When Jackie and Mark bought The Beast, a vintage, six-wheel army lorry sight unseen off the internet, they planned the ultimate overland adventure to Mongolia with their four dogs. But when COVID-19 slammed shut international borders – it abruptly rerouted their dream.

There’s something about New York City that sparks the imagination long before someone ever arrives. Its neighborhoods, characters, and energy have been captured by countless writers, each adding their own lens to the city that never sleeps. For anyone visiting New York, diving into a few thoughtfully chosen books can make the experience richer, more personal, and more memorable.

Travel writing has long been dominated by male voices, but some of the most compelling and honest accounts of the world come from women who've ventured far beyond the familiar. These amazing five books offer something rare: perspectives that challenge assumptions, reveal hidden corners of the world, and remind us why we read about places we may never go.

When we think about the Middle East, our minds often jump to news footage—explosions, protests, politicians making speeches. But what about the baker who still opens his shop every morning? The family sharing tea on their rooftop? The students cramming for exams despite everything happening around them? These are the stories that matter just as much, maybe more. And thankfully, some incredible writers have ventured into these complex regions not as war correspondents, but as observers of human resilience, humor, and ordinary magic that persists even in extraordinary circumstances.

Travel opens doors to new worlds, new people, and new perspectives. But sometimes the most transformative journeys don’t involve passports or airports—they happen when we lose ourselves in a great book. Travel writing can transport us to places we’ve never been, giving us a front-row seat to cultural traditions, histories, and everyday moments that shape life in every corner of the globe.