Our Top ‘Must-Read’ Travel Books
For a lot of us, books were our first ticket around the world. The distances they take our imaginations, and the miles they inspire us to fly, trek and drive are immense. Some of our favourites are works of fiction that transport us to spectacular destinations. Others delve into deeper questions, like: “How does travel change us?” and, “How can we travel responsibly?”
From memoirs to guidebooks, we’ve rounded up a few of our top travel books (trust us, we have more!) for anyone who loves to travel responsibly, imaginatively, and with an open mind – get that backpack ready, though. Because you’ll be booking that plane ticket in no time!
1. A Movable Feast
Some of us live to travel, and travel to eat. And when you need a book to fuel a gastranomic journey, “A Moveable Feast” has you covered. This book is a celebration of 38 foodie tales from around the world – short stories from famous chefs, writers and food lovers who share their love of food and the power it has to bring people together. Reading this book will give you an insight into the culture of food around the world – and a serious case of food lust!
2. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Many globetrotters travel in search of something, whether it’s escapism, archeology or the tastiest cuisine. But, often, we also end up finding a little piece of ourselves too. This is what The Alchemist is about. It’s the tale of an Andalusian shepherd who travels in search of treasure, but finds himself instead. A parable about the importance of following your dreams, it’s a story of how responsible travel can impact the way we see the world and what we can learn along the way.
3. Eastern Horizons by Levison Wood
No inspiring travel book list is complete without at least one of Levison Wood’s books. The avid adventurer has written some of the best travel books of our time! Eastern Horizons recounts his amazing journey, at the age of 22, hitch-hiking from the UK to India, along the Silk Road. Through his fascination with the countries’ histories and cultures, you learn a lot about the places he visits – meeting some wonderful people along the way. It’ll make you realise that this world isn’t such a scary place after all!
4. Go Lightly: Travel Without Hurting the Planet
This innovative guidebook is full of handy graphics and ideas that teach the basics of sustainable travel. The author, Nina Karnikowsi, covers a range of topics – like, why we should choose eco-friendly accommodation, find environmentally friendly activities, and maintain respect for the local environment.
This comprehensive guide to modern travel reminds us of the importance of trekking lightly and mindfully, wherever we go.
5. A Cook’s Tour, by Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain changed the way the world thinks about food – teaching us to embrace the ‘weird’ and wonderful cuisines across the planet. He showed us that you can enjoy some of the best meals at a tiny plastic table, down a tiny alleyway. People are probably more familiar with Bourdain’s travel TV show, ‘Parts Unknown’ or ‘No Reservations.’ But it was his ‘take-no-prisoners, tell-all style’ of writing that actually springboarded his TV career.
“What would be the perfect meal?” That’s the question Tony sets out to answer. On a quest for his culinary holy grail, this books follows his travels from California to Cambodia, chronicling his adventures – trust us, by the end of this book, you’ll be both hungry and eager to plan your next trip.
6. Slow Travel Movement by Penny Watson
In this book, Penny Watson reminds us to consider our fast-paced lives and use travel as an opportunity to reconnect with our inner selves. She delves into the way that travel can help us gain clarity clarity and suggests ways to avoid harmful quick-fix solutions that arise while on adventures. Packed with amazing images of travel destinations, Slow Travel Movement illustrates a beautiful picture of what it means to travel mindfully, at a slow pace, and with consideration for the planet.
Feeling inspired? Why not get in touch to start planning your adventure?