Our Favorite Travel Novels
Our Favorite Travel Novels
The end of the year is a perfect time for lists and the bookworm in us has spoken!
Here are our favorite travel books that inspire us to pack our bags and wander.
Travels with a Tangerine
By Tim Mackintosh-Smith / Published: 2001
In this lighthearted yet informative read, the author follows the footsteps of Ibn Battutah's journey from Morocco to Turkey. Ibn Battutah was one of the world’s greatest travelers, journeying for 29 years and covering three times the ground Marco Polo covered. Keep a pencil handy to take notes on some of the must-see sites on his journey that are still standing!
Inés of My Soul
By Isabel Allende / Published: 2006
It's the 16th century and the Spanish conquest has begun. Starting in Cusco and based on true people and events, Inés of My Soul recounts the astonishing life of a daring Spanish conquistadora who toiled to help build the nation of Chile—and whose vital role has too often been neglected by history. We love it for its meticulously researched story and its engaging portrayal of Inés Suárez.
Sailing Alone Around the World
By Joshua Slocum / Published: 1900
This classic will bring out the adventurer in you and entice you to embark on sailboat journey around the world - or maybe just a good old 2-week vacation. Joshua Slocum’s autobiographical account of his trip around the world is one of the most remarkable travel narratives of all time. Setting off from Boston, his three-year voyage of more than 46,000 miles remains unmatched.
The Poisonwood Bible
By Barbara Kingsolver / Published: 1998
Alright. This novel is the black sheep of the list… But it deserves to be here! It is fictional masterpiece about a family from Georgia that moved to the Congo in the 1960s. Narrated by a wife and four daughters of a fierce, evangelical Baptist, the story is a suspenseful epic of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa.
In Patagonia
By Bruce Chatwin / Published: 1977
An exhilarating look at a far-off, unseen land, Bruce Chatwin’s exquisite account of his journey through Patagonia is filled with evocative descriptions, remarkable bits of history, and unforgettable anecdotes. Thinking of going to Patagonia? Read this first and travel in search of forgotten legends.
Arabian Sands
By Wilfred Thesiger / Published: 1959
Dusty roads, bedouin tents and endless deserts. This tells the story of an extraordinary journey through the parched "Empty Quarter" of Arabia. Wilfred Thesiger set out to explore the deserts of Arabia, traveling among people who had never seen a European. This now-classic is invaluable to understanding the modern Middle East.
Seven Years in Tibet
By Heinrich Harrer / Published: 1952
If you haven’t seen the movie rendition with young Brad Pitt, don’t just yet! This vivid memoir recounts the adventures of Heinrich Harrer, one of the first Europeans ever to enter Tibet, and his adventures through the Himalayas. A timeless narrative, it illuminates Tibetan culture during the last days of its peaceful existence.
The Great Railway Bazaar
By Paul Theroux / Published: 1975
A strangely unique travel story, this railway odyssey by Paul Theroux narrates his adventures on a grand continental tour by train. The Orient Express, the Khyber Pass Local, the Frontier Mail, the Golden Arrow to Kuala Lumpur, the Mandalay Express, the Trans-Siberian Express. These are the stars of a journey that takes him from London's Victoria Station to Tokyo Central.
The Book of Gold Leaves
By Mizra Waheed / Published: 2014
Looking for a heartbreaker love story? This novel is set in war-torn Kashmir, where, in an ancient house in Srinagar, Faiz paints exquisite papier mache boxes. One evening, he leaves for the shrine where he meets a woman with the long black hair, Roohi. This is a true love story, one of war, temptation, duty and choice.
The Art of Pilgrimage
By Phil Cousineau / Published: 2000
The seeker's guide to making travel sacred. Geared toward the modern-day pilgrim looking for inspiration and spiritual tools for the road, The Art of Pilgrimage weaves stories, myths, parables, and quotes from famous travelers of the past. It's a practical book that offers suggestions on how to make your travels sacred.
