Our recommendations on the best travel books to explore Europe
Embarking on a European travel adventure ignites a spark of wonder and possibility like perhaps nowhere else in the world. From the moment you step off the plane, you're immersed in a tapestry of cultures, histories, and landscapes waiting to be explored. Picture yourself wandering through the narrow, cobblestone streets of Prague, marveling at the astronomical clock in the Old Town Square. Imagine savoring a perfect espresso in a sun-drenched Roman piazza, the Colosseum looming in the distance. Feel the rush of adrenaline as you ski down the pristine slopes of the Swiss Alps, or the serenity of a sunset sail along the Croatian coast. Each day brings new discoveries: the ethereal light of a Parisian dawn, the pulsing energy of a Berlin nightclub, or the timeless beauty of Michelangelo's David in Florence. Europe isn't just a destination; it's a journey that awakens your senses and broadens your horizons, leaving you forever changed.
France
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Netherlands & Belgium
Germany
Greece
Turkey
The Nordics
Our Travel Book Recommendations - Europe
Our Travel Book Recommendations - Europe
Lonely Planet: Europe
If you have to choose one book and one company to trust with your European trip, it is Lonely Planet. They are the largest travel guide publisher for a reason; their guides are amazingly researched, organized intelligently, and very complete. We recommend either Lonely Planet Europe (the standard mid-range guide) or Lonely Planet Europe on a Shoestring (for those with frugal budgets). Both versions are heavy books with over 1000 pages of planning advice and detailed maps. Make sure of course to find the latest, most recently edited version.
Rick Steves: Europe Through the Back Door
Embark on your European adventure with the ultimate travel companion: Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door. This indispensable guide, penned by the renowned Europe specialist who has been enlightening travelers since 1980, is a treasure trove of insider knowledge. Steves' expertly crafted pages unveil the secrets of cultural immersion, savvy budget management, and efficient exploration, transforming novice wanderers into confident adventurers.
The Savvy Backpacker's Europe on a Budget
Those looking to really travel on a budget will like The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide, written by James Feess. Feess is an American who caught the travel bug when studying abroad in England in 2006, now traveling frequently around Europe with his wife. The book provides a wide range of general travel planning tips, and specific guidance on hostels, transportation, and cost-effective things to do. The website itself is also recommended.
Neither Here Nor There, by Bill Bryson
One of travel writer Bill Bryson's first influential travel experiences was his backpacking trip across Europe in the seventies, in search of enlightenment, beer, and women, and not necessarily in that order. He was accompanied by an unforgettable sidekick named Stephen Katz, his hiking partner many years later in Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. Twenty years after that backpacking trip, he decided to hilariously retrace his journey.
Over Europe, with text by Jan Morris
This stunning coffee table book capturing post-war Europe’s rebirth combines aerial photography from fourteen masters with descriptions from renowned travel writer Jan Morris. The result of a two-year endeavor, it offers readers a bird's-eye view of the continent's transformation. From cathedrals to villages, bustling cities to serene landscapes, each page unveils Europe's rich architectural heritage and natural beauty. Over Europe invites you to witness history unfold from a unique perspective, soaring above a reborn continent.
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