November 2023 MBR The Travel Shelf

The Travel Shelf

Best of the World: 1,000 Destinations of a Lifetime
National Geographic, author
National Geographic Press
www.nationalgeographic.com
9781426222368, $40.00, HC, 400pp

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/best-of-the-world-national-geographic/1143022857

Synopsis: With the publication of "Best of the World: 1,000 Destinations of a Lifetime" armchair travelers and on-site visitors can discover their next great adventure in beautifully illustrated, large format (9.5 x 1.17 x 12.18 inches; 4.52 Pounds) guide to the world's best travel destinations. From the ultimate hiking trails to the most scenic train rides, the most stunning coral reefs to the most epic mountain retreats, here showcases are 1,000 exceptional destinations to add to an travelers bucket list!

Each one of the 1,000 bucket list-worthy trips in this sumptuous coffee-table style volume has been carefully vetted and selected by the celebrated travel experts at National Geographic. On every page there are new ways listed in order to experience beloved destinations to their fullest, such as a family-friendly tour of Rome's beloved ruins or a foodie tour of New York City, as well as hidden gems around the globe, including a cloud forest in the mountains of Ecuador and a kite surfing excursion off the coast of Spain.

Of special note is the profuse inclusion of detailed road trips to places near (Charleston, South Carolina) and far (a grand tour of Switzerland), along with top 10 lists from the best ski resorts to the best green hotels. Within the pages of "Best of the World: 1,000 Destinations of a Lifetime" will be discovered majestic nature escapes, family getaways, cultural hot spots, remarkable cityscapes, and one-of-a-kind thrills in this beautifully illustrated collection that will help aspiring travelers to find their next exhilarating destination.

Critique: Stunningly illustrated, impressively informative, thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Best of the World: 1,000 Destinations of a Lifetime" is factual, motivational, a pleasurable delight to simply browse through, and appreciatively inspirational to plan trip itineraries with -- making it a welcome and unreservedly recommended acquisition for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Atlas/Maps and Travel Guide collections.

prettycityparis: Discovering Paris's Beautiful Places
Siobhan Ferguson, author
The History Press
c/o Arcadia Publishing
www.arcadiapublishing.com
9780750995221, $40.00, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/prettycityparis-Discovering-Pariss-Beautiful-Places/dp/075099522X

Synopsis: With the publication of "prettycityparis: Discovering Paris's Beautiful Places" by Siobhan Ferguson, armchair travelers and on-site visitors can go beyond the French capital's famous landmarks and discover the hidden gems in this ancient city. From secluded mews and undiscovered cafes to flower markets and tree-lined streets, prettycityparis champions the quiet, gentle moments that allow you to escape in a huge capital city like Paris.

If you know where to look, you will find that traditional shopfronts, vintage transport, artisan bakeries, whimsical florists and timeless bookstores are but a hop, skip and a jump from the center. Some are right in the middle.

Full of the unexplored and less-appreciated areas of Paris, this stunning guide also includes tips on how to plan and photograph your own prettycityparis experience, whether on foot or dreaming from afar.

Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated in full color, this impressive edition of "prettycityparis: Discovering Paris's Beautiful Places" from The History Press will prove to be of particular relevance and appreciation for readers with an interest in Paris, in Urban Photography, and French Travel Guides. Impressively informative, exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "prettycityparis: Discovering Paris's Beautiful Places" is an unequivocally recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and academic library collections.

Editorial Note: Siobhan Ferguson is the curator and founder of the hugely popular Instagram accounts @prettycitylondon, @theprettycities and @siobhaise. A photographer and social media consultant, she is the author of prettycitylondon (2018) and prettycitynewyork (2019). A native Irish woman, she currently lives in Chiswick.

The Family Bucket List
Nana Luckham, author
Kath Strathers, author
Universe Publishing
c/o Rizzoli
www.rizzoliusa.com
9780789344175, $36.95, HC, 416pp

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Bucket-List-Memories-Around/dp/0789344173

Synopsis: With options for exciting trips and anything but ordinary journeys, the vast choice of experiences showcased in "The Family Bucket List: 1,000 Trips to Take and Memories to Make Around the World" by co-authors Nana Luckham and Kath Strathers is curated to appeal to all types of families and people of all ages: from visiting a "hobbit roundhouse" in Cornwall, England or shopping the docks for lobster in Portland, Maine to birdspotting along the Panama Canal or partaking of hundreds of activities at the Florida State Fair.

Organized geographically,the entries comprising "The Family Bucket List" feature a wide array of things to do spanning numerous interests and activity levels sure to appeal to all ages from kids to grandparents: go boating on New York State's Erie Canal; stroll the tulip fields outside Amsterdam; celebrate Mexico's Day of the Dead - the "original" Halloween; experience authentic Japanese living including a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto; take your family to a cooking school in Tuscany; explore the Pacific Northwest by ferry; and much more.

Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with color photography, this large format (7 x 1.37 x 9.19 inches, 1.25 pounds) hardcover edition from Universe Publishing of "The Family Bucket List: 1,000 Trips to Take and Memories to Make Around the World" will have immense appeal to both the armchair traveler and the on-site visitor alike. An impressively inspirational and planning alternative to a generic vacation, "The Family Bucket List" is a very highly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Travel & Travel Guide collections.

Editorial Note #1: Nana Luckham has written for many travel publications and was a contributor to The Bucket List: Eco Experiences.

Editorial Note #2: Kath Stathers is a leading travel writer whose books include The Bucket List, The Bucket List: Wild, and The Bucket List: North America.

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