8 Travelogues to Scratch That Globetrotting Itch

One part travelogue, one part slow-burn mystery, The Lost City of Z tells the story of a mythical lost city, an explorer’s obsession, and a journalist determined to unravel what really happened. Percy Fawcett disappeared into the Amazon in 1925, searching for a lost city, leaving behind a strange mystery that journalist David Grann picks up in 2010

You might recognize Under the Tuscan Sun thanks to the 2003 movie adaptation, but the original book is a beautiful (and best-selling) memoir of travel and self-discovery. Frances Mayes and her husband, both professors, struggle to renovate a Tuscan villa and imagine the previous owner. It’s a love letter to the Tuscan countryside as much as a memoir of Frances’s own journey.

Exploring Australia is no joke, as Bryson reveals in In a Sunburned Country, but his descriptions of the incredible discoveries he makes will have you ready to book a trip as soon as it’s possible! The travelogue alternates between the dangerous and strange wildlife native to the continent and the cities packed with interesting people and places.

Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild has become something of a modern classic, thanks to some high-profile endorsements and a movie version. The book follows a young woman who, following several devastating losses, makes the impulsive decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail—inexperienced and alone. Throughout the memoir, her descriptions of the beautiful (and sometimes terrifying) places she sees underline her own journey of figuring out herself.

Practical advice mixes with memorable stories in Vagabonding, a travelogue that’s less of a “look what I did!” memoir and more of a “here’s how you can do something interesting!” guide. It’s a book that really embraces the wonder of discovery in travel and is sure to inspire readers to take a risk and explore on their own.

Adventure in love and travel meld together in Love with a Chance of Drowning. After a love-at-first-sight connection with a handsome stranger, a lifelong city girl agrees to go along with him on an around-the-world sailing trip. There’s plenty of humor, heart, and a sense of wonder at the incredible sights she discovers across the globe.

The legendary Machu Picchu has captivated imaginations for a century, but Turn Right at Machu Picchu is much more than just an exploration of the famous Peruvian site. Adams sets out to retrace and reexamine the “discovery” of controversial explorer Hiram Bingham III. Despite his own lack of travel experience, he tries to recreate the expedition through dangerous and intriguing territory.

Morocco’s rich history and culture take center stage in In Arabian Nights, one of multiple travelogues by Shah. As he takes readers along with him on his travels to stunning locations, he also emphasizes the traditions and stories told by the variety of people he meets along the way.