When I’m travelling I like to go for the total immersion experience – podcasts, films, guidebooks, local food and wine – anything the intensify and prolong my precious holiday experience. Another thing I’ve particularly enjoyed when on holiday is to have with me some holiday reading about the place I’m visiting. Some of the guidebooks I’ve found have the same idea, notably Lonely Planet, which usually has a section on books and films about the destination.

There’s nothing better than a gripping novel to read by the pool which takes you into the culture of the place you’re in. But sometimes you might like something that you can dip in and out of and that’s where I’d like to recommend a couple of book series that cover short stories and travel writings from different destinations.

The Traveler’s Tales series are books themed on different destinations in Europe and worldwide, including books on Greece, Ireland, Paris, France, Tuscany, Italy and Spain. The stories are by travel writers and each one brings to life a travel experience, giving some insight into the culture and way of life. I have the Italy book open in front of me – let me tempt you..

Adventures in Leather opening lines;

 I once had an Italian suitor. He was very tall, dark and handsome and he offered me discounted leather goods.

Walking to Assisi opening lines;

We left Spello early before sunrise. Breakfast was cheese tucked into hard rolls, which we ate as we walked.

The working world of Venice opening lines;

 This afternoon Venice smells like laundry. Not like noisom summer canals or damp plaster in a tilting palazzo, nor like fish sizzling in a trattoria or sea mist and doom.

You see, doesn’t it transport you there?

My other favourite book series in a similar vein is the Traveler Literary Companions published by Whereabouts Press. They have collections on many of the major European countries as well as cities such as Vienna, Prague and Amsterdam. I haven’t yet read any of their European editions although I was recently reading their South Africa book, just published in time for the 2010 World cup soccer tournament. The books feel a little different and more diverse than the Traveler’s tales as they contain short stories and exerpts of novels set in each country, rather than specifically travel writing, but are still very atmospheric.

Both these series are available on major internet booksellers such as Amazon. Happy reading and happy travels, and if you can’t get away as much as you’d like, enjoy a bit of virtual travel through these collected travel tales..

Photo credit – Venice Laundry by Eurocheapo on  Flickr