“That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” – Jhumpa Lahiri

Most Popular Travel Books

There is something majestic about books as they hold the power to take you to places without actually taking you there, if you know what I mean. They teach so much, about places, their landscape, their people, their food, their aura and even more. Some books are much more powerful than others as they let your imagination run free and explore places you have never visited, and perhaps that do not even exist. And, this post is dedicated to them. Keep reading to find out the must-read travel books that will fuel your wanderlust.

‘Eat, Pray, Love’ by Eliza Gilbert

This is perhaps one of the most famous books in the world and rightfully so. Eat, Pray, Love is the memoir wherein the protagonist finds her well-sorted life turned upside down as her love life tumbles. In order to find some balance, she embarks on a journey to Italy, India and Indonesia where she finds soul-satisfying food, spirituality and true love.

‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist is the favourite travel book of many. It is an intriguing story of a boy who becomes a shepherd so he could travel places. He travels from Spain to Egypt in search of a treasure. The book chronicles his adventures along the journey as he faces and overcomes myriad challenges to fulfil his destiny of finding the treasure. Will he find the treasure? What adventures does he undertake to find the treasure? What places does he visit? Read it to find out.

‘Vagabonding’ by Rolf Potts

In case you have been waiting to embark on your first solo adventure, then this is the perfect book for you. It is not only replete with insights and practical information which helps you plan your trip in the most brilliant way, but also rich philosophy which urges you to pack your bags and hit the road. Only a few pages in you will realise why it is among the best travel books you could read.

‘Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent’ by Anne and Mike Howard

Are you looking to travel around the world and unbelievable places to explore with your better half? Then Ultimate Journeys for Two can be your guiding light. The author of this book is a couple which has travelled across all continents and shares their knowledge of exotic places around the world. Their experience can certainly help you become a better traveller and explore magnificent places.

The Dogs of ‘Nam: Stories from the Road and Lessons Learned Abroad, by Christopher K. Oldfield

This one is a collection of short travel stories spanning over a decade. It follows Chris, a budget backpacker, as he makes his way across the world. It is the perfect pick for those who are seeking an honest narration of what it is like to travel. It is entertaining, encouraging and somewhat enlightening.

‘Into the Wild’ by John Krakauer

If you have not read this book yet, then you must have watched the Hollywood flick based on this book. This non-fiction is based on the life of one Christopher McCandless, who, after his graduation, donates his college fund for law school, and head out to pursue his lifelong dream of exploring the country. Without itinerary, fellow travellers or much money in his pocket, Christopher travels across the USA. However, this is not a ‘happily ever after’ kind of tale as two years after his graduation, the protagonist… read to find out.

‘In a Sunburned Country’ by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is an award-winning author who has written books on the English language, science and a number of non-fictions. He has also written several travel books and In a Sunburned Country is unarguably among his best works. It is a travelogue of Bill’s journey through from the east to west of the Land Down Under. His adventure takes him through several coastal cities, tiny towns and thick forests.

‘The Rings of Saturn’ by W.G. Sebald

W.G sparks wanderlust with his book ‘The Rings of Saturn.’ The novel accounts for a tour of the English county. This book is a blend of the beguiling descriptions of the places and people the author encounters with meditations. To name these encounters listed in the book include the history of herring fishing, colonialism in the Congo and the reign of a Chinese empress. The book is a philosophy for travellers who wish to scratch beneath a destination’s surface. Do not forget to take a copy of this amazing book and explore the traveller in you.

‘The Art of Travel’ by Alain de Botton

This beautiful book by Alain de Botton gives its readers an insight into the how and why of travelling so that they do not lose sight of the purpose behind travelling. It displays the truth of travelling and gets us acquainted with the fact that our fantasies about our favourite destination are often better than the reality we encounter on arrival. De Botton is incredibly articulate when it comes to describing travel.

‘Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road’ by Kate Harris

The author of the book, Kate Harris, contemplates several travel questions in this amazing book. It is a memoir of her spending a year cycling the Silk Road. Like no other, it is a travelogue, a meditation on the offbeat places, history and borders, one has rarely read or written. Harris perfectly narrates how it is better to explore the wildness of a destination than just click the perfect Instagram shots.

If any of these books fail to spark wanderlust in you to the extent that you are taken over by the urge to plan a trip right away, check out HappyEasyGo’s incredible online hotel booking and flight booking offers and let them do the job.