If you’re the type of person that likes to put their head in a land before they even get on the plane to go there, this section might be for you. Below is our choices for the best travel-related books, music & movies out there to date. Books to set your imagination in motion, music to get your pulse quickened and movies to give you a dramatic sense of what’s possible. Here are our staff picks for travel movies, travel books and travel music.

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Best travel books, fiction and nonfiction

There’s something magical about travel writing. Reading books allows you take a journey and learn the lessons from the comfort of your armchair. Here is a list of AirTreks staff favorites from the bookshelf. Happy reading!

Shantaram – by Gregory David Roberts: A stunning and character rich, pot-boiler of a novel set in Mumbai, India about an Australian ex-pat who gets caught up in the local mafia. “A sensational read,” according to Publishers Weekly. Highly recommended for its full immersion into life in a major Indian city.

 

 

 

 

River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze – by Peter Hessler An “honest, engaging and amusing” non-fictional story about man who spent two years with the Peace Corps in a small town in central China teaching English literature. An interesting portrait of modern China.

 

 

 

 

Long Way Round, Chasing Shadows Across the World – by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman “Engaging, articulate and entertaining.” A story about two men with notable acting careers who circle the globe on motorcycles. Elaborate, humble and entertaining.

 

 

 

 

 

Daughter of Fortune – by Isabel Allende The engrossing story of a orphaned Chilean girl who is raised by English merchants then travels to Gold Rush era California to meet her young lover. Vividly describes 19th century Chile; a rich and hungry read.

 

 

 

 

Queen of the South – by Arturo Perez Reverte A thrilling page-turner about drug-trafficking in Mexico, Spain and the Mediterranean whose multi-faceted heroine becomes deeply involved in this harrowing business. “Complicated, lively and convincing,” says the Washington Post.

 

 

 

 

Red Azalea – by Anchee Min A striking memoir about a woman who grows up during the cultural revolution in Mao Tse-tung’s Communist China. Great if you’ve ever visited or will visit Shanghai or anywhere in China.

 

 

 

 

Snow – by Orhan Pamuk Utterly compelling piece of literature about a journalist on assignment to write about a suicide epidemic of young Muslim girls in a small frontier town in eastern Turkey, only to find himself immersed in a political coup when a debilitating snow storm cuts the town off from the rest of the world. A rich, haunting and deeply moving book driven by the age-old storytelling tradition.

 

 

 

Norwegian Wood – by Haruki Murakami A stunningly beautiful love story set in modern-day Japan between a mentally ill patient and the boy who falls for her. A sweet and very personal look at Japanese culture operating on a basic and emotional level. Translated from the original Japanese.

 

 

 

 

The Sun Also Rises – by Ernest Hemingway A perennial classic about Spanish bullfighting, drinking and love, Hemingway-style. Simply stated: a masterpiece.

 

 

 

 

 

Open Veins of Latin America – by Eduardo Galeano “A superbly written, excellently translated, and powerfully persuasive exposé which all students of Latin American and U.S. history must read.” – Choice. Magnificent prose that honestly captures the Latin American perspective without bias. The book Hugo Chavez personally handed to Obama.

 

 

 

 

1000 Places To See Before You Die – by Patricia Schultz “At last, a book that tells you what’s beautiful, what’s fun and what’s just unforgettable, everywhere on earth.” Newsweek. Well-written and researched. If not all of it, every traveler will find something here to like. For better or worse, a sort of laundry-list of amazing places to visit the world wide.

 

 

 

Three cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace… One School at a Time – by Greg Mortenson A lively story about helping the young and disenfranchised in the mountains of northern Pakistan.

 

 

 

 

 

The Alchemist – by Paolo Coelho An allegorical fable about a shepherd boy who dreams of seeing the world and finding his success. Cutting in its simplicity and perfectly satisfying, this book will force you to remember that it’s not the destination but the journey. Takes place in Spain, Morocco and Egypt.

 

 

 

 

The Sheltering Sky – by Paul Bowles A near-perfect read. The story (once made into a movie starring John Malkovich and Debra Winger) of a young and glamorous post-war American couple voluntarily thrust into the harsh Saharan landscape of Northern Africa. Boldly told with vision and subtle wisdom, this book will push you to your emotional limit and bring you back again, exhausted.

 

 

 

Midnight’s Children – by Salmon Rushdie Winner of the 1980 Booker Prize, about 2 children who were born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the moment when India became a nation and were accidentally swapped at the hospital. Each were brought to the other’s respective homes, a well-to-do Muslim family and destitute Hindu one. Rushdie has a way of at once creating humor and heartbreak while simultaneously making you pine for his uncanny sense of place.

 

 

 

Snow Leopard - by Peter Matthiessen The author’s wonderful account of two months spent trekking deep in the the Nepalese Himalaya with a field biologist friend, ostensibly searching for the elusive snow leopard but mostly detailing his inner journey and experience with the local Buddhism practice. A deep and illuminating read.

 

 

 

 

The Size of the World – by Jeff Greenwald “Ingenious and manic… An intrepid, articulate, and funny traveler—Phileas Fogg meets Woody Allen.” – The Los Angeles Times. The story of a man on a mission: to circle the earth without leaving its surface. Possibly one of the best travelogues ever written.

 

 

 

 

Finally, if you don’t want to take our word for it, here’s some best-of lists from other well-regarded websites:

• From the Guardian
• From Condé Nast
• From the Telegraph UK (slideshow)
• From Worldhum
• From Matador Network

Best travel world music

People have opinions about the importance of indigenous music and how listening to it before, during and after traveling can heighten you appreciation of those places you go. We at AirTreks feel that one should pay attention, lest you miss an integral part of the local experience. Please check out some of these artists before leaving for South America, Africa, Europe or wherever. It may give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for the locals you encounter on your journey.

* you can listen to (and purchase) any of this music by clicking on the link!

Air – satiny smooth French electronica, good when flying above the clouds. Feels like being immersed in molten silver and whipped cream.

 

 

 

 

Café Tacuba – Probably the preeminent rock band of the “español movement” to come out of Mexico in the last two decades. Loud, boisterous, super fun and as good as any American rock & roll outfit you know of.

 

 

 

Noir Desir – Similar to Café Tacuba (above) but more brooding, and French, with darker, more punk-inspired elements.

 

 

 

 

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs – Latin surf rock, dub, ska and reggae-themed music. Get Fabulosos Calavera for a wild, madcap ride.

 

 

 

 

Rodrigo y Gabriela – sensational flamenco duo from Mexico. Providing sheer unabashed amazingness on a nylon stringed guitar since 2003.

 

 

 

Paolo Conte – one of the most charismatic Italian singer/songwriters of the last 40 years. A jazz Pisano, his songs are original, par excellence.

 

 

 

Manu Chao – called the father of Latin worldbeat music, always lively and infectious, Manu Chao’s style bounces from salsa to dub to rock to pop in unexpected and welcomed ways.

 

 

 

Edith Piaf – Parisian legend, icon, enigma. ” La Môme Piaf” or “the sparrow” her vocals are almost universally adored as they are intrinsically linked with the French spirit.

 

 

 

Charles Aznavour – Another amazing French vocalist and entertainer this time of more modern persuasion. With a career spanning nearly 45 years the always passionate Aznavour took the vocal pop cabaret style to the next generation.

 

 

 

Pink Martini – hard to categorize but unceasingly fantastic, this Portland, Oregon orchestra is master of the French-Cubano, tango, bossa nova and sound. Singer China Forbes sings in at least ten different languages and does it with style, grace and near perfection. Combining salsa, jazz, samba-rumba, flamenco and other traditional styles, Pink Martini is a must have on any excursion.

 

 

Seu Jorge – Brazilian samba survivalist, born and raised in the favela in Rio de Janeiro now churns out stoic and bare bones sounds, lively and sensual as the country itself.

 

 

 

Fela Kuti – probably the most important Afro-beat artist to come out of Nigeria (or any part of Africa for that matter) in the last century. Exuberant and provocative African music, his nearly 50 albums tell the story.

 

 

 

Facundo Cabral – Hailing from Buenos Aires, a powerful singer/songwriter whose songs have been translated and recorded in 9 languages. On par with any American or European crooner around. Near perfect flamenco stylings.

 

 

 

Oumou Sangare – West African chanteuse employing both traditional and modern instruments with decidedly African arrangements. Her album Seya highlights her silky and downright lovely voice.

 

 

Best travel movies

Nothing inspires travel more than sitting down and watching feature length travel movies set in exotic locations. With dozens of crew members paid to make the place look as beautiful, or as atrocious, as possible, movies never fail to evoke emotions. Here’s a list of great travel-related movies that will get you mind traveling in no time.

The Harder They Come (1972) – Reggae artist Jimmy Cliff stars in this great film about a young singer who travels to the city to make it big, only to get embroiled in his boss’s marijuana business. Shot on location in Jamaica.

Motorcycle Diaries (2004) – The intriguing story of a young Che Guevaras and the trip across South America that inspired his life’s calling.

The Battle of Algiers (1966) – Dramatic and touching historical movie based on events at the start of Algeria’s 1954 war with France.

City Of God (2002) – Engrossing and tragic story of ill-destined youth of the Rio slums and how their lives are affected by the drug dealing life. A telling portrait.

Paris Je T’aime (2006) – A series of fabulous vignettes celebrating life, romance and tragedy in the City of Light.

Monsoon Wedding (2001) – Wonderful film showcasing the magic and chaos of a Indian wedding. Utterly charming.

Kundun (1997) – Beautiful, slow moving piece about the 14th Dahli Lama and his escape from Tibet in 1959. Skillfully shot by Martin Scorsese in one of his few non-violent features.

In Bruges (2008) – Hilarious (if completely riddled with obscenities) buddy story of two contract killers on the lam in the lovely town of Bruges, Belgium.

Breathless (1960) – A timeless classic with sex appeal by Jean-Luc Goddard. About a car thief trying to persuade a pretty young American to hide out with him in Italy. In French with subtitles.

Darjeeling Limited (2007) – A flight of whimsy by Wes Anderson. One of my favorite travel movies of all time, one that unveils many truths about India. Starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman. Great soundtrack!

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000) – Cinematic poetry showcasing the lush landscapes of China. In Mandarin with subtitles. 4 Oscar wins with then innovative special effects.

Roman Holiday (1953) – Classic romance shot in the Italian capital starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. 3 Oscar wins!

The Killing Fields (1984) – Moving film about a New York Times reporter who goes in search of his Cambodian friend after he’s sent to the labor camps of the regime of Pol Pot. Very realistic.

Swimming to Cambodia (1987) – A Spaulding Grey monologue about the time he spent in SE Asia while filming the Killing Fields. If you’ve never seen a Spaulding Grey movie, this is the one to see. A hilarious and fast-paced showpiece.

The Unbearable Lightness Of Being (1988) – Well-scripted and perfectly acted love story starring a very young Juliette Binoche and Daniel Day-Lewis. Based on the book by Milan Kundera incorporating events surrounding the 1988 Russian invasion of Prague.

Persepolis (2007) – Amazing animated film detailing a woman’s childhood life during Iran’s politically turbulent and war-scarred 1970s.

The Last Emperor (1987) – The epic story by Bernardo Bertolucci about the last monarch of China and the moment of grand cultural change in his country. Winner of 9 Oscars.

Very Long Engagement (2004) – Love story by the director of Amelie (another great movie). Set in France during WWI, the movie follows a woman (Audrey Tautou) as she discovers the fate of her lover after the war. Fantastic set design marks this totally believable period piece.

Powaqqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi, & Naqoyqatsi (’82, ’88, ’02)– A fantastic trilogy of cinematic art produced by Godfrey Reggio. Three films focusing on turmoil, industrialization and war in countries around the world in the modern age. Without dialogue but with stirring images and music by Philip Glass. Definitely worth the time to watch.

Lost in Translation (2003) – Probably the best movie to showcase modern Tokyo in all its alienating and sweeping beauty. Haunting and moving, plus you get to look at Scarlett Johansson for nearly the film’s full length. Sofia Coppola won the screenwriting Oscar for this movie.

If you still can’t get enough travel-related movies out there, check out these best-movie lists from other travel-minded writers on the web:

• From Matador Network
• From Nomadic Matt
• From Suite101

The Best Travel Movies, Music and Books, 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating