• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » TRAVEL THE WORLD » The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time

in TRAVEL THE WORLD

The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time


The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time: Along the Ganges

After traveling and seeing so much of the world, fans often ask me what are my thoughts on the greatest travel books.

I’ve put together my recommendations for books that should appeal to world travel dreamers — even if you never plan on leaving your neighborhood.

It’s a mix of travelogues, memoirs and novels that have inspired my world travel dreams and I hope they do the same for you!

Greatest Travel Books of All Time —

1. As I walked Out One Midsummer Morning

The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time: As I walked Out One Midsummer Morning

This memoir by British poet Laurie Lee was published in 1969 and describes the author leaving his small English village for an epic walking journey that will take him first to London and then through Spain, where he becomes embroiled in the Spanish Civil War.

The writing in this travel book is wonderfully poetic and Lee’s encounters with poor villagers and descriptions of beautiful landscapes get me every time.

I also think this book affirms my opinion that the best way to really see a country is to get out of your car and walk.

2. Ninety-two Days: A Journey in Guiana and Brazil

The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time: Ninety-two Days A Journey in Guiana and Brazil

Evelyn Waugh was a 20th century novelist and biographer (you may have heard of Brideshead Revisited?). And what a traveller!

He attended the coronation of Haile Selassie in Abyssinia, he journeyed through the Belgian Congo in Africa and, in 1932, through British Guiana (now Guyana) in South America. It is this last journey that formed the subject of 92 Days and it was this novel that inspired the tagline on my travel blog.

This was seriously tough travel, the like of which I doubt anyone experiences these days but his thirst to “make the pages of the atlas real” is in my heart and soul.

3. Our Man in Havana

The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time: Our Man in Havana

This novel by Graham Greene is full of humour, both dark and light. The tale of a vacuum cleaner salesman who inadvertently falls into the world of espionage on the eve of the revolution in Cuba is captivating.

On the day I achieved a world travel dream and arrived in Cuba, I just happened to find myself almost immediately on Lamparilla Street where Jim Wormold lives in the novel.

Havana, and Cuba, were everything I dreamed they would be.

4. The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey

The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time: The Motorcycle Diaries - Notes on a Latin American Journey

Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara’s memoir of his time spent motorcycling through South America in 1952 is a wonderful example of how travel can change your perspective, indeed your entire world view.

The young Guevara and his friend witness poverty, injustice and find a true Latin American identity within themselves.

The book and the 2004 film starting Gael Garcia Bernal had me desperate to rush out and buy a flight ticket to Buenos Aires!

5. The Travels of Marco Polo

The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time: The Travels of Marco Polo

This 13th century Venetian must be one of the world’s most famous travel dreamers. He travelled with his father and uncle looking for trade opportunities through Central Asia and China, visiting the court of Kublai Khan and returning after 24 years – now that’s a lot of travel.

His travels inspired Christopher Columbus and I certainly got excited following in his footsteps through Uzbekistan!

6. The Great Railway Bazaar

The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time: The Great Railway Bazaar

Prolific travel writer Paul Theroux has made a career out of his sometimes frustratingly negative but always engaging travelogues.

He’s the sort of traveler who despises tourist attractions and creature comforts.

Like me, he is passionate about train traveland The Great Railway Bazaar is one of his best books on the subject, covering Europe, Asia and the Middle East on this one journey by rail.

I also particularly love his observations and stories about encounters with local people.

7. A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush

The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time: A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush

Author, Eric Newby’s description of an attempt to climb a very challenging mountain in Afghanistan is a classic of adventurous travel writing and self-deprecation.

The ill-prepared and inexperienced, Newby, and his companion made a bit of a hash of climbing the mountain, but the “ah tale” to be told on his return!

8. The Road to Oxiana

The 8 Greatest Travel Books of All Time: The Road to Oxiana

In 1933 Robert Byron traveled through the Middle East, visiting Beirut, Jerusalem, Baghdad and Teheran to ‘Oxiana’ the country of the mighty Oxus River (now called the Amu Darya) that runs along the border between Afghanistan and Central Asia (at the time part of the Soviet Union).

His diary is at times thrilling, humorous and dull, but always inspiring as he takes in the incredible architectural legacy of this part of the world.

Much of his journey frequents my world travel dreams but I fear the instability in that region will keep me away for more years.

What is your greatest travel book that has inspired your world wandering travel dreams? I am always looking for new inspiration for my world travel dreams…

Natasha

Related Stories:

  • Marilyn Monroe
    My Top 10 Greatest Inspirations of All Time
  • My Top 5 Greatest Travel Moments In Nature
    My Top 5 Greatest Travel Moments In Nature
  • Big Dream Quotes - Follow Your Heart and Your Dreams will Come True quote
    50 Most Inspiring Dream Big Quotes of all Time
  • Power Thought Cards by Louise Hay on Amazon.Com
    50 Most Inspirational Quotes for Women of all Time
Natasha VonGeldern
Natasha VonGeldern

Natasha von Geldern is a travel writer, editor, and blogger who is passionate about making the pages of the atlas real by traveling the world. She is a contributor to Travel Wire Asia, Wild Junket Magazine, Yahoo! Total Travel, and Travelbite. You can find her on her travel website and blog, WorldWanderingKiwi.

Note: Articles by Natasha may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Filed Under: TRAVEL THE WORLD

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« 20 Steps To Get Started As A Motivational Speaker
Wait: This Really is About Being Successful Online – Not My Family Vacation »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • Winter Solstice: What Will You Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Why Halloween Costumes Can Help Discover Your Big Dream
  • How the Equinox Can be a Catalyst for Change
  • 5 Strategies to Live Your Wildest Dreams
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 · LEGAL

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT