5 books THAT have inspired us TO travel

At the moment we’re going through the hardest part of the travel process: deciding on where to go. and it’s not down to a shortage of choices that’s making things difficult.

We’ve already written our own separate top-ten lists on where we want to go this year, but we’re still no closer to working out where to go. It’s an fantastic dilemma to have, I suppose.

We’ve got so many places we draw our travel inspiration from, but we thought we’d share our top 5 books that have inspired us to explore the world.

1. how to create a travel Life You love by Caz and Craig Makepeace

Most of us dream of taking off and just travelling. Caz, Craig and their two beautiful little girls do just that. Their site y-travelblog.com is an fantastic resource of travel information and inspiration. Their book is a great read and it’s so useful.

We love the sections that guide you through the whole travel process, from how to decide where to go to budgeting to tips on how to travel the world for cheap or even for free!

“This ebook is for anyone who is super passionate about travel and creating lifelong memories.”

2. love with the chance of Drowning by Torre De Roche

This is an incredible tale of romance and travel – exactly the mix we like! even after reading this story and seeing and reading further interviews, we still can’t believe it’s a true story.

Torre De Roche tells her tale of moving to a different continent, finding the man of her dreams, then sailing halfway around the world with him on his little boat… even though she’s scared of the water. The places they visit and the things that happen really keep you turning the pages and dreaming along with her.

“My mum, dad and five sisters sent me off with two requests: (1) Please do not fall in love with an American man and never come home, and (2) Please come home in one year.”

3. My family and other animals by Gerald Durrell

This was one of my all-time favourite books when I was a boy. Mrs romance has also read this and loves it too.

Gerald Durrell, who went on to create his own zoo and conservation programme in jersey in the channel Islands, moved to the Greek Island of Corfu during WWII when he was a child.

This very funny story is all about the young naturalist’s adventures in Greece, the fantastic creatures he finds and people he meets there, and his somewhat eccentric family. As an adult, he wrote a number of other books about his exploits rescuing animals for his conservation trust. They’re all great reads too.

“Gradually the magic of the island settled over us as gently and clingingly as pollen.”

4. around the world in 80 Days by Michael Palin

Based on the popular TV series which followed the journey of Jules Verne’s Phileas Fogg, Michael Palin’s book details his voyage around the globe.

My mum loves Michael Palin (he was her favourite Python) and put me on to this book. It’s so interesting, all the people he meets and places he visits on the way.

“Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.”

5. Chasing a dream by Carla Coulson

Have you ever wanted to quit your life and move to Italy? Carla Coulson did just that. She found her passion for photography at 35 and quit her successful corporate job in Sydney, rented out her apartment and moved to Florence.

Her book Italian joy follows the start of her journey but Chasing a dream recounts the development of her passion.

Including beautiful travel photography from Italy, France, Australia and India as well as Carla’s personal and fashion work, this book will not only inspire your travels but inspire you to live the life of your dreams.

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We love reading about other people’s adventures as they trot around the globe. There’s something about living a beautiful, exciting yet vicarious life on the road. but it also fills our minds with the possibility of a life so extraordinary we can’t wait to live it.

Do you have a favourite book that makes you dream of far-flung lands and exotic adventures? tell us about it in the comments below!