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Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

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Travel Guides

My travel guides aim to give you the best and most up-to-date information on the major travel destinations around the world. (I know how bad it is to get outdated information from a print guidebook so I keep all these pages updated constantly!)

Here you will find things to see and do, information about costs, my best money-saving advice, recommendations on places to stay, suggested restaurants, transportation tips, and safety advice. I give you everything I know about each destination.

No matter what type of vacation you are going on — a cruise, backpacking trip, island getaway, two-week holiday, round-the-world trip, or family vacation — these destination guides will give you all the information you need so you can travel better, longer, and cheaper.

I update this section twice a year to keep the content fresh!

Select a country on the map below or search for your destination.

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Regional Travel Guides

General Travel Tips and Resources

Travel is more than just getting up and going. It’s about being knowledgeable so you can travel better, cheaper, and longer. So besides the destination guides above, below you will find links to articles I’ve written that deal with planning your trip and other general advice, so your total vacation is as amazing as it can be. These articles are relevant for any trip, no matter how long!

• How to Find Cheap Flights
• How to Find Cheap Places to Stay
• How to Choose a Backpack
• My Best 61 Travel Tips
• 16 Steps for Planning a Trip
• My Ultimate Packing Guide
• How to Buy Travel Insurance
• 12 Tips for New Travelers
• My Favorite Hostels
• Solo Female Travel Tips
• How to Pick a Travel Credit Card
• Common Travel Scams to Avoid
• 15 Ways to Work Overseas
• 10 Best Places to Travel on a Budget
• Points and Miles 101
• How to Travel with a Theme
• Stay in Europe More Than 90 Days
• The Best Gear for Travelers

My Budget City Guides

Book Your Trip Now!

Below are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They are always my starting point when I need to book a flight, hotel, tour, or train, or for meeting people!

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. It searches small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. It is hands-down the number one place to start.
• Going – Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) finds incredible flight deals and sends them directly to your inbox. If you’re flexible with your dates and destinations, you can score some amazing deals and save hundreds of dollars in the process!
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there, with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all-around booking site. It constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates and has the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, it’s always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Intrepid Travel – If you want to do group tours, go with Intrepid. They offer good small-group tours that use local operators and leave a minimal environmental footprint. And, as a reader of this site, you’ll get exclusive discounts too!
• Get Your Guide – This is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. It has tons of tour options in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes and walking tours to street art lessons!
• SafetyWing – This site offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. It has cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• Discover Cars – Discover Cars is a car rental aggregator that can help you find the best deals for your next road trip. It pulls data from over 8,000 car rental locations to ensure you always find a great deal!
• Trusted Housesitters – Trusted Housesitters is a platform that connects you with people in need of pet and house sitters. In exchange for looking after their pets or home, you’ll get access to free accommodation.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

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8 Best Travel Books and Their Real-Life Destinations

Shannon McMahon

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon .

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto : "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at [email protected] .

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A good book can send you into a far-off daydream—but when the story is about a real-life destination, why not let it inspire a quest of your own? The secret islands, otherworldly landscapes, and towering cities in the pages of the best books are just as stunning in reality.

Travel Books and Their Real-Life Destinations

Make your daydreams a reality by choosing one of these travel books to inspire your next journey.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette : Antarctica

A travel book worth reading before its movie version debuts later this year, Maria Semple’s Where’d You Go, Bernadette invokes a new travel frontier: Antarctica. The comedy novel revolves around a Seattle-based architect who goes missing before a family trip to the icy subcontinent that her teenage daughter, Bee, begged to visit.

Bee’s excitement about following in the steps of explorers like Ernest Shackleton might be enough to make you yearn for a cruise expedition to the Antarctic complete with kayaking beside glaciers—which is becoming more and more common thanks to options like National Geographic Expeditions’ 14-day Journey to Antarctica .

What the Reviews Say: “ Where’d You Go, Bernadette leaves convention behind. Instead, it plays to Semple’s strengths as someone who can practice ventriloquism in many voices, skip over the mundane and utterly refute the notion that mixed-media fiction is bloggy, slack or lazy.” – The New York Times

Seven Pillars of Wisdom : Jordan

The rogue British officer and archaeologist who inspired the movie Lawrence of Arabia , T.E. Lawrence, accounts the British-controlled Arab Revolt of 1916 in Seven Pillars of Wisdom . The autobiography is worth sifting through for daydream-inducing depictions of Jordan’s Wadi Rum. The red desert more recently served as the backdrop for The Martian , and is now a hot spot among travelers for camping and hiking on guided tours like Intrepid Travel’s nine-day Trek Jordan itinerary . The actual Seven Pillars of Wisdom, referred to by Jordan’s Bedouin locals as the Seven Flutes, make up an awe-inspiring rock formation that can still be seen today in the heart of Wadi Rum.

What the Reviews Say : “Lawrence is a fascinating and controversial figure and his talent as a vivid and imaginative writer shines through on every page of this, his masterpiece.” –Goodreads

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane : China

The untamed natural wonders of China’s lesser-known Yunnan province are home to many of the country’s indigenous minorities, like the Akha. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane tells the story of an Akha woman and her daughter, forced apart by circumstance but drawn inexorably back to the same tea-growing village in the mountains.

The bestselling novel can also introduce you to Yunnan’s rice paddies, snow-capped mountains, and plunging lakes. Exodus Travels’ 12-day Wild Yunnan itinerary takes visitors through the region and to local villages like the one detailed in the novel for a less-traveled route through unspoiled China.

What the Reviews Say : “A powerful story about a family separated by circumstances, culture, and distance, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane paints an unforgettable portrait of a little-known region and its people and celebrates the bond that connects mothers and daughters.”—Goodreads

The Paris Wife : Paris, France

If, like me, you don’t consider Hemingway’s brooding descriptions to be leisurely reading, there’s a newer version of The Sun Also Rises that offers the women’s view of Paris’s “Lost Generation” writers, from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Gertrude Stein. The Paris Wife is Hadley Richardson, Ernest Hemingway’s first wife, who moved with him to Paris during the Roaring 20s. It almost goes without saying that the descriptions of Jazz Age Paris and its plot-thickening revelry might leave you planning a trip to the City of Lights.

What the Reviews Say : “ The Paris Wife [is] an imaginative homage to Hadley Richardson Hemingway, whose quiet support helped her young husband become a writer, and it gives readers a chance to see the person Hemingway aspired to be before fame turned him into something else.” – The Washington Post

The Beach : Thailand

Author Alex Garland was a 20-something living in Southeast Asia when he wrote his 1996 novel The Beach , and it shows. A hefty dose of backpacker-inspired wanderlust turns to terror as an idyllic beach uncovered by a handful of young travelers incites power struggles and drug dependencies. Still, the movie version of the book starring Leonardo Dicaprio has made Thailand’s Maya Bay, where it was filmed, such a popular tourist spot that it’s been temporarily shut down .

Visiting Thailand’s other nearby shorelines today, though, is easy with a small tour: G Adventures’ four-day Kho Phi Phi to Phuket sailing itinerary even touts its starting point as the island that inspired The Beach.

What the Reviews Say : “Part of [ The Beach ’s] astonishing success at the time (a bestseller and then a movie with the hottest director of the moment, Danny Boyle, and the biggest star in the world, Leonardo DiCaprio) was its hotwiring of the zeitgeist. By 1996-97, it wasn’t just the trust-fund kids from W11: everyone was backpacking in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.” – The Guardian

Cinnamon Gardens : Sri Lanka

Set in Colombo in the 1920s, Cinnamon Gardens looks back at the then-British colony of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, and the still-relevant cultural traditions of the island nation. This tale of a young local teacher struggling to avoid an arranged marriage by her family is one of the best travel books when it comes to covering modern Sri Lankan history.

Sri Lanka, which was long cordoned off from the world thanks to recent civil war and unrest, only recently blossomed into a travel destination. Reading up on some of the customs of Sri Lankans, like arranged marriages and the caste system, both still existing today, should be essential for visitors setting out for the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Spice gardens (which, yes, grow cinnamon) have become a must-visit stop on Sri Lanka itineraries like Intrepid Travel’s 14-day Real Food Adventure .

What the Reviews Say : “With sensuous atmosphere and vivid prose, this masterfully plotted novel re-creates a world where a beautiful veneer of fragrant gardens and manners hides social, personal, and political issues still relevant today.” –Goodreads

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail : United States

Another travel book turned movie, Cheryl Strayed’s memoir about life after addiction and losing a loved one is both heartbreaking and awe-inspiring, with the California wilderness setting a vivid scene for Strayed’s rough road to recovery. An average woman’s quest to conquer the thousand-mile Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert to Washington State might even inspire you to make the trek on your own—a feat that can take hikers the entire snow-free season to complete in its entirety.

What the Reviews Say : “The author was not chewed on by bears, plucked dangling from the edge of a pit, buried by an avalanche or made witness to the rapture. No dingo ate anyone’s baby. Yet everything happened. The clarity of Ms. Strayed’s prose, and thus of her person, makes her story, in its quiet way, nearly as riveting an adventure narrative as Jon Krakauer’s two ‘Into’ books: those matey fraternal twins,  Into the Wild  and  Into Thin Air .” – The New York Times

The Alchemist : Egypt and Spain

Required reading for anyone who’s fallen in love with the Moorish art and architecture of Southern Spain and let it lead them into the Middle East, The Alchemist is a quest of fantasy fiction that takes young Santiago on a hunt for buried treasure.

From Andalusia, into Morocco, and through the Egyptian desert to the Nile and the pyramids, the shepherd boy’s route could inspire you to take a Euro-Arabian jaunt of your own, like Egypt Tours Plus’s 20-day Spain, Morocco, and Egypt itinerary . Following Spain’s Arab routes into North Africa is a little-known yet cohesive way to straddle two continents in one trip.

What the Reviews Say : “Santiago’s journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.” –Goodreads

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Best Summer Books to Read on the Beach
• 10 Best Spring 2018 Books for Travelers
• 3 Best Travel Books for Kids

SmarterTravel Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on Instagram at @shanmcmahon .

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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The Best Books of 2022

This Year's Must-Reads

The Ten Best Books About Travel of 2022

After two years of limited travel opportunities, we’re ready to explore the world once more

Jennifer Nalewicki

Travel Correspondent

Traveling is about much more than your destination—it’s about the people who live there, and for many travelers it’s the experiences they have alongside locals that are the most memorable. Take, for instance, the story of a journalist who lived with an Iñupiaq family of whale hunters in Alaska before setting off with her toddler to follow the gray whale migration, or a young woman who traveled solo 6,800 miles by bike from Europe to the Middle East, often turning to local farmers and villagers to help her navigate unfamiliar territory. Both women adapted their experiences into books where they relive the laughter (and the pain) they shared with members of the local communities that go far beyond anything found in a guidebook.

Here are ten travel book releases from 2022 that are inspiring us to dust off our passports and experience new locales alongside the people who make them unforgettable.

The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World by Jessica Nabongo

Visiting all 195 countries in the world is no small feat and a goal that most people can only dream of. Luckily, armchair travelers can live vicariously through author Jessica Nabongo’s epic worldwide adventure in her book The Catch Me If You Can . From retelling the blow-by-blow of a scooter accident in Nauru (an island nation in Micronesia that also happens to be the world’s least visited country) and dog-sledding in Norway to swimming with humpback whales in Tonga and learning the art of making traditional takoyaki (octopus balls) in Japan, the 38-year-old, who’s also the first Black woman to travel to every nation in the world, introduces readers not only to bucket-list-worthy places but also to the people who live there.

The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman's Journey to Every Country in the World

In this inspiring travelogue, celebrated traveler and photographer Jessica Nabongo―the first Black woman on record to visit all 195 countries in the world―shares her journey around the globe with fascinating stories of adventure, culture, travel musts, and human connections.

Soundings: Journeys in the Company of Whales by Doreen Cunningham

In an everchanging world threatened by climate change, whales have learned to adapt. Irish British author Doreen Cunningham takes that notion to heart in Soundings , which blends science and nature writing with memoir as she shares her own experiences as a struggling single mother and journalist. Together with her toddler, she follows the migration route of gray whales as they make the long journey between Mexico and Alaska (where years earlier she spent time with Iñupiaq whalers), experiencing from a distance the familial bonds, not unlike her own close relationship with her son, of the marine mammals. “What at first seems a reckless, near-mystical pursuit of an imagined being leads her to find a human pod of her own,” writes the Guardian ’s Edward Posnett.

Soundings: Journeys in the Company of Whales: A Memoir

A story of courage and resilience, Soundings is about the migrating whales and all we can learn from them as they mother, adapt, and endure, their lives interrupted and threatened by global warming.

Bridges of the World by Giancarlo Ascari

Italian cartoonist and journalist Giancarlo Ascari has a degree in architecture, so it’s no wonder why he’s fascinated with bridges. Packed with illustrations by Pia Valentinis , Ascari’s book Bridges of the World highlights recognizable spans like the brightly painted Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Victorian Gothic-style Tower Bridge in London, while also highlighting less obvious examples, including the stretch of wire French high-wire artist Philippe Petit strung between the Twin Towers in New York City and dangerously crossed in 1974. In total, Bridges of the World features 50 human-made and natural wonders accented by interesting facts and anecdotes.

Bridges of the World

Fifty bridges from all over the world to be crossed on foot or with one's imagination.

Black Lion: Teachings from the Wilderness by Sicelo Mbatha

When Sicelo Mbatha was a child, he watched in horror as a crocodile viciously attacked his cousin. Rather than shy away from the cruel realities of nature, the Zulu author, who goes by the nickname Black Lion, confronted them head on to become a wilderness guide. Over the years, he’s volunteered at Imfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, a province located along the coast of South Africa. Because of his childhood encounter, he has learned to approach the savanna and the lions, elephants and other animals that inhabit it from a spiritual perspective. He has since fostered a deeper connection with the local fauna and hopes to pass that mindset on to visitors on his guided excursions as well as readers of Black Lion , his debut book.

Black Lion: Alive in the Wilderness

Wilderness guide Sicelo Mbatha shares lessons learnt from a lifetime’s intimate association with Africa’s wildest nature.

The Writer’s Journey: In the Footsteps of the Literary Greats by Travis Elborough

Ask any writer, and they’ll likely confirm that a story’s setting plays as critical a role as its plot. Case in point: Would Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel Dracula be as compelling if it wasn’t set in macabre Transylvania? Like Stoker, many literary greats were inspired by places they traveled to before sitting down to write. In The Writer’s Journey , British author and cultural commentator Travis Elborough explores 35 experiences around the globe that influenced authors and helped shape their writings, including Herman Melville’s perilous 1841 whaling voyage on the Atlantic and Jack Kerouac’s cross-country escapades in the late 1940s over “all that raw land that rolls in one unbelievable huge bulge over to the West Coast.”

The Writer's Journey: In the Footsteps of the Literary Greats

Follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s most famous authors on the journeys which inspired their greatest works in this beautiful illustrated atlas.

South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry

What comes to mind when you think of the American South? The Civil War? College football? Gone with the Wind ? Imani Perry , an award-winning author and African American studies professor at Princeton University, tackles all of these topics in her New York Times best seller South to America . Combining history with culture, Perry brings readers on an eye-opening journey south of the Mason-Dixon line, from her native Alabama to Appalachia, focusing not only on past civil atrocities that have scarred the region and the country as a whole, but also on the immigrant communities, artists and innovators leading the way to a brighter future.

South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation

An essential, surprising journey through the history, rituals, and landscapes of the American South—and a revelatory argument for why you must understand the South in order to understand America

The Slow Road to Tehran: A Revelatory Bike Ride Through Europe and the Middle East by Rebecca Lowe

While the Syrian War rattled the Middle East in 2015, journalist Rebecca Lowe embarked on a yearlong 6,800-mile grand tour via a bicycle she affectionately named “Maud” from her home base of London to Tehran. During her epic ride, she cycled through Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and the Gulf, often relying on the knowledge and assistance of farmers, villagers and other locals she met along the way. For her travel memoir The Slow Road to Tehran , she weaves her own experiences as a woman traveling alone through the mountains and deserts of the Middle East with tales about the people and cultures she encountered. Tom Chesshyre of the Critic calls it “modern travel writing at its very best, full of vim and vigor, painstakingly researched, laced with wry humor, political (without being too political), adventurous and rich with anecdote.”

The Slow Road to Tehran: A Revelatory Bike Ride through Europe and the Middle East

One woman, one bike and one richly entertaining, perception-altering journey of discovery.

Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects by Jean de Pomereu and Daniella McCahey

On January 17, 1773, Captain James Cook made the first crossing into the Antarctic Circle aboard the Royal Navy sloop Resolution . Now, on the 250th anniversary of this monumental journey, historical geographer Jean de Pomereu and historian Daniella McCahey have come together to highlight 100 objects (culled from the National Maritime Museum in London, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and many other collections) that define the world’s least-visited continent. Items that made the cut and are featured in their co-written book Antarctica include the tiny, 22-foot lifeboat used by Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship struck ice and sunk in 1915; a sealing club fashioned out of the penis bone of an elephant seal; and skis that Norwegian explorer Olav Bjaaland used in the early 1900s.

Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects

This stunning and powerfully relevant book tells the history of Antarctica through 100 varied and fascinating objects drawn from collections around the world.

This Contested Land: The Storied Past and Uncertain Future of America’s National Monuments by McKenzie Long

Despite their federal designation as protected land, national monuments in the United States come under threat. Just look at Bears Ears National Monument, a 2,125-square-mile expanse of red sandstone, cliff dwellings and petroglyphs in the Utah desert held sacred by many Native Americans. The Trump administration decreased the monument in size by 85 percent to allow for oil drilling (only for the Biden administration to later restore its protections). In her debut book, This Contested Land , author and graphic artist McKenzie Long sets out by ski, foot and fin to explore 13 sites across the country, including Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Hawaii’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, in a series of compelling essays that convey the importance of protecting these natural resources from the threats of development and climate change.

This Contested Land: The Storied Past and Uncertain Future of America’s National Monuments

One woman’s enlightening trek through the natural histories, cultural stories, and present perils of 13 national monuments, from Maine to Hawaii

Crossed Off the Map: Travels in Bolivia by Shafik Meghji

The world’s highest metropolis is La Paz, Bolivia, home to two million inhabitants living at 13,600 feet above sea level (higher than Mount Fuji). However, not many people know this fact, nor much about the South American country, for that matter. In Crossed Off the Map , author, travel expert and Amnesty International editorial consultant Shafik Meghji introduces readers to the landmarks, history and current issues of Bolivia. Fellow travel author Tim Hannigan says in the book blurb, “Shafik Meghji is a natural travel writer with a ready mastery of history, anecdote and atmosphere, and [this] is the best sort of travel book—an informed and informative portrait of Bolivia that doubles as a vicarious journey for readers on an epic scale, through high mountains, across the altiplano [high plains] and into deep tropical forests.”

Crossed Off the Map: Travels in Bolivia

Blending travel writing, history and reportage, Crossed off the Map: Travels in Bolivia journeys from the Andes to the Amazon to explore Bolivia’s turbulent past and contemporary challenges.

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Jennifer Nalewicki | | READ MORE

Jennifer Nalewicki is a Brooklyn-based journalist. Her articles have been published in The New York Times , Scientific American , Popular Mechanics , United Hemispheres and more. You can find more of her work at her website .

Plan your next vacation in the United States , or explore Europe and Italy travel guides and adventures in Asia including Thailand guides, plus browse tips for budget travel .

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Best in Travel 2024

50 destinations for 50 years of travel.

This year, do more than just dream about the Best in Travel. Get inspired and discover new destintions from 50 years of travel expertise.

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All of Best in Travel 2024

9 Books to Spark Your Wanderlust in 2023

By CNT Editors

Armchair travel. We’ve all indulged in it via daydreams and  Parts Unknown,  with weekly trips to  The White Lotus and afternoons spent leafing through the pages of this very magazine. But our editors, avid readers that they are, know that the most transportive (and transformative) stationary adventure is often to kick back with a good book. And we read a lot of those in 2022—from immersive  travel writing  that challenges the reader to breezy beach reads designed to be read on the sand. Here, we’ve rounded up the fiction and non-fiction books that sparked our wanderlust over the past year. Whether you are an accomplished bookworm yourself, or have simply resolved to crack even just one book in the New Year, we’ve got you covered.

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri

My lack of familiarity with Italy’s modern literature, combined with my interest in novelist Jhumpa Lahiri’s immersion in the country’s language and literary traditions, motivated me to order this collection of 40 tales from 20th-century Italian writers, which Lahiri edited. The Pulitzer Prize winner curated a super sharp collection from authors who were both known to me (Italo Calvino, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa) and those unfamiliar (I enjoyed discovering Natalia Ginzburg), translating many of them herself, to telegraph an Italy you don’t see through travel: The dusty backroads of  Sicily in the early 1900s; hardscrabble towns beyond  Florence ; male and female protagonists struggling through banal life choices. More than a varied journey that jumps between eras and places in an often-overlooked Italy, this collection demonstrates the power of fiction to enlighten audiences on cultures and histories that are not their own (nearly half of the stories had never been translated before), mostly thanks to the stewardship of Lahiri herself. — Erin Florio , executive editor

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

“It’s nothing to come to Europe … It doesn't seem to me one needs so many reasons for that. It is something to stay at home; this is much more important.” I found a weathered and water-damaged copy of this masterpiece sitting alone on a  Brooklyn stoop this spring and began devouring it immediately—it is by far the longest and most difficult spontaneous read I’ve ever embarked on, and my found edition quickly became mine as I underlined passages more than I did not. Protagonist Isabel Archer is a young American woman, one less in control of her own desires than she is aware, visiting distant relatives in England. Her aunt takes her as a companion on a tour of Europe, and as she traipses from  Paris to  Florence  Archer makes a suitor out of just about every man she encounters. Firmly declining proposal after marriage proposal, Isabel is determined  to accomplish the abstract and impossible: to know everything about the world and about herself before she can marry. What better way to do so than to travel?— Charlie Hobbs , editorial assistant

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

I was already planning a trip to  Savannah when I picked up the non-fiction novel by journalist John Berendt, which is a page-turning murder mystery and a human interest masterpiece all in one. But it inspired me to make sure I experienced all the smallest nooks and crannies of Georgia’s oldest city—from subterranean antique shops to Flannery O’Connor’s historic childhood home, the Spanish-moss-strewn cemeteries, and an beloved drag show (yes, Club One) that lived up to the hype. Berendt lived the remote-work life, well before we all caught on to it, in order to live out his dream of transplanting to Savannah in the 1980s. The Southern Gothic tale that unfolds shortly after his arrival is one that strings together the small community’s dark past and its many eccentric personalities to paint a colorful picture of a Low Country gem that you can only experience through its people. — Shannon McMahon , editor, destinations

Bluets by Maggie Nelson

In her poetic prose, Maggie Nelson writes a personal exploration of her encounters with the color blue in life and love, and misery and pain. Catching sight of fragments of blue in my own life, Nelson has inspired me to count the colors in all my adventures. Navigating and experiencing travel through the lens of color opens up new and exciting emotions, connections, and realizations. I now find myself asking questions like: Which other city have I seen with this palette before? What does the color of this food remind me of? I jot down my answers and it becomes a story of its own. — Jessica Chapel, editorial assistant

Erinne Magee

Lindsey Tramuta

Alex Erdekian

CNT Editors

Less Is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer

I fell for the somewhat hapless, super awkward, but rather relatable Arthur Less in Andrew Sean Greer's Pulitzer Prize-winning 2017 novel  Less during a jaunt around Europe, not unlike the protagonist. This fall, Less entered my life once again with Greer's sequel  Less is Lost . The novel—at times laugh-out-loud funny, deeply heart warming, and an apt portrayal of the current state of America—sees Less once again on a journey; this time on an unexpected  road trip across the United States where he finds himself in unpredictable situation after unpredictable situation. From beginning to end, I found myself armchair traveling through Greer's metaphors and vivid-yet-quirky descriptions from California to New Mexico to Georgia. I was ultimately left with an optimistic view of humanity—and an itch to rent a camper van, grab my dog, and get lost. — Scott Bay , associate editor

Lizzie and Dante by Mary Bly

This summer, when it seemed like everyone was traipsing around Europe, I was reading  Lizzie & Dante , a delicious rom-com about a woman who vacations at a seaside resort on Elba, an island off the  coast of Italy . The titular character, Lizzie (a Shakespeare scholar, because of course), meets a handsome Italian chef and his precocious daughter, and romance ensues. There are yachts,  secret ocean coves, and mouthwatering accounts of a crabby chef’s set menu that’ll have you ready to plan a trip to Elba (or at the very least, make a reservation at a very expensive Italian restaurant). The main character is on holiday with her best friend and his movie star boyfriend, giving it a touch of  The White Lotus  energy, but with far more likable characters. — Madison Flager , senior commerce editor

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

This year, I revisited a book I was assigned in high school when it caught my eye on a shelf in New York 's McNally Jackson Nolita, showcased with a group of “eerie” titles in the month of October. In the 1966 novel  Wide Sargasso Sea , Dominican-British author Jean Rhys gives the infamous madwoman in the attic from  Jane Eyre a story, and a life. The feminist, post-colonial prequel is set in the Caribbean, part one in  Jamaica during the protagonist’s childhood, and part two in Dominica during her toxic honeymoon with Mr. Rochester. The descriptions of these islands are at once beautiful and haunting. Take, for example: “The road climbed upward. On one side the wall of green, on the other a steep drop to the ravine below. We pulled up and looked at the hills, the mountains, and the blue-green sea. There was a soft warm wind blowing but I understand why the porter had called it a wild place. Not only wild but menacing. Those hills would close in on you.” These locations are not romanticized—they’re integral to the story Rhys tells about race, power, and assimilation—and in that way, this read will prompt your interest in them in more ways than one. — Alex Erdekian , travel bookings editor

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

I was utterly transported by the epic sweep of this beautiful, terribly sad historical novel about the Korean experience in  Japan over the course of the 20th century. (I read it right around the time Apple TV+ released its miniseries based on the book, and while I know many people who have enjoyed the screen version, this might be a case where the book hit me so hard I’ll never want to see the adaptation.) The vividly wrought locales are essential to Lee’s storytelling, especially the spartan but pristine world of Yeongdo, a fishing village on a tiny island off the coast of Busan more than a hundred years ago, and the rough-and-tumble milieu of Osaka at mid-century, with its squalid Korean ghetto, crowded markets, and illicit pachinko parlors. There are also gripping forays into Tokyo, Nagano, and the Japanese countryside. I found it to be such an illuminating portrayal of the fraught interlaced history of these two wonderful countries, and a reminder of how deeply I want to spend time in both. — Jesse Ashlock , deputy global editorial director and head of editorial content, U.S.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I read Madeline Miller’s  Circe years ago, and was blown away by how she brings Greek mythology to life in a totally fresh format. I finally got around to reading her debut novel,  The Song of Achilles  (2011), about that Achilles—and  that heel—this year, and it reminded me just how transportive mythology can be. It inspired me to buy a book on Sicilian mythology  while on the island over the summer , and my 2023 resolution is to read up on local stories before future trips. (Currently accepting recommendations of books tied to Kenyan and Peruvian folklore for my winter travels.) — Megan Spurrell , senior editor

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15 Best Travel Books: Picks for Wanderlust Inspo

Author: Destinations.ai · Updated on: March 27, 2024

Travel books are a precious resource for those who yearn to explore the world and quench their thirst for adventure. These books not only recount the intriguing journeys of intrepid travelers but also offer insightful recommendations, cultural contexts, and personal anecdotes that help guide wanderlust-fueled readers. With travel books, one can experience diverse cultures, historical landmarks, national monuments, and arresting panoramas through the eyes of seasoned explorers.

Choosing the best travel books to accompany you on your journeys can be crucial to planning your trip. Some books focus on providing practical guides and packing tips, while others offer deep, personal reflections on the traveling experience. Readers must consider the region or culture they wish to explore and identify their narrative or instructional format preferences.

When selecting a travel book, crucial factors include the author’s credibility, the content’s richness, and the prose’s readability. A well-researched, engaging, and original text will allow readers to broaden their perspectives and envision themselves amid a fantastic adventure, even sitting comfortably in their living room. In this selection of the best travel books, we will traverse a range of genres, styles, and destinations to help you deepen your connection with others around the world and inspire your next great expedition.

Best Travel Books

Discover the top travel books that inspire wanderlust and enrich your journeys with fascinating insights into diverse destinations.

Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places

Travel enthusiasts seeking modern travel writing and a visually stunning and inspiring guide should consider purchasing this exceptional book.

• Includes 225 unique and unforgettable travel destinations
• Beautiful and captivating photography
• Appealing coffee table book size and quality
• Focuses heavily on American destinations
• Some notable regions underrepresented, such as Africa and China
• Minor shipping issues like dented corners reported

Featuring 225 of the most awe-inspiring places globally, this National Geographic publication offers a compelling and picturesque guide for passionate travelers. Each destination is brought to life through impressive photographs that capture the essence of these extraordinary locations. This hefty and well-crafted book is an eye-catching centerpiece on any coffee table.

Despite its unique content, a significant drawback noted by some readers is the book’s strong inclination toward American destinations. The world’s incredible diversity feels somewhat diminished, with regions like Africa and China being largely overlooked. Moreover, although the book offers a remarkable visual journey, readers may desire more detailed information about each featured destination.

Overall, “Destinations of a Lifetime” is a valuable investment for those who appreciate stunning visuals and wish to discover unique locations across the globe. While it may not be an exhaustive guide due to its regional preferences, this book still promises travel enthusiasts a captivating and inspiring experience.

The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet)

For globetrotters and armchair travelers, this beautiful book offers both adventure travel books and an inspiring glimpse of the world’s diverse countries.

• Comprehensive coverage of all countries
• Stunning visuals and photography
• The Hardcover edition adds to the durability
• Limited practical travel information
• Heavy and large
• Some countries receive minimal representation

Published by the renowned travel guide publisher Lonely Planet, “The Travel Book” creates a unique opportunity for readers to explore the world without ever leaving their homes. The publication offers fascinating insights into each country’s culture, history, and landscape, capturing what makes each destination unique.

With 416 pages, the book includes striking photography and engaging descriptions, sparking curiosity and wanderlust in eager travelers. Readers can admire the vast diversity of environments, from lush jungles to icy tundras, and learn about the customs and traditions of different societies. But, it’s crucial to note that while the book offers a vast visual journey, it lacks in-depth practical travel information for trip planning.

Measuring 10.75 x 1.25 x 13.88 inches and weighing a hefty 6.4 pounds, this book is undeniably large – perhaps best suited for display on a coffee table or as a reference in a personal library. Besides, although the hardcover edition adds durability, its size and weight may render it impractical for frequent travelers. For those interested in exploring the world through compelling imagery and captivating narratives, “The Travel Book” remains a valuable resource that will motivate and inspire readers to discover new destinations.

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Fodor’s Best Road Trips in the USA

If you’re planning a road trip across the United States, Fodor’s Best Road Trips in the USA offers an excellent guide to inspire and inform your journey.

• Wide variety of trip ideas
• Detailed information on routes
• Full-color, visually appealing guide
• It may not cover specific locations of interest
• Not spiral-bound for easy use on the road
• Print may be small for some readers

Fodor’s Best Road Trips in the USA provides an extensive collection of 50 unique trips spanning all 50 states, each with a suggested route and highlights of what to see and experience. With insightful recommendations and beautiful full-color images, this travel guide will captivate your imagination and inspire your next adventure.

But, it is worth noting that some reviewers mentioned the book doesn’t cover every specific location of interest in each state. The guide may not be the most comprehensive option to explore particular attractions. Additionally, the book is not spiral-bound and features small print, which may be challenging for some readers or not as convenient for use on the road.

Ultimately, Fodor’s Best Road Trips in the USA is an engaging and informative guide to inspire your next road trip. Still, it may not provide exhaustive information for specific locations. Regardless, it offers an excellent starting point for those looking to embark on memorable adventures across the United States.

See Related : Page

Moon USA State by State: Travel Guide

Explore the best of every state in the USA with this comprehensive travel guide, perfect for bucket-list adventurers and casual travelers.

• In-depth coverage of attractions in each state
• High-quality photography adds visual appeal
• Convenient paperback format for easy portability
• Limited information on accommodations and dining
• Some readers may find it lacking in detail
• Paper quality may be prone to wear and tear

This travel guide by Moon, titled “Moon USA State by State: The Best Things to Do in Every State for Your Travel Bucket List,” offers readers a comprehensive look at attractions and experiences in each of the 50 United States. The 792-page guide includes recommendations for sightseeing, activities, and unique experiences in every state. Rather than focusing on hotels and restaurants, the directory highlights the experiences that make each state unique.

One of the strengths of this guide is its beautiful photography, which offers readers a glimpse of the captivating views and points of interest they will encounter on their travels. The focus is written in clear, engaging language, making it an enjoyable read, even for those not planning a trip. It features a convenient paperback format and is easy to carry along on your adventures, making it a practical choice for those who prefer a physical guidebook over a digital one.

But, some readers have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of detailed information about accommodations, dining, and other practical aspects of travel planning. Additionally, the paper quality may not be as durable as some would prefer, potentially leading to issues with wear and tear over time. Despite these drawbacks, the “Moon USA State by State” travel guide remains popular for those looking for inspiration and recommendations for their American journey.

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50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

For those seeking inspiration for their next American adventure, 50 States, 5,000 Ideas is a valuable resource worth considering.

• Comprehensive overview of attractions across all 50 states
• Packed with beautiful visuals and photography
• National Geographic’s trusted and reputable information
• Limited details on certain attractions
• Maps of states not included
• Published in 2017, it may not be up-to-date on all attractions

This travel book offers a wealth of ideas for exploring the United States, with suggestions on where to go, when to visit, and what activities to enjoy. With 5,000 tips spanning all 50 states, travelers will find plenty of inspiration for their next trip.

National Geographic’s 50 States, 5,000 Ideas stands out for its stunning visuals and photography, showcasing the beauty of America’s diverse landscapes and attractions. Readers will appreciate the quality and insight a trusted and reputable organization brings.

But, the book does have a few drawbacks. Some readers may find the information on certain attractions limited, and the absence of state maps might be inconvenient for planning purposes. Additionally, being published in 2017, the book may not be completely up-to-date on all attractions. Nonetheless, 50 States, 5,000 Ideas remains a valuable resource for those longing to discover the hidden gems and wonders of the United States.

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Moon Best of Costa Rica: Make the Most of 5-7 Days (Travel Guide)

For a short yet exhilarating trip to Costa Rica , this travel guide is an excellent choice for maximizing your 5-7 day journey.

• Comprehensive itinerary ideas
• Expert advice and valuable tips
• Up-to-date information and insights
• Only covers 5-7 day trips
• It may not be suitable for more extended stays
• Not as detailed for specific areas

Informed by the expertise of local author, the Moon Best of Costa Rica: Make the Most of 5-7 Days (Travel Guide) offers well-rounded advice for excursionists looking to make the most out of a brief visit to this stunning destination. The guide provides options for multiple itineraries, catering to a range of preferences and interests, ensuring a tailored experience for each reader.

What sets this travel guide apart is the valuable insider information provided by the author, who shares tips on hidden gems, local customs, and the best times to visit specific spots. Readers will appreciate the up-to-date content, including the latest information on Costa Rica accommodations, restaurants, and attractions.

Alternatively, its focus on short trips may not be the perfect option for those planning an extended stay or those seeking in-depth information on specific regions. Despite this, the Moon Best of Costa Rica: Make the Most of 5-7 Days (Travel Guide) is a reliable choice for a fulfilling and memorable trip to the heart of Central America.

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Rick Steves Best of Europe

If you desire a comprehensive guide to popular European destinations, Rick Steves’s Best of Europe is a worthy addition to your travel library.

• A wide array of crucial visit locations
• Practical travel tips and hints
• Well-organized and easy-to-follow
• It doesn’t cover all European cities
• The small print may be difficult to read
• Some readers found it word-heavy

The third edition of Rick Steves Best of Europe provides valuable information, insight guides and practical tips for those exploring Europe’s famous cities. This comprehensive guide gathers expert advice on major attractions, places abundant in historical significance, and cultural experiences, making it a crucial resource for avid travelers.

Despite its depth of information, the book doesn’t cover every European city. It’s best suited for those interested in the featured destinations and, if necessary, can be supplemented with additional guidebooks. The small print might pose readability issues for some users, but the book’s compact size allows for convenient travel packing.

While some readers would prefer more visual content, the wealth of information included in Rick Steves’s Best of Europe remains impressive. This book is a solid choice for excursionists seeking an insider’s perspective on Europe’s top attractions.

The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small

The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small is a must-have book for those seeking inspiration and ideas for unforgettable travel experiences.

• Wide range of adventures catering to a range of interests
• Vivid imagery and engaging content
• A helpful resource for planning trips and creating a bucket list
• Lack of organization by location
• Some inaccuracies reported
• It may not cover all destinations extensively

The Bucket List book, with its stunning visuals and engaging descriptions, offers readers an opportunity to discover and explore incredible destinations and activities across the globe. The adventures highlighted in the text cater to a wide range of interests, ensuring everyone can find a thing to add to their bucket list.

While not organized geographically, the book’s format adds an element of surprise, as readers can stumble upon a new adventure or destination they may have previously overlooked. This might encourage the readers to leave their comfort zones and consider new travel possibilities.

Despite some reported inaccuracies, this book is an excellent starting point for those planning trips or creating a bucket list. It would make a thoughtful gift for retirees, travel enthusiasts, or anyone eager to explore the world and create unforgettable memories.

Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks (Travel Guide)

This comprehensive travel guide offers detailed and well-researched information for an unforgettable Yellowstone and Grand Teton experience in a short time frame.

• Up-to-date information
• Focused on optimizing one to three days
• In-depth coverage of activities and highlights
• Limited to two national parks
• Not suitable for extended visits
• Paperback may not be ideal for light packers

The “Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton” travel guide is tailored for time-conscious travelers who want a rich and well-planned trip to these iconic national parks. The guide meticulously covers a range of activities and highlights, including hiking trails, scenic drives, and recommended times to avoid crowds. This ensures that travelers can make the most of their limited time and experience the best these parks offer.

While the book offers valuable insights and information, it focuses exclusively on Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks . This specificity may not be ideal for those seeking broader coverage or planning extended regional visits. Additionally, the paperback format might not be perfect for excursionists with limited packing space or those who prefer digital resources.

Overall, the “Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton” travel guide is an excellent resource for anyone looking to explore and fully experience the beauty of these two national parks. With up-to-date information and tips for optimizing a brief visit, this guide will undoubtedly enhance one’s trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks .

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Fodor’s Essential Greek Islands: with the Best of Athens

A comprehensive guide for excursionists seeking a memorable experience in the Greek Islands and Athens.

• In-depth, full-color content
• Extensive information on Athens
• 592 pages packed with helpful tips
• Weight: 1.05 pounds
• 5.25 x 0.75 x 8 inches in size
• Second edition (March 7, 2023)

Fodor’s Essential Greek Islands is an impressive guide for anyone exploring the magic of the Greek Islands and Athens. With its in-depth, full-color content, readers can discover this beautiful region’s hidden gems and popular attractions.

One of the standout features of this book is the extensive information on Athens. As the title suggests, it covers the Greek Islands and includes the best of Athens, making it a valuable resource for excursionists who want to maximize their trip to Greece .

While the guide provides ample information over its 592 pages, it comes with a slight downside in terms of portability. It weighs 1.05 pounds and measures 5.25 x 0.75 x 8 inches, making it slightly bulkier than other travel guides. But, the richness of its content balances out this minor inconvenience. With the recent publication date of March 7, 2023, travelers can also expect updated information in this second edition.

Journeys of a Lifetime, Second Edition: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips

For avid travelers seeking inspiration and ideas, Journeys of a Lifetime, Second Edition provides a comprehensive and visually stunning guide to the world’s most incredible trips.

• Wide variety of trips and destinations
• Beautiful photography and insightful descriptions
• Hardcover format and excellent print quality
• The heavy weight of the book
• It may not cover all lesser-known destinations
• Potential for damaged packaging in the delivery

This travel book, published by National Geographic and updated in 2018, offers readers an extensive list of 500 remarkable journeys around the globe. Organized by themes such as land, water, rail, and culinary adventures, it caters to a range of interests and preferences.

Journeys of a Lifetime Second Edition boasts high-quality production with glossy pages and striking images, making it an informative guide and an eye-catching coffee table book. Additionally, the variety of trip themes accommodates readers with diverse tastes and travel aspirations.

But, the book’s large size and heavy weight might not be ideal for carrying during travels. Also, some customers reported receiving damaged books due to poor packaging, so consider this potential issue when ordering. Despite these cons, Journeys of a Lifetime remains a fantastic gift for passionate travelers or those seeking to explore the world through its pages.

Rick Steves England 2023 Travel Guide

A comprehensive guide for exploring England’s captivating countryside and lively cities.

• Detailed information on popular destinations
• Easy-to-follow itineraries
• Precise travel tips
• Limited coverage of some cities
• Possibility of outdated recommendations
• Heavier than some other travel guides

The “Rick Steves England 2023 Travel Guide” dives deep into the country’s popular destinations, navigating travelers through its bustling cities and serene countryside. With this guide, exploring iconic places like London, Bath, and the English Cotswolds becomes a pleasure as the author shares fascinating insights into each locale’s history, culture, and local perspectives.

Its itineraries and travel tips cover everything from budget-friendly accommodations and dining experiences to suggestions for hidden gems and worthwhile attractions. While the book may be slightly heavier than other travel guides, it offers an unmatched wealth of information to ensure visitors make the most of their time in England.

But, this guide falls short of extensive coverage of some cities, such as Manchester and Birmingham . Also, like any print guidebook, there is a chance that some hotel or restaurant recommendations may no longer be valid. Despite these drawbacks, the “Rick Steves England 2023 Travel Guide” remains an excellent resource for any traveler seeking an informative and engaging introduction to this magnificent country.

Rick Steves Amsterdam & the Netherlands (2023 Travel Guide)

Explore the best of Amsterdam and the Netherlands with this comprehensive and insightful travel guide by Rick Steves.

• Up-to-date information for 2023
• Complete coverage of sights and attractions
• In-depth details on Dutch culture and history
• Slightly heavier in weight for a travel book
• Limited focus on budget travel
• Primarily in English; no translations available

Rick Steves’ Amsterdam & The Netherlands 2023 Travel Guide provides travelers with the most updated information and insights about the cities and regions of the Netherlands. This 512-page guide includes detailed descriptions of attractions, making it a crucial companion for those looking to experience the charm and history of Amsterdam and the surrounding area.

The book emphasizes cultural understanding, fully immersing readers in Dutch life. With expert food, lodging, and transportation tips, this travel guide helps readers plan a memorable and seamless trip . But, those looking for budget travel options may find it slightly limited.

One of the drawbacks of this guide is its size and weight, which could be cumbersome for some travelers. Additionally, as the book is primarily published in English, travelers without proficient language skills might face challenges using it. Despite this, with its fantastic coverage of Amsterdam and the Netherlands, including lesser-known regional highlights, Rick Steves’ 2023 Travel Guide is well worth considering for anyone planning a trip to this beautiful and engaging country.

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Lonely Planet Best Road Trips Canada 2 (Road Trips Guide)

This second edition from Lonely Planet is a valuable resource for travel writers and enthusiasts seeking an extensive guide to Canadian road trips.

• Comprehensive coverage of Canadian road trips
• Incorporates updated information
• Authored by a reputable travel guide publisher
• Exclusively focused on Canada
• Print length may be overwhelming to some
• Limited customer feedback due to recent publication

This edition of Lonely Planet’s Best Road Trips Canada offers readers an in-depth look at a range of routes and destinations for memorable road trips throughout the country. It covers a wide range of famous and lesser-known areas, appealing to travelers interested in diverse experiences within Canada.

Given that a renowned travel guide provider publishes it, readers can trust the quality of the content presented in this book. The second edition exemplifies the publisher’s commitment to keeping their readers informed with up-to-date information and fresh perspectives on travel.

Despite this, it is crucial to consider potential drawbacks. As the book focuses explicitly on Canadian road trips, its appeal might be limited to those interested in traveling within the country. Besides, the print length of 384 pages could be intimidating to readers who prefer a more condensed guide. Finally, the book has accumulated a limited number of online reviews due to its recent publication date, making it more challenging to gauge its reception among other readers.

Rick Steves Portugal (2023 Travel Guide)

A comprehensive and reliable guide for excursionists looking to explore the beauty and history of Portugal, ensuring a memorable trip.

• Offers detailed walking tours and recommendations
• Focuses on top destinations for maximum experience
• User-friendly layout for easy navigation
• Coverage of lesser-known destinations is limited
• Some users reported missing index pages
• Map quality could be improved

The Rick Steves Portugal (2023 Travel Guide) provides practical information and tips for those planning to visit Portugal. Its focus on significant destinations and attractions helps travelers make the most of their trip without feeling overwhelmed.

Some of the key benefits of using this guide include detailed walking tours and recommendations for sightseeing, dining, and accommodations, which have been proven effective and enjoyable by many readers. But, this guide might not be as comprehensive as they would like for those looking to explore lesser-known destinations or off-the-beaten-path locations.

While the user-friendly layout and extensive content make this guide a valuable resource, some users have reported issues with missing index pages or the quality of the included map. Considering the high ratings and positive reviews, these issues appear to be isolated cases. They should not detract from the guide’s usefulness for excursionists planning a trip to Portugal.

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Buying Guide

When searching for the perfect travel book, it’s crucial to consider a few factors to ensure you find the one that best suits your interests and needs. This buying guide provides a few key aspects to look for when choosing a travel book.

Genre and Writing Style

Travel books come in various genres and writing styles, such as guidebooks, memoirs, historical accounts, and adventure narratives. Consider your preferences and interests when selecting a genre. Guidebooks often provide practical information, whereas memoirs and narratives offer a more personal perspective of the destination.

Up-to-date Information

Although classic travel books can provide a timeless perspective on a destination, up-to-date information is crucial when planning a trip. Look for recent editions or publications, which are more likely to include current accommodation, transportation, and attractions details.

Organization and Layout

Pay attention to the organization and layout of the travel book. A well-structured book, with clearly divided sections or chapters, enhances readability and helps you find necessary information quickly. Additionally, consider books with useful features such as maps, photos, and index sections.

Destination and Audience

Travel books vary in their focus on specific destinations and target audiences. Some books cater to budget travelers, while others target luxury or culture-oriented tourists. Assess your travel style and look for books that align with your preferences for the most tailored advice and recommendations.

Reviews and Recommendations

Lastly, consider the opinions of fellow travelers and experts. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations from friends or online communities can help you find the best travel book. Remember that individual preferences may vary, so consider multiple opinions when deciding.

Related Resources:

• Best Destinations in the World
• How to Find the Perfect Travel Destination
• Best Nature Destinations Around the World

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Staying in the US still offers easy access to great vacation places with Vegas packages and a Grand Canyon vacation being popular choices among other options. Whether you’re seeking the thrills of the Vegas Strip or the majestic views of the Grand Canyon, browse your options today.  

Where to go on vacation on a budget?

Cheap vacation ideas can still take you to a variety of great cheap vacation destinations, including Yellowstone vacations and Glacier National Park vacations . Parks and outdoor experiences tend to be free, so national park vacations are excellent for a budget-friendly trip. 

What are some great all-inclusive vacation packages?

All-inclusive vacations to the Bahamas and all-inclusive vacations to Cancun are some of the best options available, putting you in a Caribbean paradise. However, all-inclusive vacations are more varied than you might think, with worldwide options. 

What are the best destinations for a family vacation?

Traveling with kids means you'll need to find fun for the whole family, and Orlando vacation packages can put you and your little ones in the world's theme park capital. Of course, a vacation package to Anaheim offers a similar experience on the West coast. 

Where should I go on vacation this summer?

If you're looking to embrace the season, head to the beach with a summer vacation package to Destin . Of course, you may be more interested in escaping the heat with something like a vacation package to Vancouver . 

How to find cheap beach vacations?

In your search, you can apply search filters for beach trip packages and sort your results by price to see the cheap vacation options first. With those standards, you can find amazing cheap trips with beach vacation packages like vacation packages to Panama City and vacation packages to Myrtle Beach . 

What are some great couples' vacations?

Traveling with your partner means a more romantic adventure, which is easy when you book vacation packages to Honolulu . However, you can always opt for the classics and get a vacation package to Paris . Even a simple 3-day cheap getaway can be suitable. 

What are the best destinations for a luxury vacation?

One of the best destinations for luxury is a Las Vegas vacation package , as the city was essentially designed to make visitors feel luxurious. Of course, a Lake Tahoe vacation package can be just as fulfilling as a more outdoor-oriented experience. Golf vacations also tend to be quite elegant. 

How to find great Christmas vacation packages?

To find an excellent package for a Christmas vacation, simply put your travel dates into the search and discover what's available. Vacation packages to New York and vacation packages to Chicago are trendy around Christmas. 

Where to get ski vacation packages?

Ski vacation packages are readily available on Expedia, including vacation packages to Aspen , vacation packages to Vail , and packages to other notable ski resorts. Check out the deals now and book your next ski vacation today.  

Can I cancel my vacation package with Expedia?

Yes, you can cancel your vacation package via your itinerary page on Expedia or by contacting customer service. Remember that some packages are fully refundable, but the details vary based on each unique booking. A fully refundable package may depend on how far out from the travel dates you're canceling and what airline you are travelling with.

Why should I book my vacation package with Expedia?

Booking with Expedia makes it easy to plan your entire vacation in advance. Vacation packages with airfare included can also feature a rental car and even activities in some cases, with discounts typically coming with booking more than one aspect of your trip at a time. One Key members will earn  OneKeyCash  with every eligible booking that you can use to save on future eligible bookings. Membership is free, sign up today!

*OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia,  Hotels.com  and Vrbo.

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These are the top summer travel destinations, according to Google

Where will you travel this summer.

Are you ready to secure your summer travel plans? Google has spoken, revealing the hottest destinations for your next warm-weather getaway. Drawing from extensive flight booking data and search trends, Google’s insights, shared with Good Morning America , offer a sneak peek into this year’s top summer travel destinations. From sun-soaked beaches to vibrant cityscapes, let’s uncover the must-visit spots that are trending for the season ahead.

The top summer travel destinations

Book your summer travel today.

• Los Angeles
• Fort Lauderdale

Topping the charts are classic favorites like London and Paris, while Tokyo claimed the number three spot, marking a significant rise in popularity compared to the previous year. From sampling sushi at the famed Tsukiji Fish Market to experiencing the bustling nightlife of Shibuya, Tokyo offers an eclectic mix of experiences that appeal to travelers with various interests.

• You’ll soon need a visa to visit this incredible country
• The best hotels in NYC for a spring or summer stay
• There’s a reason this travel spot is known as the Maldives of Mexico

Another notable shift from the previous year’s rankings is Cancun’s descent from the second position to number six. Meanwhile, newcomers San Juan, Madrid, and Puerto Rico make their debut on the list, adding fresh allure to the summer travel scene. Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. territory means that visitors can enjoy the ease of travel without the need for a passport or currency exchange. 

Surprisingly absent from this year’s lineup are Chicago and San Francisco, which didn’t secure spots in the top 20. However, popular cities like Orlando, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles maintain their presence, offering a blend of entertainment, recreational activities, and opportunities for adventure.

Any one of these summer travel destinations would be a great place to spend time this year. Whether you are drawn to the historic streets of London, the romantic allure of Paris, or the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico, there’s a destination to suit every traveler’s preference.

With the insights gleaned from Google’s data and the allure of these destinations, don’t hesitate to book your summer getaway today. Summer is a peak travel season, so it’s wise to book your flights and accommodations well in advance to secure the best deals and availability.

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• Destinations

In a world where technology rules, there’s an undeniable allure to stepping into a calm, quiet library. Libraries beckon us with the promise of knowledge, adventure, and a glimpse into the past, all in one serene space. Beyond the incredible books, some libraries stand out as architectural marvels, captivating travelers all over the world with their breathtaking beauty. Here are just a few of the most beautiful libraries in the world that are worth planning a trip around. Library of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

Situated within the historic walls of Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, the Library of Trinity College dates all the way back to the 16th century. This iconic library is known for its stunning Long Room, which is a spacious hall lined with towering oak bookshelves that stretch from the floor to the ceiling. The library contains over six million printed volumes, making it the largest research library in Ireland. George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland

Ever daydream about waking up to the Caribbean Sea right outside your window? If you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and go on a romantic and secluded getaway, an overwater bungalow in the Caribbean might be your perfect escape. 

Here are the most drool-worthy overwater bungalows the Caribbean has to offer. 1. Sandals South Coast 

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Literary Travel: 13 Destinations for Book Lovers

Literary Travel: Must See Destinations for Book Lovers

Traveling and reading are two of my passions that don’t often overlap. Sure, you can always find books that inspire wanderlust, set in exotic locations with incredible descriptions. But, there’s nothing like actually traveling to experience a location in person.

For those like me, who want to bring books to life, I created this literary travel list. I included locations that have a distinct connection to literature. That could include literary travel to destinations described in iconic books, cities with incredible book shops, or walking in the footsteps of beloved authors.

Step outside the pages of books and get lost instead in these literary travel destinations!

*Disclosure – I earn a small commission for any products purchased through the literary travel links below. Thank you for supporting this book blog!

Literary Travel: Book Lover Destinations

Bath, england.

If you’re a Jane Austen devotee, make your literary travel trip to Bath in mid-September to experience the ten day Jane Austen festival . Each day is full of fascinating events including walking tours, plays, readings, and of course a Regency ball!

• Where To Stay – A reasonably priced option that incorporates local character but a familiar chain is Abbey Hotel in Bath, owned by Marriott. 
• Walking Tours – Learn all about the city’s history and see the most popular sites with a certified walking tour guide! 

Ashdown Forest, United Kingdom

Relive your childhood by visiting the forest that inspired the 100 Acre Wood from A.A. Milne’s Winnie The Pooh books. Located just over an hour’s drive from London, this would be the perfect day trip from the city! There are various “Pooh Walks” to take through the forest that visit beloved spots in the 100 Acre Wood. You can even play Pooh Sticks on a designated Pooh Sticks bridge!

• Where To Stay – It’s extremely easy to get around the city using their metro system, The London Underground. So, you can stay pretty much anywhere and still have access to everything you want to see. To avoid insane prices, stay a bit further outside of the main touristy area, like at London Marriott Regent’s Park .
• 221B Baker St – Visit the fictional home of Sherlock Holmes at the Sherlock Holmes Museum actually located on Baker Street
• The George Inn – Frequented by Charles Dickens and even Shakespeare, this pub maintains an old world, literary atmosphere even today.
• Charing Cross Road – Famously home to a number of bookshops. Although many have closed down, there are still plenty to visit within blocks of each other!

Massachusetts

When you want a lot of bang for your buck, Massachusetts is the literary travel destination for you! There are tons of bookish sites to visit within a 1-2 hour drive. 

• Amherst  – Spend time strolling through the beautiful campus of Amherst College, where Robert Frost taught. The main library is named after him and contains a number of treasures. The Emily Dickinson museum / historic home is also located here.
• Concord – Visit the homes of famous authors like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne! You can also stop by Walden Pond and explore the setting that inspired Thoreau. 
• Lenox – Stop by Lenox to see The Mount, the gorgeous house where Edith Wharton lived and worked. You’ll also want to grab a drink and a book at The Bookstore, a wonderful bookstore with a wine bar on-site.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

I’m assuming most of us who’ve read A Song of Ice and Fire have also seen the Game of Thrones TV show. If so, Dubrovnik is the setting for many of the King’s Landing scenes! Beyond the Game of Thrones connection, Dubrovnik is simply a stunning literary travel city full of gorgeous views and streets to explore.

• Where To Stay – Steps from historic Old Town is the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik . This Instagram worthy hotel offers luxury and location at a reasonable rate!
• What To Do – The most obvious choice for this literary travel post is the Game of Thrones walking tour ! Explore the sites where the show was filmed and learn about the city on this 3 hour tour.

Los Angeles, California

My fellow romance readers, this is the literary travel destination for you! The Ripped Bodice, a bookstore dedicated to romance books, is located just outside the city. They also participate in the LATimes Festival of Books, bringing some blockbuster romance authors in for signings and panels

• Where To Stay – Avoid the madness of downtown LA and stay nearby in Beverly Hills! It’s only a 10 min drive from the Ripped Bodice, so enjoy the glitz and glamor of this neighborhood at The Beverly Hilton .
• I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Sprinkles ATM in Beverly Hills! It’s the first ever cupcake ATM – located just outside of Sprinkles Bakery. Yum!
• Greystone Mansion is another must-visit. A sprawling Tudor mansion featured in dozens of films and TV shows is open to the public!

Anne Frank House, The Netherlands

One of the most memorable literary travel places I’ve visited is the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Most of us probably read The Diary of Anne Frank in school, but nothing prepares you for the overwhelming emotions of seeing where she wrote those words.

• Where To Stay – Less than a 15 min walk from the Anne Frank House (and only a few blocks from the main train station) is the Kimpton De Witt Hotel . This boutique European hotel is part of the IHG family and boasts a fantastic location and reasonable price.
• What To Do – Literature and art go hand in hand, so take in one or two of the astonishing art museums located in the city. The Rijksmuseum is the state museum, full of renowned Dutch artists, including Vermeer and Rembrandt. I also highly suggest The Van Gogh Museum to view the world’s largest collection of his paintings and drawings.

Portland, Oregon

One of the most iconic bookstores in the US is Powell’s City of Books in Portland. It’s one of those bucket list bookstores I’ve always wanted to visit and would be worth a trip to Portland for that experience alone!

• Where To Stay – The Hampton Inn Portland Pearl District is only 3 blocks from Powell’s and right beside North Park, one of the lovely green spaces in the city.
• What To Do – In addition to the visit to Powell’s, if you can plan your trip in November you could catch Portland’s annual book festival! For a bit of nostalgia, there’s also a park featuring statues of famous Beverly Clearly characters.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Walk in the footsteps and visit the cafe where J.K. Rowling penned portions of the Harry Potter books in Edinburgh! Enjoy getting inspired by the incredible architecture and old world feel of this very first UNESCO City of Literature.

• Where To Stay – If you want to go all out, there’s no place better in Edinburgh than The Balmoral . This is essentially a castle in the middle of the city AND it’s where J.K. Rowling finished the Harry Potter series. For a much cheaper option close to Old Town, try the Residence Inn Edinburgh by Marriott!
• What To Do – Visit The Elephant House Cafe where Rowling penned early parts of the Harry Potter books. You can also visit Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, a graveyard which contains gravestones with names that inspired character names in the books, including Tom Riddle! Then stroll to The Writer’s Museum, where artifacts and memorabilia from famous Scottish writers like Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns are displayed.

Chicago, Illinois

If you’re looking for a wide breadth of literary travel connections, what’s better than a writing museum! The American Writers Museum highlights famous Chicagoan writers like Sandra Cisernos and Ernest Hemingway as well as celebrating all aspects of the reading and writing in America.

• Where To Stay – The Virgin Hotel in Chicago’s Loop District is listed as the best place to stay downtown! Richard Branson’s hotel is full of unique touches and amenities that bring people back over and over again, for a reasonable price!
• What To Do – Take a break from books and learn more about Chicago’s sordid history with a crime / mob tour !

Prince Edward Island, Canada

Anne of Green Gable fans, step into this magical land where Anne Shirley delighted and exasperated all those around her. The island has embraced this connection and features many places to visit inspired by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s stories.

• Where To Stay – Nothing completes a quaint visit to PEI like a stay in a charming cottage.  Swept Away has a variety of options that can be found here . Or select from all the cottages the island has to offer!
• What To Do – Prince Edward Island Tourism has put together a full Anne of Green Gables Itinerary ! So check off these places one by one for an immersive experience.

Eastern Townships, Quebec, Canada

One of the rare murder mystery series that has utterly captivated my heart is the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny. The recurring location of Three Pines is mentioned or plays a significant role in the vast majority of the books. Although Three Pines is not a real place, you can take your literary travel route to Knowlton, Penny’s hometown and the inspiration for the charming town.

• Where To Stay – Imagine staying at the Three Pines B&B when you’re visiting one of these delightful options . 
• What To Do – Follow along this route to visit places that inspired various parts of the book series. 

Verona, Italy

This is one of the literary travel destinations I’ve actually visited! Located in the unassuming town of Verona is the balcony that inspired William Shakespeare to write the iconic scene in Romeo and Juliet. It’s tucked away off one of the streets in a tiny courtyard, making it all the more magical for it’s simplicity.

• Where To Stay – If you’re a Shakespeare fan, might as well enjoy the true experience and stay in the Hotel Giuliette E Romeo ! This boutique hotel is located steps from the famous balcony and in the midst of the historic center of Verona.
• What To Do – Since it’s not a large town, spend a day or two here in Verona exploring the historic part of the city, then venture by train to Florence or Venice!

Guided Literary Travel

If you’re looking for someone else to take over the planning and details of your literary travel, World Strides offers a variety of literary tours!

These tours offer options in Britain, Scotland, France, Germany, and more! Visit classic literary travel locations or places inspired by more recent novels like Harry Potter and The Da Vinci code.

Are there any literary travel destinations you would add to this list?

One Comment

I’ve been to Chicago a handful of times but have never been to the American Writers Museum! A great item to add to the bucket list, along with some others on your list that I’d never thought of before!

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7 of the best all-inclusive experiences to book this year, from a travel planner

• As a travel planner, my clients seem to be increasingly interested in all-inclusive trips .
• Some of my favorite luxury resorts are in Costa Rica, the Maldives, and Isla Mujeres.
• Cruises, group tours, and adults-only lodgings can also come with all-inclusive options. 

As a travel planner at Marvelous Mouse Travels , I know vacations are expensive — especially if you're looking to go somewhere this summer . But all-inclusive travel is often a great way to get the most value out of a luxury experience.

I've been on several all-inclusive vacations with my family, friends, and work, and I've helped other people book them in destinations around the world .

Here are some of the best all-inclusive experiences I'm recommending to my clients this year.

Try a split-stay vacation to see the best of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is one of the most sought-after vacations , and for good reason. It's great for both relaxation and adventure.

I recommend booking a split stay, starting at an all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste near the beach for some fun in the sun and moving to a resort near the famous Arenal Volcano for a jungle adventure.

Some of my favorite resorts in Costa Rica are the Westin Reserva Conchal and the Dreams Las Mareas. And if you're looking for an even more unique experience, check out the glorious swim-out suites with private pools at Dreams.

Baglioni Maldives is one of my favorite all-inclusive resorts.

The Maldives, a remote set of islands in the Indian Ocean, offers a plethora of resort options for couples and families, but Baglioni Maldives is my favorite.

For many in the US, getting to the islands can be daunting — there are very few direct commercial flights, and it can take almost an entire day. But it's hard to beat the country's luxury accommodations and gorgeous landscape.

The Maldives also has some of the most beautiful marine life and coveted spots for snorkeling and scuba diving.

No matter where you go, overwater bungalows are the ultimate all-inclusive splurge.

Overwater bungalows — villas standing on poles over open ocean water — are prevalent at all-inclusive resorts in destinations like the Maldives, Fiji, and Bali.

But I've also come across the luxurious accommodations at select adults-only Sandals Resorts throughout the Caribbean.

I think having a private villa on the water is the perfect way to unwind and relax.

Adults-only vacations are on the rise.

Traveling with kids can be a blast, but I also think it's important for adults to take a much-needed break on their own.

Adults-only resorts have been a total respite for me and my husband after hectic months of juggling work with our kids' school and sports schedules.

If you're looking to unwind with a partner, relax on a girls' trip, or even connect with your adult children, there are countless adults-only, all-inclusive resorts to choose from, depending on where you're looking to visit.

Some properties, including Sandals and Beaches Resorts, also offer butler service. Designated staff members can help with anything from room requests and dining reservations to cabana rentals and transportation coordination.

I upgraded to the service at my favorite adults-only spot, Le Blanc Los Cabos, and I felt totally pampered.

Isla Mujeres is pure luxury.

Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancún, is known for its crystal-clear, turquoise water and peaceful vibe. It's also home to Playa Norte, one of the best beaches in Mexico .

Impressions Isla Mujeres by Secrets is a gorgeous all-inclusive resort on the island. It offers luxury at its finest, but with only 125 rooms, it has a boutique feel.

One of my favorite features of the resort is the waterslide that leads right into the beautiful ocean.

There are plenty of all-inclusive packages at sea.

Cruising is one of the most popular vacations , whether it's an epic adventure on a Royal Caribbean Cruise, a couples-only journey on Virgin Voyages, or a regal tour of Europe on Viking River Cruises.

Although cruises aren't traditionally considered all-inclusive, with the right booking, they can have the same feel as a luxury resort.

Most cruise bookings include food, nonalcoholic drinks, and live entertainment. If you add beverage packages and excursions in advance, your trip should be fully paid for before you depart.

Book a small-group or private tour if you're looking for adventure.

Group travel is a great way to explore new places while soaking up culture and history.

Popular destinations include Italy, Japan, Costa Rica, and Alaska, and many travel companies take care of everything for you, essentially making it all-inclusive.

I like Adventures by Disney , which offers small-group travel all over the world facilitated by seasoned guides. All the trip details are taken care of, including experiences, food, lodging, and transportation.

Additionally, Kensington Tours offers luxury private travel where every facet of the trip is meticulously planned for you.

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Ready to swap the concrete jungle for sandy shores and city streets for scenic routes? Booking.com has all of our backs this summer with some crazy deals, top-tier destinations , and sweet perks through the Genius loyalty program. Here’s our chance to make our summer dreams a reality…without breaking the bank.

Booking.com has always been the go-to for killer deals, but this summer they’re really turning up the heat. Imagine snagging discounts of 15% or more on select destinations. That’s not just good, it’s practically a steal depending on where you go and when. So, why wait? Dive into those savings and dive into summer!

From the allure of Paris to the serenity of Mallorca, Booking.com has handpicked the hottest summer destinations just for you.

What is Booking.com’s Getaway Deal?

With Booking.com’s exclusive offer , you can save 15% or more off select stays worldwide, making it easier than ever to explore new destinations and create unforgettable memories.

Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic retreat in Paris, a beach getaway in Hawaii, or an adventure-packed trip to Chicago, Booking.com has you covered. From luxury resorts to cozy bed-and-breakfasts, there’s something for every type of traveler and budget.

With the Getaway Deal, you can stretch your travel budget further and indulge in the experiences you’ve been craving. Imagine savoring croissants in a Parisian cafe, catching waves on the shores of Maui, or marveling at the skyline from your room in New York City — all while enjoying significant savings on your accommodation.

Booking.com’s Getaway Deal is your passport to affordable travel and unforgettable adventures. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore the world while saving big. Book your next getaway today and let the savings begin!

How to unlock more exclusive benefits with Booking.com

Join the Booking.com Genius program and enjoy exclusive perks with every booking. From discounted room rates to complimentary upgrades, Genius rewards your loyalty and enhances your travel experience.

Best summer destinations via Booking.com

Hôtel plaza athénée in paris, france.

Experience the epitome of Parisian luxury at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Situated in the heart of the city’s prestigious 8th arrondissement, this iconic hotel offers elegant rooms and suites, Michelin-starred dining, and unparalleled views of the Eiffel Tower. With Booking.com, you can secure your stay at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée and immerse yourself in the charm and sophistication of Paris.

The Langham in Chicago, IL

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of downtown Chicago at The Langham, Chicago. Located along the scenic Chicago River, this five-star hotel offers luxurious accommodations, award-winning dining, and panoramic views of the city skyline. Whether you’re attending Lollapalooza or exploring Millennium Park, The Langham provides the perfect home base for your Chicago adventure, bookable through Booking.com.

The Marker in San Francisco, CA

Embrace the vibrant spirit of San Francisco at The Marker San Francisco, a Joie de Vivre Hotel. Located in the heart of Union Square, this boutique hotel offers stylish accommodations, eclectic decor, and personalized service. With Booking.com, you can reserve your room at The Marker and discover the city’s rich culture, vibrant neighborhoods, and iconic landmarks just steps away.

InterContinental The Wharf in Washington D.C.

Pay tribute to the nation’s heroes at the InterContinental Washington D.C. The Wharf. Situated along the scenic Potomac River, this luxury hotel offers elegant rooms and suites, waterfront dining, and easy access to top attractions like the National Mall and Smithsonian museums. With Booking.com, you can book your stay at the InterContinental and experience the best of Washington D.C. this Memorial Day.

Iberostar Selection Playa de Palma in Mallorca, Spain

Indulge in a seaside retreat at the Iberostar Selection Playa de Palma. Located on the stunning Playa de Palma beachfront, this five-star hotel offers modern accommodations, world-class amenities, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. With Booking.com, you can secure your stay at the Iberostar Selection and enjoy a relaxing getaway in Mallorca’s picturesque surroundings.

Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted .

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Middle East: Is it safe to travel to holiday destinations as tension escalates?

Are you going to Turkey, Egypt or Israel on holiday? The Foreign Office has warned travellers to several countries to monitor advice after an Iranian attack on Israel pushed tension in the Middle East up another notch.

Thursday 18 April 2024 08:13, UK

Tension in the Middle East has ratcheted up again after Iran's attack on Israel, as the world waits to see how Benjamin Netanyahu's government will respond. 

With the threat of widening conflict, people due to travel through or over the Middle East may be asking if their plans may be impacted.

On Saturday, flight data showed dozens of journeys that would have travelled over the Middle East turned back after Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles into Israel .

Here is what airlines are saying and the latest safety advice to travellers.

EasyJet scraps Tel Aviv flights

EasyJet has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv over safety concerns.

The budget airline told Sky News it has grounded its flights until 27 October at the earliest "as a result of the continued evolving situation" in the region.

Wizz Air customers could see schedule changes

Wizz Air cancelled flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 April before resuming its schedule.

But it said customers could experience schedule changes as it closely monitors the situation.

British Airways operating as normal

British Airways - which operates four daily return flights per week between Heathrow and Tel Aviv - said its flights were continuing to operate as planned, but it too was monitoring the situation.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

Turkey is a popular holiday destination for people from the UK with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism saying that last year 3.16 million Britons made the journey there, according to Travel Weekly.

Yet, it borders a number of countries that the Foreign Office advises against travel to.

The vast majority of the country is considered generally safe for tourists, with some exceptions.

The Foreign Office advises against all travel within 10km of the border with Syria , and all but essential travel to the Sirnak and Hakkari provinces.

Is it safe to travel to Israel?

Some parts of Israel are considered "red zones" by the Foreign Office, with the government advising against all travel there.

For the rest of the country - including East Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - the advice is to travel only if it is essential.

Tourist Israel says around 220,000 Britons usually go to the country every year and the Foreign Office is advising against travel close to the border with Gaza, within 5km of the border with Lebanon and within 500m of the border with Syria.

You can see the full updated list of "red zones" on the Foreign Office advice pages.

Occupied Palestinian territories

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Gaza and the West Bank.

Don't travel to Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon or Syria - Foreign Office

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

It advises against all travel to Iraq except to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where it advises against all but "essential travel".

Can I safely go on holiday in Egypt?

The main tourist areas in Egypt are generally considered safe, including the capital Cairo, cities along the Nile and Red Sea resorts.

Over 1.5 million British Nationals visit Egypt every year, according to analysts Gitnux, and the areas the Foreign Office warns not to travel to include the Governorate of North Sinai, where the Rafah crossing to Gaza is located, and within 20km of the border with Libya.

Read more: Are we heading for World War Three? Experts give their verdicts What are Iran's military capabilities - and where could it strike?

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Check advice on other Middle East states before you travel

Following Iran's attack on Israel, the Foreign Office issued a warning relating to several countries in the surrounding area, telling travellers to check for the latest information.

Included in this are popular destinations like Dubai (visited by more than a million Britons last year according to Travel Weekly) and Marrakech.

"On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast," the FCDO said in a statement.

The countries covered by the warning include Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Jordan and Oman.

Anywhere else of concern?

Cyprus is near the region and has a large UK airbase but, as yet, there is no change in travel advice to the popular country.

Related Topics

• Israel-Hamas war
• Middle East

What to know for booking summer travel: Expert tips on airfare, destinations and more

Where to score flight deals during the prime summer travel season.

As the surge of summer travel draws near, the race to book a great vacation is on.

"If you're looking to travel domestically within the U.S., I think you should be booking now for summer travel," Clint Henderson, travel expert and managing editor of The Points Guy, told "GMA."

Earlier this month while reporting quarterly earnings, Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian projected "record advance bookings for the summer," telling CNBC that the carrier's credit card data and bookings show customers are highly interested in air travel.

An increase in budget airline routes that has created more competition, paired with an easing of the post-pandemic revenge travel surge, means travelers could see more deals.

"Overall prices are down from where they were when we just had that boom out of the pandemic," Henderson said. "So things are more reasonable."

Hopper, the flight booking app, has shown predicted fares for flights to Europe will be down 10% in price from the same time last year.

Google recently announced its top 20 trending summer destinations , which saw a few newcomers on the list and Paris rose to the No. 2 spot.

With the Olympics taking place there from July 26 through Aug. 11, an uptick in airfare and hotel pricing is expected during the Games.

But those willing to wait out the Olympics could find big savings for flights to the host nation.

The Points Guy has featured deals from Atlanta, Dallas and Charlotte to Paris for as low as $515 from August through the fall.

Amsterdam, Prague, Spain and Iceland are among the most reasonably priced European destinations, as seen on Hopper.

Tips for booking summer travel

Don't forget to stay flexible with travel dates and keep midweek in mind for possibly lower fares.

There's also a time during the post-summer rush known as "shoulder season," between September and October, when fares could drop by as much as 30%.

When it comes to airfare purchase timing, the experts at The Points Guy have found prices dip eight to four weeks before the outbound flight, but after the one-month mark, prices will creep back up.

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