Books
Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
I can only imagine how big of an impact this book had in beginning my passion for travel. I first read it as a kid, and have revisited in full it two times since, and partially countless times. It’s a really fun read and I’d recommend it to anyone interested of all ages. I think it opened my eyes to how big the world around us truly is, and piqued my interest of seeing as much of it as possible in the short time we have here on the planet.
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts
This book I read during my college years, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Back when I didn’t have any money, let alone a clear career path or vision for my future, the concepts in this book really made it possible for me to get comfortable with the perpetual state of travel. It has since gained popularity, and rightfully so. I think if you start thinking about travel this way from the get go, you’ll build solid travel instincts to help you navigate through regions with different languages, customs, and lifestyles.
Eyewitness Travel (many different books)
I know what you’re thinking – travel books are for tourists. And it’s true, they are geared toward inexperienced travelers who are looking to get a grip on the country they are heading to. That doesn’t mean they aren’t full of useful information though. If you are heading somewhere new they are a great resource for familiarizing yourself with the different regions of the country. They’ll give you a good impression of which sites are worth seeing, and which you wouldn’t be so disappointed to avoid. If you’ve never used one of these books I’d recommend you check them out before your next trip to the unknown.