Forget your passport, the piles of luggage, and jet lag.

Armchair travelers, step aside and make room for the kitchen explorer.

Welcome to destination dining. With a book in one hand and spices in the other, you’re ready for the most affordable way to experience another culture. The books listed here are your culinary and literary passports for going around the world in 80 meals. Just click on a title to check out a description, access reviews and see if this is the place for you. These books make great gifts for a housewarming or any occasion for a kitchen-loving cook.

The Spice Merchant’s Daughter: Recipes and Simple Spice Blends for The American Kitchen

Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean

The Contemporary Encyclopedia of Herbs and Spices: Seasonings for the Global Kitchen