Welcome to Reading the Book Travel!
I’m Jill Bowdery, a British blogger who has been travelling for more than 15 years, visiting 70 countries on 6 continents. I love to travel both


Welcome to Reading the Book Travel
I’m Jill Bowdery, a British blogger who has been travelling for more than 15 years, visiting nearly 70 countries on 6 continents. I love to travel both solo and with groups, and to discover the cultures and peoples of the countries I visit. And I love to share a good story or two along the way!
Latest posts from Reading the Book Travel
A Moselle River cruise from Remich to Schengen, Luxembourg
Luxembourg may be one of the smallest countries in Europe, but that doesn’t mean it is short of things to do. If you are looking to explore the country beyond the capital, Luxembourg City, why not head down south for a day in the Moselle river valley? Known as La...
Must see Luxembourg: Top things to do in Luxembourg City
One of the smallest countries in Europe, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is often overlooked in favour of its larger neighbours - or considered simply a country to “tick off” on your European visit. But this little nation has a surprising amount to offer visitors, and...
Visit the Gambia National Museum, Banjul
Lisbon airport to the city centre: Using the Lisbon airport metro
Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, is a destination which is beginning to make its mark on the popular tourist trail. Located halfway down Portugal’s western coastline, Lisbon has it all: big city hotels and shopping, beautiful buildings, traditional music and more...
One Day in Lisbon: Exploring Lisbon Castle
Towering over the city of Lisbon, Portugal, Castelo São Jorge is hard to miss, and is surely the most strategically significant of all Portuguese castles. Perched on top of a hill to the north of the city centre, with views over the Portuguese capital to the south and...
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary and the Langue de Barbarie: The best Senegal bird watching tours
For serious bird-spotters, the northwest coast of Senegal is paradise. The destination for migrating birds from Europe, as well as many local species, the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary and Langue de Barbarie National Park make spectacular half-day trips from...
Ile de Goree Senegal: Discovering West Africa’s slave heritage
Located a short ferry ride off the coast of the capital, Dakar, Goree Island in Senegal is a world apart. Discovered in 1433 by the Portuguese (although presumably known to the Senegalese far earlier), the island was initially named Palm Island for the number of palm...
Taking a River Gambia tour: the ultimate Gambian experience
Thinking of visiting The Gambia? Check out our sister site, Travel The Gambia, for things to do, practical information and more!I’m on a converted peanut boat in the middle of the Gambia river, exploring the less-visited side of this beautiful West African nation....
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Top Cyprus destinations: The perfect 5-day Cyprus itinerary!
The eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus is popular for a reason. With its hot, sunny climate, long coastline and EU and Eurozone membership (in the south and west of the island, at least), its beaches fill during the summer months with work-weary tourists wanting...

A Moselle River cruise from Remich to Schengen, Luxembourg
Luxembourg may be one of the smallest countries in Europe, but that doesn’t mean it is short of things to do. If you are looking to explore the country beyond the capital, Luxembourg City, why not head down south for a day in the Moselle river valley? Known as La...

Must see Luxembourg: Top things to do in Luxembourg City
One of the smallest countries in Europe, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is often overlooked in favour of its larger neighbours - or considered simply a country to “tick off” on your European visit. But this little nation has a surprising amount to offer visitors, and...

Visit the Gambia National Museum, Banjul

Lisbon airport to the city centre: Using the Lisbon airport metro
Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, is a destination which is beginning to make its mark on the popular tourist trail. Located halfway down Portugal’s western coastline, Lisbon has it all: big city hotels and shopping, beautiful buildings, traditional music and more...

One Day in Lisbon: Exploring Lisbon Castle
Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, is a destination which is beginning to make its mark on the popular tourist trail. Located halfway down Portugal’s western coastline, Lisbon has it all: big city hotels and shopping, beautiful buildings, traditional music and more...

Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary and the Langue de Barbarie: The best Senegal bird watching tours
Towering over the city of Lisbon, Portugal, Castelo São Jorge is hard to miss, and is surely the most strategically significant of all Portuguese castles. Perched on top of a hill to the north of the city centre, with views over the Portuguese capital to the south and...

Ile de Goree Senegal: Discovering West Africa’s slave heritage
For serious bird-spotters, the northwest coast of Senegal is paradise. The destination for migrating birds from Europe, as well as many local species, the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary and Langue de Barbarie National Park make spectacular half-day trips from...

Taking a River Gambia tour: the ultimate Gambian experience
Located a short ferry ride off the coast of the capital, Dakar, Goree Island in Senegal is a world apart. Discovered in 1433 by the Portuguese (although presumably known to the Senegalese far earlier), the island was initially named Palm Island for the number of palm...

Destination Africa: The best African countries to visit
Thinking of visiting The Gambia? Check out our sister site, Travel The Gambia, for things to do, practical information and more!I’m on a converted peanut boat in the middle of the Gambia river, exploring the less-visited side of this beautiful West African nation....
About Reading the Book Travel

Reading the Book Travel inspires travellers of all ages to head just that little bit off the beaten track.
Via a mixture of solo travel and small-group adventures, discover unusual and less-visited destinations from every corner of the globe. Reading the Book Travel is not about scaling mountains or taking risks, it’s about exploring those everyday places that will open your eyes to the wider world.
The world is a book – and those who do not travel read only a page.
What readers are saying:
“Lovely blog and you have really traveled all over the world. The photos are wonderful and loved reading about your various adventures.”
“Amazing stories from interesting countries – a different kind of blog and totally worth reading!”
“Excellent stories and photos! I love digging into your guides and getting inspiration on places to add to my bucket list!”