The book 'Travels with Charley' by John Steinbeck is often considered a great travel fiction. Steinbeck travels across America with his dog Charley, and through his eyes we see the different landscapes and cultures of the United States. 'The Beach' by Alex Garland is also a notable one. It's about a young traveler's discovery of a hidden, idyllic beach community in Thailand. 'The Lost Continent' by Bill Bryson is another. Bryson travels around the United Kingdom, providing humorous and insightful observations about the places he visits.
Definitely 'Around the World in Eighty Days'. It's a thrilling adventure as the main character tries to circumnavigate the world within the set time limit. It gives a great sense of different cultures and places during that era. Another popular one is 'The Alchemist'. It has been widely read because of its inspiring message about following one's dreams during a journey, be it a physical or a spiritual one.
Some might have vivid descriptions of different landscapes. For example, books could describe the bustling streets of big cities or the serene beauty of countryside areas.
For beginners, 'The Time Machine' is a great start. It's simple enough to understand yet full of interesting ideas. Another good one is 'A Wrinkle in Time' as it has a young protagonist and an engaging story that eases you into the concept of time travel. 'Time and Again' is also suitable as it has a very accessible story about a man going back in time.
Among them, 'Travels with Charley' is really good for its simple yet profound view of America. 'The Beach' gives a different perspective on traveling in Southeast Asia. And 'The Lost Continent' is full of interesting anecdotes about traveling in the UK.
A must - read is 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells. It's one of the earliest and most influential time travel novels. It takes the reader on a journey to the far future. Another good one is 'Kindred' by Octavia Butler. It's a different take on time travel as it deals with a modern - day woman being pulled back in time to the antebellum South. 'Replay' by Ken Grimwood is also great. A man keeps reliving his life over and over, which is a form of time travel in a sense.
Travel fiction books often include elements of adventure. The characters are constantly facing challenges and uncertainties. For instance, in 'The Lost City of Z', the explorer has to deal with the harsh environment of the Amazon, including dangerous animals and difficult terrains. They also tend to have a strong sense of discovery, whether it's about new places, new cultures, or even self - discovery as in 'Eat, Pray, Love'.
'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac is also a great travel fiction. It chronicles the adventures of the characters as they travel across America. It gives a sense of the freedom and restlessness of the Beat Generation, with its detailed accounts of the road trips and the people met along the way.
A notable 2016 fiction travel book is 'Here I Am' by Jonathan Safran Foer. It follows a family in the United States and their journey through different emotional landscapes as well as physical locations. The book delves deep into family relationships and how they are affected by the places they are in and the events that occur around them. The descriptions of the various American settings add to the overall feel of the story as a travel of sorts.
They often involve a journey of self - transformation. In many such books, the protagonist starts off one way and through their travels, they change. Like in 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed, as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail, she grows and heals from her past traumas. Usually, travel fiction also has elements of adventure. Whether it's facing natural disasters or getting lost in an unknown place, there's always some sort of excitement and unpredictability in the story.
One characteristic is the sense of adventure. In travel books fiction, like 'On the Road', characters are often on a journey filled with unexpected events and encounters. Another is the exploration of different cultures. For example, in 'Eat, Pray, Love', the author dives deep into the cultures of Italy, India and Indonesia. Also, there's usually a strong element of self - discovery. The characters in these books, such as in 'The Alchemist', often learn a great deal about themselves during their travels.