Travel books that will change the way you see the world

There is no doubt about the fact that traveling can earn you experiences that no other thing in life could equal. Even reading travel books can be so inspiring and enlightening that they could force people to step out of their comfort zones and travel. Furthermore, travel books can introduce readers to such places they didn't even know existed in the first place. Thus, here's a look at travel books that will change the way you see the world.

It is Sebald’s account of a walking tour of the English county of Suffolk. However, though the narrator meanders a few miles down the coast, his mental journey feels far greater. This book blends descriptions of the places and people Sebald encounters with meditations that range from the history of herring fishing, to colonialism in the Congo, to the reign of a Chinese empress.

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It is a compilation of short stories from famous chefs, writers, and foodies around the world.

"From bat on the island of Fais to chicken on a Russian train to barbecue in the American heartland, from mutton in Mongolia to couscous in Morocco to tacos in Tijuana - on the road, food nourishes us not only physically, but intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually too. It can be a gift that enables a traveller to survive, a doorway into the heart of a tribe, or a thread that weaves an indelible tie; it can be awful or ambrosial - and sometimes both at the same time. Celebrate the riches and revelations of food with this 38-course feast of true tales set around the world," reads the book's blurb.

Pic credit: Lonely Planet

The book provides invaluable insights into everything from holiday romance to hotel mini-bars, airports to sightseeing. Furthermore, it tries to explain why we really went in the first place - and helpfully suggests how we might be happier on our journeys.

Pic credit: Hamish Hamilton UK

The book centers on Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, who 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 galvanized 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.

Pic credit: HarperCollins

It is a memoir by Bourdain - American celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian - and the follow-up to his bestselling 'Kitchen Confidential'. The book addresses Bourdain's rise to stardom following the success of Kitchen Confidential. It was travel that changed Bourdain. It opened his eyes to a world that was forgiving and kind, to a world of people less fortunate than him, but who were happier than he could ever be, and it taught him the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone as a means to growth.

Pic credit: Ecco

The book is an exploration of the importance of breaking the boundaries we set ourselves; an examination of the stories borders tell, and the restrictions they place on nature and humanity; a meditation on the existential need to explore. All in all, it celebrates our connection as humans to the natural world, and ultimately to each other - a belonging that transcends any fences or stories that may divide us.

Pic credit: Dey Street Books