There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.
Robert Louis Stevenson

After reviewing several thousand travel materials, I (Paul Heller, the founder of the Big Blue Marble), have selected what I believe are the best books for travelers interested in traveling-like-a-local rather than a tourist. Reading these books will whet your appetite to travel to exotic destinations, give you a bird's eye view of some author's often heroic journey to find the answer to some mystery, and drop you into the heart of another person's life.  They will also help you plan and enjoy your next adventure.

In addition to stimulating conversation for the blog, you can use these books to stimulate some interesting discussion with your hosts in foreign country. After you get to know your new hosts, ask them if they agree with an author's comments about their country.  It is guaranteed to provoke a very revealing conversation.

Note: I have made it easy for you to find these books by providing links to amazon.com and other booksellers. Please send me an e-mail if you find that these links are not functioning correctly.

Here are several definitions of the terms used in this index.

Useful Budget, Safety, and Transportation Tips

• Transportation tips
  Airplane comfort and safety, finding bargain airfares, and suggestions for better cruise travel
• Tips for a more successful journey
  Traveling abroad; shopping, dining, and packing advice; tips for seniors, families, and single travelers
• Budget travel tips
  Luxury travel on a small budget, hitchhiking and sofa surfing
• Safety travel tips
  

Great Ways to Travel-like-a-Local

Life Changing Travels, Careers, and Attitudes

Living, Working, and Retiring Abroad

Extended Travel Options

Guidebook Series

South American and Caribbean History, Culture, and Society

Asian and Oceania history, culture, and society

Middle Eastern and African history, culture, and society