Learning From Literature

The Best Travel Books

April 14, 2024

Travel is consistently at the top of New Year’s resolutions and things to do in retirement. Similar to reading, travel is about gaining new experiences and perspectives, exploring new horizons, and expanding your mind.

This list of 21 travel books will excite and inspire you to travel while describing the benefits, practicalities, and expert tips. Travel books come in various forms, from personal narratives sharing adventures to practical guides offering helpful advice. Both are included in this article!

Enjoy!

Vagabonding by Rolf Potts

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel was published in 2002.

Vagabonding is the act of breaking away from the routine of everyday life for an extended period of time and embarking on long-term journeys, allowing individuals to immerse themselves in diverse cultures and experiences on their own terms. After traveling for years on six continents, Rolf Potts describes how travel should not be an escape from your real life but a discovery of your real life. Vagabonding is a lifestyle of living, learning, and appreciating — an attitude that turns everyday life into an adventure.

Leave Only Footprints by Conor Knighton

Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park was published in 2020.

After a broken engagement, Conor Knighton sets off with a plan to visit every national park in the United States… in a single year. He began his adventure at Acadia National Park in Maine, where the first light of New Year’s Day touches the continental US. Knighton blends his entertaining personal experiences with historical information about the parks, celebrating America’s beauty while reminding us of the importance of protecting these treasures for future generations.

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Walden was published in 1854.

Thoreau, one of the most profound thinkers in American history, has been described as an essayist, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, and historian. In 1845, he spent more than two years living alone in a solitary cabin near Walden Pond, which he constructed himself. In his writings, he shares not only his experiences but also personal reflections on nature and existence, emphasizing living deliberately and finding meaning in simplicity.

Sahara Unveiled by William Langewiesche

Sahara Unveiled: A Journey Across the Desert was published in 1996.

The Sahara is as large as the United States and is so harsh that even bacteria struggle to survive. Its loneliness is so profound that migratory birds are known to land beside travelers just for company. William Langewiesche journeys into this expanse, experiencing its dangers while relying on its sparse resources and occasional acts of hospitality. From Algiers to Dakar, he crosses the desert’s unforgiving center, encountering merchants, smugglers, and nomadic tribes along the way.

Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger

Arabian Sands was published in 1959.

Wilfred Thesiger was a natural-born explorer renowned for resilience, endurance, and toughness in the face of extreme conditions. Disenchanted with Western society’s comforts and constraints, in 1945, he made a remarkable journey through the desolate “Empty Quarter” of Arabia. For five years, he traveled the harsh sands among tribes who had never seen a European and considered it their duty to kill Christian infidels, putting Thesiger’s determination and adaptability to the ultimate test.

The Caliph’s House by Tahir Shah

The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca was published in 2006.

At 36 years old, Tahir Shah and his family moved from London to Casablanca, driven by his fond childhood memories of Morocco. Acquiring a rundown mansion along the coast, once belonging to a caliph, Shah embarked on an adventure full of lively Moroccan scenery and personalities (even including local underworld members). From grappling with jinns to navigating cultural differences, Shah’s tale captures the joys and trials of pursuing a dream in a foreign country.

The Travels by Marco Polo

The Travels was published in 1300.

Marco Polo’s memoir is a groundbreaking work in Western literature, detailing his remarkable journey to the Mongol empire over a twenty-four-year period beginning in 1271. Serving in the court of Kublai Khan, Polo participated in trading and diplomatic missions that bridged the gap between Europe and Asia during an era when much of the Asian continent remained a mystery to Europeans. From the grandeur of Beijing to the exotic locales of northern India, Polo vividly transcribes his travels.

One description I love is when Polo described “lizard dragons that can swallow a human whole” – Europeans had never seen a crocodile before

In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

In A Sunburned Country was published in 2000.

Australia, dubbed the driest, flattest, and hottest continent, has an incredible abundance of life. However, much of that life can kill you – more than anywhere else in the world (factually proven). Undeterred by the deadly creatures, Bill Bryson set out on a voyage to Australia and found himself captivated by its charms. From the cheerful and hospitable people to the safety of its cities and the culinary delights, Bryson recounts his experiences in a land where life is embraced wholeheartedly under the ever-shining sun.

Turn Right At Machu Picchu by Mark Adams

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time was published in 2011.

On July 24, 1911, Hiram Bingham III made history by stumbling upon the breathtaking citadel of Machu Picchu nestled within Peru’s Andes Mountains. However, controversy shrouds his legacy a century later, as evidence emerges of looting artifacts and undue credit for the discovery. Mark Adams embarks on a journey to uncover the truth, retracing Bingham’s footsteps with an eclectic group of companions despite having never slept in a tent before. As he delves deeper into the cloud forest and mysteries surrounding Machu Picchu, Adams probes the question: What was Machu Picchu?

The Geography Of Bliss by Eric Weiner

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World was published in 2008.

Once a foreign correspondent, Weiner grew weary of reporting from conflict zones and set out on a mission to discover the world’s happiest places. Spending a year traveling the globe, he meticulously explored destinations such as Iceland, Bhutan, and India, aiming to unravel the secrets of genuine contentment. He also ventured to some of the most depressed areas in the world, like Moldova and Slough. Along the way, he ponders the elusive nature of happiness and what truly makes us happy – freedom or restriction, simplicity or luxury, and more.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster was published in 1997.

On May 10, 1996, Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest despite enduring 57 hours without sleep and the mind-altering effects of oxygen deprivation. As he prepared to descend, 20 other climbers continued their arduous struggle towards the peak, with everyone unaware of the gathering clouds overhead. Over the next six hours, Krakauer battled ferocious winds and blinding snow, eventually collapsing in his tent, besieged by hallucinations. Tragically, the following morning revealed the toll of the storm: six fellow climbers had not returned to camp and were desperately struggling for their lives.

Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town was published in 2002.

Once a teacher in Malawi, Theroux embarked decades later on an epic journey across contemporary Africa, stretching from Cairo, Egypt to Cape Town, South Africa. Utilizing all sorts of transport, including rattletrap buses, dugout canoes, cattle trucks, armed convoys, ferries, and trains, he navigates through the continent, encountering danger and delays. Through insightful conversations with farmers, nuns, educators, government officials, businessmen, authors, intellectuals, and ordinary people, Theroux offers a reflection on Africa’s history, politics, and people.

Our Man In Iran by Matthew Stevenson

Our Man in Iran: An American Writer Travels Around the Islamic Republic on the Edge of War and Peace was published in 2022.

Due to decades-long political tensions, Iran is notoriously challenging for Americans to visit. Even with a rare visa approval, a government-appointed guide must follow you for the entirety of your journey. Nonetheless, amidst a period of relative calm between the two countries’ governments, Stevenson navigates across Iran with overnight trains and friendly drivers to explore cities like Mashhad, Esfahan, and Shiraz. With dialogue on the rich history and culture, Stevenson’s unique perspective provides insight into a country often overshadowed by headlines.

The Travels of Ibn Batutta by Ibn Battuta

The Travels of Ibn Batutta was published in 1355.

At age 21, Ibn Battutah left Tangier in 1325 on a pilgrimage to Mecca; however, his journey stretched an astounding 29 years, encompassing over 40 countries and covering 75,000 miles on the modern map. Venturing as far north as Russia, east to China, and south to Tanzania, his extensive travels reveal him as an extraordinary ethnographer, biographer, and historian. Battutah is one of the earliest chroniclers of life within the Islamic Empire, including witnessing one of the earliest recorded medical school dissections and other innovations.

A Woman Alone: Travel Tales by Various Authors

A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe was published in 2001.

This collection features stories from women who have embraced the exhilarating challenge of solo travel, finding freedom in their solitary journeys. With captivating (and sometimes frightening) tales of adventure like traversing desert landscapes on camelback to navigating deserted train stations in remote villages, these modern pioneers reveal the transformative potential of exploring alone.

Ten Years A Nomad by Matt Kepnes

Ten Years A Nomad: A Traveler’s Journey Home was published in 2019.

Straight out of college, Kepnes worked in a well-paying Boston hospital but wasn’t satisfied with conventional life. A spontaneous trip to Costa Rica sparked his wanderlust, leading to a decade of exploration – 90+ countries, 1,000 hostels, and over a million miles by various means of transport. Now, he runs one of the most popular travel blogs in the world, Nomadic Matt, illustrating how travel can be a journey of self-discovery and urging readers to live for fulfillment, not just work.

Take More Vacations by Scott Keyes

Take More Vacations: How to Search Better, Book Cheaper, and Travel the World was published in 2021.

Soon after college, Keyes flew nonstop from New York City to Milan for $130. Despite making $34,000 a year, Keyes was dedicated to travel and began searching for the cheapest deals. Milan for $130. Vietnam and Cambodia using miles. Dominican Republic in business class for free. Along with his website Going, he attempts to fix our misguided approach to planning vacations and ensure we see more of our world than we do today.

Some of Scott’s best deals from 2022 (check out his website for more information):

Iceland → $100
Hawaii → $177
Tokyo → $471

How To Travel The World On $50 A Day by Matt Kepnes

How to Travel the World on $50 A Day : Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter was published in 2017 (date of the revised third edition).

Even though travel is consistently the #1 activity on people’s bucket lists, Americans typically leave long-term travel as a dream or exotic temptation with a generous helping of financial “explanations.” After a decade of travel, Kepnes describes how you don’t need to be rich to get on a budget airline and go; you just need the desire to see how much the world has to offer. As long as you get off the tourist trail and travel as the locals live, you don’t have to break the bank or give up comforts.

The Broke Backpacker by Will Hatton

How To Travel The World On $10 / Day was published in 2017.

When Will Hatton was 19 years old with no cell phone, he flew to India for 18 months of hitchhiking, camping, couchsurfing, and working on farms. After 11 years of experience going around the world, Hatton reveals his secrets to maximizing your finances & travel time so you can have the best experience possible. Today, he runs his popular travel blog from his home base in Bali, where he opened a hostel for digital nomads.

Travel As Transformation by Gregory V Diehl

Travel as Transformation: Conquer the Limits of Culture to Discover Your Own Identity was published in 2016.

As people grow up within their cultural boundaries, their identity and worldview are unconsciously shaped by these surroundings. However, travel offers a unique chance to step beyond this cultural bubble. Drawing from his adventures across 45 countries, Diehl shows how travel can shake preconceptions and lead to personal growth. By welcoming change and immersing oneself in diverse cultures, travelers can uncover fresh new perspectives and possibilities, creating an opportunity to redefine yourself through exploration.

A Writer’s Journey by Travis Elborough

A Writer’s Journey: In The Footsteps Of The Literary Greats was published in 2022.

Writers and poets possess a remarkable ability to elevate everyday experiences into the profound, transforming the ordinary into extraordinary. With unique perspective, they view the world through a different lens, and their journeys serve as rich sources of inspiration. A Writer’s Journey tells of 35 writers and the impactful travels that sparked their literary masterpieces, from Agatha Christie aboard the Orient Express to Maya Angelou’s time in Africa.

Check out more Book Lists!