Description

Book Synopsis

THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER

''Honest, funny and dripping with witty aphorisms. Extremely entertaining and enlightening [...] all the way to journey''s end'' Herald

One of our greatest voices in modern philosophy, author of The Course of Love, The Consolations of Philosophy, Religion for Atheists and The School of Life, presents a travel guide with a difference - an exploration of why we travel, and what we learn along the way...

Few activities seem to promise as much happiness as going travelling: taking off for somewhere else, somewhere far from home, a place with more interesting weather, customs and landscapes. But although we are inundated with advice on where to travel to, we seldom ask why we go and how we might become more fulfilled by doing so.

With the help of a selection of writers, artists and thinkers - including Flaubert, Edward Hopper, Wordsworth and Van Gogh - Alain de Botton provides invaluable insights into everything from holiday romance to hotel minibars, airports to sightseeing. The perfect antidote to those guides that tell us what to do when we get there, The Art of Travel tries to explain why we really went in the first place - and helpfully suggest how we might be happier on our journeys.


''Delightful, profound, entertaining. I doubt if de Botton has written a dull sentence in his life'' Jan Morris

''An elegant and subtle work, unlike any other. Beguiling'' Colin Thubron, The Times



Trade Review
Richly evocative, sharp and funny. De Botton proves himself to be a very fine travel writer indeed * Sunday Telegraph *
Delightful, profound, entertaining. I doubt if de Botton has written a dull sentence in his life * Jan Morris *
An elegant and subtle work, unlike any other. Beguiling -- Colin Thubron * The Times *
Honest, funny and dripping with witty aphorisms. Extremely entertaining and enlightening . . . all the way to journey's end * Herald *

The Art of Travel

    Product form

    £11.69

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £12.99 – you save £1.30 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 17 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Alain de Botton

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton

      Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
      Publication Date: 27/03/2014
      ISBN13: 9780241970065, 978-0241970065
      ISBN10: 0241970067

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER

      ''Honest, funny and dripping with witty aphorisms. Extremely entertaining and enlightening [...] all the way to journey''s end'' Herald

      One of our greatest voices in modern philosophy, author of The Course of Love, The Consolations of Philosophy, Religion for Atheists and The School of Life, presents a travel guide with a difference - an exploration of why we travel, and what we learn along the way...

      Few activities seem to promise as much happiness as going travelling: taking off for somewhere else, somewhere far from home, a place with more interesting weather, customs and landscapes. But although we are inundated with advice on where to travel to, we seldom ask why we go and how we might become more fulfilled by doing so.

      With the help of a selection of writers, artists and thinkers - including Flaubert, Edward Hopper, Wordsworth and Van Gogh - Alain de Botton provides invaluable insights into everything from holiday romance to hotel minibars, airports to sightseeing. The perfect antidote to those guides that tell us what to do when we get there, The Art of Travel tries to explain why we really went in the first place - and helpfully suggest how we might be happier on our journeys.


      ''Delightful, profound, entertaining. I doubt if de Botton has written a dull sentence in his life'' Jan Morris

      ''An elegant and subtle work, unlike any other. Beguiling'' Colin Thubron, The Times



      Trade Review
      Richly evocative, sharp and funny. De Botton proves himself to be a very fine travel writer indeed * Sunday Telegraph *
      Delightful, profound, entertaining. I doubt if de Botton has written a dull sentence in his life * Jan Morris *
      An elegant and subtle work, unlike any other. Beguiling -- Colin Thubron * The Times *
      Honest, funny and dripping with witty aphorisms. Extremely entertaining and enlightening . . . all the way to journey's end * Herald *

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account