While we might not always have the chance to pack our bags and jet off to new destinations, we can still live out our love of travel through the pages of dreamy coffee table books. Among the most well-known and admired publishers of travel books is Assouline, a name synonymous with luxury and sophistication. Assouline’s books are more than just collections of photographs and stories; they’re expertly curated guides that showcase the essence of some of the world’s most alluring destinations. Ahead, learn more about some of our favorite Assouline reads.
Secret Stays
In Secret Stays, readers will uncover 22 unique properties owned by notable people, including the Countess of Burlington, the villagers of Tizkmoudine, and everything in between. From a secluded Croatian monastery to a Japanese machiya townhouse, this book dives into stunning stays that are unlike the rest. Inside, readers will learn more about each property’s history, owners, and more.
African Adventures
Explore the best that Africa has to offer in African Adventures. This book features guides to four incredible experiences: Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe; the Okavango Delta in Botswana; the Great Migration in Kenya; and the silverback mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Complete with information on sustainable boutique lodges, cool helicopter rides, and astounding wildlife exploration, this book will be your guide to the best safari on earth.
James Bond Destinations
Calling all James Bond lovers! The James Bond Destinations book is for you. In this bestseller, readers will get to go behind the scenes of the iconic places where the movies have been filmed. From Ursula Andress emerging from Jamaican waters to Daniel Craig’s iconic high-speed car chase in Rome, this book might even be better than the movies themselves (we said might).
Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation
Ah, Italy. In Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation, readers will get an inside peek at a handful of stunning Belmond properties. (For those who don’t know, Belmond is a global collection of luxury hotels, trains, river cruises, and safaris that has several 5-star properties in Italy.) The book encapsulates living La Dolce Vita, offering snapshots of sweeping views of the Italian Riviera, the rolling hills of Tuscany, and beautiful stays off the beaten path. As for the word “Villeggiatura”? This defined the Italian concept of a prolonged stay in a single place. After seeing these properties, you’ll understand.
Chic Stays
You’ve never quite seen chic until you’ve flipped through the pages of Chic Stays. From Sofia Coppola’s insanely gorgeous family retreat in Bernalda, Italy, to the sun-soaked beaches of Kate Winslet’s Scottish hideaway of Eilean Shona, this book highlights 36 spots around the world that just might take your breath away. Spanning from the hillsides of Sri Lanka to cool hangouts in Portland, Oregon, Chic Stays will most definitely fuel your wanderlust.
The Luxury Collection: Hotel Secrets (Coming Soon)
The Luxury Collection series is one of our personal favorites. (Go figure, right?) The seventh volume, The Luxury Collection: Hotel Secrets, dives into little-known stories behind some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Learn more about history, culture, food scenes, and stunning stays at truly distinct properties. (It includes a peek at Frank Sinatra’s private suite at the Castillo Hotel Son Vidal, which is a stay to behold.) Trust us, this is a coffee table book that you’ll be re-reading more than a few times.
