Travelling the world is one of the most exciting ways to get out and learn about other places, people, and cuisines. It takes a certain level of bravery to launch yourself into the unknown and find your way around, navigating train stations as much as new languages and cultures.
Travel guides are key to many of these experiences. They offer everything from where to go and what to see, to which restaurants to try and phrases to learn to help you get through day-to-day interactions. Having great travel guide books is like having a knowledgeable local on hand everywhere you go, and can make a huge difference to your travel experience.
Best-selling travel guide books
The Lonely Planet series of travel guides is easily the most well-known, with a range of destination-specific guides and language guides. You can search by country, such as Experience Japan or Lonely Planet Spain, which cover various areas around each country. You can even narrow it down to regions, such as West Coast Australia. Plus, one of their language guides such as the French Phrasebook & Dictionary, is a must-have companion for any trip to a country that speaks another language.
Mangia is another best-seller, but it offers a slightly different take on a travel guide. This is an exploration of Italy in food, serving readers 20 regions of one of the best foodie destinations in the world, with all the must-try dishes and culinary festivals to add to your to-do list.
Non-country specific travel guides
For those unsure about their destination or looking to explore more of the world, there are also travel guide books that go global.
The Travel Guide explores every country in the world, explaining the basics of when to go, what to see and do, and how to learn more before you get there. This book makes for both a great gift for the avid traveller, and a coffee table book for your own collection.
For the person who loves both reading and travelling, Lonely Planet Hidden Libraries is a beautiful exploration of 50 of the most unique libraries around the planet. There’s a library on a secluded beach in China to discover, a military tank with 900 novels in Buenos Aires, and many more must-visit stops on this bibliophile world tour.
Whether you’re about to head off on adventure or are dreaming of your next trip, Booktopia has all the travel guides you need to quench your thirst for world exploration.