With international borders once again open after the pandemic, we have the chance to finally satisfy our travel wishlist. (Read more about post-pandemic travel wishlists in this Project Bold Life story!) Some families will explore destinations closer to home, while others will try to satisfy their thirst for adventure. And some will take time this summer to plan their next big escape. In any case, travel and vacations offer a great opportunity to do a little reading. And why not pique your travel interests by exploring this year’s top-rated travel books? Choosing a travel book for summer reading is not only a great way to explore possible trips in the future. They also serve to inspire, motivate, and intrigue us about some of the world’s most interesting places. With that in mind, the following is a list of the year’s top-rated travel books you might want to consider.
- A Hard Place to Leave: Stories from a Restless Life – Marcia DeSanctis
Marcia DeSanctis is no stranger to the world of travel. Over the course of her career, she has contributed to Travel and Leisure Magazine. She has also been the executive director for numerous news and entertainment companies. In A Hard Place to Leave, she chronicles 40 years of her travel experiences over multiple continents. She also describes many incredible events that range from espionage to love encounters. And she delves into her own desire for solitude, adventure, and the eventual longing for home. As one of this year’s top-rated travel books, it is an excellent choice for a travel book for summer reading. It will definitely inspire you to explore your own inner travel passions along the way.
- Imagine a City: A Pilot’s Journey Across the Urban World – Mark Vanhoenacker
Did you ever wonder what it might be like to see hundreds of cities as a pilot? If so, then Imagine a City is a great travel book for summer reading. In the book, Vanhoenacker, a commercial pilot, describes his brief yet repeated visits to cities across the globe. In a love letter to cities, he offers a unique perspective of travel that few have the opportunity to enjoy. From road signs to city gates, and urban streets, the book is rich with insights. Part documentary and part memoir, this is already being recognized as one of the top-rated travel books of the year. And it will change the way you look at air travel the next time you fly to a desired destination.
- The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World – Jessica Nabongo
In October of 2019, Jessica Nabongo became the first Black woman to visit every single country in the world. Seychelles was her last stop after experiencing all 195 countries recognized by the United Nations. In this recommendation for a travel book for summer reading, she chronicles all of her experiences in this journey. From dangers and unexpected encounters to remote communities, the stories are indeed rich and powerful. In addition to being beautiful illustrated with photographs of her travels, she also discusses other key topics. Among them include the subject of racism at both home and abroad. This will not only be one of the top-rated travel books of the year but likely of all time.
- Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes – Nick Hunt
Without a doubt, many well-known destinations have some pretty incredible sights and experiences. But few of us would expect to see the types of sights of middle-of-nowhere places that Nick Hunt describes in Outlandish. Imagine walking a Spanish desert amidst desert wanderers. Or travelling an arctic tundra in Scotland with reindeer nomads. As one of the top-rated travel books this year, Hunt takes us to places that seem out of place and strange. In the process, he reminds us that every travel experience is one certain to be unique. Even the most common destinations offer their own version of the unusual. If this seems intriguing to you, then be sure to include this travel book for summer reading on your list.
- Solo – Jenny Tough
For you over-achievers and athletes in the crowd, you might want to add this travel book for summer reading for consideration. Jenny Tough, as her name might imply, is a well-recognized endurance runner who decided she would run some of the most difficult terrain across 6 continents. Destinations included places like the Transylvanian Alps, the Canadian Rockies, and Southern Alps in Oceania. In the process, she experiences not only tremendous adventure and some hardships. But she also enjoys some deep introspection and insights that help her deal with her own personal struggles. For those looking for inspiration, this is definitely one of the top-rated travel books of the year.
- Journeys to Impossible Places – Simon Reeve
As a well-known adventure travel guru, Simon Reeve is recognizable throughout the world. His career has certainly taken him on many spectacular journeys to many places we may never see. In this travel book for summer reading, Reeve gives us insights into what these experiences were like. From the tropics and islands of paradise, to remote jungles and secret missions, he has faced many challenges. And many of these involved his own perspectives and emotions. While the book is highly informative, it also encourages us to embrace life, take risks, and enjoy opportunities. Because of this, it is destined to be among the top-rated travel books released this year.
- Explorer: The Quest for Adventure and the Great Unknown – Benedict Allen
For the adventurers among us, Explorer offers a truly unique perspective of traveling to remote destinations. As such a person, Benedict Allen explores the meaning of travel and why so many of us crave adventure. As a 21st century explore, he ponders how challenging it is to discover novelties in a world essentially mapped. But as he takes us along on his journeys to remote communities, he teaches us something. The real adventure is being vulnerable and opening oneself up to be influenced by these destinations. Adventure enthusiast will want to add this travel book for summer reading to their list of must-reads. Even those who don’t consider themselves adventurers will learn the importance of travel in all our lives.
Give the gift that will make a difference! Get the acclaimed book that can help you live Bold!
