I may be a Kindle convert, but there’s one type of book I miss as a full-time traveller and that’s coffee table travel books. The large, hardback type with glossy pages filled with wanderlust-inducing photos of exotic locations and descriptions of adventures around the world.
I can’t fit travel coffee table books into my backpack, but I do like giving them as gifts—they are perfect for travel lovers to inspire their next journey.
These are the best travel books that I recommend as gifts for anyone looking for travel inspiration. Some are classics (you can’t go wrong with a Lonely Planet bucket list book), while others are more unusual and will take you off the beaten track.
I’ve included ideas for globetrotting foodies, artists, nature lovers, beach bums, hikers, road trippers, and even kids.
As you’d expect from Lonely Planet, the photography is beautiful and there are interesting details about each place. It’s divided by continent and country and includes over 700 locations with details on how to reach each sight. It inspires both wonder and wanderlust, and even if you don’t make it to any of the places, it’s a fascinating read. There’s a good amount of information about each place including when to go and how to get there, so it’s a useful starting point for planning a trip. Or just enjoy the photos and dream! This would be fantastic for someone planning an around the world trip or anyone who wants to learn more about our beautiful world. There’s also a kid’s version for budding explores aged 8 and up. It’s less photo focused and includes more interesting facts. Chapters are organised by interests (mountains, beaches, deserts, lakes etc.), and for each place, there are practical tips and ideas for couple adventures. It’s both informational and inspirational. It would be an ideal gift for historians, artists, adventurers, and armchair travelers. Also in the series are Epic Bike Rides of the World and Epic Hikes of the World. It also includes interviews with solo travellers, couples, and families who are living the van life. There are also 36 Hour guides to USA and Canada and other regions of the world. As she says, this book is an invitation for you to rediscover your bond with wild nature.1) Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travel: Our List of the 500 Best Places to See... Ranked
2) Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
3) Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places (National Geographic)
4) The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet)
5) Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent
6) 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do (National Geographic)
7) Explorers' Sketchbooks: The Art of Discovery and Adventure
8) Lonely Planet's Ultimate Eatlist
9) The World Atlas of Street Food
10) Beaches
11) Wanderlust: A Hiker's Companion
12) Epic Drives of the World (Lonely Planet)
13) Van Life: Your Home on the Road
14) The New York Times: 36 Hours Europe
15) 59 Illustrated National Parks: 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service
16) Green Escapes: The Guide to Secret Urban Gardens
17) A Map of the World: The World According to Illustrators and Storytellers
18) Maps
19) TreeGirl: Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature
20) Make The Most Of Your Time On Earth (Rough Guides)
You can also check out our guide to the 50 best gifts for travelers with ideas for every budget.
Here are some more roundups of my favourite travel books:
- 10 Travel Memoirs to Inspire Your Next Trip
- 15 Fascinating Books to Read Before Visiting Japan
- 10 Best Books About Iceland to Read Before You Visit
- 12 Books to Read Before Visiting South Africa
What are your favourite travel coffee table books? Leave a comment below and let us know!
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