17 Best TRAVEL Memoirs to Read in 2026 -

Travel memoirs are some of my favourite books about travel. As an avid traveller and someone who’s always reading, I read and listen to about 5-6 books every month, across many genres, including memoirs and travel memoirs. Some are for my book clubs, others are solita. So, I know a good book when I read one.

When I’m not travelling, travel memoirs allow me to feel like I am still exploring and discovering new cultures. If you’re looking for travel memoirs to live vicariously through, be inspired by, and learn about way of life in many of the world’s cultures – then you’re in the right place.

someone reading a book in front of a lake

Reading travel memoirs is also a great way to get excited for an upcoming trip, regardless of where you’re going. I’m certain that I have the best travel memoirs to read below, and they’re a good mix of different types of travel and travellers.

Best Travel Memoirs to Read in 2026

1. Coffee First, then The World: One Woman’s Record-Breaking Pedal Around the Planet

By: Jenny Graham
Published: 2023
Where it takes place: China, Mongolia, Australia, Canada, France, New Zeland + many more countries

Coffe First, Then The World is a different kind of travel memoir – and one of the best rated on this list. Jenny is on a mission to break a world record of cycling around the world in the least amount of time. This memoir tells the story of her round-the-world journey that lasted over 300 days, in over a dozen different countries.

coffee first, then the world memoir cover

Since she’s biking through each place, she doesn’t spend a lot of time sightseeing, or soaking up local culture (which is part of what you may be looking for in a travel memoir.) If you want more deep analysis of different places, then this may not be the right book.

But,, Jenny has beautiful, vivid descriptions of the scenery she passes, and all the people she briefly interacts with along the way as she bikes aross the world. I personally loved hearing about her experiences in each of the places – especially as she meets locals, and has to search for very budget lodging in each one.

2. Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World

By: Anthony Doerr
Published: 2008
Where it takes place: Italy (primarily Rome)

Four Seasons in Rome is about a family with newborn twin babies living in Rome, Italy. The author gets a study grant for a year there, so he moves there with his young family. The way Italy is described in this book is beautiful. I love how he writes in the present tense which makes you feel like you’re there, experiencing life in Rome with them. (I’m certain you’ll crave Italian food after reading this book.)

In case you didn’t know, the author Anthony Doer is the one who wrote All The Light We Cannot See, which was a bestselling and award-winning book and was turned into a Netflix series. (He wrote Four Seasons in Rome several years before.) If you want to be inspired by someone who’s brave enough to go live abroad with a baby, then you may particularly appreciate this book!

3. Some Kind of Magic: A True Story of Love, Life and Wanderlust

By: Sonya Moore
Published: 2023
Where it takes place: India, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, France + more

Some Kind of Magic is a single woman’s journey through travelling and living abroad in Asia, in addition to a few stints in Europe. Sonya quit her job in her late-30s, and flies to India for reflection, healing, spirituality and enlightenment.

She spends quite a bit of time in India, experiencing sides to it that most people don’t see (she specifically seeks out areas where she’ll be the only non Indian person there, so that she could integrate with the culture.) She does a lot of meditation, listening to her inner self, as well as signs from the universe. Her descriptions of the places she visits are so intricately described – I felt like I could almost smell, taste them even though it was only from an audiobook.

A huge part of the book centres around her relationship with a French man she meets in India. “Love, life and wanderlust” definitely sum up the focus of the book. This was actually one of my favourite travel memoirs. Her audiobook narration is amazing, I felt so calm listening to it and living vicariously through all of her experiences.

Some Kind of Magic may be up your alley if:

Things like law of attraction, signs from the universe resonate with you (conversely, if you don’t like that stuff then you may not enjoy the book as much)
You find the dynamics between romantic relationships interesting, as this is a big part of the book too
You liked Eat Pray Love; this has a similar vibe to it in that it involves deep reflection, soaking up the essence of different places, parallel to figuring out a romantic relationship

4. We Came, We Saw, We Left: A Family Gap Year

By: Charles Wheelan
Published: 2022
Where it takes place: Peru, Colombia, Cambodia, India + many other countries

We Came, We Saw, We Left is a memoir about a gap year (9 months exactly) of travel with two parents and their three teenage children. The parents, as a celebration for turning 50, decide to plan almost a year of worldwide travel.

Part of what I liked about this one, was that the author goes through quite a bit of explaining the logistics of how they were able to pull it off (they have jobs and a home and pets, and they’re trying to stay within a budget.) Many people are curious about how families are able to travel on a budget, so I thought this part was important.

Their first destination is Colombia, and they move on to travel through several more throughout South America, Oceania, and Asia

5. Nowhere for Very Long: The Unexpected Road to an Unconventional Life

By: Brianna Madia
Published: 2022
Where it takes place: Western USA

Nowhere For Very Long is a memoir about a couple and their two dogs living the van and freedom life through the deserts of the American West. The author drives in a van through Utah (one of the most scenic states) with her husband and two dogs.

This book is gained a lot of popularity because of the ‘quit the 9-5’, and live a freedom lifestyle concept which is a popular concept, but not easy for everyone to pull off. The author has a really good conversational, raw and honest style with this book and discusses some difficult, heavy topics like trauma. That’s a big part of what made this book so popular!

6. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

By: Cheryl Strayed
Published: 2012
Where it takes place: Pacific Crest Trail in California and Oregon

Wild, is about a 26 year old woman who, after a divorce and an alienation from her family, decides to hike 1,100-miles (1700 km) by herself along the Pacific Crest Trail. She wasn’t as prepared as she should have been, so there are a few mishaps along the way. All in all, her 94-day hike was a journey of learning, reflection and self-discovery.

It takes place only in the US (California and Oregon to be exact) but it still captures a lot of that adventurous spirit. If you haven’t heard of Wild – it was turned into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon and it was also the first-ever book to make it onto Oprah’s book club. So, its a popular one.

7. The Year We Ruined Our Lives: A Family Road Trip Through Mexico and Central America

By: Paul Carlino
Published: 2022
Where it takes place: Mexico, Guatemala

The Year We Ruined Our Lives has a lot of similarities to another book I mentioned above, in that its a family who leaves everything to travel. This travel memoir though, is a family with slightly younger children (12 and 9 years old), whereas in We Came, We Saw, We Left, all kids are teenagers and one is 18.

Both books involve homeschooling, but this one more so, as the kids are a little bit younger. It’s an inspiring book that I would definitely add to your list if you’re interested in family travel, homeschooling, and particularly about discovering Mexico and Central America.

8. In A Sunburned Country

By: Bill Bryson
Published: 2000
Where it takes place: Australia

In A Sunburned Country is different from some of the other travel memoirs I’ve listed so far. Personal relationships don’t come into it as much, and it is solely focused on the destination at hand. If you’ve ever read any of Bill Bryson’s books though, you know that he is pretty entertaining.

Having lived in Australia for one year, I found In a Sunburned Country so fun and fascinating to read. Even though the book is over 20 years old, most of it still fits today because many of the interesting facts shared are related to Australia’s history and weird and quirky events that have taken place

In a Sunburned Country is up your alley if:

You have a sense of humour, especially a bit of dark humour
You’re interested in Australia, have been there or plan to go there. This will deepen your knowledge about this unique country

9. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything

By: Elizabeth Gilbert
Published:
Where it takes place: US, Italy, Indonesia and India

You’ve probably heard of Eat Pray Love; its one of the most iconic travel memoirs out there.

Elizabeth Gilbert is a really good story-teller. I’ve read several of her fiction books, as well as her travel memoir.

I love how the people she includes in her travel memoir became real to me, and apart of wider narrative that she was telling. Its not easy to turn your life into a compelling read, but she did it.

You’ll like Eat, Pray Love if:

You enjoy meditation, yoga and spirituality to an extent, as that’s a huge chunk of her journey
You’re a foodie. The descriptions of the food in Italy made me hungry
You like reading about relationships. Her romantic relationships are a theme in the memoir

10. The Passport Project: Two Sisters Ditch Middle School for a Life-Changing Journey Around the World

By: Kellie McIntyre
Published: 2022
Where it takes place: Australia, Iceland, Italy, Indonesia + more

The Passport Project is the highest-rated travel memoir on this list. The author is a teenager, and it recounts her trip around the world with her family.

It’s the perfect book to read for pre-teens. It has some pictures and visuals, which makes it a bit more engaging for a younger reader. I bought it for my 12 year old for Christmas (and I will update this post soon with news about what she thought of it!)

The book is story, but it also lot of interesting information about the cultures they visit as well – so its educational, as well as entertaining.

11. A Year in Provence

By: Peter Mayle
Published: 1991
Where it takes place: France

A Year in Provence is about a British couple who buy a 200-year old stone house in the French countryside. I read this as a teenager and actually really enjoyed it, and it has stuck with me ever since. Maybe its because I learned French in school, and was planning on going to France on exchange. I just generally like all things French – and if you do too, then you’ll like this book.

The author goes into witty detail about the cheeses, wines, countryside, people they encounter. It’s a beautiful recount of time spent soaking up the culture and gastronomy of France.

12. What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding

By: Kristin Newman
Published: 2014
Where it takes place: US, Australia, Iceland, Israel, + many other places

What I Was Doing While You were Breeding was a book that I put off reading for a long time, just because of the title. As a travel lover who’s also a mom, I felt like the title was somehow putting down my choice to be a mom. However, if you read this book and get to know the author, you’ll see that that likely wasn’t her intention at all.

what i was doing while you were breeding book cover

Kristin Newman has a witty sense of humour, as she’s a comedy writer for TV shows. She also has a desire to settle down and have a family one day, but doesn’t want it at the time that the vents in her travel memoir take place.

That being said, a big theme in the book is about her relationships and encounters with men – ultimately, she’s on the search for something meaningful, but struggles to find it.

You’ll like What I was Doing While You were Breeding if:

You appreciate a good sense of humour, and have watched any of the shows that Kristin Newman has written for (That 70s Show, How I Met Your Mother, Chuck and many others) she has a sense of humour and personality which really shines throuhg the book

13. Backyard to Backpack

By: Evie Farrell
Published: 2019
Where it takes place: China, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and others!

Backyard to Backpack is the only travel memoir I know that involves a single parent! Evie is fed up of their busy, stressful life at home in Australia. So, she decides to sell most of their things, rent out their house, and embark on a several-month-long trip through Europe with her 6 year old daughter.

It’s brave to set off completely by yourself as a solo mom especially, and travelling as a single parent has many challenges. But Evie has so many amazing adventures with her daughter in so many different Asian countries, it was inspirational.

Evie goes on to set up a travel company calles Mumpack Travel, which I believe her daughter is involved in helping her start and run! Evie and Emmie are freespirited people whos adventures in Asia really made me reminisent of my own time there, and is definitely worth reading.

14. Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard and Growing Stronger

By: Shannon O’Brian
Published: 2026
Where it takes place: Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, and many others!

Stray is one of the newest travel memoirs on this list, and it primarily takes place in Latin America. Shannon travels to some remote, lesser-visited places, and does some things that most people never do – more off the beaten path, mildly dangerous things.

Shannon doesn’t shy away from sharing with you some of the dangerous situations she got herself into, relationship troubles that she encountered, and other family challenges. She even faces some life-threatening situations at times. It’s a beautifully written and honest book, with lots of personal reflection.

15. A House in the Sky: A Memoir

By: Amanda Lindholt
Published: 2014
Where it takes place: Afghanistan, Iraq, India, Kenya, Somalia, Venezuela, Canada

A House in the Sky was a hard book to get through, but well written, and inspiring. The first part of it is travel memoir, and the second half is a surval story after she was kidnapped and held ransom in Somalia.

Amanda Lindhout set off for solo travel in her early 30s. She was drawn to a lot of places that wouldn’t be on most people’s maps, like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. She started off her travels in Venezuela, but overtime, sought to travel to places that were more and more dangerous, like countried in east Africa.

You’ll enjoy A House in the Sky if:

You are able to show compassion to the author for her choice to go into countries and situations that she was aware were dangerous. The main criticism of this book is from people who find it hard to see past that
You appreciate a good survival story, even if some parts of it are very disturbing

I read A House in the Sky for a book club, and it was well-receivied by everyone there. I personally really appreciated Amanda Lindhout sharing her story, and am so glad that I read it.

16. Things I Learned from Falling: A Memoir

By: Claire Nelson
Published: 2021
Where it takes place: UK, Canada, United States and New Zealand

Things I Learned From Falling is a travel memoir, but it has two other main focuses in the book besides travel – the author’s mental health, which she describes quite a bit in detail, and the incident of her (almost fatal) fall in Joshua Tree National Park.

The author, Claire Nelson, is originally from New Zealand, but spends time in the UK, Canada and United States throughout this book.

She lives abroad in the UK for an extended period of time which she discusses in the book, and then spends time in Quebec City in winter in Canada -she talks about the unique experience of dogsledding in the countryside outside of Quebec City, and experiencing the French-Canadian culture in Old Town Quebec.

The book flips from the past to the present. The present involves the story of her accident in Joshua Tree National Park in California, which is an amazing story of survival. I don’t want to spoil it, but its incredible that she has lived to tell this tale.

17. Under the Tuscan Sun

By: Frances Mayes
Published: 1996
Where it takes place: Italy

Under the Tuscan Sun is an “oldie but a goodie.” Published in the early 90s, it’s been translated into 50+ languages and had a motion picture made out of it. It was one of the first of many similar memoirs, which is part of why it was such a success – but I wouldn’t let that put you off. It’s beautifully written and captures the Tuscan countryside so beautifully.

Similar to A Year in Provence, Frances buys a stone home in a small Tuscan town, and fixes it up with the intent to live there. It’s obviously what one may call outdated, being 30 years old now – but the beauty and charm of the Tuscan region never changes.

Travel Memoirs FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about travel memoirs

What is a travel memoir?

A travel memoir is a memoir, but centered around a trip or a journey somewhere. A travel memoir is a certain genre of writing on its own where a big focus of the book is the trip itself. There are descriptions of the place the author is visiting, and what their impressions are.

What are the best travel memoirs?

There have been a number of great quality, best-selling travel memoirs published in the last few decades. Some of the best travel memoirs are: The Passport Project, Coffee First, Then The World, We Came, We Saw We Left and Some Kind of Magic. Of course, this is subjective -but overall, these are some of the highest rated books.

What is the difference between a travelogue and a travel memoir?

Travelogues and travel memoirs are almost the same thing. The main difference is that travelogues can exist in the form of a guidebook, podcast, or brochure where as a travel memoir is strictly a memoir; with a large focus being about travel.

Final Thoughts on the Best Travel Memoirs

I hope that you found some travel memoirs on this list that you might like to pick up. These books have inspired me and allowed me to travel while living at home and have been an inspiration to me as a writer and a traveller.

17 Best TRAVEL Memoirs to Read in 2026