Books are human's best mate, and if you enjoy reading them, you're never going to be lonely. They're taking you to a completely different world filled with imagination and wonder.
A good book is part of every traveller's tool belt. Travel books are an inspiration to adventurers, photographers and artists alike, to those still on the road or to believers who would like to learn about the world. And often reading a travel book may be as exciting as the trip itself.
If you're searching for travel inspiration, you can't go wrong with this series of travel storeys and guides.
1. Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts
This book is a must-read book for anyone fresh and long-term travellers. This book is written by Rolf Potts, who is considered the godfather of Vagabonding. This is a book rich in travel philosophy and inspiration, particularly for solo travellers. Rolf spent years travelling the globe, and so his book includes useful observations, insightful quotations, and a lot of practical knowledge from saving to preparing to finally start the journey.
2. Eat, Pray, Love by Eliza Gilbert
"Eat, Pray, Love" is a memoir that every traveller should read, particularly if you're planning a solo trip. It is the storey of Eliza Gilbert, a modern-day American woman who travels to explore various facets of her personality. Follow the journey of author Elizabeth Gilbert as she explores the world — and herself — while travelling through Italy for fun, India for devotion, and finally to Bali.
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A book about fulfilling your dreams, this is one of the most widely read books in recent times. It follows the storey of a young shepherd boy who is going from Spain to Egypt, going with the river, following his heart. He discovers the essence of love and life on the way. This book is lined with beautiful inspiring quotes. You're not going to get bored even though you read this several times, and every time it inspires you to keep on reaching out to your dreams.
4. On the Road, by Jack Kerouac
If you're planning a cross-country road trip, you'll probably want to pick up Jack Kerouac's classic book, "On the Road," first. Jack Kerouac's Beat Generation masterpiece, published in 1957, is a timeless travel book. The storey follows his son, Sal, as he leaves New York City and heads west, rides the rails, makes friends, and spends the night away. The main character's anger and desire to change the future are problems that can resonate with all of us.
5. The Beach, by Alex Garland
Besides The Alchemist, this is probably the most popular travel book in the world. This novel follows Richard, a young English backpacker in Bangkok, Thailand. Unexpectedly, he explores the dark side of the seemingly idyllic beach town, creating a thrilling and thought-provoking travel tale. The book shifts the way people think about describing paradise. The book tells us that there is nothing like paradise. It's not worth looking for this utopia. Instead, beauty can be found in the truth of local people's daily lives, and this is much more interesting to explore.
6. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
If you're in love with the City of Paris, "A Moveable Feast" is a must-read experience. A Moveable Feast is a 1964 memoir by the American author Ernest Hemingway, which also refers to unique places such as pubs, cafes and hotels, many of which can still be found in Paris today.
7. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson is a name associated with travel writing. This book chronicles his journey through Australia, travelling from east to west, through small cities, coastal towns, lost forests, and more. Bryson provides a lot of trivia in his storey as he travels in awe — and often in fear of this vast land. It's a very insightful and entertaining novel. This book is going to make you want to fly to Australia.
