Our recommendations on the best travel writing collections
Travelreads | Travel Writing Collections
The most compelling travel writing often emerges in powerful short-form collections that transform wanderlust into unforgettable literary journeys. These carefully curated travel writing anthologies showcase the finest voices in contemporary and classic travel literature, from legendary series that have inspired readers for generations to cutting-edge collections featuring today's most celebrated travel writers and journalists. Each story becomes a passport to extraordinary destinations, immersive cultural encounters, and transformative experiences that resonate long after the final page. Discover our handpicked recommendations for the most captivating travel writing books that will ignite your imagination and fuel your next adventure.
The Best Travel Writing Collections
The Best Travel Writing Collections
The Best American Travel Writing Series
The Best American Travel Writing is a long-running series dedicated to exactly what the title says - an annual collection of the best of travel articles and essays from American writers. Each year a notable author acts as the final editor, choosing from hundreds of great pieces. The editor for the 2021 version is Padma Lakshimi, a is an Indian-American author, model, television host, and executive producer best known for hosting the cooking competition show "Top Chef.". Previous editors include noted travel writers like Bill Bryson, Paul Theroux, Ian Frazier, Pico Iyer, Tim Cahill, Frances May, Elizabeth Gilbert, and the legendary Anthony Bourdain. The series was sadly cancelled in 2022, but all the past editions are absolutely still worth reading.
The Best Women’s Travel Writing Series
Get ready to fall in love with The Best Women's Travel Writing: True Stories From Around the World! This incredible anthology, thoughtfully curated by Lavinia Spalding and brought to you by Traveler's Tales, is pure magic for anyone who dreams of distant places. Inside, you'll discover breathtaking adventures and deeply personal stories from fearless women who've ventured to every corner of our beautiful planet. From heart-pounding escapades to quiet moments of wonder, these tales will transport you whether you're curled up at home or already planning your next great adventure. If you're someone who believes that travel changes us in the most wonderful ways, this award-winning collection absolutely belongs on your reading list.
The Way of Wanderlust
The Way of Wanderlust by Don George is a collection of travel stories and essays that showcase the author's extensive experiences as a travel writer and editor. The book spans several decades of George's journeys across the globe, offering readers a blend of adventure, cultural insights, and personal reflections. George's writing style is known for its vivid descriptions and ability to capture the essence of places and people he encounters, providing a thoughtful exploration of how travel can broaden one's perspective and enrich life.
Ox Travels: Meetings with Remarkable Travel Writers
Contributing to a worthy cause has never been easier or more enjoyable, and OxTravels perfectly demonstrates how meaningful impact can come wrapped in pure literary pleasure. This captivating collection brings together 25 original travel stories from some ofay's most celebrated authors—many of whom you'll recognize as favorites featured right here on this website. What started as a charitable endeavor in support of Oxfam has blossomed into something truly special: a remarkable anthology that stands proudly on its own merits as exceptional travel writing. With a heartwarming introduction by the beloved Michael Palin, OxTravels invites you on an extraordinary journey across continents and cultures, offering fresh perspectives from writers who know how to transform ordinary moments into unforgettable stories. Each page proves that the best literature doesn't just entertain—it connects us to the wider world while quietly making it a better place.
Smile When You're Lying: Confessions of a Rogue Travel Writer
Smile When You're Lying is the travel book that finally tells the truth about travel books. Chuck Thompson, a veteran travel writer who's seen it all, pulls back the curtain on an industry obsessed with manufacturing paradise and peddling fairy tales to armchair adventurers. With the credibility that comes from years in the trenches, Thompson serves up a brutally honest, wickedly funny exposé that embraces the beautiful disasters that make real travel memorable: the food poisoning in Bangkok, the language barriers that lead to accidental insults, the "authentic local experiences" that turn out to be tourist traps with better marketing. His razor-sharp wit transforms these moments of misery into laugh-out-loud revelations, proving that the stories we tell ourselves about our wanderlust are often far more interesting than the sanitized versions that make it into print. By celebrating travel's glorious imperfections, Thompson reminds us why we fell in love with the road in the first place—not for Instagram-worthy moments, but for the unpredictable human comedy that unfolds when we venture beyond our comfort zones.
The World, by Jan Morris
The World is a mesmerizing and deeply immersive writing collection by Jan Morris, widely regarded as one of the most gifted and influential travel writers of the 20th century. Published in 1974 at the height of Morris's literary powers, this remarkable book offers an expansive and intimate panoramic view of global cultures and landscapes, drawing from her extraordinary journeys across six continents and decades of fearless exploration. With her signature blend of keen anthropological observation, poetic sensibility, and lyrical prose that borders on the sublime, Morris crafts vivid, almost cinematic portraits of bustling cities, remote villages, diverse peoples, and fascinating customs, transporting readers into the very heart of each locale while providing them with an irreplaceable snapshot of the world as it existed in the transformative mid-20th century. The work stands as both a masterful literary achievement and a testament to Morris's unparalleled ability to capture not just the physical essence of places and their inhabitants, but their spiritual and emotional resonance as well, forever solidifying her reputation as a writer whose influence continues to inspire generations of explorers and storytellers.
The Kindness of Strangers
The Kindness of Strangers is a heartwarming collection of travel essays that celebrates the unexpected connections we make on the road, reminding us why we fell in love with travel in the first place. Edited by Don George, this remarkable anthology brings together stories from renowned writers like Jan Morris, Simon Winchester, and Dave Eggers, each recounting those pivotal moments when the generosity of unfamiliar faces turned challenging situations into cherished memories that last a lifetime. These aren't just travel stories—they're deeply human encounters that restore your faith in people, whether it's a stranger offering shelter during a storm, sharing a meal when you're lost and hungry, or simply providing directions with a warmth that transcends language barriers. The book serves as a gentle but powerful reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful and transformative experiences in our journeys come not from carefully planned itineraries or famous landmarks, but from the simple, touching gestures of those we meet along the way—people who have no reason to help us except for the basic human impulse toward kindness.
The Journey’s Echo, by Freya Stark
The Journey's Echo by Freya Stark is a mesmerizing collection of travel writings that sweeps readers into an intoxicating voyage through the Middle East and beyond, where every page pulses with the raw energy of authentic discovery. From the cacophonous, spice-scented bazaars of Baghdad where merchants hawk their wares in a symphony of languages, to the haunting, wind-carved silence of Arabia's endless deserts that stretch like golden seas toward impossible horizons, Stark's adventures don't just leap off the page—they grab you by the collar and thrust you headlong into worlds that feel both ancient and startlingly alive. This remarkable British-Italian explorer and writer brazenly shattered every convention of her era, embarking on solo journeys through territories that even seasoned male travelers considered perilous death traps for Western women in the early 20th century. Through Stark's fearless eyes, readers gain access to a perspective that cuts through the prejudices and misconceptions that shrouded these lands, revealing the beating heart of civilizations that Western society had long dismissed or romanticized beyond recognition.
Marco Polo Didn’t Go There, by Rolf Potts
Marco Polo Didn't Go There by Rolf Potts is a delightfully enlightening journey through the fascinating and often misunderstood world of travel writing that will captivate both seasoned wanderers and armchair travelers alike. In this wonderfully engaging collection of essays, Potts invites readers to join him on an adventure that's part rollicking travelogue, part eye-opening behind-the-scenes expose of the travel writing industry, and part honest confession booth where nothing is off-limits. With his trademark wit, self-deprecating humor, and refreshing candor, he fearlessly pulls back the curtain to reveal the often-embellished, sometimes completely fabricated nature of travel stories—including his own memorable mishaps and creative liberties—while thoughtfully exploring that deliciously blurry line between fact and fiction that makes travel literature so compelling. Potts' globetrotting adventures span from the bustling streets of Cairo to the serene temples of Thailand and beyond, offering readers not just a fresh, unvarnished perspective on these familiar destinations, but also an insider's look at the art, craft, and occasional chicanery involved in transforming messy, complicated real-life experiences into the polished, inspiring travel narratives we all love to read.
Jaguars Ripped My Flesh, by Tim Cahill
Tim Cahill, renowned for his adventurous spirit and vivid storytelling, captures readers' imaginations in his electrifying collection Jaguars Ripped My Flesh. This masterful compilation showcases Cahill's extraordinary knack for finding himself in situations that would send most rational people running—from plunging into deadly underwater cave systems to scaling treacherous mountain peaks where the margin for error disappears entirely. What sets Cahill apart is his remarkable ability to balance genuine danger with disarming self-deprecating humor, creating a narrative voice that never takes itself too seriously even when the stakes are life and death. Whether dodging hypothermic doom in arctic waters or navigating political upheaval in remote corners of the world, his keen observational skills and infectious enthusiasm turn every mishap into a moment of connection, making his adventures feel both thrillingly exotic and surprisingly relatable.
To The Ends of The Earth, by Paul Theroux
To the Ends of the Earth is a captivating travel writing collection that brilliantly showcases Paul Theroux's extraordinary talent for capturing the very soul of his journeys through vivid, often transformative encounters with locals. This thoughtfully curated anthology compiles the most memorable highlights from six of Theroux's most celebrated and acclaimed travelogues, taking readers on an immersive adventure that spans continents—from epic train odysseys winding through the diverse landscapes of Asia and South America, to an intimate and revealing coastal tour of the UK that uncovers hidden gems and forgotten stories. What makes this collection particularly compelling is Theroux's unparalleled ability to find profound meaning in chance conversations and fleeting moments with the people he meets along the way. Theroux's other distinguished travel writing collections include The Tao of Travel and Fresh Air Fiend, which similarly draw from his vast reservoir of experiences and his remarkably keen observations of both the extraordinary and everyday aspects of people and places around the world, cementing his reputation as one of our most insightful travel writers.
An Innocent Abroad, by Lonely Planet
An Innocent Abroad is a delightful collection of travel tales from Lonely Planet that showcases the misadventures and cultural mishaps of first-time travelers venturing into the great unknown. This charming anthology features stories from well-known writers and personalities, each recounting their most memorable (and often hilariously embarrassing) experiences while exploring unfamiliar territories and navigating foreign customs. From cringe-worthy linguistic mix-ups that left everyone confused to unexpected culinary surprises that challenged every preconception about food, the book offers a genuinely humorous and heartwarming look at the universal challenges and surprising joys of stepping boldly outside one's comfort zone. It's a perfect read for both seasoned globetrotters who'll nod along knowingly and curious armchair travelers dreaming of their own adventures, reminding us all that sometimes the best memories—and the stories we'll tell for years to come—spring from those wonderfully unplanned, delightfully awkward moments that happen when we're far from home.
What Am I Doing Here, by Bruce Chatwin
Bruce Chatwin's What Am I Doing Here is a collection of essays and stories that showcases the author's remarkably wide-ranging interests and extensive travels across continents. Published in 1989, it was Chatwin's final and perhaps most reflective book before his untimely death. Unlike a traditional travelogue that follows a single journey or theme, this work thoughtfully compiles various pieces written throughout his distinguished career, touching on diverse subjects and exotic locations from Patagonia to Australia, from India to Europe. The book demonstrates Chatwin's characteristic and unmistakable blend of travel writing, incisive journalism, and deeply personal reflection that made him one of the most celebrated writers of his generation. Through vivid encounters with notable figures—from artists and writers to nomads and eccentrics—and his keen observations of different cultures and landscapes, What Am I Doing Here offers readers an intimate glimpse into Chatwin's restless spirit and his lifelong, almost obsessive quest to understand both the world around him and his own place within it. The collection serves as both a literary testament and a philosophical exploration of what it means to be perpetually in motion, always searching.
Here & There, by AA Gill
Here and There captures the razor-sharp wit and unflinching observations of legendary critic AA Gill as he traverses continents and cultures with his characteristic blend of savage humor and surprising tenderness. From the glittering chaos of international capitals to forgotten corners of the world, Gill dissects places and people with surgical precision, revealing uncomfortable truths about modern life while finding unexpected beauty in the mundane. His prose crackles with intelligence and irreverence as he skewers pretension, celebrates authenticity, and offers profound insights into what it means to be human in an increasingly connected yet fragmented world. This collection of travel writing transcends mere destination journalism to become a meditation on belonging, displacement, and the endless human capacity for both cruelty and grace. Gill's final work stands as a testament to a writer who never settled for easy answers or comfortable lies.
Unlock worlds with the gift of travel reads! See our recommendations on books that provide the perfect window to inspiration and adventure for friends and family. Click here for some gift ideas!