From life-changing cross-continental treks to sun-splashed ocean retreats, the world is packed with bucket-list destinations. And there’s no better way to take that first step than with a travel tome that will introduce you to a place before you plonk your cash down for a trip.
Whether you need inspiration for that next big holiday, or simply want to escape into another world, this list of travel-themed books will help you find a corner of the world just for you.
From life-changing cross-continental treks to sun-splashed ocean retreats, the world is packed with bucket-list destinations. And there’s no better way to take that first step than with a travel tome that will introduce you to a place before you plonk your cash down for a trip.
Whether you need inspiration for that next big holiday, or simply want to escape into another world, this list of travel-themed books will help you find a corner of the world just for you.
Hailed as a classic, Coelho’s tale of Andalusian shepherd Santiago and his journey to Egypt in search of treasure combines magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder. Along the way, we learn about the importance of listening to our hearts, of recognising opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, of following our dreams.
For those feeling a little lost, The Alchemist—which has earned a reputation for helping people find their way back to themselves—is a powerful tool to help shed light on the inner being.
Get it here.
Sometimes, you have to disconnect to reconnect, and what better way than with the help of Mother Nature? Learn to embrace the natural beauty and holistic benefits of wild swimming in this guide to the liberating activity—whether you’re diving into the ocean, rock pools, rivers, or lakes.
Wardley draws parallels between the cyclical nature of the seasons and the changing of the human body, and discusses how going back to nature can be the ultimate spiritual meditation.
Pre-order it here.
This colourful novel details the vagabond journey of Dashiell Bonaventure, an American who roams Asia for decades, traversing the cities of the Far East, falling in love and making enemies along the way. As the decades pass, he becomes wildly wealthy as he pioneers the VIP gambling junket trade in Macau, hosting ‘whale gamblers’ from around the region…and that's when his troubles REALLY begin.
Exhaustively researched and historically accurate, this book was written by a veteran Asia hand, and is an education in itself as to cultural practices and the astounding sites of Southeast Asia.
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Twenty-five-year-old Takako has never liked reading, although the Morisaki bookshop has been in her family for three generations. It’s the pride and joy of her uncle Satoru, who has devoted his life to it since his wife Momoko left him.
When Takako's boyfriend reveals he's marrying someone else, she reluctantly accepts her eccentric uncle's offer to live rent-free in the tiny room above the shop. As summer fades to autumn, Satoru and Takako discover they have more in common than they first thought. The Morisaki bookshop has something to teach them both about life, love, and the healing power of books.
This transportive novel will put you right in the heart of Tokyo, and into a world of warmth and new beginnings.
Get it here.
Meet Chris Stewart, the eternal optimist. A man who flies to Spain, sees a peasant farm on the wrong side of the river and hands over a cash deposit. And then finds he has acquired not just the farm, but the farmer, too…who has no intention of leaving. Not to mention the lack of running water, electricity or even a bridge.
It’s enough to send most people straight back home. But Chris and his wife Ana are made of stronger stuff—and besides, they’ve sunk all their savings into the farm, so there’s no turning back.
Driving Over Lemons is that rare thing—a funny, insightful bestseller that charms you from the first sun-lit page to the last. This special edition, 25 years on, adds a reflective chapter in which Chris and Ana discuss the ups and downs of their move.
Get it here.
Witty and strong, Tracks—now a film starring Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver—is the story of one woman’s solo journey across 1,700 miles of hostile Australian desert to the sea, with only four camels and a dog for company. An incredible against-the-odds tale, it spotlights the fragility of life and the strength of human spirit.
Get it here.
Richard, a gap-year student, is introduced to a beautiful island by the mysterious Daffy. But with drugs and the glamorised violence of Vietnam War films haunting his perception of his Thai paradise, he soon finds the hideaway becomes a nightmare.
A compulsive adrenaline rush, The Beach is an adventure you'll never forget. It’s no wonder this tale of a paradise found and lost is still making waves years after it was published in 2008.
Get it here.
This list would be incomplete without a read from Lonely Planet, one of the OG sources of travel inspiration. From classic all-American drives to little-known Bhutanese trails, this guide has it all for those looking for an epic road trip.
Organised by continent, it comes complete with beautiful maps and awe-inspiring photos that will have you itching to get behind the wheel and experience that profound sense of freedom and adventure that only being on the road can ignite.
Get it here.
Few activities seem to promise us as much happiness as travelling—taking off for places far from home, with more interesting weather, customs and landscapes. But although we’re inundated with advice on where to travel to, we seldom ask why we go and how we might become more fulfilled by doing so.
With the help of a selection of writers, artists and thinkers, this bestselling book provides invaluable insights into everything from holiday romances and hotel minibars, to airports and sightseeing.
The perfect antidote to guides that tell us what to do when we get there, The Art of Travel tries to explain why we really went in the first place—and suggests how we might be happier on our journeys.
Read more here.
The cult-classic guide to the world’s hidden wonders, Atlas Obscura is a must-have for any traveller seeking to step off the beaten path. Celebrating the unexpected, the overlooked, the bizarre, and the mysterious, this collection presents oddities such as a baobab tree in South Africa so large it houses a pub, and the Spanish baby-jumping festival.
Far from the mainstream, this is a book for those who want to discover the best of the weird and wonderful across the globe.
Get it here.
