A passport may be out of reach at the moment, but the journey? That begins the moment you open the first page. These aren’t just books. They’re windows—into sun-drenched vineyards, lantern-lit temples, and wild, untamed corners of the world that awaken something deeper within us. They stir the senses, rekindle wanderlust, and remind us that adventure starts with a story. We’ve hand-selected a collection of travel memoirs and destination-rich narratives that do more than entertain—they transport. Here’s a look at books to read on vacation:
Featured Read: The Puma Years: A Memoir by Laura Coleman
In this rapturous, soul-stirring memoir, writer and activist Laura Coleman invites readers deep into the Bolivian Amazon, where she embarks on a journey that is as internal as it is geographical.
What begins as an escape from burnout in the Western world becomes a profound encounter with wild nature, raw humanity, and a stunningly beautiful creature—a rescued puma named Wayra—who teaches Laura what it means to live with intention, vulnerability, and reverence.
If you’ve ever dreamed of shedding the noise of modern life in exchange for jungle canopies and the sound of your own heartbeat, The Puma Years will call to you. It’s not just a story—it’s a transformation.
Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez
An astonishing meditation on the Arctic’s breathtaking beauty and unforgiving wilderness. Lopez’s writing transports you to a world of polar bears, auroras, and unbroken snow—where time slows and wonder deepens.
Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All by Christina Thompson
Blending memoir, history, and anthropology, this brilliantly titled book unpacks the author’s cross-cultural marriage to a Maori man—and the legacy of colonization in the South Pacific.
The Only Kayak by Kim Heacox
A love letter to Alaska, solitude, and wilderness, this powerful memoir explores paradox, love, and loss in America’s last frontier.
Down the Nile: Alone in a Fisherman’s Skiff by Rosemary Mahoney
A bold solo journey down the Nile turns into an exploration of identity, culture, and grit. Mahoney’s prose is as fierce as the Egyptian sun.
Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard
This delicious love story-meets-cookbook captures falling in love in the City of Light—peppered with rich recipes and even richer storytelling.
Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding & José Vouillamoz
A collector’s dream and James Beard Award-winner, this encyclopedia of wine grapes is as indulgent as a Bordeaux vintage—and equally complex.
On the Noodle Road by Jen Lin-Liu
From Beijing to Rome, this culinary memoir traces the noodle’s migration along the Silk Road, folding food, history, and love into every chapter.
I Could Live Here by Ellen Barone
One couple’s long-stay travels through Mexico, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and beyond, in search of home, meaning, and a life unconstrained by convention.
The Longest Way Home by Andrew McCarthy
An award-winning travel writer’s deeply personal quest across Kilimanjaro, the Amazon, and beyond, in search of the courage to commit—both to love and to himself.
The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
What makes a country happy? Weiner investigates—from the fjords of Iceland to the streets of Bhutan—in this clever blend of humor, culture, and psychology.
Whether you’re planning your next once-in-a-lifetime itinerary or savoring the anticipation from home, let stories guide your wanderlust until your feet can follow.
Ready to start planning the next chapter of your own adventure?
Let us take you there—book by book, journey by journey.
Contact us to begin crafting your next luxury escape.
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