From Italy to Iceland to India, we love to read books about travel as they have the power to transport us to another world. When the pandemic locked us inside, we escaped by devouring this list of the best travel books around. Without leaving your sofa, let the pages of these novels take you to far flung locales in celebration of National Read a Book Day. Whether you’re looking for what to read before you travel, for future trip inspiration, or just want to mentally escape somewhere exotic between holidays, let these books take you there.
The Talented Mr. Ripley, by Patricia Highsmith
It’s not one of your average books about travel. The original Mr Ripley dark murder mystery novel takes us on a colourful 1950s tour of Italy, from Naples to Rome to Venice. Follow bad boy sociopath Ripley as he assumes the glamorous life of a rich man he killed.
GET INSPIRED: Best of Italy
A Month in Siena, by Hisham Matar
For a trip to Italy with more renaissance art and less murder mystery, pick up Hisham Matar’s memoir. This is one of the best travel books for art lovers as Matar dives into works at the Sienese School of Painting and the art around him during a month-long stay.
GET INSPIRED: Grand Italian Experience
Less, by Andrew Sean Greer
Who says you can’t run away from your problems? Join a failed novelist who is trying to avoid an awkward wedding by accepting half-baked literary events around the world instead. If you’re wondering what to read before you travel next, crack open this satirical read and follow Arthur Less from Paris to Berlin, to a Moroccan ski chalet, a Christian retreat in India and a desert island in the Arabian Sea.
GET INSPIRED: Best of Morocco
Wild Horses of the Summer Sun, by Tory Bilski
This memoir follows a group of female travellers brought together by a love of Icelandic horses. Each year the once-strangers meet in the north of the stunning, adventurous country, swapping ordinary lives for extraordinary ones at a horse farm on the edge of the earth. Follow Tory’s quest to find her “wild” on this fresh, humorous adventure through stunning Iceland.
GET INSPIRED: Iceland, including the Blue Lagoon
Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
If you’re a fan of solo travel, this memoir is for you. The best selling novel was turned into a hit film too, taking us on Elizabeth Gilbert’s journey of discovery through Italy, India and Bali. Safe to say you’ll wish you were swirling endless plates of pasta too.
GET INSPIRED: Italian Glory
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho
If you want encouragement to follow your dreams, open the first page of The Alchemist. The story follows a young Andalusian shepherd on his journey from Spain to Egypt in search of treasure. He follows his heart and learns the meaning of life along the way in this magical and inspiring book about travel.
GET INSPIRED: Spanish Wonder
In a Sunburnt Country, by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson is a classic author known for his nonfiction travelogues that take you across the globe. One of his best travel books dives deep into Australia, home to the friendliest locals and most lethal wildlife on the planet. Enjoy the ride as Bryson combines humour, facts and curiosity in his account.
GET INSPIRED: Wonders of Australia
Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty
Murder, accident or just badly behaved parents? Either way, someone is dead. If you’re wondering what to read before you travel to the Hamptons, this best selling novel by Liane Moriarty is a juicy page turner. Follows the lives of three women at different crossroads who all end up in the same shocking place.
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GET INSPIRED: Autumn Colors
The Paris Hours
Zip around the arrondissements of Paris on this 24-hour journey through the City of Light. Set in the roaring ‘20s, you’ll follow the (somewhat historically true) stories of four people – a refugee, an artist, a maid and a journalist – over a single day. Each is searching for something they’ve lost.
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