A good travel book is worth its weight in gold. All you have to do is get one good idea from a book and it's paid for itself. I try to stay away from travel books that focus too much on hotels and dining as that is not what we are looking for in a trip. Instead I look for books that focus on beautiful natural wonders and outdoor recreation.

We've compiled a list of Top Ten Travel Books that we have found most useful in planning our travels. From there, click on a book you're interested in and it will bring you directly to Amazon where you can purchase it much cheaper than in any brick and mortar book store.

Plan to get your books a few weeks before venturing out on your journey so you have plenty of time to learn about the regions you will be exploring.

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