Following on from the previous foodie edition last season, this instalment of Armchair Travel is heading to the bar and ordering a cocktail, inspired by books about drinking cultures around the world and by travellers discovering the world through the bottom of a glass. So read on for a selection of drink-themed travel books and some stories inspired by alcohol-fuelled adventures. There are also a couple of non-alcoholic options on the menu too.
Here are 10 of my favourite books inspired by drink and travel.
My favourite travel books with a foodie flavour to inspire some culinary adventures.
Are you feeling hungry? This edition of Armchair Travel is leaving the sofa and heading through to the kitchen*, inspired by books by cooks and other hungry travellers discovering and sharing food cultures from around the globe. So read on for a mouth-watering selection of food-themed travel books and cookbooks filled with stories.
*then returning to the sofa after rifling through the fridge for snacks.
Here are 10 of my favourite books inspired by food and travel.
This is my selection of the most interesting and inspiring books about paddling adventures around the world.
This edition of Armchair Travel takes to the water in a selection of small craft, in canoes, kayaks and skiffs to explore the world from water level. These accounts of expeditions in small boats are tales of individual adventure on the water, but also embrace the pace of paddle-powered slow travel allowing the history and maritime culture of the regions travelled to unfold for the voyagers.
So whether you’re looking to find motivation to try a new activity, or you’re more than comfortable exploring the world from the waterline, read on for inspiration for making a paddling adventure of your own, or enjoy the vicarious undertakings of seasoned paddlers.
These are some of my favourite classic travel books.
In this edition of Armchair Travel, I’ve curated a collection of some of the true classics of travel writing. The beauty of many of these travelogues is that they take us back to lands which no longer exist.
This is a selection of notable titles by some of the best-known names in the genre, many of which have inspired later writers and travellers. It includes well-known works seeded by mountaineering and polar expeditions, journals of travels in unusual circumstances and situations, and wry looks at more familiar places. It should be recognised that some of the content of the books listed and the ideas expressed within have aged much better than others.
Read on to dive into the inspiration that has fuelled generations of travellers, ideas planning a travel adventure, or to travel vicariously in space and time without leaving the sofa.
A collection of thought-provoking essays, articles and blog posts from various sources I’ve stumbled across over the past season, and I want to share with you. This autumn, I’ve been thinking a lot about extreme experiences and risk, and managing fear, both personal and global.
Written following the death of ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson on Mansulu in early October, and examining the criticism directed towards women with children participating in high-risk activities in extreme environments.
An essay by Tamara Lunger on when things go wrong in an extreme environment and those who are left behind must pick up the pieces and continue based on her experience on K2 in 2021.
Findings from the State of the World’s Birds report that human activity and climate crisis have put almost half of all species in decline, and around 1 in 8 at risk of extinction.
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted nations on the globe, and current levels of biodiversity may not be nearly enough to mitigate against the risk of ecosystem collapse.
An assessment of the potential climate tipping points which will result in ecological collapse and devastating changes to the planet, and changing understanding of risk with advancing models.
Spending time in Stanley as you explore the Falkland Islands? My vagabond guide covers all the basics and gives you some ideas for the best things to do in and around the town. Impact-Site-Verification: 9108567c-3bb4-4c6e-8468-21c7773959da
The colourful little city of Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands, located on a large natural harbour on the eastern side of East Falkland island, and the only settlement of any real size in the archipelago. Formally awarded city status in 2022, as part of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee honours, this far outpost of the UK is fiercely proud of its British heritage, but has a unique character all of its own to discover.
In this guide you’ll find tips for the best things to do in and around Stanley, with options for different seasons and weather conditions, plus my recommendations for places to eat and drink, where to stay, and travel information. And take a look at my guide to visiting the Falkland Islands here.
A selection of my favourite books which dive into the history and culture of the Pacific Islands.
Armchair Travel this season brings you my favourite books which explore the fascinating cultures of the islands and archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean. Included in the selection are histories and ethnographies, travelogues and tales of adventure which will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the region. I’d love to know if you’ve read any of these books, and if you have any recommendations for me, especially any fiction by Pasifika writers. Leave me a message in the comments below.
But first, read on to find a wee bit of tropical island inspiration for planning your next travel adventure, or set sail on a Pacific voyage of discovery without leaving the sofa.
The Falkland Islands are far from the usual tourist routes, and few people from outwith the islands know very much about them. But one of the things the Falklands is widely known for around the world is the archipelago’s reputation as the Land Rover capital of the planet, and a place where these vehicles hold a near cult status.
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago of seven hundred or so low, rocky islands which look like they’ve been flung out into the South Atlantic Ocean by the hooked tip of South America. Lying a few hundred kilometres from the coast of Argentina, a troubled history means they look further afield for their closest connections; up the length of the Atlantic to the British Isles, 9,000km (5,600 miles) to the north. The islands are an outpost of Britishness, and a gateway to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the wild Southern Ocean. There’s really nowhere quite like the Falkland Islands.
These small islands aren’t widely known outside certain spheres of interest, making them a destination for curious and intrepid travellers to explore. They’re not easy to travel to, nor particularly affordable, filing them in a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip category for most who visit. Planning and preparation are key to making the most of your trip, so read on to learn more in my guide to visiting the Falkland Islands.
In this guide for travellers, you’ll find the information needed for planning a visit to the Falkland Islands, including the best things to do, with options for different seasons, background on the history and ecology of the islands, and detailed travel information. If you can’t find what you need to know about visiting the Falkland Islands, post your question in the comments, and I’ll do my best to answer it and update this post!
A selection of my favourite books with a desert setting.
This instalment of Armchair Travel brings you a selection of the best reads that capture the arresting beauty of arid landscapes and the unique challenges for those who live in or travel through them. Including riveting accounts of adventures, classic travelogues, and fictional works that bring deserts to life, there’s something for all interests.
Read on to find inspiration for planning your next travel adventure, or just explore the desert sands without leaving the comfort of home.
These Vagabond Shoes. 