WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT if you could try everything before you bought it? That’s not the case with a trip to a different country. If you’re contemplating planning a big adventure, but you aren’t quite sold on the idea, you should turn to books for the answers. Books engage our imaginations, and our wandering minds can turn into wandering legs once we’re pumped full of inspiration from a positive literary experience.

1. On The Road – Jack Kerouac

If you haven’t read any Kerouac, you’re missing out. In On The Road, our protagonist departs from New York City and makes his journey west. We explore Sal’s emotions through all of his travel experiences, and watch him grow from a frustrated young man into a confident and able pinnacle of strength. We all want a transformation as profound as Sal’s, and he encourages us to obtain it through travel.

2. Seven Ages of Paris – Alistair Horne

This non-fiction showcase of Parisian history is as informative as it is compelling. If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting France, this book will give you a good idea about the foundation of its most popular tourist city. Beginning in the middle ages and ending in the 20^th century, you’ll read amazing insight to the intricacies of Paris’ history, showing you how it became the city it is in present time.

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

Rolf Potts could be considered a professional vagabond. After spending a solid decade travelling, sometimes walking the distance of entire countries, he wrote a book to share his experiences with the world. If there’s anyone you want to take advice from, it’s this guy. You’ll find yourself inspired to do more than just travel. It also helps to remember that if Rolf Potts could travel for ten solid years, there’s no reason you can’t take one trip you’ve always dreamed of.

4. Cruising Altitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet by Heather Poolie

Poolie’s career as a flight attendant left her with numerous anecdotes about what her job entails, and the kind of people she encountered in her line of work. This is an easy read, and there’s no shortage of laughs. Cruising Altitude will forever change your perspective when you’re on a plane, and give you new respect for flight attendants. Maybe you’ll be inspired to ask flight attendants to share their stories with you the next time you’re on a trip.

5. Love With a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

Here’s one for the romance novel buffs. Love With a Chance of Drowning is about a woman dealing with her fear of the ocean to boat a long distance with her spouse. There’s some lovey stuff, but there’s also plenty of inspiration for overcoming travel fears. If fear has ever been an obstacle to you, you may find yourself uplifted by this story.

6. The Beach – Alex Garland

The Beach is a story about backpackers searching for the perfect location, and it has some less than subtle contemplative undertones. Everyone is setting out to do something different, craving uniqueness in their experiences. This book touches on perspectives and desires in a way that will help you understand yours, and perhaps that may be what you need to boost your drive.

7. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M Pirsig

This book is a philosopher’s dream. This is actually a philosophical exploration written under the metaphor of a motorcycle trip across the country. If you want to travel to enrich your soul, with the intention of learning and growing as a person across your travels, Pirsig’s take on western philosophy will thoroughly captivate you.

Books are always great, but don’t forget to read posts by your favorite travel bloggers. You may find that some of these books are very near and dear to them, and they’ve influenced their travelling habits.

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Will Norquay is a book and travel lover who shares his experiences and thoughts writing for Stayz, Australia’s #1 holiday rental website.