Since you’re reading this article on Condé Nast Traveler, you’re likely someone who believes in the transportive power of good writing—and of travel books in particular. Whether it’s a vividly-rendered novel, or a well-researched deep dive into the history, subculture, or food of a place, a good travel-y read can easily inspire your next trip.
As the cold weather starts to creep into many parts of the world, many of us here at Traveler have Italy on the brain, dreaming of Amalfi‘s crystalline waters, of melting gelato in Rome, of the warm Tuscan sun. Are you dreaming of la dolce vita too? Here’s a short list of books set in Italy that’ll motivate you to, well, book a trip. (Get it?)
Few places in the world invoke as much swooning and intense wanderlust as Italy, and this list of books features stories of various stripes: gripping thrillers, fascinating and readable histories, romantic true stories of love and loss, and unputdownable page-turners that’ll get you through a long layover. There’s something here for everyone, and a good handful of these titles have been adapted into movies (and one TV show), which underscores the point that these are some lush, cinematic, and extremely vibey books.
Read on to pick some travel books to add to your bedside table—and your overpacked suitcase.
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
