The 38 Best Travel Books for Readers with Wanderlust
If you like to read and you like to travel, you’re my people and you’ve come to the right place. Get ready to discover the 38 best travel books for readers with wanderlust!
As a lifelong reader and traveller, my favourite thing is when my two passions collide. Since 2019, I have read 50+ travel books and would love to introduce some of my favourites to you.
To me, the best travel books are engaging and evocative. They have a story throughout about a person or family I can connect to, rather than just nice descriptions of pretty places. The writing is sharp and funny – never too high-brow, poetic or overly-exclamatory.
My favourite travel stories are true tales (so mostly memoirs about travel) that span multiple countries (around the world trips are my favourite) completed by ordinary people (not athletes or expeditioners). Not all of the books below fit into this category, but it is my go to!
On this list of my favourite travel reads you won’t find:
- Anything historic. I prefer more modern books where the adventures happened in the last 20-ish years.
- Epic adventures or survivor tales. While I believe all of the trips below are adventurous, I’m not drawn to stories of people summiting mountains or surviving shipwrecks. I’m sure those books are great, but they’re not for me.
- Books I read a long time ago. All of the books below I’ve read between 2019 and 2023, so these are my recent thoughts on them (though many were published before then).
- Books I disliked. Obviously, since this is a list of the best travel books, I’ve left off about a dozen books about travel that I’ve read recently, but can’t honestly recommend.
With that out of the way, let’s get to my recommendations and find you your next best book about travel!
Need more reading inspiration? Check out 27 Travel Books that Will Inspire You to See the World, 32 Beach Reads for Every Summer Reading Mood, my favourite non-fiction books, my favourite true crime books, and 12 Memoirs You Should Read.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Best books about travel around the world trips
Below are some of my favourite books that feature around the world trips. If you love the idea of setting off on a huge RTW trip, traveling the world for a year or seeing every country on earth, these adventurous travel stories are for you!
Not Afraid of the Fall by Kyle James
Synopsis: After purchasing one-way flights from New York City to Paris, Kyle James and his girlfriend Ashley quit their day jobs, planned futures, and their daily paradigms to see as much of the world as they could. In 114 days, they trekked across 15 countries and 38 cities with nothing but their backpacks, their smartphones, and each other.
Review: I enjoyed following Kyle and Ashley’s travels around the world in this diary-style book. Though I think it lacked a narrative theme, the diary-style does make it feel like you’re out on the road with them through Europe and Asia.
The Catch Me If You Can by Jessica Nabongo
Synopsis: In this inspiring travelogue, celebrated traveler and photographer Jessica Nabongo—the first Black woman on record to visit all 195 countries in the world—shares her journey around the globe with fascinating stories of adventure, culture, travel musts, and human connections.
Review: This might be the best book for traveling the world since Jessica has literally been to every country! I’ve been following Jessica Nabongo on Instagram for years and loved hearing about her travels, as a Black woman and African woman, to every country in the world, especially the less touristed ones. While I loved listening to this as an audiobook to hear directly from Jessica, I want to check out the print version to see her beautiful photography!
World Travel by Anthony Bourdain & Laurie Woolever
Synopsis: A guide to some of the world’s most fascinating places, as seen and experienced by writer, television host, and relentlessly curious traveler Anthony Bourdain.
Review: Sadly, Anthony Bourdain was only involved in the outline of this book before his passing. However, it’s filled with his words and beautiful essays from his friends on travel, life and food with Tony. I wish the book had been exclusively these essays and Bourdain’s quotes, instead of also trying to be a guidebook. It felt really out of place, and frankly boring, to also read about how to get from the airport to the city centre and what websites to check out to book airfare.
Home Sweet Anywhere by Lynne Martin
Synopsis: Reunited after thirty-five years and wrestling a serious case of wanderlust, Lynne and Tim Martin decided to sell their house and possessions and live abroad full-time. They’ve never looked back. With just two suitcases, two computers, and each other, the Martins embark on a global adventure, taking readers from sky-high pyramids in Mexico to Turkish bazaars to learning the contact sport of Italian grocery shopping.
Review: I loved hearing about this adventurous couple in their 70’s who decide to sell it all and live home-free. Their excitement jumped off the page and I loved the little travel stories they shared. At times the book felt a bit dated and dull, but overall their motto of “postpone nothing” was very empowering.
Around the World in 80 Trains by Monisha Rajesh
Synopsis: Packing up her rucksack – and her fiance, Jem – Monisha embarks on an unforgettable adventure that will take her from London’s St Pancras station to the vast expanses of Russia and Mongolia, North Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan, and beyond. The ensuing journey is one of constant movement and mayhem, as the pair strike up friendships and swap stories with the hilarious, irksome and ultimately endearing travellers they meet on board, all while taking in some of the earth’s most breathtaking views.
Review: I will admit that I have been listening to the audio version of this book on and off for what has now been years. Every time I listen, I really enjoy it! Monisha does a great job of making train ride after train ride interesting and weaves in the history and culture of the places she’d riding past. But, much like riding a train, I do find my mind wanders which maybe explains why I haven’t finished it yet.
Best memoirs about travel
My favourite genre of book is probably memoirs about travel. I love hearing directly from the traveller all about their adventurous highs and lows. I specifically selected the below true travel reads as each of these life stories is particularly emotional, impactful and inspiring.
From Scratch by Tembi Locke
Synopsis: A poignant and transporting cross-cultural love story set against the lush backdrop of the Sicilian countryside, where one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and unexpected grace in her darkest hour.
Review: I read this book back in 2020 and remember absolutely bawling during the early chapters. I know it’s on Netflix now but I’m almost too nervous to watch it because I know I’ll be emotional. While tissues are necessary, I highly recommend the book. It almost reads like poetry and Tembi’s love for her husband, her family and his, her daughter, Italy, Italian food and finally, herself, jump off the page.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Synopsis: Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. This is the memoir of one man’s coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.
Review: This memoir was both hilarious, as we’d expect from a late night comedian, and incredibly personal and serious. It was a beautiful tribute to Trevor’s mom and a hard look at life in South Africa. My only complaint is that the book bounced around so much chronologically that I was sometimes confused about where we were.
A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
Synopsis: The dramatic and redemptive memoir of a woman whose curiosity led her to the world’s most beautiful and remote places, its most imperilled and perilous countries, and then into fifteen months of harrowing captivity—an exquisitely written story of courage, resilience, and grace.
Review: This was one of the first and only books I stayed up late to finish – closing my e-reader at 4:30am! While it started slow, I was immediately drawn to Amanda’s love of travel. Once she’s kidnapped, the book is brutally honest and, apologies for the pun, incredibly captivating.
What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman
Synopsis: Kristin Newman spent much of her twenties and thirties buying dresses to wear to her friends’ weddings and baby showers. Not ready to settle down and in need of an escape from her fast-paced job as a sitcom writer, Kristin instead traveled the world, often alone, for several weeks each year.
Review: This was a funny and sweet read, perfect for solo travellers who are sick of being asked when they’re going to settle down. While it was an enjoyable read, I wish it was a bit more about travel than relationships.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Synopsis: A celebrated writer’s irresistible, candid, and eloquent account of her pursuit of worldly pleasure, spiritual devotion, and what she really wanted out of life.
Review: I couldn’t write a post about the best travel books and not include Eat, Pray, Love now could I? I know it’s a cliche but I would be lying if I didn’t say I really enjoyed this book (and the movie!). I think it’s a powerful read and Liz beautifully tells her story through Italy, India and Indonesia.
A Trip of One’s Own by Kate Wills
Synopsis: Travel journalist Kate Wills wasn’t expecting to be divorced after less than a year of marriage, or to be forced to restart a life that had seemed so stable for so long. Luckily, her job as a writer offered her the perfect opportunity to escape from it all. But for the first time ever, Kate was traveling alone. Feeling unexpectedly out of her element, Kate began to scour history for stories of female travelers to inspire her.
Review: Kate is a brilliant storyteller. Whether it’s dealing with the aftermath of her divorce in London, getting back out on the road, reflecting on past travels or telling the stories of female travellers before her, I’m drawn to it all, inspired and engaged!
The Bookseller at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw
Synopsis: A rich, immersive, funny and heartbreaking memoir of the charming bookseller who runs two tiny bookshops in the remote village of Manapouri in Fiordland, in the deep south of New Zealand.
Review: This was an amazing look at Ruth Shaw’s life, full of loss and adventure, throughout New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Each chapter ends with a tale from her bookstore that just prove how charming small town life is, how kind Ruth is and how much she loves books and the humans who buy them. PS: We’re planning to visit Ruth’s bookstore when we’re in New Zealand this month!
Best books for traveling food lovers
Looking for the best book about travel AND food? Then this next section is for you! So often a love of travel inspires a love of food or vice versa, as we travel the world eating the best meals. Try not to drool all over these recommendations!
Somebody Feed Phil the Book by Phil Rosenthal
Synopsis: The ultimate collection of must-have recipes, stories, and behind-the-scenes photos from the beloved Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil.
Review: If you’re a fan of the travel TV show Somebody Feed Phil (and you should be!) this is the perfect companion book. Personally, I found the recipes to be pretty advanced for your average home chef but loved all of the photos and essays. Caution: Don’t read while hungry!
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Synopsis: Michelle Zauner tells of growing up one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother’s particular, high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother’s tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food.
Review: This memoir was a tough read but really resonated with me as a mixed-Asian person. A beautiful exploration of grief, the power of culture and food, and travel from the US to Korea.
Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi
Synopsis: As a young chef, Onwuachi was forced to grapple with just how unwelcoming the world of fine dining can be for people of color, and his first restaurant, the culmination of years of planning, shuttered just months after opening. Notes from a Young Black Chef is one man’s pursuit of his passions, despite the odds.
Review: I really enjoyed Chef Kwame’s story and everything that influenced his cooking, from growing up in the Bronx with Southern US heritage to moving to Africa to live with relatives. He also includes recipes in his memoir, which was a fun touch! And there’s a YA version of Notes from a Young Black Chef which I think younger readers would enjoy.
Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui
Synopsis: In 2016, Globe and Mail reporter Ann Hui drove across Canada to answer two questions: Why is there a Chinese restaurant in every small town? And who are the families who run them? Chop Suey Nation weaves together Hui’s own family history with those dozens of Chinese restaurant owners from coast to coast.
Review: I loved learning about the culture of Chinese restaurants across Canada, as well as Ann’s family history. It was incredibly empowering for me, as a Chinese Canadian, to recognize so many places and dishes from this book. It felt like home!
Taste by Stanley Tucci
Synopsis: From award-winning actor and food obsessive Stanley Tucci comes an intimate and charming memoir of life in and out of the kitchen.
Review: Stanley Tucci (or The Tuc, as he’s known in our house) is a great storyteller and his love for food, from his childhood home in New York to moving abroad to Italy with his parents to recreating dishes in his London home during lockdown, shines through in this yummy book.
Best books about traveling the world with kids
While I don’t have kids myself, I love the idea of families travelling together and I hope to do an epic trip with my future family one day. In hopes of inspiring you too, I’ll introduce my contenders for best book for traveling the world with kids!
One Year Off by David Elliot Cohen
Synopsis: A year off from work. A meandering, serendipitous journey around the globe with the people you love most. No mortgage, no car payments, no pressure. With his wife and three children, Cohen sets off on a rollicking journey, full of laugh-out-loud mishaps, heart-pounding adventures, and unforeseen epiphanies.
Review: As someone who hopes to travel around the world with a future family one day, I’m a sucker for anyone who has done a big trip with their kids. I really enjoyed hearing about the Cohens’ adventures around the world though the book did feel quite dated, as their trip happened in 1996.
Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr
Synopsis: An evocative memoir of the timeless beauty of Rome and the day-to-day wonderment of living, writing, and raising twin boys in a foreign city.
Review: This was the first book I ever read (or listened to, actually) in one sitting. I loved the idea of Anthony moving his family to Rome for a year while he worked on a book. Sometimes the book focused too much on art or nature for my liking, but the sections on daily life in Rome worked well for me.
At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider
Synopsis: At Home in the World follows Tsh and her family’s journey from China to New Zealand, Ethiopia to England, and more. And all the while Tsh grapples with the concept of home, as she learns what it means to be lost—yet at home—in the world.
Review: I resonated most with this book when Tsh said, “I was infected by an incurable case of wanderlust but I was also a homebody.” That’s so me! I was so inspired by this family’s journey around the world with their kids and how they didn’t let having kids stop them from travelling. There is quite a bit of spirituality and religion throughout the book (including a smidge of white saviour-ism), but it’s mostly tolerable.
We Came, We Saw, We Left by Charles Wheelan
Synopsis: What would happen if you quit your life for a year? In a pre–COVID-19 world, the Wheelan family decided to find out; leaving behind work, school, and even the family dogs to travel the world on a modest budget. We Came, We Saw, We Left chronicles nine months across six continents with three teenagers. What could go wrong?
Review: Another inspiring family adventure! I really enjoyed how this book not only documented the Wheelans’ travels but also why they wanted to go, how they made the trip possible and the family dynamics throughout.
Falling for London by Sean Mallen
Synopsis: Veteran journalist Sean Mallen was ecstatic when he unexpectedly got the chance he’d always craved: to be a London-based foreign correspondent. Falling for London is the hilarious and touching story of how he convinced his wife and daughter to move to London with him, how they learned to live in and love that wondrous but challenging city, and how his dream came true in ways he could have never expected.
Review: It was really interesting to hear Sean’s take not only on moving to London for a year but also as a foreign correspondent reporting news from around Europe. The only part I couldn’t wrap my head around was his wife and daughter not wanting to come (and boy did they complain about it!). Who wouldn’t want to live in London?
How to Be a Family by Dan Kois
Synopsis: Dan Kois sets out with his family on a journey around the world to change their lives together. What happens when one frustrated dad turns his kids’ lives upside down in search of a new way to be a family?
Review: I loved following along as the Kois family lived in four different places over the course of a year, learning how to set up life, parent and become a family in each one. Sometimes the story felt a bit bland but I did like how Dan pointed out both the failures and the wins. His realistic approach (“This trip didn’t change our lives, it was our lives”) really resonated with me.
How to Survive Family Holidays by Jack Whitehall, Hilary Whitehall & Michael Whitehall
Synopsis: One part ‘Lonely Planet’, one part tell-all family memoir, this is the definitive and hilarious guide on how to survive your family holiday, by Jack Whitehall, with a little bit of help from Michael and Hilary Whitehall.
Review: If you’re a fan of comedian Jack Whitehall or his travel series, Travels with My Father, you’ll definitely want to pick up this book. It’s a fun listen where the Whitehalls swap family travel stories and lighthearted advice. I recommend listening to the audiobook as each person reads and they even include bloopers and reactions.
Best books on traveling Europe
I think because I lived in Europe and have spent a lot of time travelling there, I’m drawn to travel stories set in Europe. Below are some of the best travel books on traveling Europe – with quite a few dedicated to Paris and France for my francophiles!
Paris in Love by Eloisa James
Synopsis: In 2009, Eloisa James took a leap that many people dream about: she sold her house, took a sabbatical from her job as a Shakespeare professor, and moved her family to Paris. Paris in Love: A Memoir chronicles her joyful year in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Review: In this book about a family who moves to Paris for a year, Eloisa shares snapshots from their daily life. While slightly romanticized, I liked the idea of just being dropped into their real life and reading the vivid descriptions of mundane things like buying groceries or walking to school.
The Temporary European by Cameron Hewitt
Synopsis: Write guidebooks, make travel TV, lead bus tours? Cameron Hewitt has been Rick Steves’ right hand for more than 20 years, doing just that. The Temporary European is a collection of his vivid, entertaining travel tales from across Europe.
Review: I really enjoyed this one! Cameron shares essays from his travels through Europe (he’s spent a third of each year there since the 1990’s), as well as stories about working for travel legend Rick Steves, running tours, writing guide books, producing his TV show or being back in the Seattle office. While some essays interested me more than others, I really liked Cameron’s overall travel ethos and enjoyed being transported to Europe with him.
For the Love of Europe by Rick Steves
Synopsis: After 40+ years of writing about Europe, Rick Steves has gathered 100 of his favorite memories together into one inspiring collection: For the Love of Europe.
Review: I couldn’t mention Cameron’s book and not include one by Rick himself! If you’re a fan of Rick Steves or just need some more wanderlust inspiration on all things Europe, this is a great read. However, if you’ve seen every episode of his TV show, you may find yourself reading some of the same stories.
Do Not Go Gentle. Go to Paris. by Gail Schilling
Synopsis: Rattled by fears that she is losing her keys, her looks, her job, and her sweetheart, Gail, 62, rashly announces that she will go to Paris, a dream postponed for 40 years. By the end of her journey, Gail recognizes the joie de vivre beneath the wrinkles of bygone beauty in French women. Now she awakens to her own joy of living and finds that it has no expiration date.
Review: I loved the lesson Gail shared about it never being too late to change your life and go after your dreams, but also to go now because you don’t know how long you have. It was so nice to experience her joy in visiting Paris and travelling through France, even if she had to wait until her 60’s to make it happen.
Paris Letters by Janice MacLeod
Synopsis: Unfulfilled at her job and unsuccessful in the dating department, Janice MacLeod saved up enough to buy two years of freedom in Europe. But she had only been in Paris for a few days when she met a handsome butcher (with a striking resemblance to Daniel Craig)—and never went home again. Realizing that her Parisian love affair would be forever, MacLeod began her own business on Etsy, creating beautifully-illustrated letters from Paris inspired by artists like Percy Kelly and Beatrix Potter.
Review: In this “American moves to Paris” (yes, that’s a genre!) book, Janice shares how she wrote herself out of her boring office job and made it to Paris. I loved hearing how she made the most of her time abroad and leapt into her new life.
No Baggage by Clara Bensen
Synopsis: When Clara Bensen arranged to meet Jeff Wilson on the steps of the Texas State Capitol, after just a few email exchanges on OKCupid, it felt like something big was going to happen. Within a few days of knowing one another, they embark on a 21-day travel adventure—from Istanbul to London, with zero luggage, zero reservations, and zero plans.
Review: I was both horrified and inspired by this story of a brand new couple travelling the world with only what they could fit in a fanny bag. While the premise was cool, some of the book felt a bit dull to read. I did, however, enjoy how they represented mental health.
My Good Life in France by Janine Marsh
Synopsis: Ten years ago, Janine Marsh decided to leave her corporate life in London behind to fix up a run-down barn in northern France. This is the true story of her rollercoaster ride, in many ways a love story, with her sharp observations on the very different way of life, culture and etiquette of France.
Review: This time we have a Brit moving to France! While I didn’t love the writing itself, I did enjoy hearing about Janine’s trials and tribulations with expat life in rural France. I have no desire to renovate my own French barn but I like hearing about it!
Eat, Pray, #FML by Gabrielle Stone
Synopsis: What does a woman do when her life has fallen apart and her heart has been ripped out and stepped on twice in two months? She goes on a wild adventure, makes some bad decisions, and does a sh*t load of soul searching. But most importantly? She finds out how to love…herself.
Review: Consider this the millennial version of Eat, Pray, Love, but not as cringe-inducing as the title might make it seem. I really appreciated Gabrille’s honesty as she travelled through Europe to try and heal her broken heart. This reads like you’re sitting down with a girlfriend to chat relationships and travel. Note: There are a few fatphobic lines.
Best fiction travel stories
While memoirs about travel and other non-fiction travel books are my favourite, I know that travel fiction is a great genre too. So if you’re a novel reader, check out these adventurous, fictitious and often romantic travel tales!
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Synopsis: In Five Years is a moving and unforgettable exploration of the powerful bond between mother and daughter set on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.
Review: Rebecca Serle is probably my favourite fiction author so this was a must-read for me! I find her writing to be so good – the perfect mix of evocative and smart without being too pretentious or heavy, but also without going the other way and being too cheesy and cringe-inducing. While a love story, this book is also about the love between a mother and daughter and the love for a beautiful place in Italy.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Synopsis: Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One last chance to fall in love. People We Meet on Vacation will leave you with the warm, hazy afterglow usually reserved for the best vacations.
Review: If you’re looking for a fun and light rom com with a few fun travel stories throughout, this is the novel for you!
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
Synopsis: A trio of second-born daughters sets out on a whirlwind journey through the lush Italian countryside to break the family curse that says they’ll never find love.
Review: This book hooked me right from the start and I stayed up all night to finish it. It’s all about love, family and Italy. While I did find some of the dialogue a bit cheesy, I loved the descriptions of Italy, the flashbacks and how all of the characters grew.
The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary
Synopsis: Two exes reach a new level of awkward when forced to take a road trip together in this endearing and humorous novel. What if the end of the road is just the beginning?
Review: This was a really enjoyable read! I was a bit worried about the dual narrators, as I usually end up preferring one voice over the other, but liked both. While some of the characters bugged me, it was overall a very fun road trip!
Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Synopsis: A misanthropic matriarch leaves her eccentric family in crisis when she mysteriously disappears in this “whip-smart and divinely funny” novel.
Review: I loved this book, told mostly through letters and the daughter’s perspective, all about a mom who disappears and the adventure to find her. It was super engaging with great writing and a fun mystery element.
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
Synopsis: Afi Tekple is a young seamstress in Ghana. She is smart; she is pretty; and she has been convinced by her mother to marry a man she does not know. It turns out that he is in love with another woman, whom his family disapproves of; Afi is supposed to win him back on their behalf. But it is Accra that eventually wins Afi’s heart and gives her a life of independence that she never could have imagined for herself.
Review: I loved learning more about Ghana and especially the divide between city life in Accra and rural life in Afi’s hometown, Ho. While I liked Afi’s feminist journey, I wish we saw more of it, as some of her feelings seemed to come out of nowhere. But overall a great read!
Final thoughts: My top 5 best travel books
Out of all of the books about travel I’ve shared above, I decided to narrow it down to my top five best travel books. After much deliberation, my top five (in no particular order) are:
- One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
- From Scratch by Tembi Locke
- Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui
- We Came, We Saw, We Left by Charles Wheelan
- The Catch Me If You Can by Jessica Nabongo
I hope my list of travel reads has inspired you and you have a few new books to add to your TBR. I’d love to know, what’s your favourite travel-related book?
Love this list! I’ve read a few, but certainly not all. Thanks for the recs.
Thanks for checking it out, Saskia! Hope you find a good new read!
Great list, Riana! I need to get busy.
Thanks so much, Kellye!