6 Books to Inspire Your Next Adventure

A cornerstone of the Beat generation, and forever to be included in lists such as these, On the Road follows the adventures of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty as they venture back and forth across the North American continent. Alcohol, drugs, fast cars, and women feature predominantly, as the characters embrace freedom in their quest for self-knowledge. Often a wild ride, the novel is written as a stream of consciousness, and has since inspired many generations of readers to experience life and seize the day.


San Francisco's quirky Hotel Rex is an ideal stopover if you're planning to follow Kerouac's route.

Having worked as the editor of adventure publications for many years, Mark Adams is inspired to ditch the office life and travel to South America, where he hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the Incas and their lost cities. Struck by discrepancies in the history of Machu Picchu’s discovery, Adams follows in the footsteps of one of the initial explorers to the region, with the help of John, his exceptionally well-travelled guide. Turn Right at Machu Picchu provides both a comprehensive history of the area and a humorous adventure tale, particularly when it is uncovered that despite his work as an adventure editor, Adams has no experience with hiking or camping.


Aim for a stay at the Antigua Miraflores Hotel if you're inspired to take a trip to Lima.

Who doesn’t love a good classic? First published in 1873, Around the World in 80 Days tells the story of Phileas Fogg, a wealthy Englishman, who attempts to circumnavigate the world, with a £20,000 bet at stake. Fogg and his valet, Jean Passepartout, travel by boat, train, and elephant, while offering bribes, instigating a mutiny, and saving a young woman from an involuntary sacrifice. The journey is complicated further when a detective, believing Fogg is a bank robber, follows the pair to thwart their plans. A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read, Around the World in 80 Days signifies the beginning of the mass tourism era.

Tracks recounts Robyn Davidson’s 1977 epic journey across the Australian desert. With the company of four camels and a dog, Davidson travels a total of 2700km, after making her way from Alice Springs to the western coast. Aged only 27 at the time, Davidson provides insightful commentary on the Australian bush, and is taught more about the wilderness by Aborigines she meets along the way. The fear and heartbreak that comes from working with animals is conveyed throughout the story, and Davidson’s reluctance to indulge in media attention and sponsorship is refreshingly honest.


Kick off your stay in Australia away from the city at the Novotel Vines Resort Swan Valley.

Having previously cycled across Russia and into China, Time Cope’s new adventure involves riding of a different kind. Inspired by the horsemen he encountered during his travels, Cope decides to trek on horseback across the Mongolian Steppe and into Hungary. The journey is mostly completed solo, with Cope covering almost 10,000 km. Visa issues, harsh environmental conditions, and thieves cause problems along the way, not to mention the unpredictability of his horses. Cope recounts his adventures in a candid, realistic way, and brings to life the many characters meets. 


Start your journey in the city where Cope's ended by booking a room at the Boscolo Budapest, Autograph Collection.

An autobiographical text that was first published in 1974, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance tells the story of a father and son’s motorcycle trip across the US. Part travelogue and part philosophical, the book recounts the author’s attempts to define and understand quality -- a pursuit that ultimately drove him insane. A journey of self-discovery and healing, Zen uses motorcycles and mountains to represent the soul, and offers readers an analysis of how to approach their everyday life.


Pirsig began his trip in Minnesota…why not follow his lead? Rest up in the comfortable Canal Park Lodge.