Books have a fantastic way of transporting the reader to a world and time other than their own. Whilst some stories take place in locations that we consider familiar, many manage to portray images of places, cultures and eras around the planet so vividly that they take us to foreign lands. During times when the prospect of travel becomes impossible, books like these can become a restless traveller’s saving grace from the comfort of your sofa; you can be taken to the wild plains of Africa, the colourful clamour of South America’s colonial cities or the fascinating past of Eastern Europe with the turn of a page. We have compiled a list of fictional and factual books perfect for feeding the imagination and sparking inspiration for travellers everywhere.
Please browse through our list of literary works that inspire travel, select a region, lose yourself in the book of your choice, and prepare to be delivered across the globe.
South America
One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Colombia)
Perhaps a somewhat ironic title for those stuck inside with little to do, but the storyline of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s surrealist masterpiece is anything but restrictive. Set in the fictional colonial town of Macondo in Colombia, the country of Marquez’s birth, the story follows multiple generations of the Buendia family and the fantastical events that befall them through times of happiness and strife. Deeming the birth of magical realism, the book is spectacularly written and sometimes utterly bizarre.
The fantastic writing of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, arguably Colombia’s most significant literary genius, makes the way of life in a colonial town in rural Colombia almost tangible. The novel, which is said to have been based on Marquez’s home town of Aracataca, near Cartagena, follows Macondo’s decline during the century following colonial Colombia and the mirrored decline of one of its most extraordinary families. Rich with potent symbolism, Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s book captures the lively character of Colombian life like no other.
The Motorcycle Diaries, Che Guevara (South America and Central America)
An epic tale of travel and self-discovery, written by one of the most iconic political figures in the history of Latin America. The Motorcycle Diaries follows Che Guevara’s journey with friend Alberto Granado as they voyage from Buenos Aires to the USA via Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. Their journey takes them from the rugged terrain of Patagonia to Machu Picchu and the sacred land of the Incas, meeting everything from helpless lepers to forgotten Indigenous peoples en route. The journey would eventually spark a passion inside Guevara that led to his role in the Cuban Revolution.
The tale of the incredible trip the duo took tells of their experiences on the road, which were both enlightening and devastating. The author encourages the reader to travel the world and converse with its people with an open mind and heart. Encountering some of the most incredible locations across South America, the book celebrates the continent’s unique beauty and encourages a confident attitude when travelling.
The Lost City of Z, David Grann (Amazon Jungle)
The fascinating, accurate tale of one of the greatest explorers of the early 20th century, Colonel Percy Fawcett, and his quest to discover a city lost to the gnarled roots and dense thicket of the Amazon Rainforest. Through research he undertook during his Amazonian expedition, Grann’s novel attempts to uncover the mystery of Fawcett’s disappearance and the city he was trying to discover, which he codenamed Z.
Inspired by one of the last true stories of pioneering exploration, the novel accurately depicts the violent wilderness of the Amazon and the jungle’s curious mysteries that remain today. The Lost City of Z is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the Amazon’s wild depths or the myths that developed from the Spanish colonisation of Latin America. The book will give those with an adventurous spirit a desire to delve into the jungle’s deepest reaches, heading as far from the beaten track as our planet will allow.
Central America
Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Esquivel (Mexico)
A story of forbidden love set in rural Mexico, Laura Esquivel’s novel is a tribute not only to the passionate flair of the country’s people but also to the importance of delicious food within their society. The story follows Tita, a young woman who must come to terms with the family tradition of the youngest daughter having to care for her mother until the day of her death, despite her feelings for her lover, Pedro. Taking place over 12 chapters – one for each month of the year – the novel centres around Tita’s passion for cooking, with each chapter starting with a traditional Mexican recipe.
With elements of magical realism that see the story poetically alter its course in unforeseeable ways, the book is a beautifully written tale of forbidden love with underlying themes of passion, growth and food. Whilst it may not encourage the reader to explore a particular place in Mexico, the theme of all things Mexican cuisine will have your mouth-watering and gut-yearning to sample some of the country’s classic recipes.Â
Our Man in Havana, Graham Greene (Cuba)
A comedic spy novel may not be the first genre to consider when considering stories that inspire travel. However, Graham Greene’s iconic Our Man in Havana provides a vivid picture of Cuba’s capital and the lifestyle that went with it during the 1950s—following the story of vacuum salesman James Wormold, who is erroneously hired as a spy by MI6 during the Cold War. Exploiting the foolish British agents to make some money, Wormold creates a fictional spy network to keep him in their employment, leading to a muddled game of cat and mouse.
Despite being published in 1958, the Havana that Greene describes remains the same.  Many of the locations mentioned are still very much intact. Whilst comedic, the novel does create a sense of unease under the surface that existed during the era and helps one gain some perspective on not only the physical makeup of Havana but also the history that has seen it become the city it is today. Those who genuinely enjoy the book can even visit some of the traditional bars described by Greene as they wander the colourful, crumbling streets of the capital.
Under the Volcano, Malcolm Lowry (Mexico)
Malcolm Lowry’s novel is set in the colonial city of Cuernavaca, a short distance south of Mexico City. It follows the story of British consul Geoffrey Firmin during the country’s Day of the Dead festival. Starting a year after the main events of Firmin’s story, the book looks back at 24 hours during the festivities. As the protagonist drinks himself into ruin, the reader is introduced to several quintessentially Mexican traditions and cultural traits, creating an enticing backdrop before the tale unfolds.
Lowry perfectly captures Mexico’s passionate history and culture, which makes it alluring. As the protagonist’s emotional story unfolds, the author creates an undeniably Mexican atmosphere, which is not only a relatively unique environment for such a tale but also perfectly captures the energy of Mexico through its most famous celebration: the Day of the Dead festivities. These festivities ensure an explosive array of Mexican cultural traits to feed the reader’s adventurous curiosity.Â
Africa
Out of Africa, Karen Blixen (Kenya)
The expertly written memoirs of author Karen Blixen, a Danish woman who moved to Kenya in the early 20th century to help run a coffee farm with her husband. Written in no chronological order, the novel follows Blixen’s memories and experiences with the various local people who worked on her farm, the stunning surrounding landscapes, and the incredible animals that call it home. Blixen learns about the local culture and customs as her life entwines with the nation she calls home.
Blixen’s writing is beautiful and portrays an image of colonial Kenya, or British East Africa, that is at once poetic and pragmatic. Elements of the book have not aged well. Namely, the terms used about the characters’ races and Blixen’s hunting of local wildlife, but her zealous portrayal of the country always shines through. Her love for the country and its people is blatant, and her untamed passion for all things Africa proves infectious to any who chooses to delve into her story.Â
Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela (South Africa)
Written by the most iconic figure in South Africa’s history, Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom is a vitally important piece of the nation’s literature. An essential read for anyone wishing to truly understand the controversial history and cultural nuances that have shaped modern-day South Africa, Mandela’s autobiography follows his journey from freedom fighter to prisoner to his role in creating a new, democratic nation.
Beginning with his traditional Xhosa childhood in the village of Mveso, the book develops into a firsthand account of the terrible period of South African apartheid from the viewpoint of one of its most vital characters. Long Walk to Freedom offers an insight into the Indigenous cultures of South Africa and how they were ravaged by apartheid. It sheds light on a vital piece of the South African puzzle and is a testament to the stoic resilience of South Africa’s people.
Gorillas in the Mist, Diane Fossey (Rwanda)
More so a testament to the famous wild inhabitants of Rwanda than to the nation itself, Diane Fossey’s Gorillas in the Mist is a memoir chronicling her 25 years spent amongst the gorilla population in Rwanda. The book derives from Fossey’s unparalleled research into the local mountain gorilla community and how it sparked her spirited anti-poaching stance. Her work in preventing poaching in Rwanda would eventually lead to her brutal and mysterious death.
The book is a narrative about the family she studied. It is a fascinating look at the workings of gorillas’ social lives and the undeniable parallels between them and our species. The story chronicles moments of gleeful joy and desperate sadness, with each moment adding layers to the creatures’ personalities. Reading Fossey’s story will inspire a yearning to visit our fascinating relatives and observe them interacting with one another in their natural habitat.
Asia
Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts (India)
Gregory David Roberts’ true life story in the slums of Mumbai, India, is a fascinating adventure in a world utterly foreign to his own. Having escaped from prison in his native Australia, Roberts finds himself in the thick of the slum community, bombarded with the alien culture that makes India such a remarkable country. Adopting his local ways of life, he embarks on a journey of grand adventure and self-discovery.
Shantaram is an inspirational tale of true exploration in a foreign land. It is extremely popular among the travelling community, both those venturing to India and those with a penchant for all things travel. Roberts’ story can sometimes appear overzealous, but his descriptions of India and the people who call it home bring the country to life. Shantaram will inspire a yearning for genuine adventure and immersion into a new culture in all who read it.
The Beach, Alex Garland (Thailand)
There is much irony in that Alex Garland’s cult classic has become a literary staple for those passionate about travel. The novel follows Richard, a backpacker from the UK who discovers a secluded and seemingly utopian society of travellers on an undiscovered beach during his trips to Thailand. As the group faces internal conflict and a false veil slowly peels back to reveal its ugly underbelly, the beach loses its mysterious allure, and paradise spirals into chaos in a Lord of the Flies-style twist of events.Â
Garland’s novel is a criticism of the increasingly superficial nature of Thailand’s tourism industry at the time of writing. Still, his tale of discovering a hidden slice of paradise has inspired travellers for years. Garland’s writing transports the reader to white sand, jungle-fringed, turquoise-watered beaches that exist only in dreams. The notion of escaping the mundanity of everyday life and discovering a place of pure paradise is a thought that is sure to appeal to all who are craving the thrill of dropping it all and exploring all corners of our planet.
A Dragon Apparent, Norman Lewis (Indochina)
Norman Lewis’s A Dragon Apparent gives a fascinating insight into a vitally important era of history in French Indochina. Through his travels through modern-day Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, Lewis portrays a region of Asia that experienced significant change before the devastating effects of the Vietnam War. His story brilliantly explores the intricacies of these countries and their people, making them a desirable destination in recent decades.
Lewis meets a region and its peoples, from kings and emperors to farmers and guerrilla fighters, presenting the broad scope of Southeast Asian society from an outsider’s viewpoint. An ominous feeling resonates throughout the book due to the upcoming devastation the reader knows is approaching. However, the author’s detailed accounts of the region and its people will inspire feelings of wanderlust as he takes the reader on a journey through an area rife with historical and cultural significance.
Europe
War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy (Russia)
A proper tour de force and one of the most substantial novels ever, Tolstoy’s masterpiece of Russian literature is as spectacular as sizeable. Following the lives of several aristocratic Russian families during the 19th century, Tolstoy creates a perfectly intertwined collection of narratives that depict the nation at its most regal and glamorous. From grandiose ballroom celebrations to the gritty conflict on the frontlines of the war, this epic is deemed one of the best fictional portrayals of Russian history that can still be experienced today.
Whilst War and Peace may seem a daunting read – spanning over 1000 pages in total – the intricate artistic detail of Tolstoy’s writing makes it all the more worth reading. The depth of every character, their interactions with each other, and their lavish environment bring this fascinating period of history to life. Many of Moscow and St Petersburg’s iconic buildings mentioned in the novel still stand along their historic streets and canals, bringing one of Russia’s most famous stories alive today.
Neither Here Nor There, Bill Bryson (Europe)
Bill Bryson travelled across Europe in 1990, beginning in Norway and slowly making his way through Italy, Switzerland, and Bulgaria before finishing in Turkey. Among his experiences between the two were robberies in Italy, avoiding ordering tripe in Germany, and browsing the continent’s red-light districts. As with all his travel stories, Bryson’s book is complete with laugh-out-loud humour as he humorously dissects the quirks and characteristics of the multiple cultures he encounters.Â
Bryson’s lighthearted writing makes this book an easy read. Its upbeat tones will surely lift readers’ spirits and have them dreaming of observing the Northern Lights in Norway or wandering the quaint alleyways of central Paris. An excellent antithesis to dense Russian literature or sombre tales of Europe at war, Bryson’s tongue-in-cheek novel will keep readers’ spirits high and inspire the traveller inside them.
North Africa and the Middle East
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho (North Africa / Egypt)
Although the book is not set entirely in Egypt, it is the driving force behind the journey of Santiago, the novel’s protagonist. A humble shepherd boy living in the Andalusian region of Spain, Santiago has a recurring dream that he believes is a prophetic insinuation that he will discover treasure underneath the Egyptian pyramids. The eloquently written piece sees Santiago face some of the more significant questions in life, but its primary focus is on his metaphorical and literal journey.
The Alchemist is more of a tale to appreciate for the questions it poses than for the physical locations in which it is set; the beauty of the Tale lies in its characters and their interactions. However, Coelho does portray the Mediterranean and North Africa in a beautiful light, adding another layer of wonder to the tale. Following Santiago’s quest, he encounters kings, diverse peoples, and his one true love, and he discovers the workings of his soul.
Arabian Sands, Sir Wilfred Thesiger (The Middle East)
Arabian Sands is a tale of pioneering exploration in the face of genuine danger. Sir Wilfred Thesiger’s story is about his five years spent in the deserts of the Middle East. One of the greatest explorers of his time, Thesiger, visited regions that had never before been seen by Westerners. Battling sweltering heat and, at times, unbearable thirst and hunger to reach his goal, Thesiger sheds light on the formerly undiscovered nomadic peoples.Â
The author’s journey through the seemingly inhospitable land amongst those who call it home pays homage to their incredible way of life. Amongst the people with whom he integrates are the Bedouin, a community still living in the deserts of Jordan to this day. The story of his life in the sands portrays the spectacular environment of the Middle East in great detail, but the true beauty comes from those who are only too happy to show him a way of life foreign to the vast majority of the planet. Published in 1959, the legendary hospitality referred to by Thesiger is still experienced today.
Antarctica
South, Sir Ernest Shackleton (Antarctica)
South is a first-hand account of the incredible true story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s journey to Antarctica. Shackleton initially set out to cross the frozen continent. However, the unforgiving terrain meant that Shackleton and his men had to abandon their ship and endure the hardships of Antarctica for over 2 years. The crew was eventually rescued thanks to the valiant efforts of Shackleton in what is considered one of the most outstanding examples of outstanding leadership in the history of human kind.
Beyond the incredibly inspiring story of endurance and survival, the book goes into intricate detail about Antarctica. This fascinating land was the final frontier in an age of epic expeditions to every corner of the globe. His descriptions perfectly encapsulate the serene white expanse he deems dangerous and beautiful. To this day, Antarctica remains unexplored mainly, making its frozen landscape almost unspoiled by human influence. With three expeditions to the planet’s southernmost continent, few can claim to know the southern ends of the earth quite like Shackleton. His relationship with Antarctica is shown in the South.
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