It’s not all bad though, he shares the tales of countless locals, tour guides and travel industry workers, who bring a real insight into each country and debunk the popular myths. Wheeler also happens to be the founder of Lonely Planet, so he has gathered plenty of fascinating stories over the years. It starts very slowly, almost disappointing. And than, when he approached Iran and on, it really catches you and traps in his journey.

Well written travel books like these have helped inspire my own personal travel goals over the years — and will continue to do so. Take a journey through every country in the world. 850 images. 230 countries. One complete picture. This humorous autobiography tells the tale of Bill Bryson’s unsuccessful attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail. With sparkling lakes, picturesque mountains, and majestic forests, the Appalachian Trail boasts some of America’s greatest terrain throughout its 2,200-mile stretch from Maine to Georgia. One of the best travel books for nature lovers, Bryson introduces us to some of the ecology, sociology, and history of the trail, as well as some of the quirky folks he meets along his route.

Orphaned and raised by English expats, Eliza Sommers grew up in Valparaiso, Chile in the 1840’s. With the help of a friend, Sommers stows away in a ship to follow her lover to California during the Gold Rush of 1849. She finds a life of independence as she meets and begins traveling with a caravan of prostitutes. Chosen for Oprah’s Book Club, we see how her search for love gradually turns into a quest for personal freedom.

What’s the point of travel? Alain de Botton presents his thoughts in this philosophical look at leisure travel. With insights from great figures of the past and topics like airports, landscapes, holiday romances, and much more, de Botton is sure to change the way you think about travel. I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best travel books of all time! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:This modern day classic is based on Cheryl Strayed’s 1,100-mile solo hike through the Pacific Crest Trail. It all began at 22 years old with the passing of her mother, and her divorce from her husband, which found Strayed at the lowest point of her life. After a brief encounter with heroine, she makes the decision to rebuild her confidence, her self respect and her life. If you haven’t been to Australia, this book is sure to inspire you to go. Bill Bryson guides you by train and car through Australia from east to west. Through forests, mining towns, and coastal cities we meet wonderful Australians and learn about the peculiar wildlife down under. You get to feel what traveling through 1870’s Europe was like, including the landscape, religion, and the people. Robert & his donkey don’t get along at first, but through trial and error they learn to become travel companions. Rachel Friedman’s coming-of-age memoir reminds us to live for the moment. In an effort to prolong “adulting”, the straight-laced good girl surprises everyone when she books a trip to Ireland on a whim. Encouraged by an adventurous Australian, she continues to discover more about herself as she takes a year-long journey that spans three continents.

Not afraid to say what needs to be said, Edward Abbey’s autobiography challenges the power and profit mindset that is destroying our national parks. As the lone seasonal park ranger at Arches National Monument in 1956 and 1957, he desired to experience nature in its truest form. His love for the wilderness reminds us that every once in a while it’s important for us to disconnect from the chaos of society and reconnect with the serenity of nature. The Food Traveler’s Handbook is an extension of Jodi Ettenberg’s excellent travel blog Legal Nomads, a go-to for all things street food (and eating while traveling in general). So it’s no wonder she’s got a top book on the subject. I’ve been traveling the world for 9 years now, and it all started after I was inspired by reading some incredible travel books. I’ve split the list up into two sections. My favorite travel stories/novels, and the most useful books about how to travel the world.Reading can really take you anywhere, and there’s nothing better than a good book to pass the time on a long flight, road trip, or train ride. So we have compiled a list of some of the best travel books that will keep you company on your journey around the world. Each country is profiled by Lonely Planet's expert authors and features details of when to visit, what to see and do, and how to learn more about the country's culture from its film, music, food and drink. Every entry has a map and statistics about the country. Both of those are such great books! And considering some movie adaptations are kind of awful lol we found the ones from our list to be pretty impressive! Shantaram is set in the underworld of contemporary India, where an escaped convict from Australia named Lin is hiding out. He searches for love while running a clinic in one of the city’s poorest slums and simultaneously working for the Bombay mafia.