Our Insiders’ favorite travel books
When talking to our Insiders and the Safara travel community, the subject of travel books always comes up. What are you currently reading? What’s the best travel book you’ve ever read? How many books do you try to cram into your case? Kindle or paperback?
Travel writing is our gateway to other experiences, journeys, countries, places. It allows us to travel, wherever we’re based. Below are just a few of the travel writers and travel books that come up often in the conversations we have about reading and traveling.
From Hemingway to Bill Bryson, Joan Didion to A. A. Gill, these are the travel stories our Insiders love to get lost in.
1. Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, by Tim Lawrence Brooks
“Because it reminds me of my youth and my home.” – Carissa Barrett
2. Notes From a Small Island, by Bill Bryson
“It’s an amusing read.” – Nicholas Campbell
3. A.A. Gill is Away, by A.A. Gill
“His acerbic writing style speaks to me more than most. He traveled far and wide, writing about some notoriously dull and difficult places and yet always found a story, because, there always is one. Even where I don’t agree with his opinions I find his absolute conviction compelling.” – Louis Sheridan
4. The LUXE Guides
“They’re well curated and cater to travelers like me, who want to hit up all the newest and coolest (slightly off the beaten path) hot spots.” – Sabrina Meier
5. The Motorcycle Diaries, by Ernesto “Che” Guevara
“Takes one Ernesto to know another.” – Ernesto Roman
6. The Lightning Field, by Walter de Maria
“The story itself is based on a small cabin, which was built for the purpose of experiencing ‘the lightning field’ as the sky and landscape change throughout the day. You can visit alone or in a small group – and with no cell service for miles, you’d better make sure it’s people you like. More importantly, it’s a magical place for introspection and appreciation of the artwork and the beautiful high desert of New Mexico.” –Kimiko Ninomiya
7. Mandala Of Being, by Richard Moss
”Because I can practice mindfulness and awareness as I read it and apply practices in real time.” – Megan Puleri
8. A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway
“Hemingway always reminds me of my Dad, who was my favorite travel partner, so A Moveable Feast would have to be one. Another is Donna Tartt’s A Secret History, which I read while traveling between Shelter Island, CA, and NYC. I’m a little late to this one, but I am a huge fan of her writing and this book is definitely one you can get lost in during those hours in transit.” – Georgia Zeavin
9. Vagabonding, An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-term Travel, by Rolf Potts
“He makes a compelling case for why you should not wait to travel until you’re retired or you’ve saved ‘enough’ money – if you really want to travel, make it a true priority now. Take the money you’d otherwise spend on a few dinners or fancy jeans and buy a plane ticket instead. This philosophy really inspired me to change my career path and, in fact, my entire lifestyle.” – Christina Perez
10. The Bright Continent, by Dayo Olopade
“I’ll name my own book, The Bright Continent, which is an investigation of technology and development in Africa. I reported it across 17 countries in two years, and while it covers meaty issues like education, health care and finance in Africa, it’s also a contemporary travelogue that brings back memories of some of the most unusual and fascinating places I’ve been.” – Daya Olopade
11. The White Album, by Joan Didion
“For her packing list on page 34 and her devastating essay on Hawaii. Among newer works, I’m obsessed with Flights by Olga Tokarczuk for her beyond-inventive descriptions of airports and travel-sized toiletries.” – Amelia Mularz
