I can't say that I've been inspired to visit one particular country having read a travelogue or book about the place. My mum's an avid traveller, or at least she was until very recently, so her shelves are literally straining under the weight of Travel literature, guides and such. I guess my wanderlust stemmed from the tales she'd tell us when she came back from far flung places. I was lucky enough to be in a touring band when I was younger so I got to visit loads of places and meet people that way. Nowadays, solo travel by motorcycle is all about the head space, rather than the place, if that makes sense. You'll appreciate what I mean if you work with kids five days a week....

I can recommend "The worst journey in the world" by Apsley Cherry-Garrard...it's about Scott's Antarctic expedition...more concerned with human endeavour  (and failings) than the place itself, but incredibly well observed

I completely agree:  I find riding meditative.  I actually don't listen to music or even my GPS unless I'm getting near a destination.  I  found the same thing when I cycled. 

Looks great!

This is very edifying!  Given we would say that someone with spunk has balls, I suspect the etymologies converge nicely!