Gerald Durrell is part of an unusual family. So, when they decide to up and move to the sunny Greek island of Corfu, it was nothing out of the ordinary. What makes Lonely Planet great is they provide different itineraries based on budget. So if you’re looking for luxury, Lonely Planet will have you in the finest hotels and restaurants. Less about things to see and top destinations, and more about how to experience Europe’s best. An excellent companion. Any who are gluten sensitive or have other dietary restrictions can finally rest easy as she breaks down where to go and what to avoid if you want to eat well while traveling.

After the significant political upheaval of recent years, Zimbabwe is an excellent guide for travellers wanting to dip their toes into the country's attractions, covering everywhere from Victoria Falls to the Zambezi River. Shantaram is set in the underworld of contemporary India, where an escaped convict from Australia named Lin is hiding out. He searches for love while running a clinic in one of the city’s poorest slums and simultaneously working for the Bombay mafia. Part travelogue, part guide, this book is excellent before any trips to Europe, especially if you’re looking for books set in Greece. Using Fermor’s book as his travel guide, he walked across Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. In How NOT To Travel The World Lauren expertly conveys the fears of a first-time solo traveler who, prior to hitting the road, as she lived a rather sheltered life. The overarching theme is conquering fear and living your dream.From practical tips to time (and money) saving itineraries to maps, this book has it all. Plus, it offers up budget itineraries no matter your travel style. If you’re looking for restaurants and music, it’s got it. Hiking and outdoors? It’s got that, too.

But I’m curious to hear from those of you who are headed to Europe for the first time and seasoned vets. What do YOU think is the best travel guide book out there? Who: Succinct but expert advice, beautifully detailed illustrations that transport you right into city streets and historic buildings, detailed maps and interesting facts – is there really any wonder why DK's Eyewitness guides impress us so much? Francis Tapon is an intriguing world explorer. His The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us is one of those rare books that challenge stereotypes albeit from a strongly biased perspective which doesn’t bother at all because the voice of the author is honest and the experience is genuine. This is Tapon’s personal journey and view, so take his tales with the necessary grain of salt. Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes Interested in visiting Tuscany? Allow Frances Mayes to transport you there with his look at the traditions, cuisine, and daily life of the region. Along the way, he learns more about life’s simple pleasures, how to appreciate getting older, and its importance to life.No internet? No problem – you can access them offline, too, so you won't get an expensive phone bill, either. They really are your best friend when travelling on a shoestring budget. It's a common enough experience to fantasize about living in another country, but not everyone actually makes the leap. Sarah Moss falls into the latter group, moving her small family from Kent in the UK to Reykjavík. She finds herself immersed not only in a completely different language and landscape, but a disorienting mix of stark reality and folkloric fantasy, catching the tail end of Iceland's economic depression and the recent eruption Eyjafjallajokull in an otherworldly place that still believes in elves. Bosnia & Hercegovina What to read: If you're looking for a new insight into Africa, take a look at the recently published guides on Gabonand Zimbabwe.