Blue skies over Ama Dablam |  <i>Melissa Nakhle</i>

Gift Ideas: 8 Books to Inspire a Travel Lover

 

Give the gift of wanderlust this Christmas and inspire your family or friends to take off on their own adventure in 2018. Here's our top 8 books to inspire a travel lover!

1. Vagabonding

by Rolf Potts

With an official title of "Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel", this one is hard to look past. Having spent more than 10 years on the road, Rolf Potts weighs in to cover those need-to-know topics like finances, working abroad and selecting destinations. Suited especially for travel newbies, Vagabonding is an excellent place to start for anyone considering long term travel.



2. In a Sunburned Country

by Bill Bryson

It’s difficult to find a book by Bill Bryson that doesn’t inspire to you to grab your backpack and hit the road at the next possible opportunity. "In a Sunburned Country" takes you through Australia, elaborating on everything from the beautiful beaches and unique (occasionally dangerous) wildlife to friendly locals and idyllic weather. An easy read and entertaining travel memoir, Bryson’s stories will have you on an Aussie adventure before you’ve finished reading.

Take off on your own Aussie adventure for a good cause and walk the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia for your favourite charity. 

 

3. The Year of Living Danishly

by Helen Russell

What happens when you leave your job and relocate to Scandanavia? "The Year of Living Danishly" follows Helen Russell to Jutland, Denmark, home to beautiful landscapes, long winters and cheerful locals. Likely to be appreciated by anyone who has had to start over in a new location, this book explores Danish culture and lifestyles in an attempt to uncover the secrets of the happiest nation in the world.

 

4. Turn Right at Machu Picchu

by Mark Adams

Setting out in search of Peru’s Inca ruins, Mark Adams tells a story of traversing some of the most majestic landscapes of the world to investigate a topic that has surrounded him for his entire career. With an aim to explore the truths about Hiram Bingham III’s discovery of the Inca Empire’s most famous citadel in 1911, "Turn Right at Machu Picchu" is as educational as it is intriguing. 

Trek the to Machu Picchu for a good cause on the Trek Inca Trail Open Challenge. 



5. The Great Railway Bazaar

by Paul Theroux

Travelling from London to Japan and back on a mix of Asia’s railways, "The Great Railway Bazaar" tells of adventures on a form of transport that we often overlook. Originally published in 1969, the book recounts the entertaining and unique stories that arise from the art of slow and sometimes usual methods of travel.

6. Into Thin Air

by Jon Krakauer

A harrowing tale of an expedition on Mount Everest in 1996, "Into Thin Air" is a story of perseverance and a reminder that we are always at the mercy of nature. The book sees journalist Jon Krakauer join a climbing team that is among several others attempting to summit the highest mountain in the world. Whether you have trekked the Himalaya, or not, "Into Thin Air" proves to be an incredibly difficult book to put down.

Tick Everest Base Camp off your bucket list and see epic views of Mount Everest for your favourite charity on the Trek Everest Open Challenge. 


7. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

by Mark Manson

If you’re wondering why this book landed itself a spot on a travel list, we encourage you to give it a read and find out. While it may not have been penned by a hardened globetrotter, it emphasizes the importance of figuring out what’s worth caring about in life and putting experiences before wealth and material items. The book is likely to take on a different meaning for each person that picks it up, and if you’re looking for the motivation to take your next big travel leap, this could be it.



8. The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost

by Rachel Friedman

It is easy to get caught inside your comfort zone, and this book is a testament to escaping just that. Follow good girl turned world traveller Rachel as she graduates college, books a trip to Ireland and befriends an Australian. Before long she finds herself embarking on a yearlong trip across three continents and learning how to truly live in the moment.

Don't just read about it! Go there yourself!

If you're feeling inspired to go on your own adventure after reading our top 8 travel books, then check out our upcoming charity challenges.