What are you're favourite travel books/authors?

Three words: Read Bill Bryson. He is one of the best travel writers out there today; my favorite of his is his "Notes From a Small Island," his valedictory tour of Great Britain, though his other books -- "Neither Here Nor There," "The Lost Continent," "A Walk in the Woods," "In a Sunburned Country" -- are also good.

there are a few compilations you can get as well that are quite good. i believe 'best american travel literature' is one, that compiles excellent stories from different travel mags.
for something a bit quirkier, 'sand in my bra: women write from the road' is also quite good.
mmmm... motorcycles diaries and the long way round are also good.

Paul Theroux has several good travel books, but not all of them were created equal. My first choice would be the second one, The Old Patagonian Express (mainly Central and South America). Next best in my estimation - The Happy Isles of Oceania (about various Pacific islands) then Kingdom By The Sea (about England).

His first travel book where he takes a train across Europe, then Asia, out to Japan and back through Siberia (can't recall the title just now) is OK. As is Riding The Iron Rooster (China).

I did not like Pillars of Hercules (Mediteranean area) much. It is a tired book.

Theroux figured out more about good travel writing as he progressed. All his travel books are peevish to some degree and if you can't stand his personality, then you will toss his books aside in disgust. On the plus side, he's a sharp cookie and can write like nobody's business.

Some other good stuff - Eastern Approaches (by Peter Fleming??) and Eothen by Kinglake.

The Bryson recommendations above are also good. Actually, there are a great many excellent travel books out there. Enjoy.

In Patagonia - Bruce Chatwin
Video Night in Katmandu - Pico Iyer

In Patagonia for the sheer dazzle of the writing. The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry Garrard for brilliant descriptions of a never changing landscape and a great final paragraph.

I like Theroux too, but small doses only. The Old Patagonian Express is great in places, but throw at the wallable in others.

There is a travel thread back in the mists of last year.

I've got all of Bill Brysons books, I love his style, just wish he'd tried some Eastern countries - I'd love to hear his take on India etc.

I'll give the other suggestions a try, at the moment I'm reading Always Feel a Friend by Peter Biddlecombe. Dry, witty and quite political but enjoyable nonetheless. Thanks!

If you want to know about India ask an Indian :-) I live in India by the way.

Trail of Feathers: In search of the Birdmen of Peru, by Tahir Shah.