Three books, three ways to feed your travel bug
This week, we thought about ways that you can travel without needing to leave the house; and without caring about a budget or any other travel logistics. We went through our travel bookshelf, and came up with three favorite travel books to inspire wanderlust and exploration.
“Reading is like travel, allowing you to exit your own life for a bit, and to come back with a renewed, even inspired, perspective”
Travel books are an essential tool for any traveler. They are a way to get to know more about the destinations you want to go to. Through them, you can also get to know new places to explore. The books we chose are quite different styles that we thought you should take a look at; we hope to these travel books will fuel your wanderlust!
1. Van Life by Foster Huntington
This book is a collection of wonderfully illustrated photos of all sorts of vans and their owners. Foster took pictures from people he met along the way on his van trip, mostly in North America. The book showcases amazing locations, from rugged mountains, gorgeous beaches to mysterious forests. It inspires a freer and more long-term style of traveling and living.
The book appeals to a sense of adventure of living on the road. It showcases people living in their vans, which they have converted into a tiny living spaces. This inspired the creation of #vanlife. You can follow it on Instagram and get inspired with great photos of van life, every day. Just for its look and vibe, it’s definitely a good book to have on the shelf.
2. A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain
A chef by trade, the late American Anthony Bourdain became a TV sensation when he started his travel cooking show. His blunt, honest, and creative style of writing brings the pages to life and it feels like you are there with him. This book is not about a conventional “try the food of every place I go” tour, but the first-person tale of an irreverent, open mind and full of life travel guide.
When reading his book you realize his appreciation of life comes from a constant reflection of what is around him, an awareness of his contradictions and prejudices when meeting others, ones that he accepts exist, and knocks them down when he meets them. You might not always agree with his ideas or opinions, but he’s not trying to convince you of them either. He meets other chefs, he eats in far-flung corners of the world and he gives you a taste of what’s out there. Mostly text, but with a few pictures inside, it is a great read.
3. Expedition No3 – Cycling around Iceland by Kaisa & Christoffer Leka
This is a comic-graphic non-fictional novel told by a Finnish couple who are into yoga and cycling, and write about their adventures in a funny way. Kaisa and Cristopher are graphic artists and designers that offer the reader a light and funny tale of their adventures on the road. As a duo they are very humorous and you follow them on their bike ride through rainy and foggy Iceland during summertime.
The wind, the uphills, the fog, and cold along with the horses makes it an easy and fun read that you can do it in an afternoon. The duck and the mouse (representations of themselves) go through different stages of emotions and physical tiredness, and you can’t help it but follow it with a laugh. The creativity behind the design of the book is also what makes it so cool and new. By the time you finish the book, you just want to read the next one.
Was it any new to you? Do you have any other suggestions? Let us know any of your favourites in the comments below!
Check also our other article on some of our favorite travel movies to watch and get inspired!
