This travelogue follows the author on a 45,000-mile train journey through destinations including Korea, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Whilst the descriptions of the landscapes will enchant you, it is the stories of the other passengers that really bring the book to life. We\u2019ve all ended up sitting next to a particularly chatty neighbour on the train \u2013 the author recounts how some of them were almost irritating at first, but eventually they\u2019ll captivate you and have you laughing out loud.<\/p>\n
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Photo byAnthony Tran<\/a>onUnsplash<\/a><\/p>\n Whilst this \u2018true story\u2019 has faced criticism for taking considerable poetic licence, it remains one of the best travel books ever written. The story follows an armed, drug-addicted robber who escapes from an Australian prison to make his way to Bombay. Read it and enjoy the great storytelling whilst giving your arms a workout\u2026 At 943 pages, it\u2019s probably a book you\u2019ll want to read on your Kindle.<\/p>\n In one of the best travel books of all time, Jon Krakauer reveals the extraordinary story of Chris McCandless, or Alexander Supertramp, as he later came to call himself. A man who, disillusioned with society, leaves behind everything he owns and knows and ventures into the Alaskan wilderness in 1992. This heart-wrenching yet inspiring read explores the motivations of those who leave civilisation behind and seek enlightenment through solitude and contact with nature.<\/p>\n This uplifting memoir follows an expat teacher living the good life in Buenos Aires, who one day visits Uruguay, where he ends up rescuing a penguin from an oil slick. When Juan Salvador (the penguin) refuses to leave Tom\u2019s side, he has no choice but to smuggle him into the country and return to school. This moving story will make you think about the unexpected friends you\u2019ve met whilst travelling and all the lessons they\u2019ve taught you.<\/p>\n This collection of short stories is written by adventurous travellers such as Ed Stafford, Sarah Outen and Al Humphreys. The collection features daring journeys through challenging terrain \u2013 be it New Guinea, the Gobi Desert or the Calais jungle \u2013 during which, in moments of need, kind strangers manage to literally save the day. This book will ignite your sense of adventure and restore your faith in the world; what\u2019s more, all royalties will go directly to Oxfam\u2019s work supporting refugees.<\/p>\n Photo byNicole Honeywill<\/a>onUnsplash<\/a><\/p>\n Have you ever been given \u2018advice\u2019 by someone you\u2019d rather just mind their own business? In *Miss-Adventures*, exasperated by the fact that everyone seems to think they know her better than she knows herself, Amy decides to completely ignore all advice. After many amusing mishaps, she begins to wonder whether these people were actually trying to change something. Weighing up their advice against that of \u2018smart people\u2019 such as Mother Teresa and Tina Fey, she determines once and for all who is actually worth listening to.<\/p>\n If, the next time you\u2019re enjoying a sunset, you\u2019d like it to last as long as possible, this classic guide to long-term travel is an absolute must-read. As well as offering advice on what to pack and how to fund your trip, it provides insights into what you can learn by taking time out from everyday life to explore the world. This is the perfect motivational read for those who want to see the world but are worried about a lack of time and money.<\/p>\n Before it became a film starring Brad Pitt, it was a sensational adventure story written by the Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer. After an attempt to climb one of the Himalayan peaks was thwarted by the Second World War, Harrer found himself fleeing the British in India across the Himalayas to reach Tibet, where he remained from 1944 to 1951 and where he eventually befriended the Dalai Lama. Read it for a unique insight into the heart and mind of a true adventurer.<\/p>\n Following the death of her mother and the breakdown of her marriage, Cheryl Strayed decided to embark on a solo 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in the United States. The book, often cited as one of the best travel books, traces Strayed\u2019s grief over her mother and her marriage, and serves as a testament to human resilience, the power of solitude and the inner strength that comes from travelling alone.<\/p>\n This book by the renowned British philosopher focuses less on an exploration of where we go and more on an explanation of why we go. By eloquently exploring the overlooked and less glamorous aspects of travel, the author makes you reconsider your inner motivations for seeing the world. Read it to relive long-forgotten travel memories and to understand more about your desire to visit new lands.<\/p>\n Photo byChristin Hume<\/a>onUnsplash<\/a><\/p>\n *Departures* is an account of travel journalist Anna Hart\u2019s experiences, drawn from her travels around the world over the last ten years. The book celebrates the unexpected \u2013 and sometimes terrible \u2013 things that happen along the way, and explains why it is often these moments that shape our fondest memories. When you travel, you can\u2019t plan everything: this book serves as a reminder that the best things often happen when you leave things to chance.<\/p>\n This anthology features 36 essays by women who have explored Latin America, a region feared by many. These honest, heartfelt and often hilarious accounts of women\u2019s solo travel adventures capture the best of travelling alone, and are essential reading for anyone looking to challenge themselves.<\/p>\n After a harrowing attempt to climb K2, Greg Mortenson finds himself dehydrated and frozen in an impoverished village in Pakistan. After being nursed back to health by the villagers, he promises to return to build a school. This goal quickly grew to encompass 55 schools, mainly for girls, across Pakistan and Afghanistan, and is set against the backdrop of the Taliban\u2019s rise to power. Read it to remind yourself of the impact we can have in the countries we visit.<\/p>\n In this coming-of-age memoir, adventure queen Anna McNuff runs 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand along the Te Araroa Trail. She tackles mountains and mighty rivers, covering up to 52 km a day and sleeping in the woods. You\u2019ll feel as though you\u2019re accompanying Anna as she pushes herself to the limits of what she believes she\u2019s capable of. A must-read if adventure comes your way and you need a nudge in the right direction.<\/p>\n This gripping insight into the mind of Alex Honnold \u2013 the world\u2019s best \u2018free solo\u2019 climber (without ropes) \u2013 is a breathtaking read that might just make your head spin. Alex recalls his seven most extraordinary climbing achievements, including Yosemite\u2019s Half Dome and El Sendero Luminoso in Mexico. The book explores the gritty spirit behind how and why Alex does what he does, making it the ideal choice for those who feel a natural urge to pursue their passions, no matter how unrealistic they may seem.<\/p>\n Photo bysarahgracesharp<\/a> onUnsplash<\/a><\/p>\n At the height of tensions between the British and Iranian governments, Lois Pryce decides to hop on her motorbike and set off alone on a 3,000-mile journey from Tabriz to Shiraz in Iran. Lois discovers the heart of the country through candid accounts and interactions with the Iranian people. The perfect read for intrepid travellers keen to forge their own paths.<\/p>\n This book is a gripping account by Daily Telegraph correspondent Tim Butcher, who retraces the famous expedition of H.M. Stanley, a great Victorian adventurer, through the Congo. Tim\u2019s account of his journey, the people who help him along the way and the country\u2019s history will stay with you long after you\u2019ve finished the book. Read it to learn about a lesser-known part of the world.<\/p>\n Written by travel blogger Torre DeRoche, *Love with a Chance of Drowning* is a detailed diary of a woman who overcomes her fears to sail across the Pacific Ocean. Her descriptions of the journey, the scenery and her experience will make you want to set sail yourself. Read it if it\u2019s fear that\u2019s stopping you from booking that ticket you\u2019ve been thinking about for so long.<\/p>\n This book follows the protagonist, Shah, as he moves with his family from London to Morocco for a year. We follow them as they settle into a new culture and watch them grapple with bureaucracy, gangsters and even jinn \u2013 spirits intent on causing chaos. A must-read if you\u2019re thinking of moving to an exotic location.<\/p>\n Frankly, if you love travel (and a good laugh), you should read Bill\u2019s entire body of work, but this is nonetheless one of his most beloved books and frequently tops lists of the best travel books of all time. Down Under follows Bill\u2019s travels in Australia, through many hilarious encounters with extreme weather, local wildlife and a cast of Australian police officers. If you\u2019re waiting for your Australian work visa to arrive in your postbox, this is the book for you.<\/p>\n Photo bySocial Cut<\/a>onUnsplash<\/a><\/p>\n We are grateful to books, with their magical ability to transport us to every corner of the world with the turn of a page. We may not always be able to travel as much as we\u2019d like, but every avid reader knows that there\u2019s more than one way to escape reality. If you\u2019re looking for…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":135736,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9473],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"\n2. Shantaram (2003) \u2013 Gregory David Roberts<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Into the Wild (2007)<\/strong> \u2013 Jon Krakauer<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4. *The Penguin Lessons* (2016) \u2013 Tom Mitchell<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5. The Kindness of Strangers (2018) \u2013 Fearghal O\u2019Nullain<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n6. Miss-Adventures: A Tale of Ignoring Life Advice While Backpacking Around South America (2017) \u2013 Amy Baker<\/strong><\/h2>\n
7. Vagabonding (2002) \u2013 Rolf Potts<\/strong><\/h2>\n
8. Seven Years in Tibet (1952) \u2013 Heinrich Harrer<\/strong><\/h2>\n
9. Wild (2015) \u2013 Cheryl Strayed<\/strong><\/h2>\n
10. The Art of Travel (2003) \u2013 Alain de Botton<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n11. *Departures: A Guide to Letting Go, One Adventure at a Time* (2018) \u2013 Anna Hart<\/strong><\/h2>\n
12. Alone Together (2017) \u2013 Victoria Kellaway, Karen Attman, Emma Newbery<\/strong><\/h2>\n
13. Three Cups of Tea (2008) \u2013 Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin<\/strong><\/h2>\n
14. The Pants of Perspective: One woman\u2019s 3,000-kilometre running adventure through the wilds of New Zealand (2017) \u2013 Anna McNuff<\/strong><\/h2>\n
15. Alone on the Wall: The Ultimate Limits of Adventure (2016) \u2013 Alex Honnold with David Roberts<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n16. Revolutionary Ride: On the Road in Search of the Real Iran (2018) \u2013 Lois Pryce<\/strong><\/h2>\n
17. Blood River: A Journey into Africa\u2019s Broken Heart (2008) \u2013 Tim Butcher<\/strong><\/h2>\n
18. Love with a Chance of Drowning (2013) \u2013 Torre DeRoche<\/strong><\/h2>\n
19. The Caliph\u2019s House \u2013 A Year in Casablanca (2007) \u2013 Tahir Shah<\/strong><\/h2>\n
20. Down Under: Travels in a Sunburned Country (2015) \u2013 Bill Bryson <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nDownload the Hostelworld app to start planning your travel wishlist!<\/h3>\n
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