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5 Best Young Living Essential Oils for Travel

July 21, 2015 By Caitlin Weeks

It can be hard to keep up normal routines when traveling. It can be difficult to sleep after changing time zones a few times and dealing with bright lights in hotel rooms. Essential oils can be a great comfort in new unfamiliar places. These are the essential oils I keep with me in my carry-on case for every flight and car ride. The only essential oils I recommend are the therapeutic grade oils from Young Living because they have a seed to seal guarantee. Order here.

Digize Vitality:

Use DiGize Vitality essential oil to help you enjoy each and every meal! This proprietary blend of Young Living essential oils is a great mealtime companion and addition to your wellness regimen. 

DiGize™ Vitality™ blends Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Fennel, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli essential oils for a fresh-tasting blend—a perfect follow-up to any meal. Some cultures munch on fennel seeds after meals, and the use of this potent plant even dates back to ancient Egypt. Experience the power of Fennel Vitality and these other essential oils for yourself!

Take this best-selling essential oil blend with Essentialzymes-4™ or on its own before each meal to support your wellness regimen.* The versatility of DiGize Vitality oil means that you can take it in a gel capsule, mix it with water and Peppermint Vitality for a rejuvenating infused water, or combine it with honey for a sweet treat. For even more wellness support, take DiGize Vitality with Essentialzymes-4 at breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all-day support. DiGize Vitality is also a great complement to our supplements ComforTone® and JuvaTone®.

Our proprietary DiGize Vitality oil blend includes the naturally occurring constituents menthol, citrol, and zingiberene.

DiGize Vitality Essential Oil Uses:

• Add 1–2 drops to a gel capsule and take it as a dietary supplement every day—or whenever you need it.
• Give your water a twist and add 2 drops of DiGize Vitality and 1 drop of Peppermint Vitality.
• DiGize Vitality is a great complement to Essentialzymes-4. Take both before every meal to support your wellness.*
• Flavor honey with 2–3 drops of DiGize Vitality for a sweet, spicy treat without the refined sugar.
• Take with ComforTone and JuvaTone in whatever form you prefer.

Lavender Vitality:

Use Young Living Lavender Vitality essential oil ( Lavandula angustifolia ) to create elegant dishes that will impress your family and friends. The herb has a sweet, slightly floral flavor that pairs well with both rich and light foods. Use Lavender Vitality™ essential oil to conveniently add this delightful flavor to your meals.

Although more popular with sweeter recipes, Lavender Vitality oil’s benefits extend to savory dishes as well. In fact, lavender is sometimes included in the famous Herbes de Provence along with spices such as marjoram, thyme, oregano, and rosemary. Put a new spin on a classic meal and pair it with chicken, lamb, or even potatoes.

Just a hint can enhance the flavor of your entire recipe. To avoid overwhelming your food, start small. Try dipping a toothpick in your oil and then swirling the toothpick in your food preparations.

Lavender Vitality Essential Oil Uses:

• Make homemade fruit jams infused with Lavender Vitality essential oil. Try mixing it with blueberry, apricot, raspberry, or peach jams and jellies.
• Combine Lavender Vitality’s earthy, low notes with bright citrus flavors. Experiment with lavender-lemonade or a citrus sorbet.
• Complement dairy with Lavender Vitality in shortbread, pound cake, ice cream, meringue, or whipped cream recipes.
• Balance Lavender Vitality in savory dishes with herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

Purification:

Ditch overpowering and harsh chemical-based sprays and keep your home smelling fresh and clean with Young Living’s Purification® essential oil. This blend is made up of six essential oils for the ultimate weapon against odors. Citronella, Lavandin, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Myrtle, and Tea Tree work together to create a refreshing, bright scent that keeps you and your family happy and comfortable. 

With Purification oil, you’ll never need to feel embarrassed by bad odors from cooking, laundry, pets, or anything else life throws your way. Diffuse it throughout your house or use a more targeted approach so you always feel confident in your home, in the car, or on the go!

Purification Essential Oil Uses

• Add a few drops to laundry to give your wash a great-smelling boost.
• Place a few drops on cotton balls and stash them wherever necessary: the car, closets and drawers, air vents, or shoes.
• Use in the car with a USB Diffuser to eliminate lingering scents of fast food trips or the soccer carpool.
• Refresh linens with a spritz of Purification, diluted with distilled water.
• Create an on-the-go air freshener with a spray bottle, distilled water, and Purification. Keep it in your bag to freshen up offices, public restrooms, hotel rooms, and cars.

 Order the best essential oils here.

Be sure to pin it:

PanAway® has a stimulating aroma and is a popular and original combination of Wintergreen, Helichrysum, Clove, and Peppermint essential oils formulated by D. Gary Young. This blend is ideal to apply topically after exercise, and supports the appearance of healthy skin coloration. The essential oils in PanAway include naturally occurring constituents methyl salicylate, gamma-curcumene, menthol, and eugenol.

Stress Away: 

Young Living’s Stress Away™ essential oil blend is a natural solution created to combat normal stresses that creep into everyday life. Stress Away is the first product to contain the unique stress-relieving combination of lime and vanilla pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Stress Away also includes copaiba and lavender to reduce mental rigidity and restore equilibrium. Featuring powerful plant constituents, such as the cedrol found in cedarwood and the eugenol that occurs naturally in vanilla, Stress Away can help induce relaxation and reduce occasional nervous tension.* 

Bonus Suggestion:

Lemon Vitality:

Lemon ( Citrus limon ) Vitality can add a bright, dynamic flavor to many dishes. Its versatility in sweet and savory recipes is what makes this fruit a popular item in kitchens around the world. Use Young Living’s Lemon Vitality™ essential oil to add flavor to savory foods like fish and chicken or sweet foods like pastries and cakes. 

Lemon Vitality oil has a bright taste you’ll want to keep on hand for almost anything you whip up. Instead of zesting or juicing, use Lemon Vitality for a convenient way to use this great flavor. Start small with a single drop of oil.

Lemon Vitality Essential Oil Uses:

• Add to a tall glass of cold water for a fresh drink to start your day.
• Add 1–2 drops to a vegetarian gel capsule and take daily or as needed.
• Blend a drop of Lemon Vitality in Gary’s True Grit™ Einkorn Pancake & Waffle Mix batter and top your waffles or pancakes with fresh fruit for a healthy, tasty breakfast.
• Create custom vinaigrettes or marinades to add a bright taste to summer salads and grilling.
• Add it to tea, baked goods, homemade preserves, and other treats.
• Add 1 drop in plain or vanilla yogurt. Top with fresh berries.
• Combine with savory foods such as chicken, fish, shrimp, and vegetables and with sides such as noodles, rice, or pasta salad.

How are you using essential oils this summer? Leave a comment and let me know.

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July 29, 2015 at 2:00 pm

I am currently in love with lavender. I really like lavender is good for almost everything from a child’s scratch to a serious infection. Just wanted to drop in to say that I enjoy reading your articles. I have a grass fed tallow soap company and am inspired by other people who have similar interests as I do. Keep up the great paleo work…we need to spread the word to get more people on the same page. Take care!

July 29, 2015 at 10:20 pm

Thanks for your message. Great minds think alike!

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38 Inspiring Travel Love Stories From The Road

If you’re in the mood for romance, or just love a good anecdote, these inspiring travel love stories from the road will have you captivated.

As in, booking a flight in search of your very own  Eat, Pray, Love  story.

Just to fill you in on how this project came to light:

A few months back I sent out an email to my community sharing my personal tips for balancing my relationship in NYC with my trips. The response was incredible, as people wrote me back sharing their own advice and romantic accounts.

With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to compile a list of romantic stories from other nomads. To do this, I reached out to some of my favorite bloggers to roundup a selection of incredible narratives, from passionate trip flings to underwater engagements to Couchsurfing marriages and beyond.

Honestly, this was a really fun post to read and edit! I think you’ll agree.

After reading the following 38 love and travel stories, let me know in the comments if you’ve got one of your own to add.

And if you’re not sure where to go on your next trip, this free 10-question travel personality quiz can help you discover unique places tailored to your interests!

Psst, don’t forget to pin this post for later!

Table of Contents

Come Travel #BeyondTheGuidebook

Before we dive into this incredible list of romantic stories from the road, I want to invite you to join my inner travel circle via my #BeyondTheGuidebook Newsletter .

It gets sent out once per month and features quirky travel news, inspiring adventures, conscious travel brands, and tons of fun content for curious nomads.

Once you sign up, reply to the welcome email and let me know where you’re heading to next or where you’d like to go. I always love connecting with people in my community.

On that note, let’s dive into the love and travel stories!

1. Love, travel and overcoming long-distance

“Long-distance relationships are not easy. After cutting ties with my crazy ex who stalked me from overseas, I tried my best to stay away from long-distance relationships.

But they say love will find you when you least expect it. Never would I have thought I’d meet the love of my life shortly after moving back to my home country, Taiwan .

It all started in the summer of 2011. A Canadian friend with whom I went to school in Vancouver paid me a visit in Taipei. She brought along her fellow classmates who came for a summer exchange. Among them was my now-husband, Kev.

No, we didn’t hit it off right away.

Actually, it was quite the contrary. I had no impression of him whatsoever; he just wasn’t my type. The turning point actually happened when his friend misdialed my number and invited me out — I guess to make up for the fact that he mistook me for someone else.

It was at that second meetup that his personality really shined through – I had never met a guy who was so witty and caring!

Because he doesn’t speak Mandarin, I volunteered to be his tour guide. We went out several times during his time in Taiwan. From the trendy XiMenDing district to the old town of Jiufen, we explored many parts of the country and made new memories together.

One month had passed and it was time to say goodbye. As much as I despised long distance, I was reluctant to end the friendship there and then.

‘Maybe this time will be different,’ I thought to myself. After all, this is a different person.

So, I decided to give it a shot and made our relationship official on the day he left.

Two years of long-distance.

10,080 km apart.

For 730 days, we fought through 15 hours of time zone difference – thank goodness for modern technology!

Yet the feeling of loneliness was inevitable.

In 2013, I made the bold move to relocate to Calgary, Canada – a city I had never visited before.

Despite having to deal with some serious culture shock, I am glad we could finally put an end to our long-distance relationship.”

-Cat from For Two, Please  

2. A romantic date via Instagram

“While in Thailand, a trip to the 7-Eleven is a must, am I right? I was entering a 7-Eleven in Koh Lanta when I saw this handsome guy looking at me.

‘He must think I’m cute.’

Yes, he was actually staring at me. He paid for his yogurt, gave me another look and, just before he drove off, he looked at me one more time. I was hoping he would say hi, but he didn’t.

Later that day, I got a reply to my Instagram story. Being a blogger , I try to share some travel experience stories on Instagram when I can.

It was a message from him saying, ‘Haha, I thought you looked familiar today at the 7-Eleven. Up for coconuts at the beach?’

He knew my blog.

In fact, he had known A Broken Backpack for several years. We found out later that he even invited me for a coffee when I was in Prague a couple of years back. He had left a comment on a photo where I was announcing I was going to Prague next.

I had declined his invite publicly on Instagram.

In February, we are going to celebrate our first year together. We’ve traveled to several countries since we met. We are both full-travelers and we both work online so the transition was smooth.”

-Melissa from A Broken Backpack

3. Overcoming language barriers

“In 2017 I was staying in a small town on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. On my last night there, right before I was scheduled to catch a bus down south, I met a very beautiful local girl.

The irony is that she only spoke Spanish and my Spanish skills were limited at best.

On the night we met, I said that I wasn’t fluent and that she would have to excuse my numerous mistakes. She laughed and didn’t seem to mind at all. We had a lovely evening together but I had to leave the next morning. Like, for good.

We ended up saying goodbye after having met only a few hours beforehand and it was a rather sad ordeal. I was really beating myself up over the circumstances.

Two days later, once I finally arrived and settled into my new destination, I decided to blow off all of my prearranged plans just to go back to that same town and spend more time with her.

Over the course of the next day, I canceled a tour, got a refund on my hostel, booked a new shuttle, and turned right back around for the five-hour return journey. I had been away for about 72 hours by the time my shuttle dropped me off in this town for the second time.

At that point, I had four full days left before flying back to the United States. As you might imagine, I spent almost every waking moment with my new friend.

I took her on a sunset sail tour and she drove me around on her motorcycle. On our last day together, we visited a nearby beach and spent the entire day lounging under the sun and drinking cheap Costa Rican beer while howler monkeys moved along the trees above us.

Although our travel romance only lasted for a few days, it was an extraordinary experience and I’m very lucky to have met her.”

-Michael from Passport Explored

4. Nurturing a relationship in South Korea

“Sitting at a bar rolling silverware at the end of my shift, a shy yet cute guy came up to me and asked to buy me a drink.

A couple of weeks later we started dating and Carl almost immediately asked me to move to South Korea with him. I barely knew the guy, so I told him no and broke up with him.

Carl showed up at my apartment and told me he’d rather have me than Korea and asked if we could try again. While I was hesitant, I said yes and we continued dating; however, six months later I was tired of living in our hometown in West Virginia — so we packed up our bags and booked tickets to South Korea!

We lived in Korea for five years together in one-room apartments and often sleeping on a twin bed. Learning to navigate life in a new country is hard enough, but our relationship wasn’t even a year old when we packed our bags.

In Korea, we started documenting our lives and fell into a community of bloggers and the rest is history!

Korea taught us how wide the world is and my life wouldn’t be the same if Carl hadn’t been bold enough to ask me to move with him.

Ten years after a boy asked me to move to Korea we have a two-year-old and blog about our new home state of North Carolina full-time!”

-Christina from NC Tripping

5. Meeting my soulmate in a hostel in Edinburgh

“When I went backpacking in Europe back in 2011, I expected to meet a handsome foreigner and have a whirlwind romance. Instead, I met a sweet southern US boy who swept me off my feet and became my soulmate.

My husband and I first met in a hostel in Edinburgh, Scotland. We had both chosen the same one because:

A) it was the cheapest one in town, and

B) it was housed in an old church which we both thought was very cool.

We happened to be put in the same dorm room. We had an instant connection and spent a few days exploring Edinburgh together, enjoying whisky, joining in the hostel pub crawl, and so on. It was amazing.

We kept in touch after that — thank you, Facebook — and eventually met up in London.

Eight years and a lot of countries later, we’re married, running a couples’ travel and relationships blog together, and happy as can be.

We’re forever grateful for that fateful meeting in Edinburgh.”

-Amy from Two Drifters

6. Getting to know each other from a distance

“For the longest time, I thought long-distance relationships were impossible. I mean, how can you really get to know someone when you’re not living anywhere near each other?

But that all changed when I met Andy.

It was 2010, and I was living in Atlanta. I tweeted about having trouble setting up the hosting for my website, and Andy, who was living in Freiburg, Germany at the time, saw my tweet and responded with an offer to help.

Despite the six-hour time difference, he stayed up late to wait for me to get home from work, and he helped me with my blog.

It could’ve ended there, but I was intrigued by him. I started reading his blog and emailing him questions about his move from the US to Germany.

Eventually, we started talking on Skype more and more, and it didn’t take long before we started falling in love with each other from 4,000 miles away.

After four months of getting to know each other through Skype and emails, we finally met in person in Prague — a trip I had already booked before we even knew each other. Being with him there felt so natural, and it cleared up the tiny amount of hesitation still lingering in my mind about being in a long-distance relationship.

Over the next few months, I flew to Germany a few times to see him and see where he lived. Then in June 2011, we got married  outside of Atlanta, less than a year after that initial tweet, and a month later, I moved to Germany.

Now we live in Berlin, and we travel quite often. And taking a chance on a long-distance relationship was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Getting to know each other from a distance like that meant we had tons of time where all we could do was talk. If anything, our relationship went at warp speed because we spent hours talking, whereas in a normal dating situation we’d be sitting in silence at a movie theater.

So even though the majority of our relationship was spent on opposite sides of the Atlantic, it was absolutely the right thing for us, and I love him more today than I did the day we got married.”

-Ali from Ali’s Adventures

7. Enjoying a travel fling in Europe

“I absolutely love tour groups because they are the perfect way to meet new people.

The excitement of a fling while traveling is similar to the concept of summer love. It is fast, exhilarating, passionate, and because you know it is eventually going to come to an end there is no reason to hold back.

When experiencing a traveling fling, carpe diem — or seize the day — is key.

This past summer, I went on a 16-day tour from Rome to Lisbon. I was 25 at the time and living in the United States when I met this incredible Australian guy on my tour.

We hit it off right away and would spend hours talking with one another while traveling through the Mediterranean countryside. About halfway through the trip, in Barcelona, we realized that our friendship had developed into something more and wanted to continue traveling together.

We both pushed our flights back to continue our travels and spend more time with each other. We traveled to the beaches of Cascais, explored the gardens of Sintra and danced multiple nights away together in London.

As solo travelers, it was delightful to enjoy this beautiful world with each other and we still talk frequently!”

-Jill from Robe Trotting

8. Traveling with the one you love

“On a trip to Europe with a friend, we were invited to join a table of German guys for a drink. I hit it off with one of them after being intrigued by the tattoo of Argentina on his ankle and we talked about travel, culture and languages between tequila shots and German bars.

The next morning I left on a train to Switzerland and we vowed to keep in touch. Which we did on and off for the next few months when he asked if he could come and visit my new home in Italy. We hired a car and spent a week road tripping Italy and in the end, made our relationship official.

After six months of long-distance, I made the commitment to move to Frankfurt on the condition that we go traveling as soon as he finished his studies.

Two years later we embarked on a 20-month backpacking adventure, which involved a road trip through Eastern Europe, a month Couchsurfing Iran, attending the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan, five months in India and Nepal, a couple of trips back to Germany and finally ended in my home of New Zealand.

We’re currently building our own tiny house on a trailer and planning our next travel adventure!”

-Rohan from Travels of a Bookpacker

9. A Southeast Asia love story

“I left everything behind in Canada to go to Australia solo for a year, ended up meeting my partner — he’s from New Zealand but was living in London at the time and was home visiting family when we met — and he moved back to Australia and we stayed in Australia for five years together!

We then moved to Bali together to start a new adventure, and have been based in Bali for two years with our rescue dog (our baby) Suka. Right now, we’re enjoying slow travel in southeast Asia together.

We are now engaged and planning our Bali wedding for early 2021.

Next stop for us will be to move to Spain for a few years to enjoy the slow travel life in Europe with our little Bali rescue dog!”

-Tia from The Caffeinated Expat

10. Unexpected romance in Cuba

“We didn’t intend to fall in love in Cuba. In fact, we hardly intended to say hello to each other.

We were there on a brief mission trip to host a sports camp for local area youth. Our focus was on the kids and the joy that we could bring them. Yet it seemed like at every meal as we sauntered in to eat, the last two places at the table were always next to each other.

Then there were the times when we were free to wander the streets and we kept running into each other taking pictures of the colorful doors and beautiful people.

It didn’t take long for me to ask her out.

On the last night in Cuba, while the rest of our team headed off for an early bedtime, I asked her to the rooftop bar overlooking Santiago and we shared mojitos together. There was something there. I could feel it. And I sensed this was just the beginning.

The next nine months passed like a blur as we courted, were engaged and then married on New Year’s Eve. We had met in the midst of a traveling adventure, so it would only be fitting that we marry on one, too.

The small island of Utila, 18 miles off the coast of Honduras, had a special place in my heart. And as my bride-to-be knew of this endearing place, she chose it as the place to exchange our vows.

Despite the late-afternoon rain, our pastor forgetting his notes and strangers who wandered into our wedding ceremony — because it happened to be at a seaside bar with the best view of the sunset — we were married as the sun sank into the Caribbean Sea.

The next morning we celebrated our marriage with a dive.

We now live full-time on the road, having just celebrated our sixth year of marriage. What began on the road now continues, for as long as the road will stretch before us.

-Chris and Lindsay from Called to Wander

11. Bonding through travel and photography

“Our love story began at a busy bar in Melbourne on a Monday night in 2016 — perks of being a traveler, Monday night parties!

Yet, it wasn’t until six months later that we started dating.

When we first met, it didn’t take long to realize we liked each other; however, Adam was traveling onwards to travel solo in New Zealand soon after and I was planning to stay in Melbourne. These were plans neither of us was willing to change.

Both Adam (from Oregon, US) and I (from London, UK) had been traveling solo for several years and loved the freedom that came with it, something we were both reluctant to give up.

But fate brought us back together; six months later we both found ourselves in Cairns, Australia, and arranged to meet immediately. We knew instantly that the connection we’d had was still there.

While we had loved traveling independently, we knew these feelings were something we didn’t want to give up. As our visas both reached their expiration in Australia at the same time, we realized we wanted to try this crazy travel life together.

We packed our bags and set off from Cairns to Bali together. We bonded through our passion for photography and love of travel. As we continued on from Bali to Singapore then to England and the USA — where we met each other’s families — we fell in love with each other.

Since then, we’ve traveled to around 15 countries together and across four continents.

Neither of us had expected to fall in love on the road, but that’s exactly what happened.

Without traveling, we would never have met each other or have developed the passion for photography which helped us bond at the beginning.

It hasn’t been without its difficulties, as with all relationships, but having similar interests has meant we’ve rarely had to compromise. Now, we couldn’t imagine traveling any other way.”

-Sophie from We Dream of Travel

12. I fell in love with a stranger through Couchsurfing

“Love crazy short stories ? I met my now ex-boyfriend on the second day I’d been in Santiago, Chile. He was a local, and, thanks to a mutual friend who had stayed at his place a few years previously, was letting me CouchSurf in his spare bedroom for the weekend.

I only stayed there for two days, but we immediately clicked.

It’s quite impressive to find yourself not running out of conversation with someone new — particularly when you’re speaking in a second language that you only have a cursory grasp of.

After that weekend, I headed down into Patagonia for a month, but we stayed in touch and he promised me there would always be space in his spare room if I needed it.

I passed through again on my way out of the country and what was meant to be a week-long stay evolved into a three-year relationship with both him and a country I now see as my second home.

Because of him, I became fluent in Spanish and was even commissioned to write the new Moon Chile guidebook, thanks to my knowledge of the country.

While we eventually broke up amicably — having learned that we didn’t want the same things in life — everything about my life changed because of that decision to take a chance on Couchsurfing with a stranger.”

-Steph from Worldly Adventurer

13. Meeting through Instagram

“Our love story is a bit of a modern one as we actually met via Instagram! I was drone- and travel-obsessed and Boyan ( @boyanoo ) is the best drone photographer from the Netherlands.

I saw his Instagram and was immediately in awe of his drone photos.

Fast forward and he was coming to London, so he sent me a message to see if I could show him around. I had never even seen his face at this point and had no intentions at all!

I had already booked a trip to Amsterdam not long after this and this is when we had our first date, as the London meeting had gone so well we spent the whole week together.

On our first date, we sat in a restaurant for hours while it poured with rain outside. After this, he asked me whether I’d like to travel around England with him in December. I hate the cold, and despite this, I had such a good time.

I knew he was special.

By March, we had both quit our jobs to travel full-time. Being a full-time nurse and Boyan’s video jobs abroad, it was hard to see each other and I had already started blogging part-time.

We now run the travel blog together, as well as a business doing videography and photography for worldwide clients.

We have escaped the European winter for Bali this year, which has been a dream of mine my whole life. It was amazing to finally find someone with as much energy and passion for travel as I do.

With our two suitcases, we now travel from place to place and every now and then pop back to see our families.

Since we met a year ago we have traveled to over 20 countries in Europe and Asia. He even convinced me to go to the Faroe Islands!

For someone who considers themselves solar-powered, a week in the Faroe Islands with nothing but rain and still enjoying myself says it all!”

-Hanna from SolarPoweredBlonde

14. Falling in love in Cuba

“Cuba will always have a special place in my heart. I don’t know if it’s because it was the first vacation I took sans parents, if it was the amazing weather and beaches, or (most likely) because it was where I had my first vacation love. Maybe a combination of them all!

When I arrived in Cuba, I didn’t expect to find love, but it happened.

I was on the beach when two gorgeous men walked by and started talking to my sister and me. Well, they tried to talk to us because they had very limited English and we didn’t speak much Spanish.

I really hit it off with one of the men. The language barrier wasn’t enough to stop us from hanging out together and we spent the rest of the day getting to know each other with my broken Spanish and his broken English. It was the first time I really realized that you don’t need to speak the same language to communicate with someone, and that body language is more than enough.

We spent the rest of our short five days on vacation together, exploring places in Varadero we would have never gone to without a local guide. It remains one of the best vacations I ever went on.

We exchanged emails, but our relationship eventually fizzled out. It was fun while it lasted and I’ll never forget him either.”

-Naomi from Eat Love Explore

15. Becoming digital nomads together

“When Couchsurfing just outside of Gibraltar in September 2015, I looked in a digital nomad Facebook group for my next host in Tarifa, Spain.

A German guy named Jonas answered my request for a piece of floor to sleep on for one night in a matter of minutes. I hitchhiked to Tarifa and met Jonas.

We fell pretty hard for each other over a game of durak and sharing our travel lore. I ended up staying with him in Tarifa for two weeks. After that, I hitchhiked to Portugal alone — but we kept in touch.

A week or two later, he decided to travel to Lisbon to meet me. As scary as that was, that’s where we admitted our feelings and decided to try to be together.

Two days later I was on a plane to Berlin with him and one month later we were in Gran Canaria waiting for our repositioning cruise to take us to Brazil. Essentially, we directly moved in with each other via our full-time traveling lives.

That was a whirlwind time.

I taught Jonas how to hitchhike, and he taught me how to become a digital nomad .

We started Digital Nomads Guides together and hitchhiked around South America — sometimes together, sometimes apart; I was too stubborn to get on a bus or plane, and Jonas didn’t always want to hitchhike. We never wanted to stop each other from realizing our own goals and dreams.

In 2017 after kayaking on lake Guatapé in Colombia, I shared my big dream:

To kayak down the entire Danube River in Europe.

Jonas happened to have a similar dream:

To do a long-distance kayak trip.

We would do it after I got out of student debt in 2019. We decided to paddle from the source in Donaueschingen to Budapest in 2019 and finish the other half to the Black Sea in 2021, spending the intermezzo in Asia, where we are now.

For four-and-a-half months, from spring till autumn, we were happily stuck together on the Danube River in an inflatable canoe named Zucchini .

Kayaking together and working on moving us downstream was really challenging, but something that brought us together even closer. The trip went so well that we continued paddling beyond Budapest and paddled 1,253 kilometers (779 miles) in total.

I’m thrilled to share more dreams and journeys with Jonas. Together we can do great things.”

-Iris from Mind of a Hitchhiker

16. From Jerusalem to Vietnam

“It was December 2016 in the Old City of Jerusalem. I’d just gotten back from my trip to Bethlehem, which I was evaluating as part of my job in the hostel I was working at.

I was sitting at the tour desk when a guy walked up and asked about the Bethlehem tour. I’d just had such a great time on the tour myself, so I confidently took over and told about my experience.

This guy was very engaging and I could see he was interested in booking the tour. After 30 minutes of him asking questions, which I eagerly answered, he simply gave a cold ‘I don’t think I’ll do the tour.’

As you can imagine, I was not happy. But I managed to tell him it was no problem, and that if he changed his mind the tour desk would be there.

From then on, this guy would come over to say hello or have a drink in the common area with me for a few minutes. We weren’t really hanging out but we would often greet each other around the hostel and in the bar area.

About two weeks later, he told me that he was leaving Israel to continue his trip towards Turkey. Since that day we would message each other to keep in touch once in a while. I even told him my next travel plans for June.

One day he told me that he’d like to meet me in Malaysia. I didn’t believe him but he showed up — flying all the way from Lithuania.

We then traveled for about a month through Thailand, parting ways in Chiang Mai about two weeks later.

Then I went to Cambodia, and a few weeks later he flew from China to meet me there.

After ten days, he left for China again as he was trying to see if he could make it his new temporary home.

A month after we parted ways, I was in Vietnam building my own new home base and, you guessed it, he flew to Vietnam to meet me.

That was September 2017. Two and a half years later, we’ve been to four continents and fifteen countries together. We are still traveling the world and working on our individual dreams together. “

-Mary from A Mary Road

17. A romantic story that began on a mountaintop 

“My partner and I met on top of a mountain in the Austrian Alps almost ten years ago. We were both snowboarding in Mayrhofen during the end of season festival called Snowbombing, which is a huge party.

We bumped into each other in an apres-ski bar and our groups ended up snowboarding — and drinking — together for the remainder of the festival week.

Hailing from Australia, when I first heard his accent I was hopeful for just a holiday romance, but then it transpired. He lived in London too, having moved there a few years earlier.

So after the trip, we met up and the rest is history.

Except not quite.

After 18 months together in London we decided to go traveling and become nomadic in the process. My partner already had a location-independent business but I started freelance writing work and also growing my travel blog .

During our two years traveling we spent a summer in Amsterdam house-sitting because it seemed like a fun place to live, with good Internet for our work, lots for me to blog about, and the chance to just stay put for a little while.

That summer changed our lives as we fell in love with the city and the way of life there.

We returned to Amsterdam a year later after more nomadic travel, putting down some roots in the form of signing a six-month rental lease for an apartment, which seemed forever at the time after staying in places only a few weeks or months.

Fast forward six years and we are still living in Amsterdam in a house we own and with our two young boys living there, too!

Having kids has absolutely changed how we travel — we definitely prefer to have a home base and long-term travel just doesn’t suit us — but we still enjoy discovering new places together. It’s just more likely that we go on a luxury family vacation .

Of course, we still make time for snowboarding trips in Austria — that’s where it all began — but we also really enjoy exploring the country we now feel so lucky to live in, the Netherlands.”

-Frankie from As the Bird Flies

18. A holiday romance in Uganda

“When I arrived in Kampala, Uganda, for a four-month volunteering stint in 2018, I was definitely not looking for love. I was, however, keen to make friends, and I thought one good way to meet people would be to go on Tinder.

Since I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend, it didn’t really matter if I fancied the guys; they just needed to look fun to hang out with.

So when I spotted James (not his real name), it didn’t matter that he wasn’t my type. He was the same age as me and said he was also new in town. Maybe we could check out some of the amazing things to do in Uganda together !

On a Friday we met after work for a drink. He greeted me with a kiss on the cheek, smiled a dazzling smile, and BAM ! I was smitten.

That one drink turned into drinks, dinner, and dancing until late. The next day we met for lunch…

…and I didn’t go home until the end of the weekend.

We were both infatuated. We exchanged dozens of WhatsApp messages a day, both incredulous at our luck to have found each other so soon after arriving in a new country.

We made plans to go away the following weekend and spent an idyllic two days in Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria.

I’m a travel blogger and photographer, and James took to the role of Instagram husband like a duck to water, grabbing my camera to fire off shots at every opportunity (the photo attached is by him).

We started to talk about me extending my stay in Uganda. He invited me to visit his home country, South Africa . He sent a photo of us to his mum.

But like most whirlwind romances that start with fireworks, the spark burned bright but it also burned fast. James started to feel crowded:

It was too intense, he was a free spirit, he didn’t really want a relationship. When he finally ended things I was devastated.

It made the rest of my trip rather difficult. Kampala is a very small ex-pat community, everyone hangs out in the same few bars and restaurants, and by now we were firmly in the same friendship group.

Everywhere I went, there he was, flirting with other girls. Our group had even planned another weekend away, and since I was determined not to let this breakup limit my chances to explore the country, I went anyway, even though he would be there too.

I spent most of the trip trying not to cry.

I did have a wonderful time in Uganda and love the country, but I’m more cautious now. Something like that can really color your experience, and I wouldn’t want it to happen again.

That said, I’m passionate about travel, and am still hoping to meet someone like-minded on another trip.

Maybe next time I’ll be luckier.”

-Bella from Passport & Pixels

19. Love at first sight in South Korea

“When I took up a teaching job back in 2009, I never would have guessed that I would fall in love and find my wife. In 2009 I left my home in South Africa to embark on a three-year journey to Seoul, South Korea .

The reason for going was to get my second degree through correspondence and I needed money to support myself. South Korea beat my original choice of Japan due to many factors, but the biggest factor was that it paid more.

I had never been to Asia before and had no idea what to expect.

Six months into my stay in 2010 I went out with a friend on my birthday. She invited a mutual friend and when she walked into the room, time stopped and all went in slow motion, just like a cheesy RomCom. But for real.

Over the course of several years, our relationship grew from a spark to a flame, and that growth was instigated by traveling the country.

They say that you know if you are compatible with someone depending on how well you travel together. It’s the real proof that the relationship will last.

We would venture out to the far-flung corners of South Korea discovering the many islands, cultural differences, and foods of the country.

We lived for another year in Los Angeles, cultivating our relationship and finally getting married six years later, in 2016.

We still move between Cape Town and Seoul — and everywhere in between — and see travel as an integral part of our relationship. We always come back new, utterly refreshed and invigorated, after a stint of travel.”

-Cal from Once in a Lifetime Journey

20. Meeting the love of my life on the other side of the world

“I met my now-boyfriend pretty much exactly four years ago on a night out in Sydney. He is from the UK, I am from Germany, and it was only a few weeks before I had to leave Australia to start my working holiday year in New Zealand.

I never imagined anything serious to come from this, but after that first night, we spent every day together until I had to leave.

He dropped me off at the airport and saying goodbye was incredibly hard. We had no idea whether we’d ever meet again and I really did not want to leave.

He promised he was going to visit me in New Zealand but I didn’t know if he meant it or just said it to make the goodbye easier.

Only two weeks after I left though, he actually came to New Zealand to visit me. We spent a wonderful week together before he returned to Australia to rejoin his friends that he was traveling with.

Which meant we had to say goodbye. Again.

At this point, we decided to make it official and were committed to a long-distance relationship.

We were planning to visit each other and figure out everything else along the way. What I didn’t know was that he would come back only two days after he left to start his working holiday year in New Zealand with me.

He basically just went back to Australia to get the rest of his luggage and apply for the visa in New Zealand. You can imagine how happy I was when he told me.

From then on, we have been together literally 24/7. Don’t ask me how we are still getting along!

Two years into our relationship we started an online business together so that we could keep traveling. Which we did.

We have been to about 30 countries on five different continents together. We have had the greatest adventures and a life I could only have dreamed of before we met.

Now, four years later, we are in the United Kingdom planning to buy a house.

I never expected meeting the person I would end up with on a night out on the other side of the world only a few weeks before I had to leave the country. But that’s exactly what happened and I could not be happier!”

-Valerie from Valerie’s Adventure Time

21. Falling through a bridge on a first date in Thailand

“If you like short funny travel stories, here’s one for you:

I kind of sort of met Garrett in Thailand, but also kind of sort of met him online.

It’s a very weird and long story involving a creepy mutual friend who forced us to become Facebook friends “because we both liked traveling.” Little did I know Thailand and this creeper would have such an impact on my life.

Fast forward a year or so later, Garrett was living and working in New Zealand and I was happily chilling in Thailand working online. He was going on vacation to Thailand and since the creeper dude a year prior forced us to be friends online, he knew I was there.

He asked me a few typical questions and I told him to let me know when he came through so we could meet up.

And he did.

And we literally haven’t been separated since! (Okay, fine, we both have some random solo travels, but you get the point.)

The day after we met we went strolling along the bridge in Pai, Thailand. Kind of a first date, I guess?

I had literally just spoken about how funny it was that you always had to look down in Thailand because there’s always some obstacle — when I fell through a hole in the bridge!

I was rustling through my purse instead of looking down. Luckily, the hole was only big enough for one of my legs to fit through.

I still have a dent in my leg in that spot to this day and for some reason, Garrett’s still with me. He always makes sure to point out potholes, bumps, and cracks in the road for me now. How sweet.

So that’s how I met my boyfriend in Thailand and fell through a bridge on our first date.

It’s been over four years with countless adventures in between and more to come.”

-Nina and Garrett from Oregon is for Adventure

22. A Peruvian love lust story

“It all happened when I was solo backpacking in Peru. I had been in South America for close to two months at that time and had just recently arrived from Ecuador.

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to meet locals and get a perspective on their daily lives and culture. Naturally, I was on one of those horrible dating apps to meet some local Peruvians. I am not going to say which dating app specifically but let just make up a name.

Let’s call it Tinder.

So I was on Tinder in a small city in Peru called Trujillo. Trujillo is the home of the magnificent archaeological site known as Chan Chan, the biggest city from the pre-Colombian period. I matched with this girl and we started talking.

Let’s call her Maria. Things were going great.

Then one day I decided to eat some Anticuchos, a Peruvian street food of cow hearts on a skewer.

Well, the next day I was properly ill. Puking, nausea, fever — everything.

I thought I was going to die; but Maria took care of me for the whole week I was there, taking me to the hospital, to the blood tests, and everything. She even made me traditional Peruvian cuisine and that was when I knew I had something for her.

After I got better we started traveling Peru together, trekking up the Andes, visiting Machu Picchu, and walking down the cobblestoned streets of Cusco.

We were together for over a month until the day came when I had to leave Peru. Even though we said our goodbyes we planned to keep in touch.

But sometimes distance doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder.”

-Sean from LivingOutLau

23. Getting engaged underwater

“Alya is from Russia and I am a South African. We met in a small surf town in the Philippines, sleeping in neighboring beds in a dormitory and were together 24 hours a day since the day we met.

Both of us were traveling around Southeast Asia for a couple of months and came to San Fernando in the Philippines to surf.

We shared a tuk-tuk to a surf beach every morning and day trips evolved into traveling around the Philippines together for two months.

It was an amazing time. Both of us love hiking and diving and we were always searching for amazing mountains and beaches.

After traveling together for more than two years I asked Alya to marry me underwater while scuba diving from Nusa Penida island in Indonesia. While on the road, I had a couple of traveling jobs as a scuba instructor and Alya did some English teaching.

On a trip down the Amazon River, we decided to start a travel blog .

It has been four years and our successful travel blog, Stingy Nomads, allows us to work together while traveling full-time and doing things we love.”

-Campbell and Alya from Stingy Nomads

24. Finding love in Argentina

After getting a postgraduate degree in the south of Spain, interning in Barcelona and a year-long stint working in the Caribbean, I had my eyes set on Argentina.

I moved to Buenos Aires —where I luckily already had a group of friends installed and waiting.

“I’ll stay here for two years, tops,” I said to myself.

Four months into my Argentine life I was out at a club when I saw him. I’m not exactly a club-goer, and later I’d find out neither was he. We were just meant to meet there, out of our comfort zones.

We immediately made plans for an actual date two days later and have been inseparable ever since. It’s been ten years.

I never thought I’d still be in Argentina, let alone that I’d have fallen head over heels for an Argentine. My friends were right; he stopped me in my tracks. He’s also obsessed with travel and spent time in Australia and Thailand.

We travel as much as we can together but have our roots here in Buenos Aires. We’re having a baby this year and are excited to see what the future holds!”

-Erin from Sol Salute

25. An around the world travel romance

“When I decided to move abroad, I put my dating life on a shelf.

I figured I’d worry about my single status when I got back, though, in the back of my head, I couldn’t help think that at 28, going abroad for a long period of time was only going to prolong the long journey of finding love.

But…I wanted to travel.

After nearly 15 months of being abroad, I landed on the island of Koh Phi Phi, Thailand for the last four days of my trip.

I didn’t know a soul, so I booked myself into a notoriously social hostel. I happened to join a flip cup game on the beach when I noticed the tall, handsome guy next to me.

When I told him I was from the US, he replied cheekily, ‘I know. There’s only one place in the world that does dental work like that.’

And what can I say? I fell for him.

He was from The Netherlands and we spent the rest of the night talking. We mentioned meeting up the next day but unfortunately, my phone had suffered a casualty on a boat trip and the only thing I could give him was my Facebook.

By the afternoon, I hadn’t heard from him so I sent him a Facebook message inviting him to dinner with a group of people and still never heard back.

I ran upstairs 10 minutes before dinner to check my computer, only to find that he still hadn’t responded. I was a little dejected, but when I got back down to the beach, there he was, waiting for me.

We were inseparable for the next three days and then I finally flew back home.

Two months later he came to the US to visit me and we decided to do a long-distance relationship. We met up in Italy, vacationed in Croatia , introduced our families, found a ring in Ireland and got engaged in The Netherlands.

About a year and a half after meeting, we got married and he moved to the USA. We’ve been here ever since!”

-Ashley from Jetset Jansen

26. A Roman love story

“My husband and I first met in the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum in 2001. I’d picked up a job as a tour guide there, and he was a tourist on one of my co-worker’s tours.

We chatted briefly, and a few days later he showed up to follow one of my tours. He’d been captivated by the city just like I had and decided to stay and become a tour guide .

So, we became colleagues and good friends.

Our mutual love of travel was what we initially bonded over. Both of us were pretty new to travel but dreamed of exploring the whole world, and we would spend hours in bookshops poring over guide books.

We even planned a three-month overland trip through the Middle East together, just as friends. I was a bit nervous about visiting that part of the world as a solo female traveler , so I invited myself along on his trip from Cairo to Istanbul.

It was just a couple of months before we left for that trip that our relationship took a romantic turn.

And for the first few years, we spent more time together traveling than staying in one place. In between trips, we did a few more stints as seasonal tour guides in Rome to save up money, and six years after we met we returned there to get married.

It was a small, intimate wedding with 30 or so of our closest friends and family, and it was the best day of our lives. We arrived in Rome just 10 days before the wedding and managed to throw it all together in time, even if some aspects were a bit unconventional.

Instead of the usual wedding reception with cheesy music and dancing, we all had dinner together at  our favorite Roman trattoria .

Over the past 20 years or so we’ve traveled to more than 100 countries on all seven continents, and we still make it back to Rome as often as we can.”

-Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan

27. Falling in love on a semester abroad

“When I was in college, I took my very first plane ride to my first international destination:

Studying abroad in Costa Rica for my last semester of university.

I had never been abroad before, but I was excited and open to new experiences in this beautiful, lush, tropical country — and little did I know it would eventually become my heart’s home.

I stayed with a local Costa Rican family and spent much of my free time getting to know them, practicing my Spanish and learning about the way Costa Ricans lived and connected.

I often invited the youngest son who still lived in a nearby house on outings and trips with us, and we usually ended up being the only two who didn’t cancel. We grew closer, spending a lot of our time together, and as you probably expected, eventually had a fling.

At the end of the semester, we both decided we could probably not continue to date long-distance from abroad; but as soon as I got back home, we would chat on Facebook and Skype nearly every day and eventually we could not keep up with the rouse so we gave in and started dating.

That winter, we traveled together to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, then took a bus to the border of Panama, walked across the bridge over the river of Sixaola, and spent the weekend traveling around the islands of Bocas del Toro .

We traveled well together, which doesn’t always work even with friends no matter how much you enjoy each other’s company. To stretch our money further we stayed in hostels, cooked in the kitchens, and took public transportation.

It was gritty and authentic and we absolutely loved it.

We dated for nearly two years like this, visiting each other in our home countries, traveling around and enjoying every moment of it.

Eventually, I landed an internship in Costa Rica, and after living only an hour away from each other for a few months, we knew this was what we wanted. So, we got engaged and planned our wedding in Costa Rica.

Now we have been married for nearly four years, going on a lifetime. Our favorite thing to do together is travel; how fitting for a marriage formed out of it!

I never expected for travel to change my life, but it did in many ways. I met my lifetime partner, and fell in love with travel itself while on the road.”

-Michele from Adventures Abound

28. Meeting my fiance on a press trip for travel bloggers

“I met my now fiancé on a trip to Menorca , Spain. The trip was a conference and press trip for travel bloggers and influencers , and we were both invited to participate. It wasn’t until the end of the trip that we really began to talk and realized that we had much more in common than our jobs.

We continued to date after the trip. I was living in London at the time and he had already been nomadic for several years.

Our early relationship involved meeting up in random places — including Estonia, Scotland, and London — when he had breaks from assignments and I could convince my boss to let me work remotely.

Around five months later, I quit my job in London to take my own blog full-time and we have been traveling together ever since.

We’ve now been together for nearly three years, living nomadically in countries such as Georgia, Mexico, Greece, and Japan.

Last year, we decided to set down some roots and bought a new-build apartment in Portugal. I’m from the UK and he’s from Canada, so it’s nice to find a place to make ‘ours’ after traveling so many countries together.

We’ll be moving to Portugal to start the next chapter of our life together this summer and we’re getting married just down the road from our new apartment next spring.”

-Jodie from Ala Jode

29. From Europe to the United States to the world

“Our love story began back in 2013 in the horse capital of the world in Lexington, Kentucky.

My husband, who is Russian, and I, being Ukrainian, were destined to meet not in our neighboring countries in Europe but on the opposite side of the world in one of the least touristy cities in America.

At that time, I (Anya), while living in Washington DC, was looking for various jobs that could help me relocate, let me travel and pay well. Mark (my husband) was living in Kentucky, working in the hospitality business but wanting to have a change, move somewhere new and experience other parts of the US.

My desire to move to another state brought me to Kentucky for one year where I came to work for Marriott Hotels and where I met Mark. Not much time passed after our first acquaintance, as we realized we wanted to travel and try to live in other states.

We took a leap of faith, packed our bags and moved together across the country to Los Angeles to spend three and a half years there just to understand that we actually wanted to see the world.

So we took another risk and packed again.

We left part of our life behind and set off on the most adventurous journey both of us could have ever dreamt about.

Today, two and half years later, after we left the United States to travel the world, we are location-independent and working online , living in different countries around the world, constantly traveling and exploring one region at a time.

Is it easy?

But this is the life we would never trade for anything else.

We are grateful to the United States for bringing us together, letting us catch this travel bug and helping us understand what type of life is best for us.”

-Anya from Road is Calling

30. Love in Bangkok

“At the age of 22, I booked a one-way ticket to Bangkok, Thailand and embarked on my very first solo travel trip through Southeast Asia and Australia. I never imagined that this trip would change the course of my life and that I would meet my current partner one fateful night in Bangkok.

I was enjoying an evening with other travelers in a small bar on Bangkok’s bustling Khao San Road when Rick and I crossed paths for the first time. We didn’t exchange each other’s numbers that evening, but as fate would have it we bumped into each other in the busy streets of Bangkok the next day!

Rick told me of his plans to travel to the beautiful island of Koh Tao the following day and invited me to join him. Unfortunately, I declined his invitation due to already having the train tickets for my solo trip to Malaysia booked for the next day.

He still held out hope and told me exactly where to meet him if I happened to change my mind.

To this day, I still don’t quite know what made me go and cancel my train ticket to Malaysia and meet him at the bus station. His face lit up as soon as he saw me walking toward him and that’s when I knew I made the right decision.

We spent one week together on Koh Tao and then due to pre-arranged travel plans, went our separate ways. We sporadically kept in touch via Facebook and a full year passed before we saw each other again.

My travels eventually brought me to his home city of Perth, Australia and that’s when he invited me to stay at his house and the rest is history. I found myself applying for a partner visa so that I could stay in Australia and telling my family back in Canada that I wouldn’t be coming home!

Fast forward eight years later, we recently got engaged in Tallinn, Estonia on our summer travels through Europe and we are now planning our wedding for 2021 in Canada!”

-Ann from TheRoad-IsLife

31. House-sitting across the world together

“I’ve met and become friends with many people thanks to my travel blog and social media.

I met Mark through Twitter over three years ago and learned we had a lot in common. We both loved to travel and it turned out we were both nomadic house sitters.

Over the years we ended up meeting a few times while house sitting in the same city. Twice for lunch and once for breakfast. We also chatted here and there as we moved around; we exchanged stories of the pets we were caring for and talked about the city we were staying in at the moment.

Then last summer we were both going to be in Miami for a few weeks.

We ended up spending more time together and we realized we really liked each other. We knew that a relationship together would have to start off as a long-distance relationship because we both already had a few things scheduled.

However, we wanted to give it a try. We talked every day and eventually, we were able to start house sitting together.

We have been on the road together now for a few months and already have house sits scheduled together through most of 2020. We’re so happy that our love of travel brought us together and are excited to continue to travel and explore new places together.”

-Vicky from Buddy the Traveling Monkey

32. Discovering a new road to travel

“I met my husband when I was on vacation in New York City . I was on a long multi-month trip around the world, catching up with friends, traveling and eventually making my way to Rio, where I was planning to stop and get a job teaching English.

Instead, two weeks before I left the United States for five months in Canada, I met Kevin.

We spent those two weeks wandering through the Met, having brunch at Balthazar’s, lazing around on the Hudson River, and having dinner in the East Village. New York is an easy place to fall in love!

In my five months traveling the width of Canada by rail, Kevin came to vacation with me three times.

A week soaking up the breathtaking scenery on the Rockies, another week kayaking and cycling around Salt Spring Island near Vancouver, and a final week freezing together in a Montreal winter!

Well, in the end, my journey south to Rio never happened. Instead, when I left Canada, we both moved to Australia for three years, then eventually back to New York, where it all began.

Since then, we got married and celebrated by playing tourists in our favorite city, drinking champagne at sunset on a sailing boat in New York Harbor.

We still live in NYC and I still travel, but I’ve substituted a nomadic existence for twice-yearly trips with my husband, sampling different locations all around the world.

So, I fell in love on the road, ended up down a different road altogether, and now travel a new one together with my husband.”

-James from Travel Collecting

33. Getting together through Couchsurfing

“It was a rainy rainy day in January in the mountains of Vietnam and I had just left my motorbike partner behind in Phong Nha after riding with him for 15 days as I needed some me-time.

Partway through the ride to Ninh Binh, it struck me that I wanted to keep riding and find some nightlife and enjoy myself.

It was a 330-mile ride and it was raining hard, so I couldn’t read the signs and was on a car-only highway. The police forced me to stop and turn around and get off the highway to go back to the regular roads, meaning I had to stay in Ninh Binh for the night.

The next morning I was up bright and early again, peddling through the rain until I finally reached Hanoi midday. Full of energy and eager to explore the city, I found myself on one of the best travel apps :

Couchsurfing .

Little did I know that by getting on the app that day it would forever change my life.

There was a group of 12 Couchsurfers from all over the world getting together for drinks and food and sharing travel stories. Inna and I were seated across from one another but not saying much, though we couldn’t help but feel a connection so strongly and deeply to one another.

After we left that spot the group got smaller, and continued to get smaller after each stop on our night out. Inna and I got to know each other a little more each time — until we ultimately ended up walking around Hoàn Kiếm Lake until the sun came up.

Unfortunately, she was scheduled to leave Vietnam two days later to go back to Ukraine and I was leaving Vietnam in two weeks to start my tour through Europe. After the longest week of our changed lives, we decided Inna would join me traveling, as well!

Two years later we are still traveling together. We’re engaged, fully in love, and still treat each and every day as though it’s our last!”

-Jim & Inna from Executive Thrillseekers

34. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas

“Travel brought me and my now-husband together.

We were living in separate cities in the United States — I was a college student in Chicago and he had just moved to New York for work — and had both traveled to Las Vegas with friends to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

I was playing the slot machines at the casino at the hotel we were both staying at. He sat next to me and we talked and gambled for about an hour until I had to leave.

A few hours later and shortly before midnight we ran into each other again at the casino and shared a kiss at midnight on New Year’s.

We hung out and talked for a few more hours until we said goodbye since we were leaving Vegas the next morning. We did not make plans to see each other again, but we exchanged phone numbers.

We kept in touch by phone until he came to visit me a few months later and we decided to start dating long distance. Since we both were living with roommates and loved to travel we found it more convenient to meet in different cities in North America for weekend getaways.

Eventually, after a few years of dating long distance and traveling to see each other, we got married with a destination wedding in the British Virgin Islands.

We have been married for over 10 years and now live together in Chicago with our two kids and beloved yorkie.

They say “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” but for us, that was definitely not the case!”

-Matilda from The Travel Sisters

35. A Mexican romance

“When I first met my boyfriend during a study abroad program in 2010, romance was the last thing on my mind.

I was determined to spend my 10 months in Mexico becoming fluent in Spanish so I could travel Mexico worry-free while simultaneously gaining enough college credits to graduate on time.

Meeting Héctor was not part of the plan.

We first met at a party I was hosting with my study abroad cohort (how else do you meet people in college?). We had an immediate connection and while the people around us shotgunned beers we fell into a conversation about one of our shared passions:

I know it sounds super cheesy, but I felt something inside me shift. He was different than anyone I’d ever met before. Maybe it was just because he laughed at my dumb jokes? I can’t say for sure.

Naturally, I was bummed to discover that he was moving away to Mexico City to study music in just a few weeks.

We kept in touch, IM-ing about our favorite bands and discussing whatever poetry I was reading for my literature classes, and I regularly begged him to play me Enrique Iglesias songs on his guitar. He refused.

Soon, an opportunity for me to visit Mexico City presented itself, and we went on our “first date” — a Shakira concert at Foro del Sol. It was amazing!

What followed was a whirlwind, semi long-distance (I lived five hours away) romance that ended when my study abroad program did.

Over the years we kept in touch as friends, and each of us had relationships come and go. For years, there didn’t appear to be future for us.

Then, in 2017, I finally had the chance to return to Mexico. I asked Héctor if he wanted to join me for a beach vacation in Playa del Carmen and he agreed.

From the minute I stepped off the airplane it was like no time had passed. We fell into conversations about music, making taco puns, and me requesting that he sing me Enrique Iglesias songs. At the end of the trip neither of us could deny that the feelings were still there.

Within a few short months, we’d both quit our jobs and relocated to Playa del Carmen to be together for real.

And now, three years on, we’re living back in Xalapa, Veracruz where we first met 10 years ago. We still talk about music, we still make taco puns, and he still won’t play me an Enrique Iglesias song.”

-Janine from Janine in the World

36. A Nigerian princess meets a Wyoming cowboy

“If you think this is a fictional story, you will be wrong. It is a true-life account of how I met the love of my life.

My twin sister and I left everything we knew in Nigeria and journeyed to a little town called Laramie, Wyoming, in the United States.

We knew no one in the town or neighboring state, and with a population of about 28,000 people, it was a huge culture shock for us since we had lived in a town of over 1 million people. Quickly, we got acclimated though, frankly, we had no choice.

I started working and taking college classes and made new friends. One of my coworkers, Zeb, used to think my sister and I were the same person and would complement how hardworking I was since I “worked all the time.” Until he realized that there were two of us.

Zeb was a nice guy, but I didn’t really think much of it.

Then I realized we had the same major when we met in class the next semester in a smaller class size. We worked on a group project together, and a good friend, Noelle, kept saying, “I think Zeb likes you!” She was great at reading people, and she was right.

Zeb had finally summoned the courage to ask me out on a date. I was clueless about dating, as my academics were my main priority, but I decided to give Zeb a chance.

As the saying goes, “The rest is history.”

I had asked God for three things in the person I was going to marry:

• The person’s family has to love my family and me as we are (the good, the bad, the ugly),
• he must have faith in God as Christians,
• and he has to be an excellent cook since I dread cooking.

Every day, I thank God for giving me the best gift I have ever received, my husband, Zeb.

Like in all relationships, it is not always smooth sailing from cultural differences to personality, but it has been worth it.

Now, we are on a quest to journey the world together, starting with  traveling in Africa . “

-Lydia from Africa Wanderlust

37. Finding love in India

“Some places that we travel to leave their mark more than others. We like to think that every place we visit changes us in some way, but in some countries that change is much more profound.

In the case of my travels to India , they have completely changed my life.

Before my trips to India, I would get nervous. Family and friends were never particularly understanding of why I insisted on journeying halfway across the world to solo travel India.

But once I settled into the chaotic peace, I would find myself more and more at home in India, learning to live by the moment and surrender just a little bit of that hard-wired need to be in control.

In 2017 my travels took a turn for the unexpected as I experienced what would become one of my favorite stories of India to share.

A day before I was due to leave after a month of traveling there, I met Ravi in his hometown of Mumbai. Over chai and wandering around Colaba, posing for touristy shots in front of the gateway, we discovered a connection we knew we wanted to grow.

I didn’t see him again for another four months.

Fast forward two years and we’re living on the other side of the world in Toronto, Canada. We’ve traveled many places in India and around the world that are new to both of us, and we’ve been able to see places differently through each others’ eyes.

Finding love in India has shown me that the typecasting around gender roles in patriarchal societies — which India is considered — are not always true. Both of us are a long way from home — in many senses — which has taught us to be kinder, more flexible, and more understanding.

I have learned a lot about what it truly means to be close to ones’ family, even at the end of a phone, and Ravi has learned to make the perfect poha (a flattened rice dish).

I have learned that far from trying to scam people — which is the traveler stereotype — most Indians are incredibly kind.

Back in India we have been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who accept us openly as a mixed ethnicity couple, vs the number of people who judge for breaking the mold.”

-Ellie & Ravi from Soul Travel Blog

38. Falling in love in Barcelona

“In 2015, a good friend from university and I decided to have a little trip to the south of Europe during our semester break.

Since we were working full-time during most of our time off from university, we only had two weeks before our classes would start again, and we wanted to make them count.

So we booked several busses and flights starting from Madrid. After we visited Porto and Lisbon, we planned to stay three days in Barcelona before heading to Paris and returning home to Germany from there by bus.

Since we were students at that time, we tried to travel as cheaply as possible using Couchsurfing in most of the places we visited.

While my friend went to bed earlier during our first night in Barcelona, I stayed awake for hours talking to our host, Eduardo, in the living room of his flat. From the beginning, we felt a great connection sharing the same stupid kind of humor and a passion for traveling.

When we left Barcelona two days later, I was sure I would never see him again, even though we promised each other to stay in touch.

Little did I know that just 10 days later, he would take a flight to visit me in Germany, spending a whole week with me. Since I had classes to attend during the week, we went on a memorable little weekend trip to Amsterdam which became the first of many trips together.

The next three months we spent visiting each other once a month; however, for my last semester of university, I had a semester abroad coming up in which I had to spend three months in the Maldives.

It wasn’t easy not being able to see each other for three months in such an early stage of our relationship, and my WiFi-connection was awful, which made it almost impossible to video chat.

Anyway, when my internship was finally over, I flew right to Barcelona to live with Eduardo in the same flat where we first met.

Fast forward to today, after exploring more than 15 countries together, we are currently traveling around South America on a seven-month honeymoon!”

-Vicki from Vickiviaja

Romantic Travel Video

A note from Jessie:

While I personally didn’t meet my fiance traveling, we did say “I Love You” for the first time during a trip to Savannah, Georgia.

You can see the video from that special trip above.

Seriously, the atmosphere combined with the many things to do in Savannah makes it such a romantic trip!

Do you have any inspiring love stories from the road to share?

Bonus short travel stories.

Looking for more of the best travel stories ? Check out:

20 Embarrassing Travel Stories That Will Make You Laugh & Blush

25 Crazy Travel Stories You Need To Read To Believe

23 Inspiring Travel Stories Sharing The Kindness Of Strangers

16 Short Funny Travel Stories That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud

Sexual Assault Stories From The Road (& What I’ve Learned)

8 Crazy NYC Subway Stories That Will Make You Hail A Cab

A Host’s Perspective: My Worst Airbnb Horror Stories

17 True Short Adventure Travel Stories To Inspire Your Next Trip

11 Epic Travel Fail Stories From The Road

18 Scary Travel Stories From Haunted Hotels To Creepy Cabins

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15 Comments

We found love in a hostel place! Who knew that the Couchsurfing app could be good for finding some romance?? Love this!

Awww, these are too cute! Thanks so much for sharing these – it’s always good to read about happy experiences on the road, as well as the more practical tips!

These are such amazing and inspiring stories. It gives me hope for finding a travel soulmate one day! 🙂

Gosh this was such a fun read! I loved reading all these stories. I think A Broken Backpack was my favorite – so unexpected! Great idea, Jessie ♥️

Loved these fairytale stories.Very well put together Jessie.

Thank you for sharing your information.Really i love this article.

These stories are so awesome. I really loved reading 🙂

very informative articles or reviews at this time.

This is so informative, thanks alot or sharing. love your blog so much

This was a lot of fun to read! All of these stories were fascinating to read. it was so unexpected! Excellent concept

These are really adorable! Thank you so much for sharing these – it’s always nice to hear about enjoyable road trips as well as practical advice!

Loved reading these, some made my heart melt! As if we need more reasons to travel! Thanks for sharing

Thank you so much for sharing this blog i really loved it. it’s so nice to get more information about road trips. thanks again, i really enjoyed reading your article.

These Love Stories are so adorable. Loved i.

What sweet love stories these are. I adored this lovely pair.

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

15 Travel Books That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust

The end of the year is just that time for favorites lists – and I’ve written about the best travel books many times over! I love talking about travel books. Why? Because part of the tool belt of any traveler is a good book. Long bus, train, or plane rides can get pretty boring and can give you a lot of “dead” time if you haven’t mastered the art of the 10-hour blank stare. Additionally, reading travel books helps you learn about the destinations you are visiting. The more you know about a place, the more you can understand a place.

I am a voracious reader and even used to have a book club on this website where I shared all the books I read. Today is another one of those days where I share some of the books I’ve read recently! If you’re looking for some great reads, here are my current list of the best travel books to inspire you to travel to far-off lands:  

1. The Alchemist , by Paulo Coelho

2. Love With a Chance of Drowning , by Torre DeRoche

3. The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca  by Tahir Shah

4. On the Road , by Jack Kerouac

5. Looking for Transwonderland , by Noo Saro-Wiwa

6. The Lost City of Z , by David Grann

7. The Beach , by Alex Garland

8. Vagabonding , by Rolf Potts

9. In A Sunburned Country , by Bill Bryson

10. Dispatches from Pluto , by Richard Grant

11. Turn Right at Machu Picchu , by Mark Adams

12. A Year of Living Danishly , by Helen Russell

13. The Art of Travel , by Alain de Botton

14. From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home , by Tembi Locke

BONUS: Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler’s Journey Home , by me!

Books about travel inspire us to go visit far-off lands and imagine us doing incredible things. Bryson’s In a Sunburned Country inspired me to visit Australia! I hope these travel books inspire you to travel the world and feed your wanderlust. If you have any suggestions that I can add to this best travel books list, leave them in the comments.

If you’d like to see some of the other books I’ve recommended (or are currently reading), check out this page I created on Amazon that lists them all!

You can also find them listed in our Bookshop store, which helps support locally-owned bookstores. If you’re in the US, click here to check out my Bookshop store!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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10 Captivating Books for Travel Lovers: Explore the World Through Literature

• Post date 03/07/2023
• Post categories In Pretty Things

Embark on a literary journey with these ten captivating books for travel lovers. Explore the world through the pages, immersing yourself in rich cultures, exotic landscapes, and unforgettable adventures.

For travel enthusiasts, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of exploring new destinations, experiencing different cultures, and stepping outside of their comfort zones. However, even when wanderlust isn’t fulfilled, one can still embark on incredible journeys through the power of literature. Books for travel lovers can transport us to far-off places, immersing us in the sights, sounds, and emotions of distant lands. So I have a curated list of 10 captivating books for travel lovers, allowing you to explore the world from the comfort of your own home.

• Books for Travel Lovers

The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

A global phenomenon among books for travel lovers, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book – a beautiful parable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life’s path and, above all, follow your dreams.

Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is more to life than his humble home and his flock. One day he finds the courage to follow his dreams into distant lands, each step galvanised by the knowledge that he is following the right path: his own. The people he meets along the way, the things he sees and the wisdom he learns are life-changing.

With Paulo Coelho’s visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore, The Alchemist is a story with the power to inspire nations and change people’s lives among books for travel lovers.

Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

It’s 3 a.m. and Elizabeth Gilbert is sobbing on the bathroom floor. She’s in her thirties, she has a husband, a house, they’re trying for a baby – and she doesn’t want any of it.

A bitter divorce and a turbulent love affair later, she emerges battered and bewildered and realises it is time to pursue her own journey in search of three things she has been missing: pleasure, devotion and balance. So she travels to Rome, where she learns Italian from handsome, brown-eyed identical twins and gains twenty-five pounds, an ashram in India, where she finds that enlightenment entails getting up in the middle of the night to scrub the temple floor, and Bali where a toothless medicine man of indeterminate age offers her a new path to peace: simply sit still and smile. And slowly happiness begins to creep up on her. A huge one among books for travel lovers.

The Beach – Alex Garland

Richard lands in East Asia in search of an earthly utopia. In Thailand, he is given a map promising an unknown island, a secluded beach – and a new way of life. What Richard finds when he gets there is breathtaking: more extraordinary, more frightening than his wildest dreams.

But how long can paradise survive here on Earth? And what lengths will Richard go to in order to save it? A good one among books for travel lovers.

Wild – Cheryl Strayed

At twenty-six, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s rapid death from cancer, her family disbanded and her marriage crumbled. With nothing to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to walk eleven-hundred miles of the west coast of America and to do it alone. She had no experience of long-distance hiking and the journey was nothing more than a line on a map. But it held a promise – a promise of piecing together a life that lay shattered at her feet… Want an inner trip as well? You’ll like this among books for travel lovers.

Shantaram – Gregory David Roberts

‘In the early 80s, Gregory David Roberts, an armed robber and heroin addict, escaped from an Australian prison to India, where he lived in a Bombay slum. There, he established a free health clinic and also joined the mafia, working as a money launderer, forger and street soldier. He found time to learn Hindi and Marathi, fall in love, and spend time being worked over in an Indian jail. Then, in case anyone thought he was slacking, he acted in Bollywood and fought with the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan…

Amazingly, Roberts wrote  Shantaram  three times after prison guards trashed the first two versions. It’s a profound tribute to his willpower… At once a high-kicking, eye-gouging adventure, a love saga and a savage yet tenderly lyrical fugitive vision among books for travel lovers.

The Lost City of Z – David Grann

Fawcett was among the last of a legendary breed of British explorers. For years he explored the Amazon and came to believe that its jungle concealed a large, complex civilization, like El Dorado. Obsessed with its discovery, he christened it the City of Z. In 1925, Fawcett headed into the wilderness with his son Jack, vowing to make history. They vanished without a trace. For the next eighty years, hordes of explorers plunged into the jungle, trying to find evidence of Fawcett’s party or Z. Some died from disease and starvation; others simply disappeared. In this spellbinding true tale of lethal obsession, David Grann retraces the footsteps of Fawcett and his followers as he unravels one of the greatest mysteries of exploration. An exciting one among books for travel lovers.

The Old Patagonian Express – Paul Theroux

The Old Patagonian Express tells of Paul Theroux’s train journey down the length of North and South America among books for travel lovers.. Beginning on Boston’s subway, he depicts a voyage from ice-bound Massachusetts to the arid plateau of Argentina’s most southerly tip, via pretty Central American towns and the ancient Incan city of Macchu Pichu.

Shivering and sweating by turns as the temperature and altitude rise and plummet, he describes the people he encountered – thrown in with the tedious, and unavoidable, Mr Thornberry in Limón and reading to the legendary blind writer, Jorge Luis Borges, in Buenos Aires. Witty, sharply observed and beautifully written, this is a richly evocative account of travelling to ‘the end of the line’. One of my faves among books for travel lovers.

The Motorcycle Diaries – Ernesto Che Guevara

At the age of twenty-three, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado set out from their native Argentina to explore their continent, with only a single 1939 Norton motorcycle to carry them, nicknamed  La Poderosa  (‘the powerful one’). They travelled not to visit the usual tourist attractions, but to meet ordinary people and understand Latin American life. In amidst the tales of youthful adventures – of women, wine, thrilling escapes and the power of friendship – the young Che also learns first-hand about poverty, philosophy and philosophy and forms himself into the man who would become the world’s most famous and admired revolutionary and freedom fighter. A must-read among books for travel lovers.

A Moveable Feast – Ernest Hemingway

Love Paris? Read this one among books for travel lovers. Published posthumously in 1964,  A Moveable Feast  remains one of Ernest Hemingway’s most beloved works. Since Hemingway’s personal papers were released in 1979, scholars have examined and debated the changes made to the text before publication. Now this new special restored edition presents the original manuscript as the author prepared it to be published. Featuring a personal foreword by Patrick Hemingway, Ernest’s sole surviving son, and an introduction by the editor and grandson of the author, Seán Hemingway, this new edition also includes a number of unfinished, never-before-published Paris sketches revealing experiences that Hemingway had with his son Jack and his first wife, Hadley. Also included are irreverent portraits of other luminaries, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ford Madox Ford, and insightful recollections of his own early experiments with his craft. Sure to excite critics and readers alike, the restored edition of  A Moveable Feast  brilliantly evokes the exuberant mood of Paris after World War I and the unbridled creativity and enthusiasm that Hemingway himself experienced. In the world of letters it is a unique insight into a great literary generation, by one of the best American writers of the twentieth century. A must-read for all Hemingway admirers among books for travel lovers.

Into the Wild – Jon Krakauer

In April 1992, Chris McCandless set off alone into the Alaskan wild. He had given his savings to charity, abandoned his car and his possessions, and burnt the money in his wallet, determined to live a life of independence. Just four months later, Chris was found dead. An SOS note was taped to his makeshift home, an abandoned bus. In piecing together the final travels of this extraordinary young man’s life, Jon Krakauer writes about the heart of the wilderness, its terribly beauty and its relentless harshness.  Into the Wild  is a modern classic of travel writing, and a riveting exploration of what drives some of us to risk more than we can afford to lose. One of the best among books for travel lovers.

While travel may not always be possible, these ten gorgeous books for travel lovers offer an extraordinary alternative, allowing you to explore the world through literature. From exotic landscapes and cultural immersion to personal growth and transformative adventures, these books for travel lovers offer a gateway to new horizons from the comfort of your own home. Happy reading and happy travels, fellow travel enthusiasts!

Check out my other lists about books!

• 10 Uplifting Books
• Great Novels by Poets
• Feel-Good Cozy Mystery Series
• Summer Books – 20 Sexy Novels
• Autumn Books – 20 Cozy Novels
• Winter Books- 20 Atmospheric Novels
• Spring Books – 20 Lovely Novels
• 20 Captivating Gothic Books
• Japanese Books Under 200 Pages
• 20 Best Campus and Academic Novels
• 25 Intriguing Dark Academia Books
• 20 Literary Romance Novels
• 20 Best Food Culture and Food History Books
• Comforting Food Memoirs
• Top 5 Haiku Books
• 15 Best Eco-fiction Novels
• Perfect Christmas Books
• 20 Best Turkish Books
• Standalone Fantasy Books
• Fantasy Book Series
• Novels Based on Mythology and Legends
• Tarot Books to Learn From
• Books About Astrology
• Books About Esotericism
• Books for Book Clubs
• Magical Realism Books
• Mindfulness Books
• Captivating Reincarnation Books
• Remarkable Break-Up Novels
• Brilliant Mythology Books
• Egyptian Mythology Books
• Train Journey Books
• Books Set in Museums
• Books Set in Hotels
• Books Set on Islands
• Books Set in Forests
• Novels Set in Ancient Egypt
• Novels Set in Bookshops
• Novels Set in Libraries
• Books Set in the English Countryside
• Books Set in Edinburgh
• Books Set in Oxford
• Books Set in Istanbul
• Books Set in Rome
• Books Set in Portugal
• Books Set in Egypt
• Books Set in Greece
• Books Set in Mexico
• Books Set in South Africa
• Books Set in New York
• Books Set in Paris
• Books Set in Barcelona
• Books Set in Berlin
• Novels Set in China
• Books Set in Tokyo
• Books Set in Bali
• Novels Under 100 Pages
• Novels Under 150 Pages
• Novels Under 200 Pages
• Novels About Older Woman, Younger Man Relationships
• Novels About Fortune Telling
• Novels About Translators and Interpreters
• Novels About Books
• Best Books About Books
• Novels About Vincent Van Gogh
• Novels About Leonardo da Vinci
• Books About Picasso
• Novels About Marriage
• Novels About Food
• Novels About Writers
• Novels About Music
• Books About Witches
• Books About Divorce
• Novels About Ernest Hemingway
• Best Books About Birds
• Best Books About Walking
• Best Books About Tea
• Books on Social Issues and Identity
• Novels About Scents & Perfume
• Exciting Thriller Novels of All Time
• Books on Art and Creativity
• Mind-Expanding Philosophy Books
• Historical Fiction Novels
• Beautiful Poetry Collections
• Powerful Books About Peace
• Beautiful Romance Novels

Are there any books for travel lovers you’d like to add to this list? Would you please share in the comments section below?

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Follow our news, recent searches, commentary: ‘living funerals’ help the dying and their loved ones live more meaningfully, advertisement.

Unlike traditional funerals, living funerals are a platform for the terminally ill to share their wishes, fears and most importantly, their love for those they are leaving behind, says entrepreneur and cancer survivor Kristen Juliet Soh.

This audio is AI-generated.

Kristen Juliet Soh

SINGAPORE: The story of a 29-year-old terminally ill woman who hosted her own living funeral struck a chord with Singapore netizens .

Michelle “Mike” Ng, who died on Jan 2 of ovarian cancer, called the event a “living funeral”, rather than a celebration of life , because she wanted death to be “close to heart and something that is not so scary”.

As a cancer survivor myself , diagnosed at 29, I understand the raw emotions and existential questions such a situation evokes. Cancer, or any terminal illness, forces you to confront your mortality head-on. It's a brutal wake-up call, shattering the illusion of limitless time.

A living funeral can be incredibly valuable for both the terminally ill and their loved ones. It's more than a celebration of life; it's a chance to actively engage with the present and to express love in a way that transcends the inevitability of death.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by OGS | Our Grandfather Story (@ourgrandfatherstory)

MAKING THE MOST OF NUMBERED DAYS

When I was first diagnosed, the world shrunk to a terrifyingly small space. But somewhere in that darkness, a flicker of defiance sparked. I craved not just survival, but a way to make the most of whatever time I had left.

Despite the daunting challenges of chemotherapy and the confines of a hospital bed, I found myself working even harder than before.

From that bed, I relentlessly built my media business, writing and editing articles, corresponding with business partners and launching a consumer study. It was as if my situation ignited an urgency to build something significant so I could leave behind a legacy.

Perhaps that's why the concept of a living funeral resonates so deeply. Traditional funerals are a necessary ritual of closure for the bereaved, but they occur after the opportunity for connection has passed.

A living funeral flips the script, allowing for open conversations about death, and giving the terminally ill a platform to share their wishes, fears, and most importantly, their love for those they are leaving behind.

Commentary: We need to learn to have better conversations about death

Commentary: End-of-life storytelling on social media can help us process death

Navigating joy and grief.

Hosting a living funeral acknowledges the reality of the situation, bringing death out of the shadows and into the light. It creates a space where both joy and grief can coexist, fostering honesty and shared vulnerability.

Of course, navigating such a delicate balance won't be easy. Loved ones will undoubtedly feel a surge of emotions and the desperate desire to cling to hope.

But what if instead of focusing solely on the tears, we channelled that emotional energy into creating a positive experience? 

Maybe we could use this gathering to create a bucket list and embark on adventures together. The time spent conquering those experiences, big or small, will create precious memories that offer solace long after the person is gone.

It's a way to rewrite the narrative, to ensure the final chapter is filled not just with sadness, but also with laughter, shared purpose and a reaffirmation of love's enduring power.

LIFE ISN’T GUARANTEED

Cancer forced me to confront a harsh truth: Life isn't guaranteed.

Before the diagnosis, I naively believed in a future stretching endlessly before me. I was only 29 and newly wedded for a month. My husband and I had short- and long-term plans from a honeymoon to Europe, to having children and building a business. But in an instant, those dreams were overshadowed by the stark reality of my diagnosis.

But my experience with cancer gave me the gift of perspective. I remember being asked a strange question - would I prefer a sudden death or a long battle?

Back then, I answered without hesitation: A long battle. And I think I would give the same answer today, even after having gone through a gruelling battle against cancer.

The reason? Time. Time to prepare myself mentally and to help my loved ones do the same. 

A living funeral offers exactly that - precious time spent with loved ones, openly expressing emotions, and creating memories that become a testament to the life lived.

Commentary: I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, now what?

The Big Read: For young adults with cancer, battling an ‘old person’s disease’ is a lonely journey

Be present with your dying loved ones.

When faced with a terminal illness, the worst thing loved ones can say is, "Don't worry, things will get better."

The truth is, they might not. But what can comfort the terminally ill is the genuine unwavering support of those around them.

Empty reassurances are meaningless. Actions speak louder. Be present. Listen. Ask the patient what they need, what they want to do, and then help them do it.

Fulfill their wishes, big or small, and create a space where they can express their fears and anxieties without judgment.

Living funerals might not be for everyone, but they offer a powerful alternative to traditional approaches to death and dying. They help us all to live more meaningfully not just in the face of death, but in every precious moment we have.

If I could choose, I hope to host a living funeral. I would want my loved ones to celebrate life with me until the end, and to have a final chance to deepen our bonds and create lasting memories.

For my loved ones, it may offer solace and closure, and for me, I think it’ll ease the loneliness of death.

Kristen Juliet Soh is the editorial director and co-founder of Daily Vanity and a survivor of lymphoma.

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Discovering an Omani Paradise

Muscat, the capital, offers opulent culture, but it is the mountains and the sea that bedazzle.

By David Belcher

Reporting from Muscat, Oman

High in the mountains of Oman and along its pounding shoreline, I stumbled onto an unexpected slice of heaven thanks to a friend’s recommendation. I even sprang for a few extra amenities for a mash-up of pauper meets paradise.

I first visited Oman in 2018 after regularly making one- or -two-day stopovers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Qatar to break up long flights between Europe and Asia. And although it is about a one-hour flight from those bustling and scorching cities, Oman can feel almost removed from time, whether you are in the Hajar Mountains that cut a swath across the country’s northern edge or dipping into the roiling waves of the Arabian Sea farther south.

I had read about the country’s wild and often empty coastline that stretches nearly 2,000 miles, but mountain hiking in the Gulf region was a new experience for me. What I discovered was a cinematic, “Dune”-like landscape of deserts, mountains and rugged canyons punctuated by centuries-old terrace farming. The scenery then plunged into the vast wasteland of the Rub’ al-Khali desert (“the empty quarter” in Arabic) and rivaled anything I’d ever seen.

Bordered by Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, this country of nearly 4.7 million was transformed over the decades by Sultan Qaboos bin Said , who died in 2020. He had ousted his father in a bloodless coup, backed by the British, to embrace modernism — and scads of oil and natural gas deposits — in 1970.

The country has a fascinating maritime history — the Omani empire once stretched as far south as Zanzibar in the late 17th century — and a relaxed and accepting vibe rooted in Ibadism , which is often seen as a more moderate branch of Islam.

It has seemingly maintained political neutrality for decades , despite being situated in an at-times-volatile region. The northeastern tip of Oman is about 1,500 miles from Sana, the capital of Yemen. Salalah, nearer to Yemen in the south, is about 900 miles from the mouth of the Red Sea, a body of water in which attacks on cargo ships have been reported. (The U.S. State Department currently advises “increased caution” for travelers and Britain says “ travel advice for Oman could change at short notice .”)

And old-world charm lingers across Oman, especially high on Jabal Akhdar (loosely translated as “green mountain” in Arabic), one of the highest peaks in the Hajar range, 70 miles southwest of the capital, Muscat. Although these mostly limestone mountains are typically barren and beige, lush green farms inspired the name. (Imagine the rice terraces of Bali on the sides of bone-dry rocky canyons.) Snowfall in winter and the mist from clouds captured in the high peaks create precipitation, and the country’s intricate “aflaj” irrigation systems, thought to date to antiquity , maximize the impact of water in this forbidding landscape.

Local growers sell their garden bounty to residents as well as to resorts, including the Alila Jabal Akhdar , which says most of the food on its menu is grown on the property or purchased from terrace farmers.

At the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar , perched atop a plateau at 6,500 feet above sea level, hikes or bike rides in the mountains and valleys are offered on organized tours. At an overlook called Diana’s Point, where Diana, Princess of Wales, once stood to stargaze, you can hear the Muslim call to prayer echoing from two villages several times a day.

Both resorts, with rooms starting around $500 to $600, offer guided walks to 400-year-old abandoned villages with breathtaking views across the emptiness of the rolling canyons.

Although I flew on a commercial airline to Oman, visitors on a bigger budget than mine have the option of paragliding in. The Six Senses Zighy Bay offers the option of a birdlike arrival from a nearby mountaintop on the last leg of a two-hour drive from Dubai International Airport.

Nestled among the canyons flanked by the turquoise waters that define Oman’s narrow, northernmost tip off the Strait of Hormuz, this resort has come to define Omani isolation in the most exclusive way, with rooms starting at about $1,500. (It’s known as a celebrity honeymoon getaway spot, including for Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra in 2018, and Lindsay Lohan spent part of her pregnancy there last year.)

Farther south, the virtually undeveloped Arabian Sea coastline attracts a big European crowd in winter, and in the summer Gulf residents flee the searing heat for the monsoons that drape this coastline in mist. The climate allows for miles of coconut palm trees and banana trees that serve as a sort of tropical backdrop to the never-crowded beaches.

Salalah, the main city on the southeastern tip of Oman, is home to several resorts, but its crown jewel is the Anantara Al Baleed with its sprawling beach and private villas with plunge pools, which will set you back about $650 a night. Regular rooms start at about $350 to $375. (About an hour’s drive east of Salalah, the Alila hotel group, a Hyatt luxury brand, has opened its second property in Oman , on the isolated Hinu Bay).

A visit to the Anantara Al Baleed in December offered a study in tourism meets local color. Four camels frolicked in the surf one day to the delight of a few of us splashing about in the water. Two days later, dozens of fishermen casting handmade nets caught thousands of sardines, hauling them on their backs from the unforgiving waves and onto trucks. The resort is adjacent to the Museum of the Frankincense Land, which offers a fascinating peek into the history of this coveted aromatic resin that was once as prized as gold.

Most trips to Oman, including mine, start in Muscat, which has its charms despite Dubai-like traffic and urban sprawl. My two-day stop included attending a performance at the Royal Opera House Muscat, which was a complete revelation to this lifelong opera fan. Tours of the venue are also available for about $7.50. Built in 2011, its layers of white stone and marble arabesque arches evoke a grand Middle Eastern citadel. In my black jeans, blazer and tie, I felt a bit frumpy rubbing elbows with perfectly coiffed men in traditional dishdashas (the white gownlike formal attire) and massars (the colorful embroidered cloth headdresses).

Even more opulent is the city’s lavish Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque with its 8.5-ton crystal chandelier and expansive carpet said to have taken four years to weave by hand. The mosque opened to all in 2001 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the sultan’s reign.

But I wanted to get out of the city and into the nature I had heard so much about. I booked a car and driver (for about $120) to take me three hours into the wild landscape the next day. It was like being transported to mountains on the moon, but in a luxurious four-wheel-drive vehicle on smoothly paved roads. My driver, Saud, navigated the meandering coastal highway past azure shorelines with massive rock formations jutting like islands out of the sea, eventually turning right for the steep road into the rugged Jabal Akhdar.

Saud told me that in his youth, he and his grandfather had traveled on camelback from their terrace gardens to Muscat twice a year to sell fruit, vegetables, garlic and roses. Theirs was a two-day journey, and along the way they snacked on pomegranate seeds. Now, some 50 years later, Saud drives tourists who want to hike across the empty canyons of his youth and enjoy the foods from these gardens in the sky.

That evening at dinner, my salad was sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. In the warmth of the cozy dining room of the Alila Jabal Akhdar, I thought of Saud and our drive to a slice of paradise. I’ll probably never paraglide into Oman, but I did feel like I had arrived on the wings of something fine.

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The Travel Gifts Your Jetsetter Needs This Year, According To Frequent Flyers

Shopping Writer for HuffPost

If someone on your list is often on a flight bound for a different country or on multi-state road trips, this guide to travel gifts is worth perusing.

In order to find the best potential presents that are worthy of luggage space, we turned to the well-traveled opinions of flight attendants, travel influencers and other frequent flyers who know a thing or two about packing their bags.

They’ve suggested items like compact vlogging cameras, all-terrain hiking boots, carry-on bags with tons of compartments and a cavernous interior and other gifts that the wanderlust in your life will thank you for.

You can shop all of these suggestions in the list ahead, all of which should arrive before Christmas if you order soon.

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Before You Go

15 Self-Care Gifts That Offer A Much-Needed Mood Boost

Popular in the community, from our partner, huffpost shopping’s best finds, more in shopping.

Scott D. Pierce: ‘Young Sheldon’s’ dad is glad he’s not dead yet

According to ‘big bang theory’ canon, the end is near for george cooper sr..

(Bill Inoshita | Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.) George (Lance Barber) is none too pleased with his son (Iain Armitage) in an episode of "Young Sheldon."

Hollywood • Recently, during a press conference on the set of the “Young Sheldon,” I got both the answer to my question from series star Lance Barber and a pretty good laugh — although I really wasn’t trying to make a joke.

“Mr. Barber,” I asked, “from what we’ve known of your character from ‘Big Bang’ and his fate, are you at all surprised that you’re still here?”

“What are you saying?” Barber replied, feigning indignation at my reference to his character’s impending death.

The actor has starred as Sheldon Cooper’s father, George, since “Young Sheldon” premiered in 2017. “Young Sheldon” is, of course, a prequel to “The Big Bang Theory.” And on that show, we learned that George died of a heart attack in 1994, when Sheldon was 14.

Not everything in “Young Sheldon” lines up with what we thought we knew about Sheldon’s past in “Big Bang” — particularly when it comes to the exact timing. For that matter, not everything on “Young Sheldon” lines up.

For example, in one early episode, adult Sheldon (Jim Parsons) narrates that his older brother, Georgie (Jordan Montana), got married for the first time at the age of 19. In the upcoming April 11 episode of “Young Sheldon,” Georgie — who recently turned 18 — will marry Mandy (Emily Osment).

(Robert Voets | CBS) Georgie (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment) get married in the April 11 episode of "Young Sheldon."

(Jordan and Osment will star in a spinoff of “Young Sheldon” that’s set to premiere this fall.)

And it’s not a spoiler that George does indeed die of a heart attack when Sheldon is a teenager. My guess is that will happen in the hourlong series finale, which is scheduled to air on May 16. (I’m not the only one who assumes that, but it’s still just a guess at this point — it has not been confirmed by CBS or the producers.)

George’s death is something Barber said he “had the luxury of being emotionally prepared for … from Day One,” because “Big Bang Theory” spelled it out. “I had fingers crossed from the beginning, knowing the history of the character, that I would make it to the end, whenever that came.”

George’s heart health was an immediate plotline in “Young Sheldon.” He suffered a mild heart attack in the third episode, “Poker, Faith, and Eggs,” which aired in November 2017. And I was curious: “Did they attach a note to the script that said, ‘This is not the end?’”

“Yeah,” Barber said. “I never got any inclination that the end was coming any time soon. Nor did I fear it. And I knew that when and if it did come, it would be done in a beautiful way. And I anticipate that’s what’s going to happen.”

(See? He’s definitely going to die.)

Barber said he feels lucky to play “a character like this who has become — I think, fair to say — somewhat beloved, or enjoyed at the very least.” He’s proud that George is “part of an incredible legacy in television history. And to have a memorable thing like this happen for this character to be remembered that way is a big deal for me personally.”

(Robert Voets | CBS) Iain Armitage as Sheldon Cooper in 2017, left, and as Sheldon in 2024.

The end is near

In its seventh season, “Young Sheldon” is the most-watched comedy on TV and No. 3 overall on the list of most-watched scripted shows. Its ratings are actually up from the sixth season.

So why end it now? Well, this is the logical conclusion, and long foreseen.

When the series began in 2017, Sheldon (and Iain Armitage, who plays him) were both 9 years old. We knew, from “Big Bang Theory,” that Sheldon leaves Texas for Cal Tech when he’s 14, which would be an obvious end point for “Young Sheldon.”

The series will end after seven seasons; Armitage actually turns 16 in July. I don’t know if Armitage, who said he’s about 5 feet, 9 inches tall, will ever be as tall as Parsons, who’s 6 feet, 1 inch, but he’s certainly not a little boy anymore.

“We know what happens in Sheldon’s life when he’s 14,” said executive producer Steve Holland, “and we sort of started talking about the future of the show and what it would look like” after Season 6. “It just felt like the right time to end the show, and to end it strong and while it was still on top.”

“Young Sheldon” airs Thursdays at 7 p.m. on CBS/Channel 2, and streams on Paramount+.

(Robert Voets | CBS) Montana Jordan as Georgie, Emily Osment as Mandy, Lance Barber as George Sr., Iain Armitage as Sheldon, Raegan Revord as Missy, Zoe Perry as Mary, and Annie Potts as Connie aka Meemaw in "Young Sheldon."

The miracle of casting

Parsons pitched the idea of “Young Sheldon” to “Big Bang Theory” producers in 2016, but executive producer Chuck Lorre said he never really believed the idea would come to fruition because he didn’t think they’d find a child actor who could play the title character.

“The miracle of casting ‘Young Sheldon’ was one we understood was very likely not going to happen. But it did,” said Lorre, whose long list of hits includes “Grace Under Fire,” “Cybill,” “Dharma & Greg,” “Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mike & Molly,” “Mom,” “The Kominsky Method” and “Bob Hearts Abishola.”

“We wouldn’t be sitting here,” Lorre said, if Armitage’s mother hadn’t sent the producers a video of Iain in “a scene that Steve [Molaro] and I wrote that we never intended to shoot. But we just wrote the most difficult scene imaginable for an 8-year-old, and this guy killed it. He killed it. And if that had not happened, we wouldn’t have gone forward.”

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The 25 Best Books For Travel Lovers

Here at Girls Who Travel we believe that travel is about more than plane tickets and passport stamps. You can have adventure anywhere, if you just look for it – in a city nearby, on a staycation, or in the pages of a book! Traveling allows you to have incredible experiences, and even change your mindset. Reading can do just the same, from the comfort of your couch, and without the hefty price tag. Books give you a fascinating view of the world whenever you are staying home. Reading can take you places without you ever leaving your home – unless it’s summer time and you want to take it to a sunny spot outside. Are you ready to get inspired for your next trip? So are we, and that’s why we are sharing a roundup of the best books for travel lovers , which you can read whenever you need a shot of wanderlust!

This post contains affiliate links. This means we make a small commission at no cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. All prices listed are accurate at time of publication. 

1. Benedict Allen – Explorer: The Quest For Adventure And The Great Unknown

Benedict Allen is a real-life explorer. But in this day and age, where it seems that everything there is to explore has been seen, mapped, and put down on paper (and the internet!), what does it even mean to be an explorer? In his book Explorer: The Quest for Adventure and the Great Unknown Allen investigates this question and tells the story of why he is still exploring today, 30 years after he first started. He tells the story of returning to a clouded mountain in New Guinea, in search of a man who had once been a friend and who he once made a promise to. This sensitive and very honest book also tells a story of what it can mean to be lost and found. Allen, a member of Council and Trustee of the Royal Geographical Society, among others, allows you to get excited about exploring the world, and shows that it’s not important that we have an impact, but that the world has an impact on us. This is, without a doubt, one of the best books for travel lovers.

2. Jami – Attenberg – The Memoir: I Came All This Way To Meet You: Writing Myself Home

Jami Attenberg has published a bunch of fiction novels in her life – 7, to be precise, which have made her a New York Times bestselling author. Now comes her long awaited memoir ‘I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home’ , and if you are interested in reading all the best books for travel lovers, then you won’t want to miss it! Jami grew up as the daughter of a traveling salesman in the Midwest of the United States. Life on the road was very familiar to her, and it sparked her wanderlust early on. Follow her solo travel adventures around the globe, and live through her challenges and most rewarding moments in this book about friendship, independence, class, and drive.

3. Rebecca Lowe – The Slow Road To Tehran: A Revelatory Bike Ride Through Europe And The Middle East

Rebecca Lowe is from London, where she works as a freelance journalist and specializes in human rights and the Middle East. With that in mind it makes sense that she would set out on a journey to gain a better understanding about this troubled region. Her 11,000 kilometer journey by bicycle took her from Europe to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, the Gulf, and, last but not least, to Iran. Imagine the challenges she faced on this trip – not just the sometimes inhospitable landscapes, but the grueling effort to cycle across them, paired with  repressive police states and you have one of the best books for travel lovers of 2022! Order The Slow Road to Tehran now!

4. Shafik Meghji – Crossed Off The Map: Travels In Bolivia

Shafik Meghji is a travel writer extraordinaire, so it’s no surprise one of his books made it on this list of best book for travel lovers! Not only has he won awards, but he also co-authored more than 40 guidebooks! In Crossed Off the Map: Travels in Bolivia Meghji explore Bolivia’s turbulent past and the challenges the country faces today in a blend of travel writing, history, and reportage. Did you know that Bolivia kickstarted globalization and helped to power Europe’s economic growth? No? How about the fact that the country helped to trigger dynastic collapse in China? No? Sounds like this is a must read for you! What an exciting opportunity to explore one of the lesser tourist destinations in Crossed Off the Map : Travels in Bolivia !

5. Jessica Nabongo – The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey To Every Country In The World

OF COURSE we had to add this one to our list of best books for travel lovers! Who doesn’t dream of going absolutely everywhere? Jessica Nabongo did exactly that – she visited every country on earth. Jessica, an Ugandan-American travel blogger, was the first Black woman to accomplish this feat. How did she do it? Well, you’ll have to read this one-of-a-kind memoir to find out and get some inspiration on great travel! We want to be out exploring the world with this woman! What are you waiting for, get your copy of The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World right now!

6. Harley Rustad – Lost In The Valley Of Death: A Story Of Obsession And Danger In The Himalayas

Are you ready for a real-life thriller? In Lost in the Valley of Death: A Story of Obsession and Danger in the Himalayas renowned writer Harley Rustad takes us on a trip to India. He tells the story of one man who was seeking something there – maybe a spiritual journey, an immersion into yoga, or an exciting getaway, we do not know- named  Justin Alexander Shetler. When Shetler was in his early 30s he quit his job and set out on a journey, searching for meaningful encounters, that would lead him to drive across the United States by motorcycle, then on to South America, from where he continued to the Philippines, Thailand, and Nepal. Finally his search led him to a remote corner of India, in the Parvati Valley, where he spent weeks studying under the guidance of a holy man, a sadhu. They set out on a spiritual journey from which Justin never returned… This true story contains serious excitement and can not be missed on our list of best books for travel lovers!

7. Bill Bryson – In A Sunburned Country

Who doesn’t love Bill Bryson’s travel writing? Surely some of his books, including but not limited to A Walk in the Woods , Notes from a Small Island , and The Lost Continent , have made it on your personal list of best books for Travel Lovers. If you haven’t yet read In a Sunburned Country , you should pick up a copy ASAP! This time, Mr. Bryson ventures to Australia, and his story about Down Under is wonderfully humorous and will have you laughing out loud! Full of interesting facts, In a Sunburned Country makes us want to pack our bags and head to the airport!

8. Doreen Cunningham – Soundings: Journeys In The Company Of Whales: A Memoir

Doreen Cunningham’s Soundings: Journeys in the Company of Whales: A Memoir is a beautiful real life story of motherhood, love, courage, and resilience, definitely not your average travel writing. Before turning to journalism, Doreen Cunningham studied engineering and briefly worked in climate-related research and storm modeling. This story is, in fact, one of the most perfect books for travel lovers who also love animals. This is a beautiful true story of a mother and her toddler son following the migration of grey whales, from Mexico to the northernmost part of Alaska. In this extraordinary blend of memoir and nature story, you will even learn a lot about whale science. It’s truly beautiful, and a must add to our list of best books for travel lovers.

9. Rolf Potts – Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide To The Art Of Long-Term World Travel

I’ll admit, a good title will get me to buy a book in a heartbeat. Exploring the world in an uncommon way sounds extra intriguing! Rolf Potts isn’t just a very accomplished travel writer, having written and reported for National Geographic Traveler, Outside, the New York Times Magazine, The Guardian (U.K.), National Public Radio, and the Travel Channel, to name just a few! He is most definitely an off the beaten path traveler, having hitchhiked across Eastern Europe, traversed Israel on foot, did a road trip across South America, bicycled across Burma, and (gasp, what! how?) traveled around the world for six weeks with no luggage or bags of any kind. Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel is a unique handbook to, well, vagabonding, to taking some time off from ‘real life’ to roam the world on your own terms. The book covers practical topics such as finances, choosing a destination, and adjusting to life on the road, but also the emotional parts: how to handle travel adversity, and how to adjust back to ‘real life’ upon your return home. Fun fact: You can inquire about getting signed copies of his books on Rolf Pott’s website !

10. Jon Krakauer – Into Thin Air

Jon Krakauer is an excellent writer, and I could literally recommend all of his books here. But because this American author and mountaineer is most famous for his travel writing about the great outdoors and mountaineering, and also because it’s my one of my favorite books, Into Thin Air: A personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster made the list. (Though don’t miss Into the Wild !) Many epic books have been written about high altitude climbing, and the perils that come with it. But Jon Krakauer’s real life story of the disaster on Mount Everest in 1996 is one of the most epic adventure books of all times. 1996 was the year Jon Krakauer himself made an attempt to summit the Top of the World. What started as a picture perfect day ended in a disaster, with many lives lost. This book is the story of how nobody saw coming the deadly storm that developed, and how it ended the hopes and dreams of some people forever.

11. Jenny Tough – Solo: What Running Across Mountains Taught Me About Life

Travel around the world to partake in some of the most challenging events on the planet sounds tough, but endurance athlete Jenny Tough has done it. What an inspiring way of exploring the world! However, in Solo: What Running Across Mountains Taught Me about Life Jenny doesn’t tell the story of her events. It gets much more personal than that. While running had always made her feel better, a sensation you may even have experienced yourself, she was also dealing with emotions and feelings that seemed to be holding her back. So she set herself a goal to accomplish an unbelievable feat independently, without any support, and all by herself: to run across mountain ranges on six continents. We are simply in awe of someone who devotes her full time to such a venture, which is why this book is one of the must read best books for travel lovers!

12. Suleika Jaouad – Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir Of A Life Interrupted

This deeply moving true story by Suleika Jaouad is, at first glance, a story about a woman’s fight with cancer. But it is much more than that. In Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted we learn the story of a young woman who graduated college and is ready to tackle real life. That’s when she is diagnosed with cancer. After a grueling 4 years of treatments, Suleika was declared cancer free. But after spending so much time trying to survive, she didn’t feel like she had healed. That’s when she and her best furry friend set out on a 100 day road trip through the United States. This profound memoir is sure to extract a tear or two.

13. Are Kalvø – The Hiking Book From Hell: My Reluctant Attempt To Learn To Love Nature

If this title doesn’t have you laughing out loud, then I don’t know what will! Norwegian writer and satirist Are Kalvø’s anti-nature memoir is one of the best books for travel lovers, especially if you like Bill Bryson. When he was in his 40s and poor he starting losing a lot of friends… to nature! Week after week he hears their stories of skiing and hiking, sees their amazing selfies on mountainside, and he wonders…. how bad can it be? Read The Hiking Book from Hell and find out!

14. Paul Coelho – The Alchemist

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a classic of travel writing and self-discovery, and, with over 80 million copies sold worldwide, an international bestseller. Assuming that 80 million people can’t all be wrong about just how good a book is, we start out on this journey with Santiago the Andalusian shepherd. Santiago yearns to travel around the world, but not to see foreign lands, he’s seeking a worldly treasure instead. Where will his quest lead him? The Alchemist is a profound book that teaches us about following our hearts and our dreams, and therefore it made it on our list of best books for travel lovers.

15. William Least Heat-Moon – Blue Highways: A Journey Into America

Someone once said you can drive from one end of the United States to the other on the Interstate not see much of anything exciting. In Blue Highways, his masterpiece of American travel writing, William Least Heat-Moon sets out to explore the tiny towns that don’t get much recognition and are barely found on a map. if you want to see the authentic America, get onto the country roads and meet the amazing people who live there. William Least heat-Moon authored several books chronicling unusual journeys through the United States. And since we are all about getting off the beaten path, Blue Highways – A Journey into America made it onto our list of best books for travel lovers.

16. Lonely Planet – South Africa

Of course we have to include at least one travel guide into our list of best books for travel lovers. Because who doesn’t love to pick up a guide book for one of those dream destinations and will themselves to be there at that very moment? South Africa is, without a doubt, one of those bucket list destinations. Lonely Planet did an excellent job highlighting not just all the major things to do and see, but they also tell you what NOT to do! Overrated tourist attractions, no thank you! If you are looking for great travel experiences in South Africa, this guide is right for you!

17. Jack Kerouac – On The Road

If you haven’t read anything by Jack Kerouac, you must pick up this American classic of travel writing! Jack Kerouac was a pioneer of the beat generation, a movement that started in the 1950s and consisted of young people rejecting conventional society. Originally published in 1957, On The Road is a story of two friends searching for authenticity and freedom. On more than one road trip across the United States they try to find meaning. This book truly changed American literature upon publication, and it’s a novel that everyone should read and couldn’t be left off of our list of best books for travel lovers.

18. Derick Lugo – The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey

Many a book has been published about the Appalachian Trail. Guide books and memoirs, tales and stories. Since we love unlikely stories, we have picked The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey for our list of best books for travel lovers! Derick is a fixture on the New York comedy scene. He’s never hiked a single day in his life. When his job gets cut and he has no plans, he starts thinking about doing something he’s only heard of: hiking the Appalachian Trail, all 2,192 miles of it. Can he do it? Let this young black man take you on a real life journey with many a lesson!

19. Bibi Bakare-Yusuf & Layla Mohamed – Outriders Africa: Essays On Exploration And Return

The spring of 2020 was a very strange time to travel. Nevertheless 10 writers of African heritage set out in pairs on a journey through Africa. Outriders Africa is a collection of essays, poetry, travel diaries and letters in which the authors describe their journey from the beautiful but touristy beaches of Madagascar to the Rastafarian town of Shashamane in Ethiopia against the backdrop of temperature checks and hand sanitizer. Well worth a read!

20. Anna McNuff – The Pants Of Perspective: One Woman’s 3,000 kilometre Running Adventure Through The Wilds Of New Zealand

A book by one of the 50 most influential travelers in the world? Yes please! Conde Nast gave this title to Anna McNuff, author, adventurer, speaker, and self-confessed mischief maker. If it wasn’t for the great title, I most certainly would have picked up The Pants of Perspectiv e for its great cover. Hey Anna, where did you buy those leggings? Anyway! Where were we? Oh yes, we wanted to talk about the reasons why we added this true story to our list of best books for travel lovers. Anna, undoubtedly one of the top female adventurers today, takes on the challenge of running New Zealand’s 3,000-kilometre-long Te Araroa Trail, despite not being a ‘real’ runner (what does that even mean!). We follow her on her 148 day run through New Zealand’s backcountry and all the adventures that came with it. This witty and deeply honest retelling of the events will have you on the edge of your seat! Travel writing at its finest.

21. Helen Russell – The Year Of Living Danishly: Uncovering The Secrets Of The World’s Happiest Country

The happiest place on earth is, in fact, not Disneyland. At least not according to British journalist Helen Russell. When Helen gets the chance to start a new life in rural Jutland, Denmark, she is surprised by what she finds. The stereotype of long winters, Lego, and herring may be somewhat true, but it makes for surprisingly happy people! Helen is intrigued and decides to investigate: what’s the Danish people’s secret to happiness? Read The Year of Living Danishly and find out for yourself!

22. Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel 2022

We are always looking for inspiration for our next trip. Lonely Planet, a leading travel media company, has hit it out of the park with this travel guide featuring not just must-visit countries, but also cities and regions for 2022. You get expert advice on every destination, as well as inspiration and guidance that will help you make the most out of your trip! Get Best in Travel 2022 and start planning your next trip!

23. Brianna Madia – Nowhere For Very Long: The Unexpected Road To An Unconventional Life

In this great travel memoir, Brianna Madia describes her approach at an unconvential life: traveling across the deserts in the Western United States in her orange van, Bertha. Along with her husband and her two dogs, Bucket and Dagwood, she heads out, exploring the world outside as well as within. An extended road trip and a life lived in an unconventional way is not always easy. Brianna shares it all with the reader – the good and the bad, which makes Nowhere for Very Long so relatable.

24. Heidi Eliason – Confessions Of A Middle-Aged Runaway: An RV Travel Adventure

At age 45 Heidi Eliason felt suffocated by her life with all its responsibilities and routines. So she decided to quit her job and go on a road trip adventure. She bought an RV and set out with her dog, Rylie, to live the full time RV life. Little did she know that this journey would transform her life. Heidi struggles through her insecurities, fears, and a mishap or two, but all of that just shows her that the expectations and rewards of a conventional life aren’t a guarantee for happiness. We love Heidi’s honest account and great travel writing in Confessions of a Middle-Aged Runaway: An RV Travel Adventure so much, we just had to include it in our list of best books for travel lovers!

25. Johnathan Franklin – A Wild Idea

True story alert! In A Wild Idea author Johnathan Franklin tells the story of Doug Tompkins, the founder of companies like Esprit and The North Face. One day, Doug decided to give up life as he knew it in the United States and go live in a shack in Patagonia. He started to regret and despise corporate capitalism and his role in it. Exploring the wild beauty of Patagonia, Doug decided to make a 180, which eventually led to him becoming one of the primary founders of the modern conservation and land protection movement.

In a world full of amazing must-read books, it is incredibly hard to choose. We hope that you are inspired by this list of best books for travel lovers and add them all to your TBR pile ASAP!

Jenny grew up in Germany. All she ever wanted out of life was to leave and have adventures. Jenny always traveled as much as the budget would allow, and when she met her husband traveling became a full-time thing. You can follow Jenny on her blog and Facebook.

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Ultimate Gift Guide: Wanderlust Books for Travel Lovers 2024

Look no further if you’re looking for the perfect gift for your wanderlust-minded loved one! Whether they’re a seasoned traveler or an armchair explorer, our ultimate guide to books for travel lovers gives you all the inspiration needed to find that special something.

Table of Contents

From timeless classics to thrilling escapism, these titles will take them on a journey without ever having to leave home. With a selection of novels and nonfiction reads designed to evoke wanderlust in even the most sedentary reader, this gift guide has something new for every budget and taste.

So, if you want your favorite person’s eyes to light up with excitement when they unwrap their present this season, check out our top picks for those who love journeying through stories – wherever it might take them!

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this blog are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost, the author may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kindle Paperweight

It is the perfect gift for the traveler who prefers to travel light. It is waterproof, adjustable light, and has up to 10 weeks of battery life to make traveling easy. The Kindle Paperweight makes it easy to take more books in one place, without having to pack multiple books. Just upload and read!

Top 10 Books for Travel Lovers

1. the innocents abroad , by mark twain.

Mark Twain’s classic travel book captures the essence of a grand voyage through foreign lands. As one of the most-read books in American history, it offers a humorous glimpse into Twain’s adventures and the cultural nuances of different countries, making it a perfect book for those bitten by the travel bug.

2. The Alchemist , by Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece, “The Alchemist,” is a New York Times bestseller that tells the mystical story of Santiago, a young man who dreams of discovering a lost city filled with treasures. This inspiring novel is a testament to the transformative power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

3. Eat Pray Love , by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert’s profoundly moving travel memoir chronicles her quest for self-discovery following a difficult divorce. From indulging in Italy’s culinary delights to seeking spiritual solace in India and finding balance in Bali, Gilbert’s journey resonates with anyone seeking to step outside their comfort zone and start a new life.

It was made into a motion picture starring Julia Roberts in 2010.

4. In The Kingdom of Men, by Kim Barnes

Set against the oil-rich Middle East backdrop, this gripping novel explores the complexities of life in a foreign land. It’s a great read for those interested in the intersection of love, power, and cultural conflict.

5. Behind the Bar: 50 Cocktail Recipes from the World’s Most Iconic Hotels , by Alia Akkam

Stir your wanderlust with Alia Akkam’s guide to the world’s iconic hotel bars. This book is a must-have for anyone who enjoys the art of travel and the joy of discovering the world’s most interesting facts through its varied libations.

6. This Contested Land: The Storied Past and Uncertain Future of America’s National Monuments , by McKenzie Long

Explore America’s national monuments with McKenzie Long as she delves into their storied pasts and uncertain futures. This travel memoir is a tribute to the United States’ natural wonders and a call to protect them. It’s a great travel book for those who cherish the wild landscapes of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and other treasures.

7. 1,000 Perfect Weekends: Great Getaways Around the Globe , by National Geographic

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first trip, National Geographic’s guide offers a bucket list of destinations to inspire your next escape. From the vibrant streets of New York City to the tranquil beaches of Costa Rica, each weekend adventure is a step towards fulfilling your travel dreams.

8. Into the Wild , by Jon Krakauer

Jon Krakauer’s compelling true story of Christopher McCandless’s solo trip into the Alaskan wilderness is a profound reflection on the allure of nature and the quest for a life unencumbered by society’s expectations. It’s a must-read for travel lovers and anyone who has ever yearned to explore the great unknown.

9. Frommer’s 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up, by Holly Hughes

This guidebook is an invaluable resource for those embarking on family adventures. Holly Hughes offers many ideas for educational and fun trips that will create lifelong memories and foster a love for travel in young hearts.

10. 100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Scenic Trails , by Kate Siber

Kate Siber’s beautifully illustrated book is the perfect companion for anyone who dreams of long trips on foot, from the rugged beauty of South Africa’s Cape Town to the ancient mysteries of Machu Picchu. It’s a wonderful book celebrating the joy of discovering the world one step at a time.

Further enriching the lives of travel lovers, here are additional recommendations that weave together the art of travel writing and the joy of discovery:

11. The Beach , by Alex Garland

is a modern classic of travel literature and a thrilling adventure set in the hidden paradises of Thailand.

12. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, A Traveler’s Life List , by Patricia Schultz

The ultimate bucket list for globetrotters is Schultz’s life list, offering many must-see destinations and experiences.

13. The Bang-Bang Club: The Making of the New South Africa , by Greg Marinovich

A raw and intense depiction of four photographers capturing the tumultuous end of apartheid in South Africa, this book offers a window into a significant period of recent history and the power of photojournalism.

14. Finding Gobi: A Little Dog with a Very Big Heart , by Dion Leonard

is a heartwarming true story about an ultramarathon runner and the stray dog who joined him on a grueling race through the Gobi Desert, illustrating the unexpected bonds that form on the road.

15. 100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do , by Joe Yogerst

A National Geographic guide showcasing the best parks in North America, this book is a treasure trove for travel lovers looking to explore the continent’s natural beauty and engage in many outdoor activities.

For those who are drawn to the transformative experiences that travel can offer, consider these additional titles:

16. A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson

Join Bill Bryson on his humorous and insightful journey along the Appalachian Trail, where he encounters a cast of quirky characters and the rich tapestry of American wilderness.

17. Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel, by Rolf Potts

Rolf Potts’s philosophical guide to long-term travel is a must-read for anyone considering a nomadic life or simply looking to travel more meaningfully.

18. Turn Right at Machu Picchu, by Mark Adams

Follow Mark Adams as he retraces the steps of explorer Hiram Bingham III in this travel writing gem, offering a blend of adventure, history, and wit.

19. The Lost City of Z, by David Grann

David Grann’s gripping account of Percy Fawcett’s quest for an ancient civilization in the Amazon is a testament to the enduring allure of exploration and the mysteries that still await in the depths of the jungle.

20. The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner

Travel writer Eric Weiner takes readers on a journey to some of the world’s happiest places, examining the connection between geography and joy.

21. On the Road, by Jack Kerouac

This seminal work of the Beat Generation captures the spirit of a post-war America as Kerouac’s alter ego, Sal Paradise, embarks on a road trip that symbolizes freedom and discovery.

22. Dark Star Safari, by Paul Theroux

Theroux takes readers on an overland journey from Cairo to Cape Town, traversing the length of Africa and uncovering the continent’s complex realities. This travel memoir is a profound reflection on the changes that have swept through Africa and the enduring spirit of its people.

23. Wild, by Cheryl Strayed

In this powerful memoir, Cheryl Strayed recounts her solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, a transformative journey that helped her heal and find new strength after a personal tragedy.

24. How to Travel the World on $50 a Day: Third Edition: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter , by Matt Kepnes

Matt Kepnes, also known as Nomadic Matt, provides practical advice and tips for traveling on a budget without sacrificing the richness of the experience.

25. The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway

While not a travel book per se, Hemingway’s novel captures the ambiance of post-World War I Europe and the lifestyle of the expatriate community, making it a classic read for those who appreciate the art of travel and the allure of foreign lands.

26. The Art of Travel, by Alain de Botton

de Botton explores the philosophical aspects of travel, questioning why we travel and how to learn to appreciate our destinations more deeply.

27. In a Sunburned Country , by Bill Bryson

It is the driest, flattest, hottest, most infertile, and climatically aggressive of all the inhabited continents, and still, Australia teems with life – a large portion of it quite deadly. Australia has more things that can kill you in a very nasty way than anywhere else. Ignoring such dangers – yet curiously obsessed with them – Bill Bryson journeyed to Australia and promptly fell in love with the country. And who can blame him? The people are cheerful, extroverted, quick-witted, and unfailingly obliging: their cities are safe and clean and nearly always built on water; the food is excellent; the beer is cold, and the sun nearly always shines. Life doesn’t get much better than this…

28. The Motorcycle Diaries, by Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara

Before he became a revolutionary icon, Che Guevara embarked on a youthful road trip across South America. This journey shaped his political beliefs and his view of Latin American identity

29. Under the Tuscan Sun, by Frances Mayes

This enchanting account of renovating a villa in the Italian countryside celebrates new beginnings, delicious food, and the joys of immersing oneself in a different culture.

30. The Great Railway Bazaar, by Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux’s classic account of his four-month train journey across Asia offers an engaging and evocative look at the diversity of landscapes, people, and experiences that train travel can offer.

These titles represent a wide range of travel experiences, from solo journeys and cultural explorations to historical adventures and personal transformations. Each book offers a unique perspective on the world and how travel can enrich our lives.

31. The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca, by Tahir Shah

In this travel memoir, Tahir Shah shares his experiences moving his family to Morocco and their cultural challenges and discoveries while renovating a traditional house in Casablanca.

32. Blue Highways: A Journey into America, by William Least Heat-Moon

Heat-Moon takes readers off the interstate and onto the back roads of America. His journey along the “blue highways” on the map reveals the heart and soul of the country’s small towns and forgotten byways.

33. The Valleys of the Assassins: and Other Persian Travels, by Freya Stark

Freya Stark’s account of her travels in the Middle East during the early 20th century is a testament to her intrepid spirit and deep understanding of the region’s culture and history.

34. A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle

Peter Mayle’s charming narrative of his first year living in the South of France paints a vivid picture of Provencal life, its challenges, and the enduring appeal of its cuisine and landscape.

35. Travels with Charley: In Search of America, by John Steinbeck

Steinbeck’s travelogue, detailing his road trip across the United States with his poodle, Charley, offers insights into the American character and the diversity of the country’s landscapes and people.

36. The Geography of Genius, by Eric Weiner

Weiner explores the idea that certain places, at certain times, produce clusters of brilliant minds and great ideas. This book is a travelogue that takes readers to cities that have been hotbeds of genius throughout history.

37. The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America, by Bill Bryson

Bryson’s witty and poignant return to the America of his youth is a journey through the heartland, exploring the quirks and charms of small-town life.

38. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, by Peter Hessler

Hessler’s memoir of his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in China provides a nuanced, compassionate, and humorous look at a country undergoing rapid change.

39. The Girl in the Picture: The Story of Kim Phuc, the Photograph, and the Vietnam War , by Denise Chong

A poignant narrative provides a detailed account of Kim Phuc, the young girl immortalized in a harrowing photograph during the Vietnam War. The book traces Kim’s journey from the moment captured by photojournalist Nick Ut to her life beyond the war, highlighting themes of resilience, reconciliation, and hope. It offers a personal and historical exploration of the enduring effects of war and the power of a single image to resonate across generations.

40. Kindle or Audible Gift Card

Don’t know what books your traveler has read? Give them an Amazon Gift Card in a Gift Box .

One of the most thoughtful and creative book-gifting ideas is to individually wrap a set of 12 books, each labeled with a different month. This unique present ensures that the recipient has a year-long journey of literary surprises ahead, unwrapping a new story to dive into as each month passes. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, offering a delightful reading experience that lasts the entire year.

Final thoughts: Ultimate Gift Guide: Books for Travel Lovers

To wrap up our ultimate gift guide for travel lovers, we’ve shared some inspiring and captivating books to gift! From The Alchemist to Finding Gobi, each story shared gives an inside look into the culture and character of various countries and people.

Books can strengthen our fascination, appreciation, and respect for other cultures while allowing us to explore more of the world without leaving home. In addition, they’re a unique way to give meaningful gifts that will last a lifetime!

So if you’re searching for a special present for loved ones who love to travel – or are looking for something exciting to read yourself – this is the perfect gift guide. If you’re looking for even more travel gift ideas, read our blog post on Travel Essentials for further guidance on what every traveler should have in their backpack!

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Creator, Founder of Cultivate Traveling

Becky is an expert in crafting itineraries for European and beach destinations, with a focus on places like England, the Hawaiian Islands, Arizona, St. John, USVI, and Italy's Rome, Florence, and Cinque Terre. With 15 years of European travels and a London residency in 2019, she's passionate about revisiting and discovering locales to create comprehensive travel plans. Based in Tucson's mountains, Becky enjoys outdoor adventures and off-roading, while summers are spent by a quiet lake in Illinois, near Wisconsin.

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The 50 best parks and gardens in Moscow

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1 Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

2 Kolomenskoye

3 Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

4 all-russian exhibition center, 5 sokolniki park.

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

6 Zaryadye Park

7 moscow zoo, 8 izmailovsky park, 9 muzeon park of arts, 10 neskuchny garden, 11 bauman garden, 12 park krasnaya presnya, 13 moscow state university, 14 vorobyovy gory, 15 family park skazka..

Don’t forget to pack anything

Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

16 Nebo Trampoline park

17 happylon, 18 the rink, 19 fishpoint, 20 vorob'yevy gory, 21 moscow-850, park attraktsionov i razvlecheniy, 22 gulliver, 23 le parterre, 24 vorob'yevy gory, 25 apothecary garden.

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26 Alexander Garden

27 kuskovo estate museum, 28 patriarch's ponds, 29 hermitage garden, 30 main botanical garden of the russian academy of sciences, 31 nudistskiy plyazh v serebryanom boru, 32 yekaterininskiy park, 33 city farm, 34 pokrovskoye-streshnevo park, 35 park ostankino.

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46 Mitino landscape park

47 park druzhby, 48 lefortovo park, 49 trubetskoy estate, 50 park sadovniki, top searches in moscow, popular road trips from moscow, what's the weather like in moscow.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Moscow for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Moscow in January
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All road trips from Moscow

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Explore nearby places

• Likino-Dulevo
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Moscow throughout the year

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Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Moscow?

Get inspired for your trip to Moscow with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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Best attractions in nearby cities

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Small Towns in Russia: Our Journey to the Countryside

We live in moscow and are in love with travelling. should i say, that we have visited every interesting place in nearby 300 km from moscow, but, only few of them still live in our memory as the most attractive. and only few of them are so magnetic that make us return again and again. and only one is so perfect that we even chose it for own wedding party. it is a staritsa town, 700-years old small town in russia with its beautiful surroundings. it's the place where time stopped., staritsa location: the upper volga hills, tver region, 250 km north-west from moscow, about 1/3 of way to st. petersburg, car: soviet uaz van, 2010 year, the starting point: moscow city, tour duration: 2,5 days, how to travel only 200 km from moscow and find the real russia, we love staritsa town so much that we travel there several times every year. as usual, our may journey to staritsa began from packing our bags into crazybu (uaz-452 "bukhanka" or "loaf of bread" minivan). after only 4 hours of merry chatting inside the van with georgian wine and a fast highway and we are almost there.

There are some guesthouses and hotels in Staritsa, but we usually prefer camping on the high bank of the Volga River with amazing river view from the "windows" of our tents. The rays of the sun, chill wind from the river and intense smell of evergreen fill our morning.

This was the first time when we visited "Chukavino" eco-land, nice place especially for children and animal lovers! There were many types of horses as well as camel, reindeer and numerous ducks, chickens and turkeys. And surely, husky - VERY active and VERY sociable animals that lick us from head to toe! Should I say that everyone was thrilled?

The weather was quite cloudy – a standard situation for Russian spring. Our next stop was a nearby church and the old beautiful mansion. The story of this place is typical for Russian cultural objects: they were nationalized by USSR and transmitted to the local factory.

Then "perestroika" and chaos of 1990-s, attempt to restore the mansion, then strange complicated story resulted in many property disputes. now the area doesn't belong to anyone and remains in constant disrepair..

However, the place still looks impressive despite or even because of the creepy atmosphere. Just look at the photos - someone dries out old floorboard just in front of the gates of 17th century church. The latter is abandoned, too - wild flowers and young trees started to grow through ancient gravestones...

There were also a very old and branchy tree without leaves (the spring...) and there was a self-made bench with table beneath with a strange-looking old woman. further we found a very old car, several tumbledown buildings and... are you ready an ostrich farm ostrich shared the place with a flock of sheep standing knee-deep in the mud. from the dusty may sun her looming shadow grows... true detective (c) what a place.

Small towns of Russia has a very interesting feature... They could look nice and picturesque when it gets some sunshine or depressed and creepy when the weather is cloudy, especially in the rainy springs when everything is grey. This time the weather was cloudy so we enjoyed the atmosphere of desertion and nostalgia for the greatness of the past epochs.

Staritsa town was grey but impressive, too. All these beautiful churches of several hundred years old, ancient monastery, the high bank of Volga River, authentic 19th century manors and almost no tourists - that's why we like this small Russian town so much!

We also met a professional historian working as a guide (because he earns about 150 USD at the "main" job). He was slim, had bushy red hair and bright blue eyes. We thought that many years later he could be the Professor in the next "Back to the Future" movie!

Our next stop was Torzhok, another small town in Russia that is located 70 km from Staritsa by (typical for Russia) a very bad road full of potholes and ghost towns. But the weather was great! Just feel the difference! What a beauty!

Moreover, we were extremely lucky because it was the main day of a medieval festival! We saw a large tent city and a lot of re-constructors wearing beautiful medieval clothes. Then there was much sparring between warriors in armor of different types. And finally we enjoyed the battle between two armies of about 50 people each! It was really impressive...

It was long day and long journey. We spent two days there but it felt like a week at least! Nice company + nice place + luck => amazing journey. Thanks, guys!

Waiting for our next journey to explore small towns of russia ., do you want to travel the small towns in the russian countryside.

During first days we will visit all must-see place in Moscow. Whether you're looking to visit medieval monasteries, historic houses, stunning cathedrals, soviet monumental skyscrapers, wonderful parks and more, there are plenty of landmark destinations to visit when you're in Moscow.

The next 2-3 days we will see life in the typical Russian provinces visiting small towns of the famous Golden ring of Russia. It is a ring of ancient towns, which also played a significant role in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church. They still preserve the memory of the most important and significant events in Russian history.

The towns are one of the best places to visit in Russia! They have been called "open-air museums" and feature unique monuments of Russian architecture of the 12th–18th centuries, including kremlins, monasteries, cathedrals, and churches. You will also see a lot of rural Russia with its old wooden houses and traditional villages.

There is a great difference between Moscow, St. Petersburg, and all other Russia... The concept of this tour is to show you the real Russia with numerous small towns, pristine nature, abandoned churches and the life of people.

This tour does not include Golden Ring towns! Instead, you will see Staritsa town and Novgorod the Great, beautiful places to visit in Russia!

We will also visit an elderly couple living in a traditional Russia village. We will help them with their daily work - plowing the land (not by tractors, but by horses), caring for the livestock and cooking food in a traditional Russian oven… And surely we will taste some real fresh milk and eggs while they will be telling us about their common life, their habits, and the households.

The itinerary is perfect for those who are going to St. Petersburg. It takes only 4 hours to get there from Novgorod by a cheap local train.

Come with me on my travels, as you plan yours

11 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Moscow, Russia

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Despite all the places I have visited during and after my time living in Moscow, everyone wants to know what is it like to live in Russia. When I accepted a teaching job at an international school in Moscow I knew very little about the country. Of course I did some research, but the United States presents a very skewed view of life in Russia today. Moving abroad is always an emotional experience, but anyone from the USA planning on living and working in Moscow might be surprised about what is and isn’t a challenge in Russia.

After a year living in the country I can say that I didn’t love living in Russia, but I did love the new cultural experience. I already wrote about what it is like to live in Russia in general. In this post I go into the logistics and details of moving to and living in Moscow, Russia.  If you are debating whether or not you should move to Moscow, Russia here are 11 things to know before you pack your bags.

1. The Visa Process is a Hassle

When I was living in Moscow I came across an article about the hardest visas for US citizens to obtain. Russia was one of the top five. Go figure, I decided to move to Russia!

The US embassy website says it best, “The Russian government maintains a restrictive and complicated visa regime for foreigners who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian Federation.” I may not agree with the US government on a lot of things, but they are correct on that!

A Russian-based sponsor is always required in order to obtain a visa. I’m not going to go into details on the process, that could be a whole different post. It’s unlikely that you could move to Russia without a work/school sponsorship, so your new employer/school should help you through the steps. Before accepting a position that is something to check into!

After receiving sponsorship and your invitation letter you will need to apply for the visa and get an HIV test done. Be aware it needs to be the formal blood drawn test that gets sent to a lab and not just a finger prick instant test. I found that out the hard way!

2. Registration is Required Every-time you Return to Russia

Within a specific period of time when returning back to Russia from another country you or your company needs to register you using the migration card you are given at customs. For most of my time in Moscow this was within 3 days, during the World Cup this needed to be done within 24 hours. One guy from my school did not give his migration card to HR within the required amount of time and had to leave the country and then immediately return in order to avoid issues. 

You will need your migration card in order to leave the country. Needless to say keep it in a safe spot!

3. Documentation Needs to Be Carried at All Times

When walking the streets of Russia you need to carry your papers at all times. This includes your passport, visa, and migration card. A police officer can ask you for these for no reason and you can be detained if you do not have them on you. According to the HR department at my school you can also have an officially stamped copy of your passport and visa instead of your originals.

4. The Cost of Living is Low

If you are coming from the USA or Western Europe you will most likely find the cost of living low. My phone bill was about $15 a month and my internet was about $20 a month. I had a monthly membership at one of the nicest two story gyms with various classes and a pool for $58 a month. Taxis cost only a few dollars for 10 – 20 minute rides. Overall if you compare costs to what you paid back ‘home’ you will be pleasantly surprised.

Retail shopping was the one thing I found more expensive than in other parts of Europe or the US. The prices of both familiar worldwide brands and unfamiliar Russian brands seemed pricier. Coming from NYC I didn’t think the restaurants were too expensive, but many of my colleagues thought they also had higher prices.

5. Bill Paying is an Odd Process

It took me awhile to figure out how to pay my phone and internet bills. In the US I always had a set monthly fee due on a specific date. I could easily set up bill pay. In Moscow the way I found out that my phone and internet bill was due was when they stopped working. For my internet I wouldn’t be able to use it on a random day and had to enter my credit card information to pay for the next month. Without having access to the internet to translate this page I had no chance of figuring out the form correctly. Not to mention, it was a guessing game of figuring out how much I owed. Initially I was confused about the conversion rates so I didn’t even know in the ballpark what monthly internet cost.

Oh my goodness did I struggle with my phone in Moscow! The data wouldn’t work. Sometimes it was because I had to ‘top up’ my payment. Similar to the internet, I didn’t know how much I owed or when. There was some other issue with my phone that took three visits to the phone store with Russian colleagues to resolve. I still don’t know what the issue was because according to my co-worker who translated I would have to pay for them to tell me what they had to fix on my phone. I didn’t have to pay for them to fix it, but I would have to pay if I wanted to know what they fixed??? Welcome to life in Moscow! 

I loved how cheap internet and phone service was, but sometimes I wished I could pay a little more just to simplify using them.

6. Many Online Sites are Blocked

Internet and WiFi in Moscow usually work really well. That is unless the site is blocked. Some sites you would never guess would be blocked like Target.com. I found many American online store websites blocked. Also many important financial sites are blocked. M y US bank’s entire website was blocked online, as well as my credit card company. TV shows direct from the networks are often blocked. No watching American Ninja Warrior on NBC or Amazing race on CBS. Hulu is also blocked. Your best bet is through youtube.com or VPN blockers. 

7. Transferring Money is Not Fun

My school set me up with Raiffeisen Bank. It worked well except for when I needed to transfer money. As I mentioned above my bank (Capital One) couldn’t be accessed online and wouldn’t except transfers from Russia. Before moving to Russia make sure you have a bank back home that you can transfer money to if you plan on doing that. It was very difficult to set up once out of the country. Luckily my parents set up a Chase account that was able to except money from Russia. They then transferred the money to my US bank account.

8. Hardly Anyone Speaks English

The hardest part of all the challenges I have listed above is that most people don’t speak English. It’s one thing being a tourist and trying to communicate at an attraction while traveling. It’s another thing to attempt banking, bill paying, grocery shopping and everything else that living and working in Moscow entails. 

Some Russians speak a little English in the city center, but don’t count on it. In other outlying neighborhoods, like mine, it was rare that someone spoke English. I had so many experiences when people would just speak more Russian to me when I didn’t understand. Unlike a lot of countries that attempt to put more things in English for tourists, Russia seemed to have the attitude of, it is your problem, figure it out. 

Have Yandex Translate or Google Translate at the ready if you don’t speak Russian. Also set your web browser to translate web pages into English.

9. Learning Russian is Hard

I knew that learning Russian would improve my life in Moscow a great deal. If you know me personally, you know I am a pretty persistent person. If I set my mind to something, I will do it…..except for learning Russian . My Russian teacher would say a word and I couldn’t remember it two seconds later to repeat it. To be fair I did learn the alphabet, how to count to ten and a few greetings and other nouns.

10. Getting Around Moscow is Easy

The Moscow Metro is very nice, cheap and easy to use. It follows the same basic system of metros around the world. If you are considering learning Russian start with the alphabet, it will help you use the metro. Not all the stops and stations are in English. Have a metro map downloaded on your phone in English. You can use it to help you figure out the stop names in Russian. The metro runs from about 5:30am to 1am.

I took the metro whenever I could, but on off hours, going to the airport or when traveling somewhere not on a metro line I used Yandex taxis . They are the Uber of Moscow and very cheap. Most drivers don’t speak English, so this is a good time to have a translator app handy.

11. Hot Water is Shut Off for 10 Days Every Year.

Between May and August almost all of the apartment buildings have an assigned 10 days when the hot water is shut off for maintenance. You can check online at Oaomoek to see when it will be shut off for your apartment building. If you have a new building you may not have to deal with this (most buildings are old though). 

As an American moving to Moscow, Russia I definitely had an adventure! If you have moved to Moscow let me know in the comments below what your experience has been like. Feel free to leave any questions about moving to Russia below as well. 

More About Russia

• Moscow Things to Do: The Must See Sights , Unique Things to Do ,  Spartak Stadium
• Moscow Markets:  Izmailovsky Market , Danilovsky Market
• Moscow Museums: Moscow City Museum , Victory Museum , Museum of the Patriotic War in 1812 , State Historical Museum ,
• Moscow Life: Malls , Christmas in Moscow , Metro , Learning Spanish , My Russian Apartment , What is Life Really Like in Russia , FiFa World Cup , Russian Winters , and more posts about life abroad in Russia .
• St Petersburg: City Guide , The Hermitage Museum , Kayaking the Rivers & Canals , Peterhof Palace

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33 comments.

The hot water thing happened to me while living (and teaching english too) in Prague! I had no idea that was a thing! Luckily it was for 3 days.

Interesting, I didn’t know it happened in other countries too!

Thank you for such a great article! Moving to a new country is always a stressful process no matter how prepared you are and knowing these little ins and outs of the process really helps. Having to get an HIV test before moving kind of surprised me and registering every time you return to Russia seems like a hassle! I have heard that Russian is a very difficult language to learn. I tried learning the basics when I was travelling through Eastern Europe and the Balkans and almost immediately gave up because I found it incredibly difficult to teach myself from free online resources. I’ve heard that Moscow has some of the most beautiful metro stations in the world and would love to see them one day!

You’re welcome, thanks for reading! I’m terrified of needles, so I really hated having to do an HIV test. Also we had to do them a couple times of year at the school I worked at. I found Russian really hard to learn when I had a private teacher. I can imagine it would be even more difficult to try to teach yourself. Yes, the metro stations are beautiful!

Tell me about it (the visa progress, internet, hot water shut off!), I lived for a while in Moscow many years ago and the paperwork was a nightmare and by the sounds of it, nothing has changed. I learnt Russian pretty fast (had no choice) but I did enjoy my time there. Would I go back? Maybe….

It’s great to hear from someone else who lived in Moscow! That’s awesome that you learned Russian really quick, I’m impressed!

I had heard about a lot of things about Russia and turns out most of them are true! They have this strictest Visa process and paperwork. One of my acquaintances arrived in Russia after visiting some other Central Asian countries. He was apparently deported with no proper reason. He was told if you want to visit Russia, come directly from your country and not through any other country! It was good to know a lot about Russia and Moscow in general from your blog. I hope you had a good and exciting time there.

Oh wow that’s quite the scary story! I traveled to other countries quite a bit when I lived there and luckily didn’t have any problems going back to Russia.

First off – kudos for having managed in this city. It does seem like a challenge to get here and more importantly stay here. The amount of documentation and forms. And to not be able to pay your bills in a jiffy. Oof! Russian only and no English can be hassle if you are staying there for long term. The last point totally put me in a bind – no hot water for 10 days in a cold country! Brrrr….

Hahaha the visa the visa the visa!!!! I was had planned for my trip in December 2019… The hardest part was figuring out how to get an invitation letter when staying at an Airbnb. That took me quite a while to figure out and was a bit costly about $65 but the Airbnb was affordable so the costs balanced out. On arrival don’t be in a hurry, it took about 3 hrs to be cleared at immigration as a first time tourist to Russia. But once that was done i really enjoyed my stay. I love how beautifully decorated it is in December and the fireworks on 31st. Being an African I was a tad cautious but boy are those people kind and friendly… I got so many hugs and numerous people eager to find out more about what I think of Russia and where I’m from. I’d definitely go back. Oh and I visited Voronzeh by bus… Small nice and really affordable town but not as much to do as Moscow though..

The Fearless Foreigner

The visa process and the invitation letter are quite the hassle. Glad you had a good experience in Russia overall though!

This really opened my eyes to some of the things we take for granted in the US, like consistent WiFi, phone service and hot water. And paying bills sounds as though it would be very frustrating. As someone who has a tendency to misplace things, I was relieved to hear an officially stamped passport and visa copy would be accepted. Imagine losing the originals? Ugh. All worth it, I’m sure, to have this incredible opportunity to experience Russia as a resident. These tips are very helpful and I do hope to visit in the near future. Thank you!

That’s so true, we do take a lot for granted in the US. Moving to Moscow was a challenging experience, but still rewarding!

Sheriannekay

I am hoping to visit Moscow in the fall. I know it won’t be my easiest trip and have put off research. This is a great starting point. The tips for apps are greatly appreciated. I didn’t realize language would be as huge a barrier as it sounds so I will do extra prep. Thanks for the heads up on carrying papers with me at all times, I don’t usually do that

As a tourist you will hopefully have an easier time with the language barrier and your hotel will send you the invitation letter to start the visa process. It still is a hassle and takes more planning than other countries though. I have several other Moscow posts, I hope you check them out and let me know if you have any questions!

Most of the “rough” things mentioned are truly in the eye of the beholder – and a matter of simple adjustment. WI-FI is a lot more consistent and readily available in Russia’s big cities than in cities of comparable size in the US. As to cell phones – the vast majority of plans is “prepaid” vs “pay-as-you-go”, which essentially means you can hypothetically run out of money. That said, internet banking is a lot more developed in Russia – so “topping up” your phone is a matter of a couple of clicks on your phone (or, alternatively, and “auto-payment” from your bank account as soon as you hit a certain limit). Back in 2018, I went for 7 days in Moscow and Spb without any cash or credit cards at all – paying for everything with my phone (Samsung Pay, Google pay, etc).

Hot water – yes, that’s something I had a hard time getting used to. Luckily, most rental apartments have a back up water boiler (or in-line water heater) to help you through those 10 days 🙂 If not – you can always get one (costs about $70, no electrical license or skills needed to install – it’s a simple plug and play. Plug and shower, rather 🙂

As to visa – well, yes, it’s a bit of a pain. To give you some perspective, though – the wait times for a (mandatory) visa interview at the US embassy in Moscow back in 2018 started at 1 year (yes, that’s 365 days), and Russians have to travel to the US embassy, regardless of where in the country they reside. If they happen to live, say, in Petropavlovsk, they need to fly into Moscow (a 9-hr flight across 9 time zones)

Linda (LD Holland)

Wow! A move to Moscow is certainly adventurous. I know that visiting requires a whole big process. So I am sure residency is a degree of magnitude harder. I am not surprised that internet is blocked. But the process for paying bills is just bizarre. And I am not sure how to deal with no hot water for 10 days. Some great tips for people wanting to do a longer stay in Russia.

Moving to Moscow was an adventure! Some people tough it out and take cold showers for 10 days. I heated up some water and took showers at my gym some days.

Bhushavali N

Oh wow! That’s quite an experience. Language barrier when you move to a country is indeed difficult, unlike being a tourist for a few days. I know that feeling, coz I’ve been through that! Interesting to know that the cost of living is cheaper than USA or EU! I wonder if the situation of money transfer is difficult only with banks of USA or with any other country! Just like China, I’m not surprised that many sites are blocked in Russia as well!

Most of my co-workers were from the UK or other countries around the world. I talked with them about the money transferring and none of them seemed to have any problem. So I guess it is more of an issue with US banks!

Victoria immigration expert

Thank you for sharing your experience. This is very valuable. I think it is the language barrier that causes many inconveniences. Good luck to you!

Yes, the language barrier was one of my biggest challenges! Thank you.

I loved reading this! I am SO curious about Russia right now. It’s somewhere I really really want to go but as you mentioned, the visa process is a bit tricky. It’s just such an unknown place to me, I don’t really know anyone who has been there. I think it’s very cool that you taught English there! I appreciated your honestly about how you didn’t technically love it nor hate it, it seems like there were many challenges but a great experience overall!

Russia is an interesting place! It is a hassle to get a visa, but if you are intrigued you should visit! It’s unique because it is Europe, but doesn’t feel like the other European countries, yet doesn’t feel like Asia either. Let me know if you have any questions about visiting!

Anton Vasilyev

Just read your article and having traveled to Russia multiple times I think you made it sound a bit too complicated. First, the visa issue – Google an online Russian visa support site and they will do it for you for a modest fee. You all seem to mention that 7- 10 day hot water maintenance. It does take place in the middle of the summer so it’s not that dramatic. When searching for an Airbnb make sure it comes with a water heater. That way you don’t depend on centrally supplied hot water. Most local apartments come with a tankless water heater installed to avoid this exact situation – just ask. And I’ll just ignore your other complaint that English is not widely spoken in Moscow. I actually enjoy that there are not that many English speaking tourists in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Living in a country and traveling in a country is very different.This post is geared to expats moving to Russia and people who like to know all the pros and cons of moving somewhere, even if they are minor inconveniences. For the most part our companies choose where we live and we have no control over the apartment (no AirBnBs). That’s great that you enjoy that many people do not speak English. As I said that is the point of this post, for people to determine if they would like to live in the country or not. Anything that does not pertain to your situation or needs you are free to ignore!

Hey Elizabeth! I came across your blog after participating in the collab about teaching abroad, with Monica from This Rare Earth! I resonated with what you said here — many of the same things happen in China where I work. It is definitely an adventure 🙂

Thanks for stopping by! That’s very cool that you are teaching in China! I’m sure there are a lot of similarities….teaching abroad is an adventure for sure 🙂

It was interesting to read, so let me give you Russian point of view. As for visa, I really can not understand what’s the purpose of such hassle – if I was responsible for Russian visa policy, I would make visa-free regime for the majority of countries. We had quite nice experience during the World Cup 3 years back, so I hope things will be changing. Even now, they introduced new e-visa policy, at least for various European countries. However, they always state that all visa policies should be reciprocal, though it doesn’t make sence for me at all. As for passports I strongly disagree with you – you don’t need to carry it all the time, at least in Moscow. It is not required by law and normally no one will ask it as well, at least if you’re not looking like people from Caucasian & Central Asian republics. Attitude towards foreigners from “rich countries” from police is mostly much better, than towards any Russian. As for internet, it amazes me that you found it problematic. Wi-Fi is all over Moscow, Apple Pay can be used almost everywhere, and the unlimited internet package I have on my tablet is less than 10$ per month – i never found anything like that in other countries, though I am travelling a lot. As for blocked sites – there are some, but target.com is blocked not by Russians, but by target.com itself, because it does not accept our cards and doesn’t provide any services to us. Absolutely same situation applies to Ukraine – you will not open it there either. However, absolutely nobody in Russia uses and even knows about that site, we use other websites for shopping, both local and international. In general, we use local sources – we have our analogues of Facebook, Netflix, Spotify etc, and in some cases they are really much more convenient. In general I am happy to read you report – visit us again!

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!

Thank you for sharing so many details living in Moscow ,and i am gald that i have read this article before i go to Moscow ,yes i will study in Moscow for few years and i don’t know what is the life will be there ,i am nervious and at mean time don’t know if it is right for me to live in Moscow ,because i know they have low salary too ,so maybe it’s hard for a student to find a good part time job,anyway ,i will start to my life in Moscow soon,hope everything will go smoothly,thank you for sharing this again!

You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy your time in Moscow.

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