A5 RECOMMENDATIONS - THE BEST TRAVEL BOOKS

After careful consideration, here are our top recommendations on the absolute best of the best in travel writing.  When we walk into a bookstore, our first glance always goes to the notecards showing special picks from the staff.  This is our virtual list of our favorites, independently chosen, based on years of reading and enjoying travel literature.  We do not get paid anything special to promote any particular book; these recommendations are purely based on the books we loved the most.  We have included a selection of the most popular travel books, some from different categories like adventure travel and funny travel books, a few of the ultimate classics in travel literature, some suggestions for kids, background on some of the most well-known travel writers, and a few rather obscure suggestions that might be hard to find on your own.  We hope you like it - happy reading!

A5 Top Pick - On the Plain of Snakes, by Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux's latest travelogue focuses on Mexico, with a mission to go beyond recent dire immigration headlines to understand the real situation facing the United States' southern neighbor.  He buys an old Buick and starts by driving along the United States / Mexico border to see for himself what is truly like.  In typical fashion, Theroux spends most of his time interacting with local people, providing a window into a complex environment and a proud culture.  Click here to learn more about On the Plain of Snakes..

OUR TOP PICKS ON THE BEST OF THE BEST

A Walk in the Woods
Bill Bryson's wonderful recap of his hike along the Appalachian Trail. 
The Great Railway Bazaar
The best known travel book from one of the best travel writers ever.
Humans of New York
The mega-popular, inspiring blog on everyday people, condensed into a superb book.
Into Thin Air
An amazing, eye-opening recount of the 1996 disaster at Mount Everest.
Travels with Charley
John Steinbeck's road trip across America with his poodle Charley. 
In Xanadu
A college kid's hilarious quest to retrace the famed trip taken by Marco Polo to Xanadu.
Wild
Cheryl Strayed's life-changing challenge to find herself by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
In Patagonia
A masterful collection of stories on Chatwin’s exploration of Patagonia.
Under the Tuscan Sun
The story of an American woman's attempt to restore an old villa in Tuscany.. 
Catfish and Mandala
A touching and funny memoir of Andrew X Pham's return trip to his native country, post-war Vietnam.
The Innocents Abroad
Mark Twain's travelogue describing his "Great Pleasures Excursion" to Europe.
The Snow Leopard
An account of a two-month search in the Himalayas for the rare snow leopard.
Video Night in Kathmandu
A wonderful collection of stories on Pico Iyer's travels through Asia.
On the Road
Jack Kerouac's classic road trip and defining work of the post-war Beat generation.
Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper
A British woman learns to love China through its unique cuisine.
A Cook's Tour
Anthony Bourdain writes about the importance of food when discovering other cultures.
The Geography of Bliss
A tour of the world studying the impact of geography on happiness.
Eat Pray Love
One woman's search for fulfillment across Italy, India and Indonesia.
A Long Way Home
A young boy's incredible journey from India to Australia, and back again.
Venice
​One of Jan Morris' best travel books - a tribute to the history and beauty of Venice.
Dispatches from Pluto
Richard Grant's experience moving from NYC to the heart of the Mississippi Delta.
A Time of Gifts
A majestic journey in 1933 by foot from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople.
A Short Walk in the HIndu Kush
Eric Newby's understated, hilarous adventure in Afghanistan.
Blue Highways
William Least Heat-Moon's road trip across the back roads of the United States.
Great Plains
Ian Frazier shares his love and appreciation for the history and beauty of the Great Plains.
Travels
The best selling author Michael Crichton shares his experiences in travel.
My Life on the Road
Famous activist Gloria Steinem shares the impact travel has had on her life and work.
Turn Right at Machu Picchu
Mark Adams's attempt to recreate the original expedition to find Machu Picchu.
My Life in France
The memoir by famed chef Julia Child, sharing how she discovered her passion for cooking.
Maiden Voyage
A troubled teenage girl becomes the youngest person at the time to sail around the world alone.

OTHER TOP  RECOMMENDED TRAVEL BOOKS

The Best American Travel Writing 2019

Those who love travel literature will love The Best American Travel Writing series,  the longest standing and most read collection of short-form travel writing with a new edition published every year.  Each book has a hand-picked selection of 20-25 travel-related essays and short stories.  Previous editors include top travel writers like Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux.   Don't hesitate to read the older editions too; the series started in 2000 and there are some great timeless stories in each.  Click here to learn more about The Best American Travel Writing series.

The Travel Book, by Lonely Planet

The world's leading publisher of travel guides, Lonely Planet, has published a number of general travel books, and our favorite is The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World.  There truly is a section on every country, making this a book that curious readers will come back to again and again.  There are great photos, a few helpful maps, and plenty of interesting facts.  Makes for a perfect gift for someone who loves travel.  Click here to learn more about The Travel Book.

1,000 Places to See Before You Die

Your bucket list for travel will grow after reading 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, an amazingly deep list of some of the most interesting, and often hard-to-find, travel spots across the world.  One of the best researched travel book we have ever seen, and another great gift for avid travelers.  Click here to learn more about 1,000 Places.

36 Hours, from the New York Times

One of the best travel columns comes from the New York Times, a regular weekly feature called “36 Hours”.  Each article explains a recommended itinerary for someone who has a short weekend to explore a location for the first time.  These articles are now summarized into fantastic books, with one for the US & Canada, one for Europe, one for Latin America, and one for Asia & Oceania.  Click here to see our review of 36 Hours.

Destinations of a Lifetime:  225 of the World's Most Amazing Places

Destinations of a Lifetime is a collection of National Geographic’s most spectacular photography on 225 travel destinations around the world.  The images are both beautiful and inspiring, as one would expect coming from National Geographic.  This book is one of our top recommendations for coffee table books.  Click here to learn more about Destinations of a Lifetime.

Atlas Obscura

One of the latest travel books to appear front and center in many bookstores is Atlas Obscura, an encyclopedic-like list of the world’s most mysterious and marvelous wonders. It first was an online magazine focused on travel and exploration, and the book was very successfully spun off in 2016.  We particularly like the 40-year-old hole of fire in Turkmenistan called the Gates of Hell, the abandoned New York City subway station called City Hall Station, Japan’s amazing “Cat Island”, the bone museums in Italy, and San Francisco’s secret tiled staircase.  Click here to read our review on Atlas Obscura.

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss is just a great children's book.  It is a travel book at heart, filled of course with the original vocabulary of Dr. Seuss at his best, and aimed at those taking off for new adventures and trying new things.  It is a fun and inspirational book, with quotes that will stay with you for a lifetime.  This was the last Dr. Seuss book every published.  Although perhaps best suited for ages 4-10, the book is very popular as a gift for students graduating from high school or college.  Click here to learn more about Oh, the Places You'll Go!