Discover the best books to read that will inspire travel in a historical context. Explore the history of the many places you've traveled or would like to travel. Learn about history-focused travel books to read at home for the armchair traveler.
What are the best books to read if you love to travel and want to inspire your next trip? Travel-focused books can take many forms. They can be modern travelogues or travel history books that can transport you back in time through tales of adventure.
There is some history that we must read to make sure the memories live on and we aren't destined to repeat past mistakes. Books about history can be difficult and often emotional to read but we owe it to ourselves to do so.
This list covers history in many forms including scientific achievement plus inspiring and incredible stories of life under unimaginable circumstances.
I have compiled a list of my favorite travel books with a history theme. I've personally read all the books on this list and recommend each one for armchair travelers.
Each book inspires travel or invokes a strong sense of place that you can revisit and see for yourself on a future trip.
You can click on the image of each book cover to buy a copy for yourself.
Historic Travel Books
The books in this section is set in an iconic place and is grounded in historical context that is sometimes challenging and sometimes upliftingly triumphant.
Historic Adventurers Who Inspire Travel
There are lots of books written about intrepid travelers and adventurers throughout history. Biographies and tales of adventure that are non-fiction but read like a novel are some of my absolute favorites. What are the best books about historic adventurers that have inspired travel for me?Historical Fiction to Inspire Travel Adventures
I love reading true stories about real world explorers throughout history and their legendary journeys. But there is also a place on my reading list for fiction.There's nothing better than a story of adventure originating in the author's imagination. What follows are four examples of fiction books that I've read that inspire travel and adventure.