New Fall Books For The Ultimate Travel Inspiration

A new collection of books out for Autumn reveal the unique and, at times, hidden sides of a destination and places the reader under the skin of some of the world’s most interesting locations.

Italy

Italian Interiors: Rooms With A View, by Laura May Todd, (£49.95, October 2024, phaidon.com) gives an insight into some of Italy’s most beautiful homes. Whether they are historic palaces in Venice, midcentury apartments in Milan or sun-filled villas in rural Sicily—the book gives a whirlwind tour of the country via some of its most beautiful and design-led interiors.

Each year, over 60 million tourists flock to Italy in search of la dolce vita, with many wanting to soak up the country’s inspiring and ground-breaking architecture, designers and culture. Celebrating the best of Italian style, the reader can travel from wood-clad Alpine escapes to sprawling Sicilian estates, via homes in Rome, Milan, Venice, Tuscany, Lake Como, Puglia and Sardinia.

The pages include odes to minimalism, treasure troves of maximalism, and historical, contemporary, high-rise, low-rise, colourful and monochrome properties—each one undeniably Italian. The homes featured in the book share an attitude—an ability to layer elements from different historical periods, finding beauty in the ancient and the modern. Included is Giorgio Armani’s elegant summer house on the island of Pantelleria; the pared-back apartment of Radiohead singer Thom Yorke and the eclectic home of Francesco Risso, creative director of Marni.

“An Italian house is one that lives in harmony with history, whose objects and furnishings speak to the ideas and passions of its occupants; it is a space that, despite the preciousness of the objects that reside within, is intentionally configured to welcome others inside,” says interiors author, Laura May Todd.

Las Vegas

Meanwhile, Las Vegas Magic (£85, September 2024, assouline.com) is the latest tome from travel experts, Assouline. Only the fourth U.S. city to be featured in Assouline’s popular Travel Series, and the first for the Western U.S., the book explores the many facets of this one-of-a-kind metropolis.

Written by Richard Abowitz, winner of a Nevada Press Award for Best Investigative Reporting/Feature Writing, and who has covered Las Vegas for publications such as Rolling Stone and the Los Angeles Times, the pages take the reader on a captivating journey across the ever-evolving city.

From its casinos (featuring glamorous vintage shots) and striking desert landscapes to architectural and design masterpieces and, of course, its infamous nightlife, the book is a celebration of the many different sides of Las Vegas, known as the capital of indulgence.

New York

Exploring New York’s famous High Line is new title, Elevated: Art On The High Line, by Cecilia Alemani, (£39.95, October 2024, phaidon.com). Converted from an elevated rail line, the greenway hosts millions of visitors annually, providing a unique space for encountering art and performance.

Written by Cecelia Alemani, the book brings to life the multifaceted offerings of its public art program, High Line Art—presenting works and projects from the last decade by key artists from around the world. Featured artists include Simone Leigh, Paola Pivi, Sam Durant, Jordan Casteel, Cecilia Vicuña, Sheila Hicks, El Anatsui, Phyllida Barlow, Faith Ringgold, Barbara Kruger, Zoe Leonard, and many others. Through its pages, the creative evolution and vibrant cultural programming of High Line Art is documented.

Through photographs and unique conversations with the participating artists, as well as essays by key critics, such as Julia Bryan-Wilson and Aruna D’Souza, the book surveys the dozens of open-air installations, billboards, murals, video projects, and participatory events that demonstrate the unique impact High Line Art has had on both New York City and the art world.

Saint Tropez

Giving an insight into the glamorous world of Saint-Tropez’s yachting heritage, Assouline’s Saint-Tropez Yachting (£100, September 2024, assouline.com) documents the history of this maritime sport.

For centuries, the Mediterranean’s glistening surface has been a watery wonderland where teams compete in epic battles for glory and honor. Indeed, regattas are more than just a sporting contest; they celebrate maritime passion and a venerable heritage. The book delves into the history of the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the first sailing event on the Mediterranean coast, in which more than 250 boats participate each year. The annual event brings together on the same stretch of water classic boats, some of which are over a 100 years old, and modern boats among the most beautiful in the world, anchoring along the way the quaint town of Saint-Tropez as the region’s premier sailing destination.

Taking readers on a unique journey to the South of France, the book features photography by maritime photographer Guillaume Plisson and testimonies from international figures of the yachting industry, such as Luca Bassani, Éric Tabarly, and Bruno Troublé. Saint-Tropez Yachting is the ultimate celebration of the French Riviera.

Africa

Giving an insight of a different kind, is The Contemporary African Kitchen: Home Cooking Recipes From The Leading Chefs Of Africa, by Alexander Smalls with Nina Oduro (£34.95. October 2024, phaidon.com).

The collection of 120 home cooking recipes, from Africa’s most exciting culinary voices today, gives a unique insight into the many different cultures found across the continent. Extensively researched and curated by James Beard Award winning chef, author and restaurateur, Alexander Smalls, in collaboration with Dine Diaspora CEO, Nina Oduro, the volume celebrates Africa’s extraordinary gastronomic past and present across a breadth of dishes. Smalls and Oduro meticulously selected 33 of Africa’s most innovative and influential figures working today, all of whom were born or raised across the continent or have demonstrated contributions across countries, among them: Sinoyolo Sifo, Matse Uwatse, Eric Adjepong, Rōze Traore, Mogau Seshoene, and Dieuveil Malonga.

Composed of 55 countries with more than 1.4 billion people, and 2,000-plus languages spoken, Africa is home to distinct and diverse culinary traditions. The Contemporary African centers Africa’s multifaceted cuisine and, as Smalls writes in the introduction, seeks to bring it into the “contemporary, modern and stunning realm, illustrated through a myriad of stories, images and recipes, all of which highlight Africa’s gifts to the world, through people and cuisine.”

The book aims to bring to life the warmth, aroma, flavor and heritage, which are at the heart of the African kitchen, and which is now nourished by a new and vibrant scene of culinary voices. The Contemporary African Kitchen celebrates the intersection between modern home cooking dishes and their historical roots, uniting personal stories of heritage and legacy from chefs with their recipes. Dishes range from South African Braai; Nubian Tilapia; Ghanaian Dark Chocolate Pudding; Grilled Goat Ribs from the east; Peanut Sauce Stew from Central Africa; Beef & Cabbage Stew from the south; and Sea Bass with Celery Root Purée & Golden Mushrooms from the west.