The COVID-19 crisis means that many of us have more downtime than ever before. That doesn’t mean we are not busy, just that we may be more likely to read a book or binge-watch a series than ever before. We’ve narrowed down the list of books about travel so you can spend less time deciding what to read and more time plotting your next trip. Once this crisis is behind us, we’ll need vacation inspiration, so it’s time to order some books about travel.
Table of Contents
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Outlander is where historical romance meets Science Fiction. It is not one of your typical books about travel, time travel is explored in this series. The Outlander Series has 9 books and was made into a Starz series in 2014. Both the book and show have developed a cult-like following which is why you have likely heard of the series, even if you have not read it yet.
The series takes place in the Highlands of Scotland, the area of Scotland with the most jaw-dropping views and awe-inspiring landscape. The backdrop of the Outlander series is so alluring that Scotland’s national tourism organization’ used a marketing campaign titled “Scotland: The Land That Inspired Outlander.”
Born To Run by Christopher McDougall
Do not let the title deceive you. This book is about more than running. It is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt?
The author sets off to find the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons. These indians practice techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and actually enjoy the process.
So much of travel is an appreciation of culture. The discovery of an unfamiliar culture is something a true traveler craves. This is one of those books about traveling that will get your feet dirty, and we can’t wait!
A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles
While this is one of those books about travel that is technically not about a person traveling, it is a fascinating insight into a country that may cause you to add Russia to your bucket list. It is a mega-bestseller that will soon be turned into a television series. Some may wonder about visiting Moscow, but adding to your collection on books about travel will make readers more curious about Russia than ever before.
The book follows the story of an aristocrat who has been sentenced to house arrest for a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin during some of the most critical decades in Russian history. What entails is a story of self-discovery that allows the reader to discover more about Russia.
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The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
Apparently all of the good books about travel that inspire you are made into a television series or a major motion picture, and The Zookeeper’s Wife is no exception. This is the story of survival during World War II. While the story is a work of fiction, it is the true story of Jan and Antonina Żabiński rescued hundreds of Jews from the Germans by hiding them in their Warsaw zoo during World War II.
A desire to visit Eastern Europe and understand the history of the war will follow the completion of this novel which is why we include it as a travel bucket list read.
Da Vinci Code by Robert Langdon
Another book turned movie, but one you are more likely to have read than seen the movie. That is because 81 million copies of this book have been sold worldwide.
A symbologist and a cryptologist team up together to decipher a trail of clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci which allows them to clear their names of the murder of the elderly curator of the Louvre.
Readers are able to visit Europe, its stunning architecture, and works of art that serve as the backdrop to this fascinating story. A trip to Europe will surely be added to your books about travel reader’s bucket list upon completion.
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In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson has a way of keeping his reader smiling as she turns the pages of his books about travel to down-under. His humor coupled with his passion for travel makes his books about travel so enjoyable as the reader discovers a new land with a new point of view.
Bryson gets somewhat fixated on the creepy crawlies for which Australia is famous, but it is all in good fun as his ultimate discovery is that Australia is a place that needs to be on everyone’s bucket list. This is a travelogue that needs to be read by anyone considering travel to Australia or someone who simply enjoys laugher!
The Art Of Travel by Alain de Botton
There are books about where to travel, what to do while there, when to go, but why do we travel? Why does it elate us so? Why are we fulfilled by this activity? Ultimately, why do we travel for pleasure?
Now, more than ever before, is the perfect time to assess why travel is so important to us. When we can not travel, we crave it ever more. It is time to understand that craving.
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Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux
No bucket list is complete without a trip to Africa. The Dark Star Safari is our travelogue about the good, the bad, and the ugly about traveling in Africa. He traveled via dodgy bus, dugout canoe, cattle truck, armed convoy, ferry, and train. Through this process, he endures the not so photo-worthy part of travel. However, through these real experiences, he connects with the people of Africa which allows him to better understand aid workers, missionaries, and tourists. What results is an insightful mediation on the history, politics, and beauty of Africa and its people.
Turn Right At Machu Picchu by Mark Adams
Mark Adams worked editing travel and adventure magazines for years, but he actually is not very adventurous. So, why not make the first time he spends the night in a tent be part of an adventure hiking the Inca trail!
Machu Picchu is on many bucket lists already, so after reading this book, you’ll feel as if you have been there at least until you can make the trip. Adams takes readers through some of the most stunning landscapes in Peru, from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco to the enigmatic ruins of Vitcos and Vilcabamba. However, what really makes this a book about travel are the stories of the people he meets along the way.
A Moveable Feast By Don George
For many people, food is a major motivator in where their travel takes them. In this book, you get to celebrate food with 38 foodie tales from around the world. It is a compilation of short stories from famous chefs, writers and foodies around the world.
A Moveable Feast is a perfect read for someone who wants to experience culture from many places in one year and who believe that nothing brings people together quite like food. Food is what enables travelers to truly get into the heart of a destination.
Where ever your heart’s desire is, books about travel hold a wealth of information and inspiration! Take a moment to read through a few of theses hidden travel hacks to plan out your next (unconventional) destination. Whether it’s food that motivates you or the idea that you can walk across the stunning landscapes in Peru, stay motivated and get out there and start traveling again!
WANT TO READ MORE?
Here is even more Bucket List inspiration for you 10 Movies About Travel To Fuel Your Wanderlust (Until You Can Travel Again).
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