You don’t need a plane ticket or a packed suitcase to escape on an adventure… All you need is a good travel book. With a bit of imagination, you can be on a wild journey in a matter of moments, all from the comfort of your living room (or seat on a train…).
We’ve curated a giant list of books for travelers including titles we’ve read (and loved!) ourselves, as well as some books that are on our personal to-read list.
We’ve done our best to round up a variety of different kinds of stories — from funny fictional tales to heart-wrenching memoirs to historical accounts of epic adventures – you’ll find ‘em all on this list: education, inspiration, and just a good old fashioned escape from reality!
Whether you’re stuck at home and need a little “armchair adventure” or you’re looking for a good book to bring along on your next trip, we hope you’ll find something on this list that speaks to you.
Types of Travel Books
Jump to the type of book you prefer and see all the options we’ve gathered just for you!
Read these books for free!
If you don’t already have a library card, now’s the time to get one (especially if you have an e-reader). Not only is it free, but you can rent the digital versions of books and have them sent straight to your Kindle without even stepping foot in the library.
You can do this through the free app, Libby. It’s kind of amazing, especially when you’re traveling and not able to physically go to your local library.
Our thoughts on e-readers: We love real, hard-covered books with actual paper pages you can – gasp! – flip! But while physical books will always have our hearts, the convenience of a Kindle has won over our practical minds… especially when it comes to packing books for travel. I mean, you only need to pack one slim device, and the options are limitless — you can read 100 books if you want. Packing even one “real” book becomes a bit of a bulky burden if you travel light like we do.
Have you ever tried Audio Books?
When I was young, I loved renting audiobooks from my local library. They were just cassette tapes, usually with a semi-boring narrator, but I loved that I could have someone read the story to me.
Funny story: One of my favorite books wasn’t on audio book yet, so 12-year-old me decided to record myself reading the story (with voices for each character!) so my family could listen to it on our spring break road trip. Oh, what I would pay to listen to that “audio book” now!
Lucky for you, you don’t have to listen to 12-year-old Katie or a boring narrator! Within the Libby app, you can switch your preferences to search for audiobooks, and again, you can borrow them for free to your phone!
Travel Stories & Memoirs
Travel vicariously through the stories and lessons these authors have written. From entertaining short stories to lesson-filled memoirs, this list is a great place to start for any traveler looking for their next read.
At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe
By: Tsh Oxenreider
Uprooting their lives to go on a 9-month family “gap year” of sorts, author Tsh Oxenreider chronicles her family’s adventures as they discover what life is like all over the world. This one is near the top of our to-read list!
The World | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story
By: Tony & Maureen Wheeler
Written by the founders of Lonely Planet, this is the autobiographical story of their personal journeys and how the business was born.
The World | Autobiography/Travel Literature | Buy on Amazon
A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the World
Edited by: Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick and Christina Henry de Tessan
Solo female travelers tell their funny and sometimes terrifying, albeit ultimately transformative tales of navigating some of the more unusual destinations around the globe.
The World | Short stories/Humor | Buy on Amazon
What I was Doing While You Were Breeding
By: Kristin Newman
Sitcom writer, Kristin Newman, takes readers along on a hilarious journey through her many solo vacations and the romances and blunders she’s faced along the way.
“Equal parts laugh-out-loud storytelling, candid reflection, and wanderlust-inspiring travel tales, What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding is a compelling debut that will have readers rushing to renew their passports.” – Amazon
The World | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon
Hold the Enlightenment: More Travel, Less Bliss
By: Tim Cahill
Author Tim Cahill presents a hilarious and insightful collection of essays about his far-flung adventures in unique places around the world, from diving with great white sharks in South Africa to staving off enlightenment at a yoga retreat in Jamaica.
The World | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon
The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca
By: Tahir Shah
After uprooting his family from London, author Tahir Shah shares a highly entertaining account of his family’s adventures in renovating an abandoned mansion by the sea in Casablanca.
Morocco | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Marching Powder
By: Rusty Young and Thomas McFadden
This memoir is the account of a British man sentenced to time in the world’s most bizarre prisons in La Paz, Bolivia (which was once a tourist attraction). As a reader, you’ll get a glimpse of the drugs, crimes and humanity inside the prison. While not exactly a book about travel, this memoir encapsulates what it’s like for an outsider to be locked up abroad (in South America’s strangest jail, nonetheless).
Our personal thoughts: Right after quitting our jobs in 2014, we headed to South America on a 3-month backpacking trip. And I can’t count the number of people who recommended this book along the way. Once I downloaded it onto my Kindle, I couldn’t put it down. The story is absolutely crazy (and kind of hard to believe it’s true!).
La Paz, Bolivia | Memoir/True Crime | Buy on Amazon
The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country
By: Helen Russell
Given the opportunity, author and Londoner Helen Russell, packs up her life and moves to the Danish countryside where she discovers the secrets to the happiness of Danish people and where that happiness comes from.
Denmark | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Whatever You Do, Don’t Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide
By: Peter Allison
In his collection of essays, author Peter Allison recounts hilarious and sometimes terrifying tales of his life living in the African bush as a safari guide, coming face to face with some of the fiercest wild animals, and managing the hordes of camera-toting tourists. If you like this one, be sure to check out Don’t Look Behind You, his other book.
Botswana | Short Stories/Humor | Buy on Amazon
In a Sunburned Country
By: Bill Bryson
In a Sunburned Country is popular travel writer Bill Bryson’s account of his personal adventures in the hottest, driest country on earth filled with the friendliest people and the most dangerous wildlife.
Australia | Memoir/Guidebook/Humor | Buy on Amazon
Epic Solitude: A Story of Survival and a Quest for Meaning in the Far North
By: Katherine Keith
Katherine and her husband create their idyllic life of solitude in northern Alaska. But after suffering a tremendous loss, Katherine must push on with her infant daughter. She finds a new purpose when she enters the world of long-distance dog sledding.
USA | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Travel Books for Foodies
We strongly believe that one of the best ways to learn about a country and its culture is to learn about its cuisine. What ingredients are important can tell you a lot about a place and its people. If you love food, eat your way around the world with these culinary delights.
A Moveable Feast: Life-Changing Food Adventures Around the World
Features stories by: Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern, Mark Kurlansky, Tim Cahill, Jan Morris and more. Edited by Don George.
Featuring stories from a variety of well-known writers, A Moveable Feast celebrates food from all over the world and how it nourishes humanity physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
The World | Short Stories | Buy on Amazon
Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook
By: Anthony Bourdain
A follow-up to his best-selling memoir Kitchen Confidential, Medium Raw focuses on Anthony Bourdain’s rise to fame as he takes aim at some of the biggest names in the foodie world.
“If Hunter S. Thompson had written a book about the restaurant business, it could have been Medium Raw.” – Amazon
The World | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Cuban Flavor: Exploring the Island’s Unique Places, People & Cuisine
By: Liza Gershman
A photojournalistic journey through the streets of Cuba, its paladars, and its flavorful cuisine. More than just a cookbook, this volume is an introduction to a revolutionary era of Cuban cuisine.
Cuba | Cookbook/Memoir/Travel Literature | Buy on Amazon
A Fork in the Road: Tales of Food, Pleasure & Discovery on the Road
Features stories by: James Oseland, Madhur Jaffrey, Frances Mayes, Padma Lakshmi, Marcus Samuelsson and more.
Featuring stories of life-changing food experiences around the world from a variety of food-obsessed writers and chefs.
“The dubious joy of a Twinkie, the hunger-sauced rhapsody of fish heads, the grand celebration of an Indian wedding feast; the things we eat and the people we eat with remain powerful signposts in our memories, long after the plates have been cleared. Tuck in, and bon appetit!” – Amazon
The World | Short Stories | Buy on Amazon
Under the Tuscan Sun
By: Frances Mayes
Discover the beauty and simplicity of life in Italy along with the author when she buys and restores an abandoned villa in the Tuscan countryside.
“This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy, loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it’s so delicious, read it first yourself.”—USA Today
Italy | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines
By: Anthony Bourdain
Another one from everyone’s favorite food and travel writer, Anthony Bourdain. This New York Times bestseller chronicles his culinary adventures around the globe in search of the perfect meal.
The World | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude
By: Ann Vanderhoof
Canadians Ann Vanderhoof and her husband Steve decided to leave their 9-to-5s in pursuit of cultural and culinary discovery in the Caribbean. Their two-year journey living on a sailboat brings them to drop anchor in 16 different countries where they explore local cuisine and record the dishes they encounter along the way.
Our personal thoughts: This book was recommended highly to us by a good friend.
The World | Cookbook/Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Bon Appetit: Travels Through France with a Knife, Fork & a Corkscrew
By: Peter Mayle
A retired schoolmaster from Provence, author Peter Mayle believes that the religion of France is food… and wine of course! This hilarious and witty memoir brings to life the culture of food in France.
France | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Books About Travel Adventures
For our fellow outdoor adventure lovers, this list of books will transport you on some epic journeys around the world. From through-treks in the USA to mountaineering feats in the Himalayas and African safaris, your heart will beat a little harder while reading these adventurous tales.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
By: Cheryl Strayed
After losing her mother and her marriage crumbling, author Cheryl Strayed makes the impulsive decision to hike over 1,000 of the Pacific Crest Trail from California to Washington, with no experience or training, completely solo.
Our personal thoughts: This is the story of a transformative journey, and being that we currently live very close to the PCT, this book is making us itch to hike a (short!) portion of it soon.
Pacific Crest Trail, USA | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
By: Bill Bryson
This funny account of one man and his ill-prepared companion’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail.
Our personal thoughts: A humorous and adventurous quick read, Ben and I both loved this book and even got my parents hooked on it too. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud at several points of this story.
Appalachian Trail, USA | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon
A Fortune Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East
By: Tiziano Terzani
After being warned by a fortune teller not to risk flying for an entire year, author Tiziano Terzani travels by every other means possible across the continent of Asia, consulting soothsayers, sorcerers, and shamans to receive advice and ultimately gain an understanding, respect and even fear for the older ways of life that are now threatened by modernity.
Asia | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster
By: Jon Krakauer
Making it to the summit was the easy part. In this thrilling personal account of the 1996 catastrophic storm that hit Mt. Everest and claimed 5 lives, Jon Krakauer provides a detailed picture of the people and events he witnessed on his disastrous descent.
Our personal thoughts: We actually read this book as we did the trek to Everest Base Camp, which made our hike seem like a cake walk!
Mt. Everest | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town
By: Paul Theroux
“In Dark Star Safari the wittily observant and endearingly irascible Paul Theroux takes readers the length of Africa by rattletrap bus, dugout canoe, cattle truck, armed convoy, ferry, and train. In the course of his epic and enlightening journey, he endures danger, delay, and dismaying circumstances.” – Amazon
Africa | Memoir | Free for Kindle
Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road
By: Kate Harris
A born explorer, Kate Harris sets off to pedal the Silk Road by bicycle, chronicling her journey while examining the importance of personal boundaries, the stories behind physical borders, and a meditation on the longing to explore.
China | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Turn Right at Machu Picchu
By: Mark Adams
Follow along on this fascinating and funny account of adventure writer (but real adventure novice) Mark Adam’s journey to recreate the original 1911 expedition to Machu Picchu.
Psst! If this book has you inspired, why not look into planning your own trip to Machu Picchu.
Peru | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon
Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains
By: Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent
In this transformative tale, Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent shares her journey traveling through one of the least explored regions in India. Along the way she encounters shamans, lamas, hunters, opium farmers, fantastic tribal festivals and discovers a way of life that is soon to be changed forever.
India | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Marrakech Express
By: Peter Millar
Inspired by the 1969 Crosby, Stills & Nash anthem ‘Marrakech Express,’ author Peter Millar decides to reverse engineer the train journey from the song through the country of Morocco.
Morocco | Memoir/Guidebook| Buy on Amazon
Honeymoon in Purdah: An Iranian Journey
By: Alison Wearing
“Peppered with accounts of Iran’s Islamic Revolution and political analyses of the country, Honeymoon in Purdah is a departure from our conventional perception of Iran. Alison Wearing give Iranians the chance to wander beyond headlines and stereotypes and in so doing, reveals the poetry of their lives.” – Amazon
Iran | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Tales of Romance & Travel
If you’re looking for something a little lighter with a splash of romance, browse through this list of stories that combine two of life’s biggest adventures: love and travel.
Love With a Chance of Drowning
By: Torre DeRoche
City-girl Torre DeRoche is determined to keep the man of her dreams by joining him on a sailing adventure around the world, even though she is terrified of deep water.
“I was positively swept away by this large-hearted, hilarious story about how deeply and unexpectedly a person can be transformed by love.” – Suzanne Morrison, Yoga Bitch
The World | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon
Crazy Rich Asians
By: Kevin Kwan
This is the hilarious and heart-warming tale of a New York City girl who agrees to spend the summer with her boyfriend in Singapore, only to discover he is not only crazy-rich but one of the country’s most eligible bachelors.
You’ll want to check out the rest of the trilogy after you’ve read this first installment.
Singapore | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
My Summer of Love and Misfortune
By: Lindsay Wong
Iris is having a rough time coping with a breakup and her identity when her parents decide to send her to Beijing for the summer to stay with family and reconnect with her roots. There she gets swept up in the glamorous lifestyle of Beijing’s elite leading her to discover romance and a little bit about her herself along the way.
China | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Eat Pray Love
By: Elizabeth Gilbert
Leaving behind her comfortable life and a marriage she was no longer happy in, Elizabeth Gilbert takes readers on her journey of self-discovery eating her way through Italy, practicing meditation in India, and finding love in Bali, Indonesia.
Our personal thoughts: About as much of a “cliché travel book” as you can get, this memoir from Elizabeth Gilbert is still an entertaining read that both inspires and tugs at your heart.
The World | Memoir | Buy on Amazon
Love & Gelato
By: Jenna Evans Welch
Lena spends the summer in Tuscany to honor her mother’s dying wish to get to know her father. After discovering a journal her mother kept when she lived in Italy, Lena follows along in her mother’s footsteps exploring the magical country, uncovering secrets about her family, and finding love.
Italy | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Books About Travel & History
If you’re a history buff and prefer your books to be somewhat educational, this list is a great place to start. Each book in this section has ties to history, whether a memoir or a historical fiction piece, these stories will bring you around the world and back in time all at once.
Seven Years in Tibet
By: Heinrich Harrer
After being imprisoned in China during the second world war, Heinrich recounts his escape and journey across the frozen Himalayas to finally be one of the first Europeans to enter Tibet and the Forbidden City of Lhasa where he befriends the Dalai Lama.
Tibet | Memoir/Historical | Buy on Amazon
The Great Railway Bazaar
By: Paul Theroux
First published over 30 years ago, Paul Theroux gives a humorous and engrossing account of his early adventures on an unusual journey across the continent of Asia by railway, from London’s Victoria Station to Tokyo Central and back.
Asia | Memoir/Historical | Buy on Amazon
The Signature of All Things
By: Elizabeth Gilbert
Spanning the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this story follows the extraordinary Whittaker family in a tale that crosses the globe —from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam, and beyond.
The World | Historical Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Homage to Catalonia
By: George Orwell
Author George Orwell was meant to travel to Spain in 1936 to report on the Civil War. Instead he joined the army and fight against the Fascists. This is his personal account of the war and Orwell’s own experiences.
Spain | Memoir/Historical | Buy on Amazon
The Road to Oxiana
By: Robert Byron
“The Road to Oxiana is the brilliant account of Robert Byron’s ten-month journey to Iran and Afghanistan in 1933–34. This classic travelogue is considered by many modern travel writers to be the first example of great travel writing.” – Amazon
Afghanistan | Memoir/Historical | Buy on Amazon
The Mountains Sing: A Novel
By: Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
This is the multigenerational tale of the Trần family during the Vietnam war and the following conflicts that lasted for generations.
Vietnam | Historical Fiction | Buy on Amazon
On the Road
By: Jack Kerouac
Inspired by his own adventures with Neal Cassady, Jack Kerouac tells the story of two friends whose cross-country road trips are a quest for meaning and experience.
Our personal thoughts: My favorite professor in university was obsessed with this book. He taught creative writing and is a NYT best selling author himself, so I trust his taste in books and this one is near the top of my list!
USA | Historical Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Pocket Atlas of Remote Islands: 50 Islands I Have Not Visited and Never Will
By: Judith Schalansky
Using historic events and scientific reports, author Judith Schalansky paints a picture of remote islands, whose histories are largely based on speculation and lore, with a poetic romanticism.
The World | Atlas/Travel Literature/Historical Non-Fiction | Buy on Amazon
The Island of Sea Women
By: Lisa See
A story that spans decades, beginning during Japanese colonialism in the 1930’s, this is the tale of two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective.
Psst! Wondering what the island of Jeju is like in real life? We tell you all about it in this article.
South Korea | Historical Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Self-Help Style Guides Based on Travel
A little travel, a little self-reflection… these books weave travel and life lessons all into one package.
The Art of Travel
By: Alain de Botton
Follow along on the author’s personal travels as he considers everything from the anticipation to the exotic allure. This witty book is not going to tell you where to go, but why you should travel and how to do it well.
The World | Memoir/Travel Literature | Buy on Amazon
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Place in the World
By: Eric Weiner
In a unique mix of travel stories, psychology and humor, author Eric Weiner takes his readers on a journey around the world to find out not what happiness is, but where it is. Answering questions along the way like: Is the King of Bhutan a visionary for his initiative to calculate Gross National Happiness?
The World | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon
Laws of the Jungle: Jaguars Don’t Need Self-Help Books
By: Yossi Ghinsberg
Yossi Ghinsberg was lost in the Amazon jungle for twenty-eight days, alone with no food, supplies or weapons, and against all odds, he survived. In this book, Ghinsberg shares the profound truths the treacherous Amazon taught him.
Check out his personal account of his time in the Amazon next in his book Jungle.
Amazon Jungle | Memoir/Humor | Buy on Amazon
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
By: Rolf Potts
In this one-of-a-kind handbook, travel writer Rolf Potts teaches readers how to discover and experience the world on their own terms with steps for achieving the dream of long-term overseas travel.
“One incredible trip, especially a long-term trip, can change your life forever. And Vagabonding teaches you how to travel (and think), not just for one trip, but for the rest of your life.”—Tim Ferriss, from the foreword
Psst! We have a wealth of other articles for aspiring digital nomads!
The World | Auto-biography/Handbook | Buy on Amazon
Fictional Books About Places Around the World
Be swept off your feet (or couch!) as you journey across the world with these fictional stories that take place all around the globe. These books will bring you on adventures that don’t require any packing!
The Beach
By: Alex Garland
This story starts with an American backpacker in Thailand who hears of an island paradise. When he reaches this idyllic community on a remote Thai island, he finds people from all around the world living together in what appears to be a utopia. But the longer he stays, the more dark secrets are revealed… And yes, you may know this book from the 2000 thriller starring none other than Leonardo DiCaprio.
Our personal thoughts: This is one of those books that it seems all backpackers have read and can be found dog-eared in those hostel book exchange “libraries”. It’s kind of like a “rite of passage” for backpackers, and while some readers aren’t all that enthused, we both really liked the story and the themes of this book.
Read about our real-life experience visiting “The Beach” in Thailand.
Thailand | Fiction/Thriller | Buy on Amazon
If I Had Your Face
By: Frances Cha
“A riveting debut novel set in contemporary Seoul, Korea, about four young women making their way in a world defined by impossible standards of beauty, after-hours room salons catering to wealthy men, ruthless social hierarchies, and K-pop mania.” – Amazon
We spent a year living in South Korea while teaching English and while our experience was quite different than the main characters, the descriptions of living in Seoul felt very familiar.
Korea | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Black Sunday
By: Tola Rotimi Abraham
This story follows the fate of twin sisters Bibike and Ariyik and their family as their comfortable life in Lagos unravels with a series of unfortunate events and over the following two decades.
Nigeria | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
The Garden of Burning Sand
By: Corban Addison
Set in Zambia, an American lawyer and local policeman uncover a crime against a girl who was attacked and left for dead. Despite cultural differences and radically different upbringings, they need to work together to help the girl recover and ensure that justice is served.
Zambia | Fiction/Thriller | Buy on Amazon
Shantaram
By: Gregory David Roberts
Shantaram is the story of an escaped convict who flees a maximum security prison in Australia, fleeing to Bombay with his guide and companion, where they can disappear forever in the criminal underworld.
India | Fiction/Crime Thriller | Buy on Amazon
The Alchemist
By: Paulo Coelho
A classic traveler’s tale, this is the story of a young shepherd who follows a vision that promises he will find treasure and good fortune. His journey takes him through the deserts of Egypt and is full of metaphors and beautiful prose. The underlying themes of forging your own path and seeking your destiny speak to people from all walks of life.
Our personal thoughts: This is a book I’ve read a couple of times, and each time I read it, I find new lessons that resonate. Ben loves this one too!
The World | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Sharks in the Time of Saviors
By: Kawai Strong Washburn
After being miraculously saved by a shark while on vacation with his family in Hawaii in his youth, Nainoa and his family drift apart in their separate corners of the country. Nainoa it seems has also inherited strange new abilities. Supernatural events revisit the family in adulthood in Hawaii and force them to face each other and test their bonds.
USA | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
What We Were Promised
By: Lucy Tan
After years of chasing the American dream, the Zhen family returns to China to live a luxurious existence with Shanghai’s elite. When younger brother Qiang resurfaces in Shanghai after years on the run with a local gang, the family is forced to confront their past and what this means for their future.
China | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
The Tusk That Did the Damage
By: Tania James
A story set in southern India about the moral complexities of the Ivory trade, told through the eyes of a poacher, a documentary filmmaker and a notorious elephant known as the Gravedigger.
India | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Once Upon a Sunset
By: Tif Marcelo
After suffering loss and heartbreak, a forced sabbatical leads DC OB/GYN Diana to discover family members in the Philippines she never knew existed. Determined to reconnect, she sets off on an adventure that will change her life forever.
If you are looking for more armchair travel inspiration, check out our articles on the Philippines.
Philippines | Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Angels & Demons
By: Dan Brown
Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon finds himself in the middle of a plot to take down the Vatican. With a mixture of historical truths and modern fiction you’ll learn more about the secrets of Rome than you ever thought possible.
Afterwards, you’ll want to pick up the rest of the Robert Langdon series for similar glimpses into Paris, Washington DC, Venice and Barcelona.
Italy | Fiction/Thriller | Buy on Amazon
Coffee Table Books About Travel
Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences
The book is a collection of all sorts of experiences — from epic hikes to festivals to wildlife encounters — it is packed to the brim of things to add to your bucket list.
Our personal thoughts: This book was one of our first purchases together and was a way for us to daydream of all the adventures we’d take together around the world. We used to open this book and circle the adventures we’d take someday, and now it’s fun to look back on some of the adventures we’ve been lucky enough to experience for ourselves and mark the book with the date of our own experience. If you look at the photo above, you’ll even see our notes!
The World | Non-Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Vanlife Diaries: Finding Freedom on the Open Road
By: Kathleen Morton, Jonny Dustow, and Jaren Melrose
“Step into the world of a new generation of modern gypsies: a range of professionals and creatives who have ditched conventional houses for the freedom of the road and the beauty of the outdoors.” – Amazon
Vanlife Diaries is a a collection of imagery, interviews and advice celebrating this community of nomads who have embraced vanlife.
USA | Non-Fiction/Self-Help | Buy on Amazon
She Explores: Stories of Life-Changing Adventures on the Road and in the Wild
By: Gale Straub
“For every woman who has ever been called outdoorsy comes a collection of stories that inspires unforgettable adventure.” – Amazon
This book combines incredible photography with the fascinating personal accounts of 40 diverse women and their unforgettable journeys in nature.
The World | Non-Fiction | Buy on Amazon
100 Dives of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Underwater Destinations
By: Carrie Miller & Brian Skerry
“Explore 100 breathtaking scuba diving sites around the world–from the cenotes of Mexico to the best wreck in Micronesia–through stunning National Geographic photography, expert tips, and cutting-edge travel advice.” – Amazon
If you are looking for more diving inspiration, we’ve rounded up the sites for the best scuba diving in the world in one article.
The World | Non-Fiction | Buy on Amazon
The Bucket List: Places to Find Peace and Quiet
By: Victoria Ward
“Explore hard-to-find quiet spots in urban jungles, ultimate wilderness hideouts, the world’s best mindfulness and meditation retreats, and ancient centers of spiritual succor and artistic solace – perfect for whether you want to find yourself or get completely lost.” – Amazon
The World | Non-Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Life From Above: Epic Stories of the Natural World
By: Michael Bright & Chloe Sarosh
Created after the hit PBS Docuseries: Life From Above, this book compiles over 200 spectacular images using advanced satellite technology to view the earth’s surface — from its megastructures to its natural wonders — in breathtaking detail.
The World | Non-Fiction | Buy on Amazon
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places
Published By: National Geographic
Take a photographic tour of the world’s most exciting and visually alluring destinations that will inspire you to get started planning your next trip.This book features spectacular images from hundreds of locations — from ancient wonders to electric cityscapes to deserted beaches to architectural feats — taken by the world-class National Geographic photographers.
The World | Non-Fiction | Buy on Amazon
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We want to hear from you!
What travel books are on your to-read list? Did we miss one of your favorites? Comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!
thanks
This post was truly worthwhile to read. I wanted to say thank you for the key points you have pointed out as they are enlightening.
I recommend this blog in general, it has always something worth following up and even if there are books you are not going to read, you will learn something new and may find books you never thought of reading
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Love this. Such an extensive list. Some total classics are on here, like Eat Pray Love, but also love seeing some books I’m not familiar with like Whatever You Do Don’t Run. Thanks for a great lizt.
Thanks! We tried to have a pretty well-rounded variety for all types of readers (or people like me who prefer all different types of reading depending on their mood!).
Oh also, Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places is another I’m going to get my hands on!
Ohh, good tip!
I love this post! I have read some of the classics like The Year of Living Danishly, In a Sunburned Country, Under the Tuscan Sun, and Whatever you Do, Don’t Run. I have been looking for a post like this for a while, because I really want to start reading the classics and getting to know their writing styles. I’m definitely going to buy What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding: A Memoir!
That book is super high on my list too! I’ve heard great things, so I can’t wait to read it myself 🙂
I love to read and this list just made me so happy! Perfect timing to order some books online! There are so many that look interesting!
Happy you liked it! There are lots on this list that I’ve been meaning to read for a while! Trying to make it a priority now 🙂