But while each chapter is focused on one author – and you’ll yearn to reconnect with each – her pursuit keeps one foot in the now. After reading this, you’ll wander if maybe another ambassador – maybe one more familiar with dead parrots – would achieve better results.

He’s also properly, consistently funny, as evidenced in 2001’s French Revolutions, which sees him attempt to cycle the entire course of the Tour de France.She duly conquered them all, chronicling the achievement in a successful blog, with the peaks becoming a constant presence in her life – much like a parent. All brand new, incredible photography illustrates each country, depicting what life is like in each nation from photographic portraits of people, beautiful landscape photographs and vibrant street photography. Editor Duncan Minshull, who pulled the collection together, has written three books about walking, so he knows a thing or two about it. Coffey manages to weave in the hard-hitting detail in a light manner, which means even when the book is delivering its most serious of arguments – such as the fact that polluting air travel is predicted to double by 2037 – it never feels preachy. Her excitement about finding herself and healing from her past is quickly halted as she continues to have instances of bad luck and near-death experiences.

Bell-ringing veterans and piano-tuning families show us the importance of music to Siberia, offering a solace similar to the trembling chords of great composers that comforted the tortured souls who trudged over the Urals to face punishment. Setting out through the wilderness to find one of The Lost Pianos of Siberia for a Mongolian pianist, Sophy traces the movements and history of these grand European instruments, dating from the time of cultural catalyst Catherine the Great to the chaotic journeys forced by revolution. But while there’s a dash of ‘mindfulness’ about Alone Time, Stephanie Rosenbloom’s thoughtful treatise on going it on your own will not only give you a fresh appreciation for the four cities at the heart of her book – Paris, Florence, Istanbul and New York, all rendered in impressively atmospheric detail – but also for the notion of being by oneself. Rita Golden Gelman is a prime example of the fact that it’s never too late to follow your dreams and live the life you want to live. By the time he reaches that famous causeway, he’s wandered though Viking history and England and Scotland’s tumultuous relationship.With no hiking experience and nothing to lose, she traveled from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to the Bridge of the Gods in Washington. Taking us on a wild – and charmingly illustrated – sojourn through 25 obscure locations, Sarah exposes the places we never knew we needed to be. Having read/listened to other Bryson books i was expecting to like the book but unfortunately this one fell flat for me. He invites us on to the small wooden sloop that sees him from his home in Cornwall, along Ireland’s west coast and up to the Scottish islands. As someone who participates in many outdoor activities i had a hard time understanding how anyone with intelligence would willingly go into (semi)wilderness so unprepared and then rinse and repeat.

Now in her late 80s, she’s been responsible for dozens of travel books, dwelling on destinations as varied as Cuba, Laos, Romania and Cameroon.The bestseller also details his friendship with the 14th Dalai Lama as the Chinese prepared to invade Tibet.

But Iain Campbell makes his choice effortlessly, one icy evening in Tibet when his dreams of reaching its source are dashed. His vivid imagery allows you to share in his experiences as some of the themes still echo in modern society. This read traces her (not always easy) journey to becoming a frequent traveller at “zero altitude”, detailing what she’s learned so far and how she’s managed trips as diverse as the Scilly Isles and Croatia. TV presenter Philippa Forrester sets out to track Wyoming’s wild wolves in this grizzly account of her family’s adjustment to life in the USA’s ‘Wild West’.This time, he heads beneath the surface, to feel his way through the total darkness and discovers roots of all sorts there – sometimes flora, more often human. It is also a tale of the unexpected kindness of strangers, as nomads take Lara in, giving her nourishment and a place to catch a few hours of sleep. Instead, this intriguing collection of travellers’ tales gives you perspectives on 38 cities across six continents from philosophers, explorers and artists.