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Last Updated on January 2, 2021
Are you on the lookout for some great travel inspired gift ideas for a travel mad family member or friend? There are so many beautiful books available which will make wonderful presents and in this article I have chosen some of my personal favourite travel books to inspire wanderlust.
Some of the most popular travel themes including maps, cities, food, people, train travel and history are included in my selection so there is guaranteed to be the perfect book (or more) for you or a loved one on this list.
Give a gift of wanderlust with some of these top travel books available right now!
TRAVEL BOOKS TO INSPIRE WANDERLUST
A selection of the best travel books to inspire wanderlust - perfect gifts for travel lovers!
The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet)
At the top of my Christmas list this year is Lonely Planet’s “The Travel Book.” This stunningly illustrated book takes you on a journey around 230 countries and is an essential travel reference book for everyone. Each country is profiled with details of when to visit and what to do and see as well as a map and interesting facts.
This 448 page book will make an amazing gift and is my number one choice this Christmas!
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places
NatGeo takes you on a photographic tour of the world’s most spectacular destinations, inspiring tangible ideas for your next trip.
Travel to hundreds of the most breathtaking locales—both natural and man-made—illustrated with vivid images taken by the organization's world-class photographers.
Destinations of a Lifetime has it all: when to go, where to eat, where to stay, and what to do to ensure the most enriching and authentic experience.
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small
With 1,000 adventures for all ages, it’s never too soon or too late to begin the things you’ve only dreamed of doing.
Humans of New York
A number one bestseller Humans of New York started in 2010 as a blog and soon developed a fan base of millions. This is the book based on the blog and showcases through portraits and stories the lives of New Yorkers.
Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent
An ideal gift for the newly weds or empty nesters in your life. Organised by type of destination (beach/mountain/desert etc) this is the perfect gift for those traveling couples who love exploring the world.
Journeys of a Lifetime, Second Edition: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips
I think this may form the basis of new bucket list journeys for me as it includes so many amazing possibilities that I hadn’t even considered. This book also includes 22 fun Top 10 lists such as top elevator rides, ancient highways and bridges to walk across.
Lonely Planet's Ultimate Eats
Who doesn’t love trying new foods when on holiday! This book lists the top 500 food experiences you can have around the world. How many have you tried and which is your number one culinary experience from your travels?
50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do
If you live in the US or are planning a trip there this book showcases the best travel experiences you can have in every state. Find out fascinating facts about every state and get planning that vacation!
World's Best Cities: Celebrating 220 Great Destinations
I make no secret of my love of cities. I adore the cosmopolitan atmosphere and the craziness of them. This is a great choice for those who dream of visiting far off cities such as Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Venice, Cape Town, amongst others. A perfect compliment to my Insider’s Guide series this is a must-buy for me this Christmas!
Arm-chair travelers and dreamers of the world unite – this is the perfect choice for us!
National Geographic Almanac 2020: Trending Topics - Big Ideas in Science - Photos, Maps, Facts & More
The perfect gift for those travel lovers with a thirst for knowledge whatever their age. Learn all about the world around us in this fantastic almanac for 2020.
History of the World Map by Map
Love history? Love maps? This is the perfect book. For travelers who want to understand more about the world we live in today this book is the ideal gift. Learn about how the countries we travel to came to exist – how human history has shaped the world as we know it. Containing more than 140 detailed maps this book tells the story of pivotal events and episodes in world history.
The Travel Atlas (Lonely Planet)
Explore the world and plan your next trip with the help of this fabulous book from Lonely Planet. Itineraries accompany maps showcasing every country on earth. For lovers of maps this is an ideal gift!
100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do
Filled with helpful travel tips and beautiful National Geographic photography, this expert guide showcases the best experiences in the top national, state, and city parks throughout North America.
Comfortably Wild: The Best Glamping Destinations in North America
No matter if you’ve got an outdoorsman or a city girl in the family, everyone can get on board with glamping—especially when they see this new coffee-table book. Comfortably Wild: The Best Glamping Destinations in North America is the culmination of our friends at HoneyTrek’s 2.5-year, 73,000-mile, 9-country quest for the most unforgettable outdoor accommodations.
You’ll find fabulous treehouses, Airstreams, domes, teepees, and more creative structures, plus a whole new way to vacation. Organized by type of experience (farmstays, wellness retreats, safari, etc), this book is about discovering new ways to enjoy the great outdoors and reconnect with the people you love.
Atlas books to inspire wanderlust
Looking for more inspiration - this article features atlas books for the travel lover.
Around the World in 80 books
A selection of books from around the world can be found in this round-up. Find books for countries from A to Z.
Related Reading
Best books about Switzerland
Best kids books about London for all ages
The Best Iceland Books (fiction and non-fiction)
This post may contain compensated links. Please read our disclosure for additional information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.