Book Recommendations for Travel-Loving Mothers

Some mothers are always ready to go — their suitcases half-packed, maps filled with scribbled notes. Sometimes they collect stories on a ferry ride, sometimes over a quiet coffee in a village square. If your mother loves to travel, explore, and be on the move, then perhaps one of the most meaningful gifts you can give her is a travel book.

This list is filled with books that require no ticket but take the imagination around the world. Some tell of faraway places, others of small towns full of quiet detail. But all of them invite your mother on a different kind of journey. She might feel the Himalayas from her favorite armchair or smile as if she’s in a little Aegean village.

1. Bana Yakın Uzaklar (So Close Yet So Far)– Buket Uzuner

Buket Uzuner’s writing makes you feel that travel is not just about changing locations — it’s also about internal transformation. This book brings together essays inspired by her journeys both in Türkiye and abroad. Each piece offers a personal yet universal perspective.

Perfect for slipping into a bag before a trip, this book reminds us that no matter how far we go, the real journey happens inside. From Istanbul to Bergen, Helsinki to Şanlıurfa, these essays may inspire your mother to say, “I want to hit the road too.”

2. Ye, Dua Et, Sev (Eat, Pray, Love) – Elizabeth Gilbert

A journey of eating, praying, and loving — this internationally loved memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert follows a woman’s year-long trip through Italy, India, and Bali in search of healing and purpose. If your mother dreams of solitude, new cultures, or a fresh chapter in life, this book might be just what she needs.

As she reads, your mother might smile, reflect, or even recognize herself between the lines. A comforting and uplifting read for anyone craving a new beginning.

3. Yolda (On the Road) – Jack Kerouac

A classic of American travel literature, On the Road captures the spirit of freedom, curiosity, and youthful exploration. Though it’s often seen as a book for young adventurers, it speaks to anyone who dreams of escape — at any age.

If your mother enjoyed road trip stories in her youth or loves travel films, this book may awaken a sweet sense of nostalgia. Especially ideal for adventurous, open-minded souls.

4. Türkiye Notları (Turkiye Notes)– Sezgin Kaymaz

A heartfelt and humorous look at Turkiye from within. With warmth and wit, Kaymaz presents a travel journal filled with observations from towns and cities across the country. Every essay is a story, every detail carries emotion.

This book offers a fresh view of familiar places. It makes Turkiye feel at once close and full of new possibilities — perfect for mothers who enjoy regional tales told with honesty and depth.

5. Küçük Paris Kitapçısı (The Little Paris Bookshop) – Nina George

Imagine a bookshop on a boat. A man who believes books can heal the soul sails south from Paris, bringing stories to the hearts that need them. This novel is both a gentle escape and a quiet reflection on love, loss, and renewal.

Ideal for mothers who adore France, wine, literature, or simply a good story that comforts. With lavender fields, riverside cafés, and old letters scattered throughout, the book invites readers to travel — even while sitting still.

6. İçimdeki Yolculuklar (Journeys Within)–  Ayşe Kulin

A deeply personal memoir that reads more like an inward journey than a physical one. Kulin recounts episodes from her life, her travels, her relationships, and her personal growth — all with sincerity and clarity.

Your mother may find herself tracing her own path while reading this. It's a powerful book about becoming, rebuilding, and stepping forward — again and again.

7. Mutluluğun Haritası (The Geography of Bliss) – Eric Weiner

A journalist travels the world — from Iceland to Thailand, India to Switzerland — to find out what makes people happy. Part cultural study, part humorous reflection, this book maps the landscapes of joy.

As your mother reads, she’ll learn not only about distant places but also about different ways of living. A thought-provoking book that asks, “Where does happiness begin?”

8. İstanbul Seyir (Watching Istanbul)– Mario Levi

This isn’t a tourist guide — it’s a feeling. Mario Levi walks us through the streets, neighborhoods, and memories of Istanbul, capturing not just what the city looks like but what it means.

Whether your mother grew up in Istanbul or just dreams of wandering its old alleys, this book will stir something familiar. It’s a gentle reflection on place, time, and the cities that shape who we are.

9. Kaybolma Rehberi (A Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost) – Rachel Friedman

This isn’t a typical travel story. It’s the real-life account of a young woman who had always lived a careful, structured life — until she spontaneously set off to travel. From Dublin to Australia to South America, her journey is full of surprises and lessons.

Though it’s not about motherhood, it speaks to the kind of courage daughters grow into — and mothers witness with pride and worry. A great gift from daughter to mom, or simply a reminder that freedom belongs to everyone.