Whether you’re on the road, dreaming about it or on a break between travels, sometimes the written word can provide just the perfect inspiration for that next epic adventure! Here are 4 great books to get you from dreaming to planning your next travels:
The Alchemist by Paul Cohelo The Alchemist is an inspiring, symbolic tale of an Andalusian shepherd boy who risks everything to pursue his greatest dream. He travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert, facing many challenges along the way to a great treasure buried in the Pyramids. What begins as a search for material treasure becomes much more- a discovery of treasure within, and the power of surmounting obstacles to reaching your dream. The story’s powerful simplicity and wisdom remind us to listen to our hearts, and stop at nothing to achieve what we truly desire.
A Year in the World by Frances Mayes This is a beautiful account of one woman’s travels from her home in Tuscany to Spain, Portugal, France, the Mediterranean areas of Turkey and Greece, North Africa and more. She seamlessly weaves personal accounts with fascinating commentary on art, culture, history, landscape and social and culinary traditions- leaving the reader with a near-sensory experience of these lands and undoubtedly a fierce desire to discover them as well.
The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner A fascinating and humorous account of psychology and foreign affairs that brings the reader from America to Iceland and India in search of one of life’s greatest questions: what truly makes people happy? The author seeks out not only what happiness is, but where it’s found and why. Are the Swiss the happiest with their high standard of living? Are the citizens of Qatar happiest in the world, with all their petroleum cash? It’s a thought-provoking read that will have you thinking about your own happiness, and where you want to travel next!
The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss Warning: don’t touch this book if you’re perfectly happy sitting for 8 hours a day typing away in your cubicle! Tim Ferriss not only challenges the standard societal notion of the 9 to 5 job – he turns it on its head, encouraging you to reshape your plans for life and career and spend your time doing what you love and travel the world if you desire it, instead of selling your life away by the hour.
