Around the world, books are our most common mode of transportation. There are a plethora of travel books to choose from. Opening a book can help you avoid travel fatigue. The best travel books go above and beyond the usual tourist traps. They combine sightseeing with self-discovery instead.

Travel books that have stood the test of time are just as relevant today as they were when they were first published. They all have one thing in common: they’ll take you on an adventure and possibly change your perspective on life.

Travel Books For Travelers

Here is a list of some of the best travel books:

1. Among the Cities by Jean Morris (1985)

Morris wrote 37 essays over the course of his long career, which are included in Cities. Its origins can be traced back to the 1950s. With her talented memories of many great cities around the world, she is one of the best guides. She’s written articles all over the world, from Singapore to Rio de Janeiro, and from Beirut to Houston.

A good read for people who live in different towns. Some information, particularly from the 1950s, is likely to be out of date, but this is not always the case. She captures the complex character of each city, both familiar and exotic, with elegance, passion, and intelligence.

2. The Innocents Abroad (1869)

Thousands of serious and boring travel books were written during the Golden Age. A trend that Twain expertly emptied with innocents from around the world. Sending Mark Twain on a group cruise to see the sights of Europe and the Holy Land as a journalist.

He began by sending a series of amusing columns to the Alta California newspaper, after which he turned into this classic. He has a sense of humour that is both timely and self-critical. He struck a deep chord by mocking his fellow Americans’ naivety (“A gentle reader will never know what he will become until he travels abroad”).

He also offers the humbling humiliation of a skilled old world exploration (“In Paris”). Innocents Abroad is one of the few 19th-century travel books that is being read for pleasure today.

3. Turn right at Machu Picchu

Reflections on the voyage into the Peruvian bush and the discovery of Machu Picchu are included in Turn Right at Machu Picchu. Adams’ voyage resembles that described by Bingham. Adams meets the man who will be his guide on this adventure at the start of the novel.

Adams transports readers to Peru, a beautiful and vibrant country. The author brilliantly blends two lines of the story, each filled with incredible characters and breathtaking settings.

4. Stories of Sahara

All travelers, at times, crave a sense of belonging in a meaningless world.

Sanmao, a colourful explorer and novelist, embodies this idea in his novel Desert Stories, which is about defying conventional rules and embarking on a courageous expedition.

Sanmao also presents an eyewitness account of a region of the world that is both fascinating and potentially vital. The author immerses herself in everyday life and the surrounding communities. It became embroiled in both the war for Saharan independence and the invasion of Morocco.

The book is organised as a collection of pieces, the majority of which are written as stories.

5. Herodotus, History (about 440 BC)

As it may be, Homer’s Odyssey is sometimes referred to as Homer’s first travel novel, as it tells the legendary story of Odysseus, a lone wandering man who embarks on a voyage fraught with mythical hazards, from deadly animals like cyclops to enticing nymphs and witches.

But it was the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who journeyed throughout the eastern Mediterranean investigating its enormous history, who was the first true “travel writer,” as we understand the term today. His evocative portrayal of ancient Egypt, in particular, has left an indelible impression on the world.

He handled these classic travel ordeals since he “did the scenes” from the Pyramids to Luxor. His work has encouraged thousands of other ancient travelers to explore this wonderful, haunting region, resulting in a resurgence of magic that began in the Victorian era and continues to this day. Herodotus is, in fact, not only the father of history but also the founder of cultural travel. Who rarely think of the international community as worthwhile.

6. A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush

This classic travel adventure tells the adventures of Eric Newby and Hugh Carless, two young, naive Englishmen. They set out to hike through Afghanistan to the Nuristan Mountains in the 1950s. Newby’s stylish life in London is followed by the action in Afghanistan in this novel.

They were absolutely unprepared, but they exuded the confidence and excitement that Boys’ Own is known for. It’s a hilarious, action-packed adventure novel with sharp commentary from the characters. They cross paths along the way, and the geography of the area is fascinating

The book has been rereleased in at least 16 different languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and German.