Tucked beside The Mark Hotel on New York’s Upper East Side, Assouline’s tiny bookstore offers a striking reminder that travel books can be more than sources of information. Beautifully made, highly visual, and definitely expensive, they can celebrate a place, spark curiosity, and become part of the way we remember—or imagine—the world.

Hay-on-Wye is a small Welsh border town with an outsized literary reputation. Its more than twenty independent bookshops, restored castle, riverside setting, and world-famous festival have turned it into one of Britain’s most distinctive destinations for readers.

What is it about bookstores and cats that feels so perfectly right? Join Travelreads as we meet some of the world's most beloved bookstore cats and celebrate the independent bookstores where stories—and a few unforgettable feline hosts—make every visit a little more magical.

In a world that rarely slows down, bookstores offer something increasingly rare: the chance to wander, discover, and follow curiosity wherever it leads. Explore why getting lost among the shelves is one of travel—and life's—greatest pleasures.

This particular book, published in 1956 by the Japan Travel Bureau, tells an extraordinary story. At over 850 pages thick, this wasn't just a guidebook. It was a declaration of hope, an act of pride and courage, and perhaps most importantly, an invitation extended to a world that had every reason to turn away.

Jimbocho, located in Tokyo's Chiyoda ward, is renowned as the city's "Book Town." With over 170 bookstores, it's a paradise for book lovers. The district's history as a literary hub dates back to the late 19th century, creating a unique intellectual atmosphere that attracts students, locals, and tourists alike.

Discover our curated list of the world's best travel bookstores, where book lovers can lose themselves in endless shelves, cozy nooks, and the magic of the written word.