1653
François de La Boullaye-Le Gouz (1623–1668)
Les voyages et observations du sieur de La Boullaye Le gouz -
This was seen as the first true travel book.

   

1775
Samuel Johnson
(1709–1784)
A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland-
 This is about an eighty-three day journey through Scotland.

1842 
Charles Dickens
(1812–1870)
American Notes
Pictures from Italy-
Here Dickens details his travels through North America and Italy

 

1879
Robert Louis Stevenson
(1850–1894)
Travels with A Donkey in the Cevennes (1879) -
Travels through Cevennes with a Donkey

The Silverado Squatters (1883)-
Stevenson travelled due to his heath problems, as the fresh air was known to be good for his condition.  

 

1921
 D. H. Lawrence
(1885–1930)
Sea and Sardinia-
This book follows Lawrence and his wife, as they travel from Taormina in Sicily to Sardinia. 

 

1945-1957
Lawrence Durrell
(1912–1990)
Prospero's Cell: A Guide to the Landscape and Manners of the Island of Corcyra (1945)-
This text follows Durrell's time in Corfu, which should be read alongside his brother's book also about the trip.  

My Family and Other Animals. Reflections on a Marine Venus (1953)-
Durrell's experiences in Rhodes.

Bitter Lemons (1957)
Durrell in Cyprus.

1957-58
Jack Kerouac
(1922–1969)
On the Road (1957)-
Autobiographical work, which follows Kerouac and his friends on their road trips through mid-century America.  

Dharma Bums (1958)-
This text reflects Kerouac life and ideals and also his love for hiking, mountaineering etc through the West.

 

1975
Paul Theroux
(b. 1941)
The Great Railway Bazaar -
Known as Theroux' most popular work following his four month journey across Asia on a train.

1977
Patrick Leigh Fermor
(b. 1915)
A Time Of Gifts
This book follows a journey of an 18 year old from Holland to Hungary, written in an old age from lost notes.

 

1989-2007
Michael Palin (b. 1943)
A very famous comedian, actor, writer and television presenter. He is known for his travels.
Around the World in 80 days (1989)-
This book follows Palin's attempt to travel the world in 80 days.

1996
Frances Mayes
(b. 1940)
Under the Tuscan Sun- 
A memoir of buying, renovating, and living in an abandoned villa in rural Tuscany in Italy.

 

1768
Laurence Sterne
(1713–1768)
A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy - 
Irish-born English author describing his travels through France and Italy.

 

1796
Mary Wollstonecraft
(1759–1797)
A Short Residence in Sweden-  
Wollstonecraft is a writer, philosopher and feminist who wrote a book about her residence in Sweden.

 

1846
Herman Melville
(1819–1891)
Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life
Omoo: A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas -
Chronicles of Melville's experiences as a sailor in Polynesia.

1918-1939
Richard Halliburton
(1900–1939)
Halliburton was known as one of the most famous explorers and adventure writers of his generation
The Royal Road to Romance, The Flying Carpet, New Worlds to Conquer, The Glorious Adventure, Seven League Boots

1930s
Evelyn Waugh
(1903–1966):
Waugh Abroad: Collected Travel Writing-
This book documents the English novelist's travels around the world in the 1930s.

1956
Gerald Durrell
(1925–1995)
My Family and Other Animals- 
Accompanying book to Lawrence Durrell's book published in 1945 about their time spent in Corfu. It shows how travel writing develops as it contains humour and storytelling.

1958
Eric Newby
(1919–2006)
A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush-
Newby is a popular English travel writer, who chronicled his climb of the Nuristan mountains in Afghanistan

1962
John Steinbeck
(1902–1968)
Travels with Charley: In Search of America- 
This book follows Steinbeck's journey through America with his poodle named Charley.

1977-1987
Bruce Chatwin
(1940–1989)
In Patagonia (1977)-
English travel book focusing about many different issues such as Algerian immigrant workers.

The Songlines (1987)
Chatwin travels through Australia to research an Aboriginal song and its connection to travel.  

1985-2001
Bill Bryson
(b. 1951)
These are just a few of his books.

The Palace Under the Alps (1985)-
An early work that is more of a travel guide than a narrative.

Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe(1992)-
Travels through Europe

Notes from a Small Island (1995) -
Travels in the United Kingdom.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (1999)-
Travels through America with his friend Stephen Katz.

In a Sunburned Country (2001)-
Travels in Australia

1992
Tom Miller
(b. 1947)
Trading With the Enemy: A Yankee Travels Through Castro's Cuba-
This is one of Miller's 10 books and is about his travels through Cuba.