Are you looking for some armchair travel inspiration? Look no further than the bookshelf. Whether you’re dreaming of exotic adventures or prefer more leisurely holidays closer to home, a wide variety of travel coffee table books will ignite your wanderlust.
From classic and wistful tales of exploration and discovery to lighter anecdotes and heavier tomes full of photographs, these five books will inspire you to set out on your journeys.
1. The Classic – Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart
One of the great travel tales, ‘Driving Over Lemons,’ is a humorous account of author Chris Stewart’s move from England to an old farm in Spain’s remote Alpujarra mountains.
Stewart captures the highs and lows of his experience with a witty narrative about rural living, goat herding, and trying to make a living in an unfamiliar place. Reading this book will remind you that we can all find our paths if willing to take the leap and explore new places.
2. The Wistful – A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
Another classic, ‘A Year in Provence,’ is writer Peter Mayle’s account of his move from London to the south of France. This book captures the beauty and challenge of his experience as he navigates a new culture and attempts to restore an old farmhouse with help from locals. It will make you want to pack your bags for a holiday in Provence or wherever else your wanderlust takes you.
3. The Adventurer – Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
For those who crave adventure, there’s “Into Thin Air,” Jon Krakauer’s gripping account of his experience as a journalist covering the disastrous 1996 Mount Everest expedition. With vivid and raw detail, this book paints an unforgettable picture of the highest mountain on Earth and the people who have pushed themselves to its peak.
It will challenge you to consider what it means to be brave and leave you with a profound respect for nature’s power.
4. The Photographer – The Places in Between by Rory Stewart
5. The Explorer – The Lost City of Z by David Grann
For readers passionate about photography, “The Places In Between” is a must-read. This astonishing travelogue documents British author Rory Stewart’s 1,000-mile solo walk across Afghanistan during the winter of 2002. The photographs capture life in a country rarely seen by Westerners and tell an unforgettable tale of courage and perseverance.
If you’re fascinated by the mysteries of exploration, “The Lost City Of Z” is an eye-opening read. This book follows British explorer Percy Fawcett’s 1925 search for a fabled city in the Amazon jungle, which some believe to be El Dorado or the Garden of Eden.
Even if Fawcett never found his mythical city, this gripping narrative will remind you that adventure is still out there waiting for you to discover.
Finally, a book that is not only beautiful but serves a purpose, Oxfam’s “100 getaways around the world,” is a coffee table book that serves as a travel guide and fundraiser for the Oxfam charity. It includes stunning photographs highlighting 100 destinations worldwide, from Portugal’s Algarve coast to Thailand’s Koh Phi Phi Islands.
So if you want to inspire your wanderlust while also doing some good for the world, this is an excellent choice.
Whether you prefer tales of discovery to photography books or want both, these five travel coffee table books will ignite your wanderlust. So go ahead and take the plunge: pick up one of these great reads, get comfortable on the couch, and let yourself dream a little. Who knows where your next adventure will take you?