Lots of people have heard of Paul Theroux and Bill Bryson, two men who have made their careers writing about their travels. But what if you want to read an author who is a bit off the beaten track?

“Venezia Marco Polo” by Kaka

1. Marco Polo - Author of Il Milione (”The Million” or sometimes titled The Travels of Marco Polo in English translations). The famous Venetian traveler brought stories of his travels to the Middle East, Central Asia and the Far East. He claimed to have served in the Mongol court of Kublai Kahn, although this fact is contested by many historians.
2. Alexis de Tocqueville - His book, Democracy in America, is about de Tocqueville’s travels in America and his impressions of American Democracy in 1830s. For Americans, it’s interesting to read an outsider’s opinion of our country soon after its formation.
3. Charles Dickens - Two less known works by the famous author are about Italy and the Eastern United States and are both available for free download: Pictures From Italy and American Notes.
4. John Steinbeck - One of the most famous authors of the last century and one of my personal favorites, Steinbeck wrote the travelogue Travels with Charley in Search of America about his road trip with his dog. You could also argue that The Grapes of Wrath is a fictionalized account of a travel story.
5. Michael Palin - Yes that Michael Palin. In his post-Monty Python career, Palin has made quite a name for himself with his trips around the world, documented by the BBC. To date he has written: Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole, Full Circle, Michael Palin’s Hemingway Adventure, Sahara, Himalaya, and New Europe. All are available for free download on his website.