10 Recommended Books to Read about Travel

It’s a dream to travel and most don’t get to as much as they’d like. With the power that books have you can travel to various destinations just with a turn of a page. Here are some recommended books to read about travel. We have travel guides, novels and memoirs for you to go pour over.

Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story by Tony and Maureen Wheeler

You may already be familiar with The Lonely Planet travel guides and in this particular book, it covers the personal journey of Tony and Mureen Wheeler, founders of the popular guide series. They share their experiences through anecdotes while traversing the land of independent travel. Travel to country to country with them and pick up useful information and inspiration when you make your own travel adventures.

The Beach by Alex Garland

What makes this suspense thriller a must read are the illustrative descriptions of the beautiful “Beach” yet is woven into the other authentic side of Thailand. Budget traveling, unsavory trade and the like are touched on in this novel. The seemingly untouched Phi Phi Islands is the star of the same titled movie featuring famous Leonardo Di Caprio.

Ultimate Travel: Our List of the 500 Best Places to See… Ranked by Lonely Planet

You may find some of the usual tourist attractions on this list or UNESCO certified destinations but Lonely Planet’s global community of travel experts also gives us some less known gems to explore. Some of the compelling places include Iguazu Falls in Argentina/Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, Temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia and more.

Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places by National Geographic

The pictures speak for itself in this collage of 250 color photographs collated by National Geographic’s expert and world class photographers. Take a photographic journey to 225 of the world’s amazing places. Expect scenic cityscapes, white-sand beaches, rain forests, and even authentic cobbled streets in this much recommended book.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Based on an impulsive decision Cheryl Strayed hiked more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State alone. A story of strength, determination and healing, Wild is an inspiring tale for those who encounter life changing circumstances and seek change in their life.

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

A novel of self discovery against the backdrop of Italy, India and Bali, it explores the need for personal inflection and the true meaning of success in life. Eat Pray Love has been an inspiration to many seeking for more in their lives and those who wish to travel beyond what they could have imagined. In the setting of 3 beautiful destinations readers will experience cuisine in Italy, peace in India and healing in Bali.

The Lost Girls by Baggett, Corbett, Pressner

You hear about people leaving their “lives” to travel. Here are 3 women who did just that. Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett & Amanda Pressner left their successful jobs, friends, love lives and everything familiar to embark on a backpacking adventure around the world. They traveled to 4 continents through the mountains and jungles of South America, beaches of Australia, going to Kenya, India and New Zealand.

The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet)

Our 3rd recommendation from Lonely Planet, this book covers every country in the world. A double page spread showing places to visit, sights to see, a country’s culture and statistics and more. With over 229 countries and destinations and 814 images to pour over this book will fill many days and feed your wanderlust.

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

A bicycle trek starting in Ireland through Iran and Afghanistan, onto the Himalayas then Pakistan and lastly India, is the premise for this memoir. She prefers the hospitality of locals and focused on the local culture. That’s not to say the whole trip was a pleasant one. She has been attacked by wolves and injured in Afghanistan.

The Size of the World by Jeff Greenwald

With a goal to perform a kora around earth, a voyage that would consist of weeks at sea, days on trains, and hours on alternative modes of transportation anything except an airplane. His adventures led him to an active volcano in Guatemala, saving a baby snow leopard in Tibet, and spending his fortieth birthday in the Sahara.