge of the Gods in Washington. It also takes a glance at Cheryl’s life before hiking the PCT and the many life occurrences that led her to begin the trek.

“This book inspired us not only to hike further but also to do it more often. It actually encouraged us to do our first multiple-day hike ever. Soon, other hikes like that followed”, said Zach and Julie, the travel bloggers behind Ruhls Of The Road .

“Cheryl’s strength and will to complete this hike on her own and pushing herself further than she ever thought possible has made us challenge ourselves and push our own limits”, they added.

“Since finishing the book, we have visited the Sierra Mountains and hiked parts of the Pacific Crest Trail in the states of Oregon and California. Although we haven’t begun planning a hike as long as the PCT, it has given us a goal and something to reach for in the future.”

This book is truly inspiring, captivating, and entertaining from beginning to end. One of the best travel books out there!

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

For anyone planning to visit Japan at some point in the future, Memoirs of a Geisha is a must-read. This historical fiction novel is set in Kyoto and begins a decade before WWII, yet it provides a fascinating glimpse into the Japanese culture that makes a visit to the Land of the Rising Sun ever more interesting.

This is a seductive and intriguing tale of broken trust, love, rejection, and resilience with a heroine who is strong, resourceful, and beautiful amidst a supporting cast of rogues, lovers, and heroes. But it also gave me a small insight into a land and a culture I knew little of and left me wanting to know more, said Clotilde from A Princess Travelling With Twins .

The novel follows the story of Chiyo Sakamoto as she recounts her life, from being sold by her father, along with her sister, to work in the entertainment districts of Kyoto at 9 years of age, and her journey through the training, rites, and ceremonies of becoming a Geisha.

“I am passionate about traveling but I also love design, architecture, and beauty, all of which abound in this book and lead me to Japan and Kyoto in 2017. I was not disappointed! I loved all that we have seen, from Tokyo to Hiroshima. Kyoto, however, was special. The Gion area (where most of the action in the book takes place) is still there to be explored along with the Bamboo Forest, Golden Pavilion, and so much more”, Clotilde added.

The Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye

The Far Pavilions by M.M.Kaye is my all-time favorite travel book. I have lost count of how many times I have re-read it now, said Steffi of Beach Bum Adventure enthusiastically.

The book follows the fictional story of a young boy named Ash, who grows up in British India. When he becomes a teenager, he gets sent to relatives in England and all he can think about is the day when he can return to India, his homeland.

“It’s a tale of belonging and identity and what truly makes somewhere home”, mused Steffi. “It also contains adventure, a love story, spies, kidnap, rescue attempts, and a woman being burned alive on a funeral pyre.”

“The second half of the book almost seems to change genre as the fictional Ash finds himself in the middle of a very real, historical war in Afghanistan, where M. M. Kaye intertwines Ash’s story with real soldiers who lived and fought in the lead up to the First Afghan War.”

“The story is inspirational, emotional, full of adventure, and love for India, where the author herself grew up. A particular kick for me was when I visited India after reading the book and found myself at the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds where much of the action takes place at the beginning of the tale.”

“A definite read for anyone interested in history, India, and an incredible adventure story with a historical backdrop”, concluded Steffi.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

You may have heard of Eat, Pray, Love thanks to the popular feature film starring Julia Roberts, but this was actually a book at first, said Sophie of Baby, Toddle & Kids .

“I first read Eat, Pray, Love about one month into my first ever solo trip around Thailand. I’d recently left my secure job and serious relationship behind, to chase dreams of traveling the world and living life to the full, so it seemed like the perfect choice”, reminisced Sophie.

The book is a memoir of a year traveling around the world in search of life balance. Gilbert spends time in Italy eating herself towards happiness (eat). Then India, to do some soul searching and put her in touch with her spirituality (pray). Finally, she travels to Bali in search of a balance between indulgence and spirituality (love).

“It just so happens that Italy and Italian food are some of my favorite things in life and the book filled me with a sense of nostalgia for some of my favorite indulgences”, concluded Sophie.

Beautifully written, genuine and thoughtful, this novel inspired a whole travel movement within months from its publication. One of the best travel books you can pick up while staying at home!

The Atlas of Happiness by Helen Russell

If you’re looking for something completely different, The Atlas Of Happiness takes you around the world, one happy country at a time.

Through case studies from 30+ different countries, Russell examines their unique take on happiness and how each country incorporates happiness into daily life based on the local culture and beliefs, said Isabel, the digital nomad and full-time travel blogger behind Bel Around The World .

The Atlas Of Happiness is a great book to learn about different countries and cultures that rank high on the World Happiness Index, from Italy to India and from Finland to Bhutan.

It’s an unusual book that offers a glimpse into how people around the world live. It also shares insights that a typical tourist wouldn’t otherwise notice.

“At the end of each chapter, you’ll find actionable ways you can achieve happiness. So for those interested to boost their happiness levels, there’s definitely a thing or two to learn. Some of the lessons are actually universal and can be applied to many facets of our lives — it really is all a matter of perception. Plus the cute graphics make it an overall easy and enjoyable read”, explained Isabel.

“ The Atlas Of Happiness really got me intrigued about certain countries and had me wishing I had the chance to live and work there one day. You can be sure I’ve bookmarked the Nordic countries to visit next”, she concluded.

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The Best Books of 2023

A Smithsonian magazine special report

The Ten Best Books About Travel of 2023

Take a trip without leaving home with these adventurous reads from this year

Laura Kiniry

Travel Correspondent

It’s often said that travel is all about the journey, whether it’s planning a remote island holiday or setting out on the adventure of a lifetime across the Arctic Ocean. But it can be almost as thrilling to roam the world from the comfort of our homes. Just take our pick of 2023 travel books, which include everything from humor-fueled essay collections and thought-provoking narratives to tomes brimming with full-page colorful photographs and tips on finding the most welcoming LGBTQ+ spots around the globe. They all share the uncanny ability to transport readers through time and space without ever having to open the front door.

Whether it’s a deep delve into a Balkan landscape of healing plants and foraging, or a more than 2,000-mile road trip through America’s racial history, here are ten travel books that are more than worthy of this year’s holiday wish lists.

Driving the Green Book: A Road Trip Through the Living History of Black Resistance by Alvin Hall

From 1936 to 1967, the Green Book served as an annual travel guide for African Americans, helping them to identify welcoming hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses across the United States during the Jim Crow era. Compiled by Black New York City postman Victor Hugo Green , this essential reference publication included places like Manhattan’s Hotel Theresa , once considered the “Waldorf of Harlem,” and the Moulin Rouge Hotel in Las Vegas, frequented by celebrities like Harry Belafonte and Ella Fitzgerald during its five-month stint in 1955.

Award-winning broadcaster Alvin Hall first learned about the Green Book in 2015, and he was immediately intrigued. Several years later, he and a friend, activist Janée Woods Weber , set out on a 2,000-plus-mile cross-country road trip from Detroit to New Orleans, visiting many of the establishments once featured in the guide’s pages. (Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has a nearly complete collection of the Green Book , which Hall utilized.) Along the way, Hall also gathered memories from some of the guide’s last surviving users.

The result, Driving the Green Book: a Road Trip Through the Living History of Black Resistance , is a poignant 288-page journey along America’s open roads, delving into the country’s racial past, detailing the Green Book ’s life-saving history and bringing it all together in one remarkable read.

Driving the Green Book: A Road Trip Through the Living History of Black Resistance

Join award-winning broadcaster Alvin Hall on a journey through America’s haunted racial past, with the legendary Green Book as your guide.

The Last Ride of the Pony Express: My 2,000-Mile Horseback Journey Into the Old West by Will Grant

In 2019, American journalist Will Grant embarked on a five-month, 2,000 mile journey on horseback from Missouri to California. His goal: to follow the historic route of the Pony Express , a legendary frontier mail system operating between April 1860 and October 1861, which used a series of horse-mounted riders and relay stations to deliver mail from one end to the other in just ten days. Although the express service went bankrupt after only 18 months, it remains an iconic symbol of America’s Old West.

Grant chronicles his 142-day adventure in The Last Ride of the Pony Express , a first-person narrative describing his trip across the Great Plains of Nebraska and the sagebrush steppe of Wyoming in the company of his two horses, Badger and Chicken Fry. While Grant reflects on the West’s modernization over time, it’s his vivid descriptions of the communities and local residents—including ranchers, farmers and migrant sheep herders—along the way that make the book a real page-turner.

The Last Ride of the Pony Express: My 2,000-mile Horseback Journey into the Old West

The Last Ride of the Pony Express is a tale of adventure by a horseman who defies most modern conveniences, and is an unforgettable narrative that will forever change how you see the West, the Pony Express, and America as a whole.

Unforgettable Journeys Europe: Discover the Joys of Slow Travel

The latest in the Unforgettable Journeys series by DK Eyewitness, a publisher of nonfiction books known for its visual travel guides, Unforgettable Journeys Europe highlights the notion that travel really is all about the “getting there.” This inspirational tome details 150 of Europe’s best slow adventures, such as kayaking through Lithuania and crossing the Arctic Circle by train.

The bucket list is organized by modes of transportation, with sections titled “By Bike” and “By Rail,” for example. Illustrations, photos, maps and plenty of practical information (including start and end points for trails, difficulty ratings and website links) are then spread throughout the text, making the book as much colorful reference as it is inspiring read. In the “On Foot” chapter, there’s a description of Scotland’s Fife Pilgrim Way , a 56-mile trek along an ancient pilgrim route with cathedral and countryside views. Along with details on what to see during the multiday hike, the book features a selection of highlighted tips, like what to do (pick wild berries while passing through Clatto Reservoir ) and how to splurge (dinner and an overnight stay at the cozy, Michelin-starred Peat Inn ) en route.

Unforgettable Journeys Europe: Discover the Joys of Slow Travel (Dk Eyewitness)

Inspirational travel book covering 150 of Europe's most incredible journeys, including routes on foot and by bike, road, rail and water.

Elixir: In the Valley at the End of Time by Kapka Kassabova

After a decade of living in the Scottish Highlands, native Bulgarian Kapka Kassabova returned to her roots in southwestern Bulgaria’s remote Mesta Valley, a rural region known for its array of wild crops and their vast medicinal properties. Over several seasons (Kassabova’s move occurred at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic), the poet and writer set out to study the deep relationship between the area’s people and plants, as well as with the land itself. Her resulting text—with chapters like “Pine Syrup,” “Honey Sellers” and “Shepherd’s Superfood”—is an autobiographical exploration of one of the globe’s lesser-known corners, one brimming with forages, healers and a wealth of folk traditions.

“ Elixir is the vibrant, beautiful story of a singular, remarkable place,” writes Foreword book reviewer Catherine Thureson. “It issues a call to reclaim the physical, emotional and spiritual connection between humanity and the natural world.”

Elixir: In the Valley at the End of Time

In Elixir , in a wild river valley and amid the three mountains that define it, Kapka Kassabova seeks out the deep connection between people, plants, and place.

The Life Cycle by Kate Rawles

British writer and cyclist Kate Rawles has a penchant for raising awareness about environmental challenges through her own adventures—and inspiring action in the process. In 2006, Rawles cycled 4,553 miles from Texas to Alaska , interviewing Americans about climate change along the way. Her latest endeavor—an 8,288-mile, 13-month journey across the length of the Andes Mountains on a self-built bamboo bicycle she nicknamed “Woody”—is the basis for her new book, The Life Cycle .

During this largely solo endeavor in 2017 and 2018, the author crossed some of the planet’s most diverse ecosystems, including South America’s Atacama Desert and the Bolivian salt flats. Simultaneously, she found herself witnessing the devastating effects of extreme biodiversity loss caused by industries such as logging and gold mining, and met with activists and communities working to regenerate these habitats—sharing their concerns and insight throughout the narrative.

The Life Cycle: 8,000 Miles in the Andes by Bamboo Bike

Pedalling hard for thirteen months, eco adventurer Kate Rawles cycled the length of the Andes on an eccentric bicycle she built herself. The Life Cycle charts her mission to find out why biodiversity is so important, what's happening to it, and what can be done to protect it.

Unravelling the Silk Road by Chris Aslan

An extremely well-researched story of three ancient trade routes that helped define a continent, Chris Aslan’s Unravelling the Silk Road “merges trauma with textiles to track the past and present experiences of the people of Central Asia,” writes author Clare Hunter . He explores the roles played by wool, a textile used by the region’s nomads for both yurts and clothing; silk, a commodity that was once more valuable than gold; and cotton, the cause of Russian and then Soviet colonization, since it provided cheap material for the global superpower.

Turkish-born Aslan interweaves his own personal experiences (the author once picked cotton with locals and worked with nomadic yak herders in Central Asia’s Pamir Mountains) with the history of each route and its impact on the lives of local residents ​​ —as well as the region itself. Aslan also examines how political and cultural changes are affecting new trade routes and the people who depend on them.

Unravelling the Silk Road: Travels and Textiles in Central Asia

Veteran traveler and textile expert Chris Aslan explores the Silk, Wool and Cotton Roads of Central Asia.

The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise​​ by Pico Iyer

British-born essayist and acclaimed writer Pico Iyer is no stranger to travel journalism. The author—whose childhood was divided among English, Indian and U.S. cultures—is known for works like 1989’s Video Night in Kathmandu , a stark look at modern Asia, and The Global Soul , a 2001 collection of essays on finding home in a world of international airports and shopping malls. For more than 40 years, Iyer has traveled the globe, reflecting on the planet and our role within it.

“After years of travel, I’d begun to wonder what kind of paradise can ever be found in a world of unceasing conflict,” writes Iyer in his latest book, The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise , “and whether the very search for it might not simply aggravate our differences.” The result is a retrospective look at his own travels and encounters—from North Korea’s capital city of Pyongyang to Jerusalem’s Ethiopian chapels—through the idea of “paradise,” what it means and whether it exists.

The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise

Traveling from Iran to North Korea, from the Dalai Lama’s Himalayas to the ghostly temples of Japan, Pico Iyer brings together a lifetime of explorations to upend our ideas of utopia and ask how we might find peace in the midst of difficulty and suffering.

The Pride Atlas: 500 Iconic Destinations for Queer Travelers by Maartje Hensen

Big, bold and colorful, The Pride Atlas is a valuable resource for LGBTQ+ folks and their allies, as well as a perfect coffee table topper. Compiled by queer author and photographer Maartje Hensen , its 400 pages are brimming with eye-catching photos and practical information, such as websites like Meetup and Couchsurfing that are useful for connecting with similarly minded locals and travelers, and resources regarding laws and cultural attitudes worldwide.

At the heart of the book are 500 destinations from around the globe, each one of them highlighting a way of engaging with LGBTQ+ culture. You’ll find drag shows, Pride parades, campsites, microbrew pubs and other places, from San Francisco’s Transgender District to Haircuts for Anyone , an inclusive and affirmative hair salon in Montreal that charges by sliding scale.

“Hopefully,” writes Hensen, “ The Pride Atlas expands your horizons and inspires you to go out into the world, to (un)learn from others … because, like gender, the world doesn’t fit into binary.” Indeed.

The Pride Atlas: 500 Iconic Destinations for Queer Travelers

Combining immersive photography with expertly researched travel writing, this is the ultimate guidebook for LGBTQ+ travelers—whether you're planning your next getaway, daydreaming from the comfort of your armchair, or seeking to learn about queer culture in other parts of the world.

Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel by Shahnaz Habib

An enlightening and entertaining debut essay collection by a U.S.-based Indian Muslim author, Airplane Mode brings a unique and under-represented perspective to the world of travel. Shahnaz Habib approaches such topics as the origins of passports, colonial modes of thinking about travel—like safaris and pilgrimages—and terms like “pseudiscovery,” which she uses to describe an explorer’s claim of discovering something that’s existed for thousands of years, with both wit and curiosity, incorporating her own personal narratives to boot.

Perhaps Annabel Abbs, author of Windswept: Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women , says it best in her praise for Airplane Mode, which has been long-listed for the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence . She calls it “a fascinating, wide-ranging and insightful travelogue that poses some of the biggest questions of all: Who gets to travel, and what is it that makes us so keen to travel in the first place?”

Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel

This witty personal and cultural history of travel from the perspective of a Third World-raised woman of color, Airplane Mode , asks: what does it mean to be a joyous traveler when we live in the ruins of colonialism, capitalism and climate change?

Oh My Mother!: A Memoir in Nine Adventures by Connie Wang

The closest Chinese expression to “Oh, my god” is wode ma ya , which literally translates to “Oh, my mother.” It’s a declaration of astonishment, as well as the title for journalist Connie Wang ’s humorous and heartfelt book, Oh My Mother!: A Memoir in Nine Adventures . Wang details the complicated relationship between herself and her stubborn and “wildly opinionated” mother, Qing Li, across nine essays, taking readers from time-share properties in Cancun and Aruba to a Magic Mike strip show in Las Vegas. “This is our memoir—a long personal essay, if you will—and it was forged through shared fact-checking,” Wang writes in the book. “Qing was the first person to read each chapter as it was written, and she is this book’s first editor.” According to Kirkus Reviews , the author “drives to the heart of how a daughter comes to know her mother as someone with a life beyond motherhood.”

Oh My Mother!: A Memoir in Nine Adventures

A dazzling mother-daughter adventure around the world in pursuit of self-discovery, a family reckoning, and Asian American defiance

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Laura Kiniry | READ MORE

Laura Kiniry is a San Francisco-based freelance writer specializing in food, drink, and travel. She contributes to a variety of outlets including American Way , O-The Oprah Magazine , BBC.com , and numerous AAA pubs.

Wealth of Geeks

The Best Books To Read Before Visiting Europe

Posted: February 20, 2024 | Last updated: February 20, 2024

No trip is complete without a good book for company, and many a magnificent journey has resulted in published work. There is something about exploring a foreign land through the eyes of another that remains irresistible, whether the trip is in a metropolis or the middle of nowhere. Travel writing is wonderful, but you can’t beat a good old travelogue.

Europe’s myriad charms attract millions of visitors annually, and the history books are packed with gorgeous tomes penned about its many countries. These are the books to read before visiting specific cities, countries, or regions, and extra points if you can read them while following the journeys detailed within. Travel and writing go hand in hand.

1 – Italo Calvino – Invisible Cities (Venice, Italy)

Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities is one of the great pieces of travel literature, but this isn’t your usual travelogue. It is ostensibly a piece of fiction, as Calvino imagines Marco Polo describing various cities to Kublai Khan, showcasing Kublai’s empire to its leader. Each city has its peculiarities, curiosities, and charms, but this spiderweb of poetic wandering eventually reveals a gorgeous truth. Calvino might be describing a broad range of places, but he is only describing Venice. Invisible Cities is a beautiful piece of work.

2 – José Saramago – Journey to Portugal (Portugal)

Most great pieces of travel writing try to get under the skin of a place, but José Saramago’s 1981 classic does more than that. Journey to Portugal is a trip into the very soul of the country, a meticulously intricate picture of Saramago’s nation down to the most intimate detail. It is as much a guidebook as a travelogue while not fitting into either, encompassing every aspect of Portuguese history, culture, and faith. It is a staggeringly triumphant work.

3 – Ryszard Kapuściński – Imperium (Former Soviet Union)

Ryszard Kapuściński is one of the most celebrated and influential travel writers that the 20th century produced, so it is only fitting that the Polish icon gets two books on this list. Imperium is the first, a 1993 piece of non-fiction that details Kapuściński’s travels around the Soviet Union as the state collapsed, along with his experiences of the Red Army entering his hometown of Pińsk in 1939. Kapuściński’s work is famously divisive, but Imperium showcases the man at his best.

4 – Henry Miller – The Colossus of Maroussi (Greece)

American writer Henry Miller might be best remembered for his intense fiction, but his enchanting ramble through Greece may be his best work. Readers shouldn’t expect to learn the ins and outs of Greece, but a thrilling dive into the human side of travel awaits, proving once again that good travel writing is as much about the writer as the destination. Miller spent nine months living in Greece, a tenure abruptly cut by the outbreak of World War II, but The Colossus of Maroussi is an incredible legacy.

5 – Kapka Kassabova – Border (Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece)

Borders are funny things. From a reductionist viewpoint, they are arbitrary lines drawn on a map, but boundaries do more than act as lighthouses for passport stamps. Kapka Kassabova’s Border is an achingly gorgeous exploration of her native Bulgaria’s border with Turkey and Greece, a tumultuous place where laws manage to be both fluid and set in stone, where survival comes hand in hand with innovation and tradition. It is a curious place, and Kassabova’s inimitable style brings it to light in beautiful technicolor.

6 – Jan Morris – Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere (Trieste, Italy)

Welsh writer Jan Morris penned many a marvelous overview, with her work on Venice, Oxford, and Oman particularly special, but there is something about Morris’ tribute to Trieste that hits differently. Trieste isn’t your typical Italian city; it doesn’t have a standard history and stands alone in many ways, a myriad of characteristics Morris perfectly captures in this timeless work. There is nowhere like Trieste in Italy, and it is genuinely surprising that it remains off the radar of most visitors to the country.

7 – Jan Morris – Wales: Epic Views of a Small Country (Wales)

Jan Morris wasn’t the most creative when titling her books, but the 400+ pages of this gorgeous book contain all the imagination one requires. Wales: Epic Views of a Small Country is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in Wales and the Welsh. A book dripping in love, Wales takes Owain Glyndwr as an anchor and explores everything from architecture to faith, industry, and song, bringing the brittle yet brawny Welsh character to the forefront. The Welsh are unique, and so is this book.

8 – Carlo Levi – Christ Stopped at Eboli (Southern Italy)

Sticking with Italy, Carlo Levi’s memoir of exile in the south of Italy is a gorgeously weighted book. Levi’s gorgeously crafted sentences breathe life into ordinary life, although there was nothing ordinary about his presence in two impoverished towns in South Italy. The famous north-south divide is present throughout, as Levi comes to terms with an Italy in the throes of Mussolini and fascism. Christ Stopped at Eboli focuses on the genuine over the glitz, but Italy remains beautiful throughout.

9 – John McManus – Welcome to Hell?: In Search of the Real Turkish Football (Turkey)

Don’t be put off by the title because this is a fabulous introduction to both Turkish football and the country itself. In Welcome to Hell?: In Search of the Real Turkish Football , John McManus travels the length and breadth of the country to better understand modern Turkey, using football as a vehicle. McManus covers a considerable amount in the book, approaching complex issues tactfully and providing ample laughs along the way. You don’t need to be a soccer fan to enjoy this brilliant book.

10 – Ryszard Kapuściński – Nobody Leaves (Poland)

The second Kapuściński title is focused entirely on his native Poland. The journalist gained fame for his work in Africa, Asia, and Central America, but his writings on the neglected parts of his homeland are every bit as vital. Nobody Leaves is a warts-and-all look at communist Poland, a country stuck between Stalinism and a different way, dealing with disappointment and hope all at once. It isn’t the cheeriest book, but it is gorgeously written and undeniably honest at every turn.

11 – Adam Gopnik – Paris to the Moon (Paris, France)

There are a million books about Paris, with new ones published every year, as the French capital continues to dig its claws into a new band of starry-eyed travel writers. Adam Gopnik’s Paris to the Moon is top of the pile, a charming collection of thoughts and musings on the famous city, a set that takes a step back from the city while living right in its heart. The essays originally surfaced as articles for The New York Times in the mid-’90s, but they still work beautifully as one cohesive unit. Paris to the Moon is Paris as you’ve never known it, yet comfortingly familiar all the while.

12 – John Bills – Via the Left Bank of the ’90s (Prague, Czechia)

A bit of shameless self-promotion never hurt anyone, right? The author was lucky enough to live in Prague for a few years, and he spent much of the time traversing the city on its marvelous metro system, exploring the neighborhoods, and painting a picture of Prague along the way. Via The Left Bank of the ’90s is a love letter to Prague, covering the entirety of the city’s history one metro station at a time, from early myths to the space race and beyond.

13 – Laurie Lee – As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning (England & Spain)

Laurie Lee’s seminal memoir details a very different Spain from the one beloved by millions of visitors in the 21st century. Lee’s Spain is rural, impoverished, and endlessly hospitable, but the shadow of the Spanish Civil War soon makes its presence felt. The story of a walk from the Cotswolds to Spain, the first part of the book deals with Lee’s days tramping on the English south coast before he heads across the channel to a new world. It is a marvelous book, eminently readable and packed with boyish charm.

14 – George Orwell – Down and Out in Paris and London (Paris, France & London, England)

Born Eric Blair, George Orwell is best known for politically-charged works like Animal Farm and 1984 , but Down and Out in Paris and London is equally vital. Published in 1933, it was Orwell’s first full-length work, and it pulls no punches in detailing poverty in the two famous capital cities of its title. The book caused a serious stir upon publication and remains every bit as vital in the 21st century. It isn’t the gentlest read, but it is an important one.

15 – Rebecca West – Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (The Balkans)

It hasn’t aged particularly well, but Rebecca West’s Black Lamb and Grey Falcon remains the standard-bearer for travel writing about all things Yugoslavia . West comes across poorly, but her in-depth analysis of cities, towns, and villages is as engaging today as it was when first published in 1941. West’s blow-by-blow account of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand is still the best thing written about that history-changing event.

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Already planning to see the next solar eclipse in 2026? What travelers need to know.

Umbraphiles feeling the post-eclipse blues should start checking the expiration date on their passports.

The next total solar eclipse is set to happen on Aug. 12, 2026, over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small part of Portugal, according to NASA . 

In North America, only a partial eclipse will be visible, so if April’s event made you an eclipse chaser and you want to see totality, you’ll need to head overseas.

Here’s what you’ll need to know before packing your bags:

Do you need a passport or visa for the best destination?

The path of totality for the 2026 eclipse mostly goes through places Americans can travel visa-free with their passport, so long as they’re planning to stay for less than 90 days.

Spain, Portugal, Iceland and Greenland all allow visa-free tourist travel for U.S. passport holders.

Spain, Portugal and Iceland are also members of the Schengen Area, which allows for visa-free travel in much of Europe, meaning if you decide to make a multi-country trip out of your eclipse adventure, you won’t need to clear customs if you’re coming from much of the rest of Europe, either.

One major change for travelers to Europe from the U.S., however, is that electronic preauthorization will become a requirement beginning in mid-2025. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) requirement will apply to all four open countries in the path of totality. 

Depending on the state of the Ukraine war, travel to Russia may or may not be an option for most Americans by 2026, so it’s unclear what the paperwork requirements will be by then.

Is it better to see it from the beach?

Beaches can be a great place to see the eclipse because there are few natural obstacles blocking observers’ views of the sky. The 2026 path of totality passes over beaches on Spain’s northern and southeastern coasts, as well as over islands in the Mediterranean Sea including Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. The eclipse will also pass over coastal areas in Greenland and Iceland, according to the National Solar Observatory . 

Cruising Altitude: What it was like to see the eclipse from a plane

Will there be eclipse cruises or flights?

Almost certainly, although most operators have not announced specific plans yet. 

Cruise lines will also offer more viewing opportunities. Princess Cruises “has created a bespoke itinerary aboard Sky Princess to position the ship near Spain on that date,” according to a spokesperson for the line. The cruise will open for bookings on Princess’s website on May 23.

Cunard Line has sailings on its Queen Mary 2 , Queen Victoria and Queen Anne vessels that will put passengers in prime spots to watch .

'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship

Holland America Line is also planning multiple sailings around the event, though details are still to be announced. “Guests have reacted positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026 we plan to have three sailings in Europe that will align with the path of the eclipse,” Paul Grigsby, the line's vice president of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, previously told USA TODAY in an email.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Veranda editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

50 Meaningful Mother's Day Gifts That Are Worthy of Your Mother-in-Law

Treat her to something special this Mother's Day.

Whether she is your best friend or someone you hope to get to know better, she's an important figure in your life who deserves something as special, unique and wonderful as she is. Mother-in-laws are unique treasures, so it's important to choose a gift that shows how much you treasure and value her and all the wonderful things she does for you and your family.

Our VERANDA editors have pulled together a thoughtful selection of jewels, fashion, home decor and hosting must-haves that we know that your mother-in-law will treasure for time to come.

Family Bracelet

We love jewels that can be passed on for generations—and this bracelet is one of those special pieces. The bracelet can be engraved with the names of everyone in your family, making it a jewelry staple your mother-in-law will never want to take off.

Cairo Scallop Towels

Made out of 100% cotton, this luxurious towel from Matouk's spring collection is as indulgent as it is beautiful. The scalloped design comes in 12 fun color options, ensuring one will certainly speak your mother-in-law's style.

Vic Leather Bed Tray

What's Mother's Day without breakfast in bed? The stunning craftsmanship of this tray, made with wood, steel and leather, makes it standout.

Serena Jewellery Box

Astier de Villatte is one of the most beautiful shops to visit in the world, and the brand's playful designs continue to charm us. Serena Carone is the artist who helped the company bring this piece to life that features whimsical ceramic pieces on top.

Oriente Italiano Azalea Ming Vase

For the mother-in-law who is the avid gardener, look no further than this fabulous vase from Ginori 1735. Handcrafted in Italy, the gold detailing on both the top and bottom of this piece makes it something truly special.

Walter Cordless Table Lamp

There's nothing better than spending the day in the company of a good book. Enhance your mother-in-law's reading experience with a chic cordless lamp. This charming option from Pooky might just be one of the cutest we've ever come across. Offering at least 10 hours of battery life, adjustable dimming options, and a selection of lampshades to choose from, this lamp is sure to become a fast favorite.

Classics Nail Polish Set

Nothing makes you feel as put-together as a flawless manicure. The classic nail polish kit from Nailberry, in collaboration with Violet Grey, offers an array of the most timeless shades all in one kit.

Intrecciato Leather Wallet

Bottega Veneta has become synonymous with the iconic intrecciato technique, a signature weaving process that the brand has perfected over the years. This technique is so distinctive that many can identify a Bottega bag by this feature alone. Treat her to something unmistakably fabulous with this stylish wallet, a piece she'll recognize and adore instantly.

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries

Whether it's a Manhattan or a mocktail, the addition of a maraschino cherry simply elevates the taste. The quality of these cherries, crafted in Torreglia, Italy, is unmatched.

Le Creuset Classic Demi Tea Kettle

The sight of a tea kettle on the stove instantly makes a kitchen feel like home. For the mother-in-law with a penchant for tea over coffee, this classic tea kettle would make the perfect addition to her collection.

Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Bath Salts

Luxury spa-like experiences can be recreated at home with the right elements. Bath salts offer a relaxing and indulgent ritual that she can enjoy any time she needs to unwind without the need to visit an actual spa.

Serena Confalonieri Calypso Wine Glass

Beautiful glassware and fine china are among life's most delightful treasures. It's impossible to resist this set of six wine glasses, adorned in pink and green. Crafted in Italy, their charming and distinctive design will have everyone asking your mother-in-law where she got them.

"Love You" Cocktail Napkins

Mother's Day is all about showing love, so why not buy something that says it? Your mother-in-law will treasure these embroidered napkins that have the two words she always wants to hear.

Dessert Plate With White Floral Trim

We adore this collaboration between AERIN and Carolina Irving & Daughters, which radiates a relaxed yet timeless aesthetic. This plate is bound to become a staple in your mother-in-law's daily rotation, and it's so appealing you might find yourself wanting a set too.

Essential Cashmere Crewneck Cardigan

This cardigan says it in the name: It's essential! Your mother-in-law won't know how she ever lived without it. Made of 100% cashmere, this simple yet classic design is sure to charm her.

Modern Shagreen Frame

If your family has celebrated a milestone achievement or shared a precious moment together over the past year, consider framing a photo of that memory for her to cherish forever. A beautiful shagreen frame would complement any space, whether on a desk, in an entryway , or by her bedside .

Perla Bobby Pins

Mastering the art of hairstyling requires years of practice, a keen eye, and a steady hand—qualities that your mother-in-law already has. Her hair always looks perfect, but this Mother's Day, gift her with some accessories to add that extra special touch.

Wrapped T-Ring Leather Loafers

A pretty pair of shoes is just like a good lipstick—it does wonders for her confidence. We're sure she already has a closet of wonderful shoes, but in true Carrie Bradshaw fashion, having one more pair surely won't hurt. These leather loafers are hand cut and sewn by skilled artisans in Italy.

Mara Croc-Effect Leather Jewelry Box

Should your mother-in-law have treasured jewels she never leaves home without, she might need a pretty box for safekeeping. This Smythson jewelry box is a must-have for all her travels. Its design ensures her prized possessions stay in pristine condition.

Photo-Wrapped Layflat Album

We've all heard it said that a picture speaks 1,000 words, but a photo album speaks to lifetimes. Artifact Uprising creates stunning photo albums in gorgeous matte paper binding and holds up to 100 no-end pages that ensure that your photos look flawless every time you open the album.

Mary Alice Russell (she/her) is the assistant market editor for VERANDA. She composes gift guides and stories about style, design, decor, shopping, markets, and trends. Currently attempting to master the art of needlepoint, Mary Alice loves creating, baking and discovering hidden treasures like sea glass or the perfect chai latte.

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Want to see the next total solar eclipse in 2026? An expert recommends booking travel now.

• 2026 will be Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years.
• Travelers worldwide will likely head to Spain, Iceland, and Greenland for the event.
• A hotel expert encouraged travelers to start planning and booking their trips now.

It'll be two decades before the next total solar eclipse hits the US .

Another option: hop on a plane to Europe and turn the 2026 total solar eclipse into a viewing vacation.

Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler at GreatAmericanEclipse.com told Space.com that up to 3.7 million people likely traveled for the solar eclipse on Monday.

HotelPlanner's chief communication officer, Philip Ballard, told Business Insider that the eclipse was a major revenue generator for many cities. For places like Austin, Texas, and Rochester, New York, it could have created $1 billion in revenue, Vox reported.

"I would say the total solar eclipse has become a global phenomenon," Ballard said.

Ballard added that the next solar eclipse , which will pass through Iceland, Greenland, and Spain on August 12, 2026, could result in similar tourism and revenue influxes.

And if travelers are considering a trip to Europe for the solar eclipse, Ballard recommends planning your trip now.

Determine your eclipse viewing destination

According to Space.com , 2026 will be Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years. Its path will go through Greenland, parts of western Iceland, and northern Spain.

Choosing where to watch the eclipse will be a tough and important decision for travelers.

Iceland and Greenland have some positives. These regions will experience longer totality times, so viewers can watch the eclipse longer. Plus, the sun will be higher in the sky, so finding a spot to watch the eclipse will be less challenging, Space.com reported.

The downside is that these regions are more likely to be cloudy, according to the outlet.

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While parts of Spain are likely to offer clearer skies, the eclipse's timing will be shorter and closer to the horizon, which means travelers will need to plan and track down a viewing location with unobstructed views of the western horizon, Space.com reported.

Regardless of the destination, according to the outlet, one bonus is that the strongest meteor shower in the Northern Hemisphere will happen the following night, so travelers can pack two events into one trip.

Book flights and hotels far in advance

Ballard encouraged people to book their hotels in their destination of choice as far in advance as possible.

"You should start looking now and booking hotels now because those cities in the path are already going to be at peak season," Ballard said.

Ballard said it's similar to when a Super Bowl city is determined or a Taylor Swift tour date is announced — you immediately see spikes in bookings. He predicts hotel occupancy rates will hit near-record highs, and room prices may double around the solar eclipse date.

Ballard's general rule of thumb is to book international travel at least three months in advance, but since this is such an anticipated event, booking earlier is smart. His advice is to start discussing plans with friends and family. If you decide on a destination, book a refundable room to keep your options open if plans change.

Regarding purchasing a plane ticket, a study from Expedia states that international travel's sweet spot is at least six months in advance.

According to Expedia, travelers who book six months in advance save an average of 10% more than travelers booking within two months or less.

Skip the hassle of planning altogether and book a solar eclipse tour

Another option is to let a tour operator do the work for you. A handful of tour companies have seen the increased interest in the solar eclipse and launched tours designed around the event.

These tours will have predetermined locations to view the eclipse, hotel blocks reserved, and itineraries highlighting both the region and the eclipse.

However, these can sell out quickly. For example, Space and Telescope created an 11-day tour of Spain around viewing the 2026 solar eclipse. The tour has already sold out as of Wednesday, and the waitlist is full.

Other operators, such as Wilderness Travel and Eclipse Traveler, have similar itineraries for the total eclipse in 2026.

Watch: A small Australian town was treated to a rare hybrid solar eclipse

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What is the best day to book flights?

Fares can change as many as 49 times between the first published price and the departure date!

• Jennifer Graham Kizer
• April 16, 2024

Let’s just say it: Buying airline tickets can be maddening. The same seat on the same flight often costs a different price on Tuesday than it does on Wednesday. Both prices will change depending on the month or season. And if you add in a few other factors (like how many stops and what class you’re flying), the prices change yet again.

Most frustrating of all? The cost varies based on when you buy the ticket. It’s not unusual for fares to seesaw up and down from the moment a price is first published until your departure date, changing as many as 49 times . How can you know which day the airline will offer the lowest price?

You can’t know for sure. But you can keep up with the latest airfare studies — in which travel experts crunch the numbers from past flights, looking for trends and patterns. Read on for some tips on when to purchase tickets this year.

Best day to book domestic flights

About 10 years ago, when online flight booking was still new, airlines would post their latest fares and special deals at the end of the day on Tuesday. In many cases, airlines would match one another’s discount fares. Travel experts passed this information on to consumers, and people came to think of late Tuesday and early Wednesday as the best times to buy tickets.

These days, airlines update their fares all the time, and price matching is less prevalent. So the traditional advice to purchase tickets midweek no longer applies .

Research from Expedia shows that nowadays, Sunday is the best day to book a flight, while fares are most expensive on Friday. The data suggests that if you book on Sunday instead of Friday, you can save around 5% on an economy class ticket and 7% on a business class ticket.

Best day to book international flights

Sunday is also the best day to book international flights. If you choose to buy tickets on Sunday instead of Friday, you can save around 5% on an economy class ticket and 24% for a business class ticket. While the amount of savings has varied, Expedia found that Sunday has been the low price winner for the last three years running .

Cheapest days to fly domestically

In a study by CheapAir.com , travel experts found that Wednesday is the least expensive day to fly domestically, and Sunday is the most expensive. Choosing Wednesday to travel will save you an average of $102 versus traveling on Sunday. The next cheapest option is Tuesday, which will save you an average of $99 versus traveling on Sunday.

MORE: Train vs. plane: Which is the better way to travel?

Cheapest days to fly internationally

If you’re flying overseas, aim to travel mid-week. “For international trips, depart on a Thursday to save as much as 6%, or $60, per round trip ticket,” Hayley Berg, lead economist for travel deals app Hopper, told “Reader’s Digest. ”

Meanwhile, CheapAir.com found that the best days to travel internationally were Tuesday or Wednesday , depending on the continent.

Best months to fly

Lots of people take vacations in the summer, which drives the prices up in May, June and July. And the fall and winter holidays lead to higher prices in November and December. So, if you have a bit of flexibility in your travel dates, you can save money by flying in January, February, September or October.

Berg told “Reader’s Digest” that air passengers can get a discount of over $100 off domestic airfare by traveling during less popular months.

Best time of day to fly

Because fewer people want to take early morning flights, they tend to be a bit cheaper. According to Trip.com , if you opt for a flight that leaves before 9 a.m., the price could be as much as 15% less expensive. You’ll also get a cleaner, possibly less-crowded plane.

MORE: This easy iPhone trick lets you track flight info without an app

How far in advance to book flights

Buying your airline tickets as early as possible doesn’t mean you’ll get the best deal. “Booking more than six months ahead can cost you, since airlines set their initial prices conservatively,” Hopper’s Chief Data Scientist Patrick Surry told Travel & Leisure . But if you wait too long, you might end up paying an inflated price.

According to CheapAir.com, the best day to buy a plane ticket this year is 42 days before your departure. The prime booking window to buy a cheap flight is 74 to 21 days in advance. Outside of that window, the rates will probably be higher. But seasonal changes and holidays can alter the pricing, and where you’re flying comes into play, too.

To be better informed about your specific pricing window, you can use CheapAir’s tool to find the best time to buy flights, based on data compiled from over 8,000 markets and over 1.3 billion airfares. You can plug in departure and arrival cities, hit “Get Info,” and this tool will tell you the prime booking window for your flight. For example, if you’re flying from Atlanta to San Diego this year, CheapAir.com suggests you book between 29 and 72 days in advance.

Buying plane tickets would be a lot less stressful if the prices didn’t change so frequently. But the task is easier when you have these basic tips in your back pocket!

MORE: These are the 20 cheapest places to travel in 2024

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