Meet some of our favorite recommended travel writers
Travel writers are modern-day explorers, gifted with the power to whisk readers away to uncharted territories and breathtaking adventures. Their words paint vivid landscapes, from the pulsing energy of metropolitan hubs to the untouched beauty of remote tribes and pristine beaches. The best in their craft weave a tapestry of fascinating facts, rich historical context, and cultural insights that not only captivate but inspire wanderlust in their audience. To excel in this field, one must possess an insatiable curiosity, a flair for storytelling, and the ability to immerse oneself fully in unfamiliar worlds.
While it's impossible to create a definitive "best ever" list in a field brimming with talent, we've curated a selection of travel writers who have left an indelible mark on the genre and who we love. Our recommendations span generations and styles, from contemporary favorites like the witty Bill Bryson and the incomparable Paul Theroux to the legendary Jan Morris, whose legacy lives on beyond her passing in 2020. We've also included trailblazers like Freya Stark, whose fearless explorations opened doors for future generations, culinary adventurers like the late Anthony Bourdain, and adrenaline-fueled storytellers like Jon Krakauer and Tim Cahill, who bring the thrill of adventure to the page. These voices represent the diverse and dynamic world of travel literature, each offering a unique lens through which to view our extraordinary planet.
Bill Bryson: A best-selling author known for his sense of humor and his ability to share history and culture.
Paul Theroux: One of the most admired travel writers of all time, famous for long train journeys and sarcastic wit.
Jan Morris: A Welsh historian, known for her journalistic background and comprehensive portraits on cities.
Anthony Bourdain: The culinary adventurer whose vivid storytelling and genuine curiosity inspired millions.
Jon Krakauer: A best-selling American non-fiction adventure book author and mountain climber.
Freya Stark: A groundbreaking British explorer who wrote dozens of books on her travels in the Middle East.
William Dalrymple: A Scottish writer famous for his book In Xanadu and his love of the history and culture of India.
Pico Iyer: A British-born essayist with many travel books on crossing cultures and globalization.
Richard Grant: A British writer with books on some dangerous exploration and his move to rural Mississippi.
Tim Cahill: A leading adventure travel writer, with many collections of funny articles and essays.
Redmond O'Hanlon: An adventurous and funny British explorer who loves dangerous trips into wild jungles.
J. Maarten Troost: A Dutch-American travel writer known for his irreverent accounts of life in the South Pacific.
Other Travel Writing Recommendations
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Other Travel Writing Recommendations 〰️
Great Travel Books from the World's Greatest Writers
Travel has captivated some of literature's most renowned authors, inspiring both their personal journeys and their fictional works. Giants of American literature like Mark Twain with The Innocents Abroad, John Steinbeck with Travels with Charley, and Ernest Hemingway with The Sun Also Rises drew heavily from their globetrotting experiences. Their narratives often explore themes of wanderlust, self-discovery, and the human odyssey. This fascination with travel extends beyond the classics; even contemporary bestselling author Michael Crichton documented his worldwide adventures in his memoir Travels, demonstrating the enduring allure of exploration in literature.
Don George
Don George is one of the world's most renowned travel editors, with an illustrious career spanning major publications. He served as the Global Travel Editor for Lonely Planet Publications and as an Editor-At-Large for National Geographic. George's expertise is evident in his editing of nine acclaimed travel anthologies and his own work, including The Way of Wanderlust, his own collection of travel writing. His contributions to the field have garnered numerous awards and recognition. Additionally, he co-founded the prestigious annual Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference, further cementing his status as a leading figure in travel literature.
Lavinia Spalding
Lavinia Spalding is an American author and editor known for her work in travel literature. She has served as the series editor for The Best Women's Travel Writing, an annual anthology that showcases compelling narratives written by women about their journeys and experiences around the world. Under Spalding's editorial guidance, this collection has become a respected platform for female travel writers, helping to amplify their stories and contribute to the broader landscape of travel writing. She leads writing workshops around the world and is well known for her own book Writing Away, a Creative Guide to Awakening the Journal-Writing Traveler.
A Sense of Place, by Michael Shapiro
A Sense of Place provides an intimate glimpse into the minds of renowned travel writers through Michael Shapiro's thoughtful interviews conducted in their personal spaces. This compelling collection features not only iconic storytellers like Paul Theroux and Bill Bryson but also pioneers of the travel guidebook industry, such as Arthur Frommer. By exploring the perspectives of both narrative travel authors and practical guide creators, Shapiro presents a diverse array of voices that have shaped modern travel literature.
Unlock worlds with the gift of travel reads. See our recommendations on books that provide the perfect window to inspiration and adventure for friends and family. Click here for some gift ideas!