Help me pick out a travel/adventure book for Europe

Cafe Society
1

I’m going to Europe for five weeks in June. While most of the time I will not be reading, there will be down times that I’m sure I’ll just want to sit somewhere and read. So I’m looking for a book.

I’d like to have something about traveling, especially if it is in Europe. Hopefully it will have some action as well. If there are motorcycles that’s even better as that’s how I’m going to be traveling. I don’t want it to be too complex as I don’t want to have to remember every little thing that’s going on, and it shouldn’t be huge as I will need the room, something like 400-700 pages.

Also it shouldn’t be a book that someone will give me funny looks for reading, so no Satanic Verses. I’m not put off by classical books so even some older books are fine.

So if there’s a book about a motorcycle riding archaeologist that would be perfect, but don’t say Indy because I already have all of those. So suggest away, I still have a bit of time to find what I want.

2

If you’re looking for travelogues, 2 pop into mind:

Bill Bryson’s “Neither Here Not There” is a quick read. He isn’t a motorcycling-riding archeologist, though.

Tony Hawks’ “Round Ireland with a Fridge” is fun, especially if you are going to be in Ireland. I think he gets some assistance on a motorcyle, but I’m not sure. :slight_smile:

Both are out in paperback so they will be light. You can also leave them behind when you’re done.

3

I’ll go for the obvious.
Have you ever read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?

4

Europe through the Back Door by Rick Steves. Pretty funny, tongue in cheek.

5

I’d second Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, but it may be a bit on the philosophic side.

I started Setting Free the Bears (Europe, motorcycles) by John Irving, whom I like a lot. But I put it down and haven’t picked it back up, so I can’t exactly endorse it. It’s not bad, but IMHO far from Irving’s best.