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Top 14 Travel Reads

Here are a few of our favorite adventure travel novels that are guaranteed to whisk your imagination off to a faraway land. Transport yourself into a foreign world and get inspired for exciting travels ahead with our most recommended travel reads.
Updated by: Aimee White - SEO Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Date Updated: 12 November 2024

When you read a novel set in the destination you're visiting, your adventure takes on a whole new perspective. ​It can provide a fascinating insight into the history and culture of a country, inspire you with strong characters and evoke wanderlust with beautiful descriptions. 

Picture yourself exploring the rustic landscapes of Spain, the island paradises of Thailand or the rich heritage of India with our list of the top 14 travel reads.

Eager for more? Our Four Corners Book Club brings together our travelers' favorite travel fiction reads. Upload your best reads or browse other travelers' favorite travel fiction ahead of your upcoming trip.

1. Papillon, by Henri Charrière - South America

This well-loved book tells the tale of a real-life prison break in French Guiana. An autobiographical adventure, this animated memoir depicts Henri (Papillon) Charriere's escape and retreat through Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and onto Colombia.

This incredible portrayal of his journey through the jungle, across the Caribbean and living with an indigenous tribe in Colombia will have you on tenterhooks and dreaming of your own South American getaway.

2. The Island That Dared: Journeys into Cuba, by Dervla Murphy - Cuba

Dervla Murphy is renowned for her plethora of authentic adventure travel books, but The Island That Dared is one of our favorites. This compelling tale recounts her journey to Cuba; the first with her daughter and grandchildren, and then as an elderly lady trying to explore on foot and alone.

Be transported into the heart of Cuba and join Dervla as she goes beyond the beaten track to uncover the true nature of everyday life in post-revolution Cuba.

3. Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia, by Chris Stewart - Spain

This charming book recounts the life of Genesis' ex-drummer, Chris Stewart, in Spain's Sierra Nevada. After acquiring a rundown mountain farm in Andalucia, Chris and his wife are surrounded by nothing but olive and almond groves. With the help of peasant farmers, shepherds, eccentric locals and expats, they gradually carve a new life in this rustic landscape.

This really is an incredible portrayal of the Andalucia region and is a must-read for anyone looking to visit the area.

4. After Dark, Haruki Murakami - Tokyo, Japan

After Dark by Haruki Murakami unfolds over a single night in Tokyo, Japan. The protagonist, Mari, meets various characters, from jazz musicians to hotel managers, while her sister is 'trapped' in a mysterious, deep sleep. Marukami's novel explore the surreal nature of urban life and gives a fascinating insight into the people who keep Tokyo running.

5. My Brilliant Friend, Elena Ferrante - Naples, Italy

Set in 1950s Naples, Italy, My Brilliant Friend follows two friends, Elena and Lila, throughout their lives. We learn not only about their different life paths, but also gain context into the day-to-day realities of local life in Naples during this time. Ferrante is described as one of Italy's best storytellers - and this book proves exactly why.

6. Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer - Alaska, USA

This true story by Jon Krakauer follows the adventures of Chris McCandless as he hitchhikes north, across the USA, towards the wilderness of Alaska. Dive into a world of vast canyons, raging rivers and snow-covered mountains where this solo adventurer sought to escape his privileged upbringing and find his true self.

Living hand to mouth in bitterly cold temperatures and surrounded by hungry bears, his isolation eventually leads to his demise. However, this vivid tale paints a candid picture of the joys and downfalls of a nomadic lifestyle and will ignite the imagination of any fearless explorer.

7. Shantaram, by Gregory David Roberts - Mumbai, India

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Mumbai's sprawling slums in this can't-put-it-down page-turner novel. Set in the early 80s, follow the story of a prisoner, Lindsay, who escapes from Australia to forge a new life in India. From setting up a free health care clinic and working with the mafia to falling in love and acting in Bollywood, Lindsay's adventure is a fast-moving whirlwind that will take you on a vivid journey through the chaotic city life of Mumbai.

"One of the best books ever written, one of those 'can't put down' books that will have you enthralled from start to finish. I remember hurrying off to bed just to read the next chapter!" - Caroline Hook, PR & Partnerships Coordinator

8. The Island of Sea Women, Lisa See - South Korea

This historical novel is set in South Korea from the 1930s onwards, through the Japanese occupation, World War II and the Korean War. We follow Young-sook and Mi-ja's, two haenyeo (female divers) on Jeju Island. The Island of Sea Women portrays how they navigate personal and politicial upheaveals, and it also highlights the semi-matriarchal society of the haenyeo. 

"Although set in the 1930s, the women are the breadwinners - they are deep sea divers with extraordinary skills. The story of two best friends, this historical fiction was a totally captivating read." - Caroline Drummond, Explore customer

9. My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell - Corfu, Greece

This autobiographical account of the naturalist Gerald Durrell's childhood in Corfu, Greece, from 1935-1939, gives us a joyful and amusing insight into his whimsical life on this beautiful Greek island, in a time long before any tourism arrived. Join his adventures as he uncovers a plethora of fascinating wildlife and spellbinding landscapes while navigating relationships with eccentric family members.

If you're planning a family vacation to the Greek islands, this is one not to be missed.

10. The Museum of Innocence, Orhan Pamuk - Istanbul, Turkey

This poignant tale is set in 1970s and 1980s Istanbul, Turkey. We follow Kemal, as he falls deeply in love with another character (no spoilers!) and creates a personal museum of their memories. The novel explores themes of love and the passage of time, all set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Istanbul. Pamel intricately weaves the characters' lives with the city's cultural and social landscape, encapsulating its emergent modernity and its vast cultural history.

"It takes you deep into the culture, history and class differences of Istanbul in a way that totally immerses you in the many varied and complicated layers of life in Istanbul without resorting to cliche or from an outsider's perspective." - Michael Edwards, Managing Director

11. The Call of the Wild, by Jack London - Yukon, Canada

Delve into an adventure through the frosty hinterlands of Canada. Published in 1903, the story follows the life of a dog called Buck, who is torn away from domestic bliss to become a sledge dog in Yukon.

Buck is frequently tested and forced to fight for his survival before eventually turning feral and retiring to the 'call of the wild'. Descriptions of this unforgiving wilderness are captivating and the author's time in Yukon is evident with every turn of the page.

12. The Motorcycle Diaries, by Ernesto "Che" Guevara - South America

Join Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado as they set off on a nine-month motorcycle expedition across Latin America from Buenos Aires in Argentina, through Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Panama to Miami in the USA. Crossing the Andes, the Atacama Desert and Amazon River Basin, this coming-of-age story is not only a wild voyage of discovery but also a profound insight into the cultures and lifestyles of the local people they meet.

"This book is easy to read while giving a real insight into why Che Guevara became the man he did. Visiting the silver mine at Potosi in particular, we saw the kind of hardship depicted in the book." - Judith Rich, Explore customer

13. The Worst Journey in the World, by Apsley Cherry-Garrard - Antarctica

Transport yourself into a world of bitterly cold winds, brutal weather systems and unforgiving landscapes as you join Scott's ill-fated Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica between 1910-1913. A memoir, written by fellow adventurer Apsley Cherry-Garrard, this gripping first-hand account goes into great detail about the team's challenges and is virtually impossible to put down. We especially enjoyed the scene when four of the team set out to collect King-Emperor Penguin eggs while the rest waited out the winter - the suspense is overwhelming.

"Genuinely one of THE best adventure books I've ever read." - Carmel Hendry, Head of Product

14. The Beach, by Alex Garland - Thailand

This popular classic follows the journey of Richard who traces the trail of a hand-sketched map in search of a secret island where he hopes to find a utopian paradise set in the aquamarine seas of Thailand. A fast, fun-filled adventure ensues as Richard, and his fellow backpackers set out to uncover the breathtaking Edenic shores. However, the desolate golden sand beaches soon become less than perfect as inter-social differences threaten to destroy the estranged group, and their heavenly kingdom begins to crumble.

"Alex Garland traveled around Thailand about the same time as I spent three months there (1991). It has some pretty dark themes, but so much of the description resonates exactly with how I experienced the Thai islands at that time." - Jae Hopkins, Marketing Director

Don't just travel, Explore!

Eager to share your travel book recommendations or find your next read? Check out our Four Corners Book Club. Our travel book club is like a digital library, packed with titles to add to your to-read pile. From Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence to Toshikazu Kawahuchi's Before the Coffee Gets Cold, you'll discover the world, one book at a time - and perhaps inspire your next trip...

Visit the Four Corners Book Club

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