Looking for a little inspiration before planning your next adventure? The best travel books for retirees offer a mix of humor, wisdom, and wanderlust – perfect for anyone who finally has the time to explore the world.
Are you planning a trip across the country or dreaming of faraway places? Do you know someone who is newly retired and would enjoy reading a travel-related book? These books are filled with unforgettable journeys that will fuel retirement travel goals.
Top 5 Travel Books for Retirees:
These five picks stand out for their inspiring stories, vivid settings, and reflections on life after major transitions – ideal for readers over 60 looking for their next great read.
- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert – One woman’s search for meaning takes her through Italy, India, and Bali. It’s a heartfelt, often funny journey of personal growth and self-discovery that resonates with readers of all ages.
- Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck hits the road with his poodle, Charley, to explore America in a camper van. This is a thoughtful, nostalgic look at the country and aging from the perspective of a literary icon.
- Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes – A true story of buying and restoring an old villa in Italy that becomes a metaphor for building a new life. The writing is lush and warm, with plenty of food, local culture, and slow travel moments.
- Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach – A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist takes a solo trip through Europe after stepping away from her responsibilities. It’s a moving reminder that new adventures can start at any age.
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed – A powerful memoir of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail alone after deep personal loss. It’s about healing, resilience, and the strength that comes when you least expect it.
Continue reading to discover many more travel books perfect for retirees. From memoirs to fiction, there’s a book for every retiree.
Why Are Travel Books a Great Choice for Retirees?
Travel books are more than just stories – they’re a way to explore the world from your favorite chair. For many retirees, they spark new ideas, help rediscover the love of adventure, or offer a comforting reminder that it’s never too late to see something new. Are you or someon you know curious about solo travel, group tours, or slow, immersive experiences? There’s something in these books to get you thinking.
Read more: 8 Best E-Readers and Tablets for Travel.
Which Travel Memoirs Inspire the Most After Retirement?
These books focus on personal transformation, courage, and the freedom that often comes after retirement. They speak directly to the heart of what many older adults are feeling – hope, excitement, and the occasional uncertainty about what’s next.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert’s memoir follows her escape from a messy divorce and depression as she travels to Italy for pleasure, India for spirituality, and Bali for balance. The book became a global phenomenon for a reason – it’s funny, raw, and beautifully written, offering permission to go find yourself at any age.
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
At age 58, Steinbeck sets out with his French poodle, Charley, to rediscover the America he once wrote about. Traveling in a customized camper named Rocinante, he shares thoughtful observations about life, people, and the changing landscape of the 1960s. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy road trips and a reflective tone.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
After losing her mother and her marriage, Strayed hikes more than a thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail – alone and inexperienced. Her story is raw and emotional, but ultimately uplifting. It’s about confronting fears, surviving setbacks, and finding strength along the way.
A House in Sicily by Daphne Phelps
When Daphne inherits a villa in Sicily in the 1940s, she decides to stay – and begins a decades-long love affair with the island. Her memoir is full of eccentric characters, local flavor, and the joys (and frustrations) of adapting to a slower pace of life. It’s perfect for readers intrigued by long-term stays or retiring abroad.
What Fiction Books Can Take You Around the World?
Sometimes, the best way to travel is through fiction. These novels are rich in setting and character and can transport you to far-off places in just a few pages.
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
Mayes buys a run-down villa in Cortona, Italy, and throws herself into restoring it while savoring the food, traditions, and friendships of small-town Tuscany. It’s part love letter to Italian life, part memoir, and part how-to for reinventing yourself later in life.
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
A floating bookshop on the Seine becomes a place of healing for its heartbroken owner as he travels downriver to confront his past. Set against the romantic backdrop of southern France, it’s a gentle and hopeful novel with a traveler’s soul.
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
This cozy mystery series, set in Botswana, features Mma Ramotswe – an independent, intuitive woman with a deep love for her country. The writing is warm and rich in detail, giving you a feel for life in southern Africa while also telling a charming story.
Are There Any Books That Focus on Traveling Later in Life?
Yes – these books explore what it means to travel during a new life phase, whether you’re recently retired or well into your 60s and 70s. They’re often humorous, honest, and filled with relatable moments.
Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach
Leaving behind her life as a mother and journalist, Steinbach spends a year traveling solo through Europe. Along the way, she rediscovers her independence and identity. It’s thoughtful, relatable, and often funny – ideal for women considering solo travel after 60.
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel for Women over 50.
My Life in France by Julia Child
This delightful memoir recounts Julia Child’s early years in France, discovering French cuisine, learning the language, and starting her culinary career – well into her 30s and 40s. It’s a delicious read full of insight and charm, especially for food-loving travelers.
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
A woman grieving the death of her mother takes a solo trip to Positano, where she reconnects with her past in a magical twist of time. It’s a beautiful, emotional novel about healing through travel, with a setting so vivid you’ll feel the sun on your skin.
What About Books That Mix Humor and Travel?
Some of the most memorable travel experiences come with a little chaos and a lot of laughter. These two memoirs are fun, unfiltered, and totally enjoyable.
The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost
When Troost moves with his girlfriend to a remote island in the South Pacific, he discovers just how unromantic paradise can be. His humorous take on culture shock, daily life without modern conveniences, and absurd misadventures makes this a light and entertaining read.
Incontinent on the Continent by Jane Christmas
Jane embarks on a European tour with her elderly (and often exasperating) mother. What starts as a well-intentioned bonding trip quickly turns into a series of comedic mishaps. It’s a perfect pick for anyone who has ever traveled with family – and lived to laugh about it.
Whether you’re planning your next trip or just love the idea of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes, these travel books perfect for retirees offer meaningful stories, beautiful destinations, and the reassurance that it’s never too late to set off in a new direction.
Read more: 7 Books to You Might Not Have Heard Of.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you enjoy travel books? What is your favorite travel book for a retiree? Do you prefer memoirs or fiction novels? Tell us about it in the comments below.
