The 56 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 65+ modern travel books and would love to introduce some of my favourites to you.
I have read every single book on the below list – all 56 of them – plus many more travel books that didn’t make the cut. I’ll be updating this list yearly with new favourites too!
To me, the best travel books are engaging and evocative. The writing is sharp and funny – never too high-brow, poetic or overly-exclamatory.
These books have a story throughout about a person or family I can connect to, rather than just nice descriptions of pretty places.
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 pro-athletes or adventurers).
Not all of the books below fit into this category – I’ve added some modern travel fiction favourites as well – but travel memoirs are my go to!
On this list of my favourite travel reads you won’t find: anything historic (I prefer modern travel stories), epic adventures or survivor tales (not my thing), books I read before 2019 (too long ago for me to remember my review) or books I disliked (I won’t recommend anything I didn’t enjoy).
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 32 Beach Reads for Every Summer Reading Mood, my favourite non-fiction books, and my favourite true crime books.
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 RTW (round the world) trips or that visit many countries around the world.
If you love the idea of setting off on a huge global trip, traveling the world for a year or seeing every country on earth, these adventurous travel stories are for you!
12 Trips in 12 Months by Jen Ruiz
Buy it as a paperback, audiobook or on Kindle here
Synopsis:
Bestselling author Jen Ruiz takes readers on a trip around the globe in 12 Trips in 12 Months, defying societal expectations of what a woman is supposed to be—and empowering others to do the same.
Review:
I’ve been a fan of Jen for years and very excited to read her book. She has a great sense of storytelling and narrative voice that made this such an enjoyable read.
I loved following along on her journey to take 12 trips in 12 months, plus how she wove in lots of stories about her relationships and love life.
To be honest, I didn’t love the ending. It felt a little forced to wrap everything up with a bunch of lessons. I much rather would have just read a chapter about Jen loving her new life, rather than having it spelled out for me.
But overall, loved this one! It was one of the best travel books from 2024.
Call You When I Land by Nikki Vargas
Buy it as a paperback, audiobook or on Kindle here
Synopsis:
Call You When I Land is a soul-stirring memoir from Colombian immigrant and Fodor’s Travel Senior Editor, Nikki Vargas, whisking us through the countries that brought her new love, self-discovery, and the inspiration to launch the internationally-sold women’s travel magazine, Unearth Women.
Review:
I listened to this as an audiobook and loved hearing how Nikki made travel such a huge part of her life. I actually loved hearing the personal stories about her relationships even more than I did the travel content!
Similar to 12 Trips, I thought the “lessons learned” ending was a bit forced and I didn’t love her reflection on travel influencers. But I still highly recommend this read!
Not Afraid of the Fall by Kyle James
Buy it as a paperback, audiobook or on Kindle here
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. I’m still dreaming of doing my own big trip like this one day.
Though I think it lacked a narrative theme, the diary-style does make it feel like you’re really out on the road with them through Europe and Asia.
The Yellow Envelope by Kim Dinan
Buy it as a paperback, audiobook or on your Kindle here
Synopsis:
Kim Dinan takes readers on an extraordinary expedition that all began with a mysterious gift: a simple yellow envelope containing three life-altering rules.
Fueling her with curiosity and courage, Kim and her partner set out on a soul-stirring adventure that transcends borders and redefines their sense of purpose.
Review:
I’ve had this book on my TBR for a few years now but didn’t get around to reading it until 2025. I’m not sure why I waited because it was a great read!
I loved hearing about Kim and her partner’s travels around the world, especially their honest sharing of what it’s like to spend that much time together in challenging parts of the world.
I did find that some of the parts about the yellow envelope felt forced – like it was being shoved into the story or was supposed to be more dramatic than it really was – but overall enjoyed the travel memoir!
The Catch Me If You Can by Jessica Nabongo
Buy it as a hardcover, audiobook or for your Kindle here
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
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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 enjoying 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. So skim over those parts and focus on the stories!
Home Sweet Anywhere by Lynne Martin
Buy it in paperback, audiobook or on Kindle here
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. I hope I’m that adventurous in my 70’s!
Here We Go by Eleanor Hamby & Dr. Sandra Hazelip
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
Synopsis:
Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip, the two irresistible women who have become known on social media as the travelling grannies, deliver a book of life lessons drawn from their late-in-life friendship, and the daring and transformational adventures they’ve undertaken.
Together, they have traveled to twenty countries since they turned 80.
Review:
If I was inspired by Lynne in her 70’s then you know I was even more inspired by Eleanor and Sandy who did a trip around the world at 81 years old!
It was so sweet to listen to the audiobook version of this memoir, especially as Eleanor and Sandy read it themselves. I loved hearing about their adventurous lives and the far-flung trips they’ve been on together.
Both Eleanor and Sandy are quite religious and that came up in the book a little too often for my taste, but it was still a really nice read.
Around the World in 80 Trains by Monisha Rajesh
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
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. 2025 goal? Finally finish this one!
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. Enjoy!
Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad
Buy it in hardcover, paperback, audiobook or for your Kindle here
Synopsis:
When Englishman Chris Broad landed in a rural village in northern Japan he wondered if he’d made a huge mistake. With no knowledge of the language and zero teaching experience, was he about to be the most quickly fired English teacher in Japan’s history?
Abroad in Japan charts a decade of living in a foreign land and the chaos and culture clash that came with it. Packed with hilarious and fascinating stories, this book seeks out to unravel one the world’s most complex cultures.
Review:
Chris captivated me right away with his storytelling and I loved hearing about his journey to Japan, living in a rural area and teaching English through the JET program.
This book focuses on Chris’s early years in Japan, and less so on his current work there as a YouTuber. But I preferred that, and it was very cool to learn about Japanese culture through his eyes.
It got me really craving a trip back to Tokyo and to see more of Japan!
America the Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
Synopsis:
America the Beautiful? is a hilarious trip into the mind of one of the Millennial generation’s funniest writers. Borrowing her Midwestern stepfather’s Prius, Roberson heads west to the Loop of mega-popular parks, over to the ocean and down the Pacific Coast Highway, and, in a feat of spectacularly bad timing, through the southwestern desert in the middle of July.
Along the way she meets new friends on their own personal quests, learns to cope with abstinence while missing the comforts of home, and comes to understand the limits—and possibilities—of going to nature to prove to yourself and your Instagram followers that you are, in fact, free.
Review:
I absolutely loved this travel memoir! Not only was it hilarious, but it touched on a lot of important topics like feminism, sustainability and Indigenous rights.
This book had me laughing out loud and filled me with a desire to see more national parks in North America.
Once again, I thought the ending was a little too self-reflective and overly focused on lessons learned. But the rest of the book was so well-written and engaging that I didn’t mind!
Lights to Guide Me Home by Meghan J. Ward
Buy the paperback or Kindle version here
Synopsis:
In Lights to Guide Me Home Meghan takes us on a trip around the world while chronicling her transitions through some of life’s major milestones.
From Costa Rica to Nepal, Rapa Nui to Malta, Meghan explores what it means to carve out her own identity amidst family expectations, her responsibilities as a parent to young children, and her marriage to an ambitious travel and landscape photographer.
Review:
As a fellow Canadian, I loved hearing about how Meghan’s adventures started at home as she tackled the Rocky Mountains and how she weaved travel into her adult life as a wife and mom.
I’m certainly no mountain climber, but Meghan made the mountain content quite accessible and shared lots of non-mountain travels too.
Funny enough, this book starts out with Meghan and her family in Aoraki Mt Cook which is exactly where I was when I first picked up this book!
From Scratch by Tembi Locke
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
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 my eyes out 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, Sicily, Italian food and finally, herself, jump off the page.
Someday, Now by Tembi Locke
Synopsis:
Tembi Locke, New York Times bestselling author of From Scratch, returns to Sicily for a breathtaking, emotional summer adventure, as she faces the empty nest and an uncharted new chapter in her own life.
Review:
After being such a fan of Tembi’s first heartbreaking memoir, of course I had to pick up the sequel! I loved listening to this audiobook, read by Tembi, which also includes audio that she recorded during her time in Sicily.
While Tembi is still a beautiful writer who brought me to tears a few times, I wasn’t sure this book had enough meat to it. It didn’t feel like enough happened, especially compared to her first memoir.
But still, it was so nice to hear from Tembi again and get an update on her family and travels!
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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 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.
I read this as an e-book but have heard that the audiobook – read by Trevor himself – is also excellent.
A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook & Kindle version here
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 is 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.
Fun fact: One of the people who was held captive with Amanda later became a hostage negotiator and played on The Traitors Australia.
What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman
Buy the paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
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. If you’ve only ever watched the movie, give the book a chance.
A Trip of One’s Own by Kate Wills
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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 was drawn to it all.
A very inspired and engaged read! I’d recommend it to all female travellers.
The Bookseller at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw
Buy it in hardcover or for your Kindle here
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 drove right past Ruth’s bookstore when we were on the South Island of New Zealand in April 2023! Sadly, it was closed for the season, but still cool to see in person.
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!
Picnic in Provence by Elizabeth Bard
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
Synopsis:
Filled with enticing recipes for stuffed zucchini flowers, fig tart and honey & thyme ice cream, Picnic in Provence is the story of everything that happens after the happily ever after: an American learning the tricks of French motherhood, a family finding a new professional passion, and a cook’s initiation into classic Provencal cuisine.
Review:
I read this book shortly after booking a 2024 trip to Provence, France, so it definitely had me inspired! I loved hearing how Elizabeth fell in love with village life after spending a decade living in Paris.
She shared some very cool views on parenthood and some delicious recipes. The only part I didn’t love was the entire chapter on dieting… I’d recommend skipping that one!
Somebody Feed Phil the Book by Phil Rosenthal
Buy the hardcover, audiobook or Kindle version here
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. It’s one of my favourite travel shows!
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 this one while hungry!
Laugh More by Debbie Travis
Buy it as a hardcover, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
Synopsis:
Lifestyle pioneer and bestselling author Debbie Travis is back with a book of ridiculously funny, touching and true stories drawn from her own life, organizing them around the passing of the seasons at the Villa Reniella, her home in Tuscany.
Review:
While not technically a food memoir, I thought Debbie Travis’s book fit well into this category as the stories are all shaped around a year in Tuscany on her olive grove. Food has always been a big part of Debbie’s career, life and now her home in Italy.
I grew up watching Debbie on TV so it was fun to reminisce with her and get a peek into her life. She’s a great storyteller; I recommend the audiobook of this one so you can hear Debbie tell the stories herself.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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 and emotional read but really resonated with me as a mixed-Asian person.
It’s 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
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
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.
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
Buy the paperback or Kindle version here
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
Buy it in hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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 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
In 2025, we’re setting off to travel the world with our kiddo! But even before becoming a parent, I’ve always loved the idea of families travelling together.
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
Buy the paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
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 my family as much as possible, 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
Buy the hardcopy, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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
Buy it as a hardcover, audiobook or for your Kindle
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. I actually re-read it in 2024 because I was so inspired.
Note: 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
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
Synopsis:
What would happen if you quit your life for a year? In a pre–COVID 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.
I actually re-read this book in 2025 and was inspired all over again. Fast forward to me dragging my teenager on a similar trip one day!
Falling for London by Sean Mallen
Buy the paperback, Kindle version or audiobook here
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
Buy the hardcover, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
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
Buy the hardcover, paperback, Kindle version or audiobook here
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 TV 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. It’s also a very popular travel book genre!
Below are some of the best travel books on traveling Europe – with quite a few dedicated to Paris and France for my francophiles!
Two O’Clock on a Tuesday at Trevi Fountain by Helene Sula
Buy the hardcover, audiobook or Kindle version here
Synopsis:
In this inspiring memoir—the antidote to the “just quit your job and ditch all your belongings to backpack the world” mentality—a young woman explores how she took calculated risks to follow her traveling and living abroad without sacrificing stability and comfort.
Review:
I first found Helene’s blog in 2018 and was so inspired by how she, her husband and their two dogs moved to Europe. A few years later, my now-husband, dog and I would do the same thing when we moved to Prague!
This book was a fun read (though sometimes the descriptions were a little too adjective-heavy) about how Helene and Michael made the big decision to move to Europe.
I loved following along on their journey – especially since it was so similar to ours – but wish the book had spent more time with them in Europe. I need a part two to come out to hear more about their Europe and UK adventures!
We’ll Always Have Paris by Jennifer Coburn
Buy the paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book
Synopsis:
From the cafés of Paris to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Jennifer and Katie take on Europe one city at a time, united by their desire to see the world and spend precious time together.
In this heartwarming generational love story, Jennifer reveals how their adventures helped vanquish her fear of dying…for the sake of living.
Review:
It took me a minute to get into this book but once I did, I was fully hooked.
I loved hearing about Jennifer’s trips to Europe with her daughter, Katie, and the memories they made over the years. I definitely want to do similar mother-daughter trips with my own little one!
Jennifer also intersperses stories from her own childhood throughout the book. At first, I didn’t love these sections but they became much more poignant in the later chapters.
Downton Shabby by Hopwood DePree
Buy the hardcover, audiobook or Kindle version here
Synopsis:
HGTV meets Downton Abbey! A ready-for-TV story–with charm and humor in abundance–about a Los Angeles producer who moves to England to save his ancestral castle from ruin.
Review:
I read this book while we were living in London in December 2025 and secretly hoped I too would find a distant relation and an ancestral castle somewhere in the English countryside.
It was a lot of fun hearing about Hopwood’s journey to England and how he took on this major restoration project. There were lots of characters involved who helped him – sometimes it was hard to keep track of who was who or how they were relevant – but it was a good time.
Now I desperately want to see photos of what Hopwood Hall looks like today!
Paris in Love by Eloisa James
Buy the hardcover, paperback, Kindle book or audiobook
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.
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
Buy it in paperback or for your Kindle here
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, 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
Buy it as a paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book here
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
Get the paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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
Buy the paperback, Kindle version or audiobook here
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—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” book (yes, that’s really a genre!), 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
Buy the hardcover, paperback, Kindle e-book or audiobook here
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 belt 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
Buy the paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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 did like hearing about it! If this is for you, Janine has two other books in this series, My Four Seasons in France and Toujours La France.
Eat, Pray, #FML by Gabrielle Stone
Buy it in hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle e-book
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 Gabrielle’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 (but with a few problematic fatphobic lines). If you want to know what happens to Gabrielle after she gets home from Europe, check out her sequel.
All Signs Point to Paris by Natasha Sizlo
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
Synopsis:
A surprising astrology reading sends Natasha Sizlo—divorced, broke, freshly heartbroken, and reeling from her father’s death—on an unexpected but magical journey to France, in pursuit of a man born on a particular date in a particular place: November 2, 1968 in Paris.
Review:
I resisted this book at first because of the astrology of it all (not my thing) but was won over by Natasha’s beautiful writing about her family and grief. Her actual trip to Paris was a little bit too social media heavy for me (which Natasha was self-aware about) but it was still an excellent read seeing how she got there.
I felt very inspired to write about my own travels after reading this one!
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
Buy the hardcover, paperback, Kindle version or audiobook here
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
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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 light rom com with a few fun travel stories throughout, this is the novel for you! I can’t wait to check out the 2026 TV version of this novel.
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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.
Carley Fortune’s summer cottage novels
Buy Carley’s books here: Every Summer After, Meet Me at the Lake, This Summer Will Be Different, and One Golden Summer
Synopsis:
All of the above Carley Fortune novels share a few things in common: summer romances at the cottage, usually set on a lake in Ontario or an island in Atlantic Canada.
Review:
I found Carley Fortune in the summer of 2025 and completely devoured her books. If you’re looking for an escape to the lake this summer – think nature, romance, sunsets on the water – these books are for you.
They’re my perfect kind of fiction because they aren’t cheesy but they aren’t too high brow and literary either. Plus, I love that they’re all set in Canada! We spent this summer in Toronto with lots of cottage weekends, so it was perfectly on theme.
The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary
Buy the hardcover, paperback, Kindle e-book or audiobook here
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 I actually 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
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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 through letters and the young 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. I haven’t watched the movie version yet, but it’s on my list!
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie
Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook or Kindle version here
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 travel books (in no particular order) are:
- One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
- From Scratch by Tembi Locke
- America the Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson
- We Came, We Saw, We Left by Charles Wheelan
- Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad
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? Leave it in the comments so I can read it next!
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!
Thank you for the great recommendations! I found this post through a search (…a quest, at this stage, really!) for travel fiction and your “not on my list” books made me read the rest. Exactly what I was looking for, thank you 🙂
Thanks so much, Juliette. Glad to hear the list was helpful. I plan to update it soon with even more recommendations!
This is such a fun post! I really like the sound of 12 trips in 12 months, I’ve added it to my wishlist. I gave my brother the Around The World in 80 Trains book for Christmas so I’m happy to see it on your list 🙂
Thanks for checking it out! Happy reading to you and your brother!
Hi Riana,
Hope you have been well. Thank you for putting up this huge list together. It has definitely inspired me to read some of these books which I haven’t heard of. Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui, however, is one of my favorites too 🙂
Because you read travel books, I thought to suggest you my travel memoir that has just come out too. Journeys Beyond and Within… has some of my most unusual and challenging adventures: including a nine-month solo trip to South America. Along with the stories, I also narrate the difficulties I faced while traveling alone as a woman and an Indian, and the scoldings I got from home for not settling down (I’m from a small city in North India). How I explored different professions to finally settle onto writing is part of the book too — It’s a “no holds barred” account of me trying to make my way despite the odds.
I think you’ll enjoy the travelogue. It’s been getting great reviews, and the best thing I’m hearing is that it’s a raw, honest, and heartfelt memoir that feels like a conversation with a dear friend. Hope you check it out. Available on Amazon everywhere and in bookstores in India, which is of no use to you unless you are traveling here 🙂
And thanks again. Looking forward for more recommendations from you.
Best
Priyanka
Thanks for checking out the post and sharing about your memoir. Congrats on publication!
I came here just to leave a comment to say thanks you, Riana! Life is tough for me right now. Me and my wife just had a baby, he is currently 2 months old and we love him to death but he keeps crying nonstop and so we can’t go out travel the way we used to. Plus, the economy is so bad in our country right now that it is almost impossible for us to take a long vacation.
This is why this article is a godsend for me. If I can’t take a vacation then reading about vacation is just the medicine for me right now. So again, thanks you!
Aw I’m glad this list has been helpful and you’ve found some solace in escaping through travel books. We also recently welcomed a baby so I know what you mean about the crying and sleeplessness. I hope things get easier soon and you can travel again!
Ooh, this is a perfect list for me! I’ve read a few of these, but this is giving me a ton of books to add to my library list!
Thanks so much for checking out the list, Kirstie. Happy reading!
I love this list! I’m always looking for new travel books to read, and I found some new ones from this list to check out. I have a similar list on my blog with some additional books I think you might enjoy.
Thanks so much for checking out the list! I’ll check out yours too.
A great travel book can spark your imagination and inspire your next adventure by introducing you to new places and cultures.
Agreed! Thanks for checking out the post.
I absolutely loved this list! Each book seems like a new adventure waiting to be explored. I can’t wait to dive into these recommendations and satisfy my wanderlust from the comfort of my couch!
Happy reading!