Travel Books – Know the World Around You

“The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it”, quotes James Bryce. This adage is applicable for academic and hobby reading as well. The reader gains insight into diverse range of subjects and is in control of utilizing the knowledge, thus gained. The ideal ways in which mental interpretation may be presented include speech and writing. The advantage of having thoughts, knowledge and interpretability in the written form, provides scope for long term reading and one may preserve the literature for centuries.

Books that divulge details about exotic locations, travel options and most suitable methods to plan a tour are included in this specific category. Travel books offer a fascinating experience of knowing the pros, cons and the best things to expect after getting there, not to mention the typical weather, landmarks, festivals and other significant events. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to traverse the globe through books? There are different categories that cater to a wide range of travelers and they are explored as follows:

Adventure:
Books in this category, incorporate details on a wide range of adventure travel destinations. Readers may avail information on the exotic wildlife safaris of Africa and the expeditions of Antarctica. A comprehensive data on exploration of countries like Vietnam, China and Japan or the islands of Lakshadweep and the Andaman are incorporated. All this and more, are included in books that deal with adventure travel. Information on trekking, hiking, water rafting, snorkeling, shark diving and much more may be availed from this category.

Culture:
Culture is a wide subject that is seldom encompassed in a single book or volume and is best when read in categorically earmarked pages. Most travel guides that take you on a cultural expedition are magazines that deal with cultural predispositions of a defined region, in the most elaborate and enthralling manner. Cultural adventure is ideal for travelers, keen on participating in the cultural extravaganza of a chosen destination. These books deal with time and season bound events and the detailed information provided, makes it an ideal choice for travelers.

Recreational:
Recreational travel is the most popular category as it can be held any time of the year and is not limited by geographic boundaries. Each destination is blessed with its own unique culture. Travel to amusement parks and nature’s very own paradises across the world, is made easy with travel books. You may get a glimpse of Tarzan’s tree house or take a trip to the wondrous Egypt. There is a surfeit of information available on the ‘how’ and ‘where’ of tour planning and the places to avail best deals. The type of journey and the ‘must-see’ places are lucidly presented in travel books.

The most well known publication houses that deal with travel books include ‘The Lonely Planet Guides’, Michelin Guides and ‘The Moon Guides’ which are apt for an adventure loving traveler. The internet is another important source for availing information on the most visited tourist destinations. Reviews from travelers offer detailed preview on the pros and cons of the trip and help the reader plan one that is ideally suited. Books on travel may have been replaced by the electronic media which is the present trend, yet exclusive books on travel will never go out of style.

How to Travel With Books – Advantage and Disadvantage of Travel Books

Is it necessary to purchase a travel book or is it realistic that we can get similar information from other resources? Usually, most individuals have a major question on buying a travel book. So here are the pros and cons of purchasing one such book.

Advantages of a Travel Book

A travel book, which may be a paperback or e-book, comes in handy while traveling. Glancing through a travel book enables you to understand the custom and culture of a particular place in the world. So you can adapt yourself to that particular environment and stay there comfortably for longer periods.

They Come In Handy — The travel guide comes in various forms such as, e-books, paperbacks and the file formats. You can have easy access to these books, which would assist you with all details compatible to the region you are traveling to.
They Provide Enormous Information — Electronic or traditional travel guides provide you with answers to all types of questions such as how to learn some sayings that can be used in the place where you are traveling to? How to get data on where to reside, what to see and where to eat? How to get a clear knowledge about the history of a specific region or the atmosphere that it has?
They Suit To Your Requirements — To access full information about a specific country or a region, both types of general and specific travel books are made available. The e-book may easily fit into your e-book reader whereas the paperback can fit into your backpack.
Disadvantages of Travel Book
The Price — The e-book and paperback travel guides are very expensive compared to the information obtained from travel websites or from those who have moved or traveled to that region.
Qualitative Images In Travel Books — Most travel books are in black and white. Only a few e-books consist of colored photos. Hence make a thorough revision before purchasing a travel guide or an e-book.
Travel Books Make The Trip Less Natural — Traveling can be made more spontaneous by acquiring suggestions from locals than from travel books.
Conclusion
Considering travel books is essential while you are scheduli

India Travel Books

f you are things of travelling to India for any length of time then books are something that you are going to want to think about seriously. In fact, if you are travelling anywhere then books are definitely something that you are going to want to take with you. There are shed loads of India travel books out there, most of which carry roughly the same amount of information.. of course here I am talking about guides and, despite their usefulness, they can offer only so much entertainment. You are also going to want to think about books to read before you go, to get you in the mood and of course books when you’re out there to keep you entertained and to help you see deeper into Indian culture and the Indian way of life. In this article I would like to recommend to you some classic India travel books both to help you with your journey and to keep you entertained.

Travel Guides

If you’re heading out to India with intentions of travelling bits of both the North and the South then I would suggest taking the ‘Lonely Planet India’ travel guide. Despite being the size and weight of a small child the books has become known as the travellers bible as it really does give you everything you need.. Information, inspiration, safety advice and warnings. The same goes for all the lonely planet books; Lonely planet South India, North India, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Kerala, etc. Top be honest, where ever you are thinking of travelling in India there is a travel guide for it. Follow the link for more information on India travel books. The ‘Rough Guide’ range also offer a fantastic selection of books covering India with little difference in the quality of the information bar the minor fact that usually the lonely plane range is often more up to date.

Travel Literature

Reading both fiction and no fiction books is a great way to get yourself motivated before you travel to India. ‘Shantaram’ is favourite amongst India first timers as follows the true story of an a fugitives life in the mecca of Mumbai, run by Mafia and warlords. The entertainment factor is priceless and reading the books goes a long way into understanding the delicate fabric of such a this magical place. Other books might include the ‘A Fine Balance’ by Rohinton Mistry. Perhaps one to read while you are out there, the books follows the separate lives of a woman struggling with the backward laws and customs of Indian family life and then the story of two brothers struggling to survive and make their way in the Mumbai slums. The book is enthralling, uplifting and heartbreaking all at the same time. ‘Eat Love pray’ is another classic India read, recently made into a film, the book encompasses many of the reasons why people travel to India in the first place as it follows one woman’s journey through Italy, India and Indonesia over the course of a year in search of her soul. If you have ever been anywhere before then you will know that reading is a great way to pass the time, get involved and stay calm. When you are India these three things become all to prominent as you travel without air conditioning, on uncomfortable seat

Top 10 Inspiring Travel Books

This may not be your typical list of travel books but these books inspired me to pack my bags and visit distant lands.

Whenever you are in need of inspiration, you can pick any of these books up and get motivated to travel and explore all over again!

So here are my favourites!

Round Ireland With a Fridge by Tony Hawks

British comedian Tony Hawks takes a friend up on a bet to see if he can hitchhike around Ireland… with a fridge. The book not only inspires you to visit Ireland but also makes you fall in love with the Irish people and their quirky acceptance of just about anything… even a hitchhiker with a fridge.

Travels by Michael Crichton

The acclaimed author chronicles his travels as a young student as he battled the many challenges travellers today don’t have to contend with. His journey takes him up Kilimanjaro and around the world with both laughter and tears.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Before it was an inspiring movie this was an inspiring book. You can literally taste the delicious Italian food and feel the spirituality as the protagonist seeks “the meaning of life” on a journey through Italy, India and Bali. The book has great descriptions of the foods she tries and the cultures she encounters.

Pole to Pole by Michael Palin

I actually don’t remember which of Palin’s travel books I’ve read (I’ve read more than one) but they are all inspiring. This is the one I most clearly remember, as it inspired me to visit Tromso in Northern Norway. I love his style of writing, always with a bit of humor thrown in. He also has incredible TV travel programs, after he returns from the filming of each TV travel series he turns his adventures into a book.

Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson

This is just one of Bill Bryson’s entertaining travel books. It’s one of those books where you find yourself laughing out loud, even if you’re reading on the bus! The author has a hilarious sense of humor and always sees the funny side of foreign cultures and sites. Another of Bryson’s great books is Small Island which takes a quirky look at Britain.

The Sun Also Rises by Earnest Hemingway

I wonder how many travellers have gone to the Pamplona’s running of the bulls because of this book. I certainly would want to. Hemingway’s classic tale of the bullfighting aficionados conjured up the sounds, smells and spirit of this unique Spanish festival.

The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux

Having been forced to read Theroux’s The Mosquito Coast at university, which put me off ever travelling to Central America, I then discovered his other novels. Theroux travelled by train from the UK to Japan and his account of this journey became a classic travel book. His 4 month trip took him on many of the most famous rail routes in the world including the Trans-Siberian Railway. He went on to write other great train journey books.

Babette’s Feast by Isak Dinesen

OK so this isn’t an obvious travel book choice, as it focuses on food, but the setting and the delicious French food described in the book inspired me to visit Denmark. Babette arrives as a refugee in a remote village on Jutland, Denmark. 14 years later she wins the lottery and decides to spend all her winnings on preparing a French feast for the austere and modest community. Incredible French flavors and austere Danish landscapes seem like a world away.

Vagabonding by Rolf Potts

Veteran shoestring traveller Rolf Potts shows how anyone armed with an independent spirit can achieve the dream of extended overseas travel.

The book is about taking time off from your normal life-from six weeks to four months to two years-to discover and experience the world on your own terms.

Seven Years In Tibet by Heinrich Harrer

Originally published in 1953, this adventure classic recounts Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer’s 1943 escape from a British internment camp in India, his daring trek across the Himalayas, and his happy sojourn in Tibet, then, as now, a remote land little visited by foreigners. Warmly welcomed, he eventually became tutor to the Dalai Lama, teenaged g