The Joys of Travel and Stories That Illuminate Them

"A perceptive, old-school travel writer whose prose brings celebrated and obscure destinations to life." —The New York Times

"The Joys of Travel is itself a joy." —Paul Theroux, New York Times bestselling author of Deep South

In The Joys of Travel: And Stories That Illuminate Them, veteran travel writer Thomas Swick reflects on what he has identified as “the seven joys of travel": anticipation, movement, break from routine, novelty, discovery, emotional connection, and heightened appreciation of home. Coupled with the personal essays are seven true stories that illustrate these joys. Each details the author's experience visiting destinations across the globe, including Munich, Bangkok, Sicily, Iowa, and Key West.

The Joys of Travel awakens readers to pleasures that, as travelers, they may be taking for granted, and shows non-travelers what they've been missing. It offers tips on how people can get the most out of their trips, including strategies for meeting locals, and examines how various modes of transportation affect a traveler's experience. Throughout this enlightening memoir, Swick also supplies readers with the titles of travel classics that will not only prepare them for the places they visit, but make those places more meaningful once they arrive.

Before your next trip, be it a family vacation or a backpacking tour of Europe, read The Joys of Travel. It will inspire you to get the most out of your time away from home—and to get away more often.