Traveling begins with desire. That desire motivates us to seek out and explore the possible adventures that await us. I have found stories, travel books and guides to be a great source of inspiration, whether you are just starting to travel or have been on the road for years. Great travel books are able to inspire your next adventure.
These travel books do just that. They have been bought, gifted and passed from one traveler’s hands to the next and now I want to share them with you. I hope to pass along that sense of wanderlust and help inspire you to seek out your next adventure!
I’ll be honest I was never that much of a reader growing up, luckily we now have Audible! Audible provides audiobooks and other originals so you can listen to anywhere, anytime. Start a free membership today and receive 2 audiobooks + 1 Audible original free. I’ll also include audible links to the books on this page for you!
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is an international bestseller about following your dreams and learning to listen to your heart. The book follows a young shepherd (Santiago) in Spain who seeks out buried treasure below the great pyramids of Egypt. What starts out as a journey for worldly possession quickly transforms into a journey of self-discovery.
I loved the importance this book puts on going with the flow, staying present and appreciating every encounter. This is a powerful book that will inspire courage & wanderlust while offering you many lessons about life.
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The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
A thrilling story of adventure. The story opens up on a man who had all but given up on his sense of adventure for a life of routine. Through a mysterious set of “coincidences,” our main character finds himself on a journey to discover the 9 insights of an ancient manuscript found in the ruins of a Peruvian jungle. His journey to discover and understand the insights grips you and makes putting the book down a challenging task.
What I loved about this book is how it touches on why we are where we are at in life, the importance of our interactions with others, recognizing opportunities, and following the path ahead of us.
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Into The Wild by John Krakauer
This is the true story of Chris McCandless aka “Alex Supertramp” who after college, donated or burned his material possessions in search of adventure and a simpler life. Hitchhiking across the country with the goal of living off the land in the Alaskan bush. You may or may not know, but this book does not have a happy ending.
What resonates so much with me is the essence of Chris’s (Alex’s) spirit and sense of adventure. Although taken to the extreme, he was in search of something real, a genuine life connection without the confusion of happiness from material things. Everyone should read this book at least once, even if it’s a cautionary tale.
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Vagabonding by Rolf Potts
Nicknamed the Backpackers Bible, Vagabonding by Rolf Potts has been the go-to resource for anyone interested in traveling long term. Vagabonding explains how anyone with an independent spirit and drive can make long-term travel a reality (whether for a couple week or months on end).
Rolf gives you the tools to maximize your travel time with such resources like financing your travel time, determining your destination, adjusting to life on the road and re-assimilation, and working or volunteering overseas. This book is geared towards serious travelers (not vacationers). If that’s you, the information in this book will show you how to make your life on the road a reality.
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Whether you are planning your next adventure, or just dreaming about traveling; grab a traveling book, download an audiobook or pass your favorite one to a friend or fellow traveler.
I’m always looking for something new to read or motivate me. If you have any travel book suggestions please leave them in the comment section!
Great post. You could add The pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho, or eat, pray and love … out of Africa by Karen Blixen, dreamcatcher by Marlo Morgan
Thanks for the recommendations Frauke! I’ll add those to my reading list!