The 21 greatest travel books of all time

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Literature has the power to transport us to faraway places, letting us experience exotic locales we've never been to, but would love to visit.

From the classics to more modern stories, there are plenty of travel books out there to feed your wanderlust.

We've rounded up some of the best ones out there, written by authors who have traveled across America, Africa, Asia, and more.

'On the Road,' Jack Kerouac

Amazon

A classic — and probably one of the best-known travel stories of all time — "On the Road" chronicles the journey of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty, two "beats" who head west from New York City across the country during the 1950s in search of fulfillment.

It's not about where the two end up, it's about the journey that gets them there.

Buy it here >

'The Great Railway Bazaar,' Paul Theroux

Amazon

First published in 1975, "The Great Railway Bazaar" is the perfect book for lovers of train travel.

Author Paul Theroux chronicles his grand journey via train from London across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, riding on everything from the Orient Express to the Trans-Siberian Express. 

Buy it here >

'Into the Wild,' Jon Krakauer

Amazon

Chris McCandless made his way from Virginia into the Alaskan Wilderness with pretty much nothing to his name, in search of himself and freedom.

Author Jon Krakauer retraced his steps in order to write "Into the Wild," which tries to figure out the story behind McCandless' death.

Buy it here >

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