December 2023 MBR The Travel Shelf

The Travel Shelf

Spain: The Monocle Handbook
Tyler Brule, author
Andrew Tuck, author
Joe Pickard, author
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500978672, $50.00, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Spain-Monocle-Handbook-Tyler-Br%C3%BBl%C3%A9/dp/0500978670

Synopsis: "Spain: The Monocle Handbook" by co-authors Tyler Brule (editorial director and chairman of Monocle), Andrew Tuck (Monocle's editor-in-chief), and Joe Pickard (head of book publishing for Monocle", has as its focus sunny Spain. A practical travel guide, "Spain: The Monocle Handbook" will steer you from the streets of Seville to the mountains of Mallorca, introducing favorite, exciting, and memorable places to stay, eat, shop, and visit across the country.

Armchair readers and on-site visitors will discover the sleekest beachside boltholes in the Costa Brava, the family-run restaurants plating up the tastiest tapas in Andalucia, and the buzziest bars in Barcelona before getting your cultural fix in Valencia, Bilbao, or Madrid. Visitikng travelers will meet the Spaniards making waves in the fashion industry, visit the artisans turning out beautiful contemporary designs, and hear from the chefs shaking up the country's food scene. And of course you'll find out about the finest stretches of sand on which to lay down your towel.

For those looking to put down roots in Spain, this information packed travel guide also profiles the cities, towns, and neighborhoods worth investing in, the architects and designers to commission, and even some interior design inspiration for your apartment or holiday home.

Critique: Whether putting together an itinerary for a sun-soaked weekend, or planning to stay a little longer (or indefinitely), "Spain: The Monocle Handbook" is the ideal resource for getting the most out of your vacation or business trip. Beautifully illustrated throughout with full color illustrations and images, "Spain: The Monocle Handbook" is an exceptional and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Travel Guide collections.

National Geographic Traveler: Iceland
National Geographic
National Geographic Press
www.nationalgeographic.com
9788854419711, $21.99, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Traveler-Iceland/dp/8854419710

Synopsis: "National Geographic Traveler: Iceland" is a compact paperback travel guide stuffed with useable information for on-site visitors who do not want to miss anything of the unique and incredible atmosphere, from the northern lights to the capital, Reykjavik, which comes to life in the long summer nights of the Arctic Circle.

"National Geographic Traveler: Iceland" is ideal for planning itineraries for enjoying the fishing ports of the southern peninsula; admiring the volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls of the south; exploring the mysterious eastern lands; being fascinated by the rich wild nature up north; or venturing among the spectacular bird-populated cliffs and glaciers of the Westfjords.

Critique: Compact, portable, 'user friendly' in organization/presentation, beautifully and profusely illustrated with color photography, offering a wealth of useable information with respect to routes and all the sectors that comprise Iceland, "National Geographic Traveler: Iceland" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library International Travel Guide collections in general, and Icelandic travel guide for armchair travelers and on-site visitors in particular.

Editorial Note: National Geographic Traveler guidebooks are focused on experiential travel. Each book provides inspiring photography, insider tips, and expert advice for a more authentic, enriching experience of the destination. These books serve a readership of active, discerning travelers and supply information, historical context, and cultural interpretation not available on the Internet.

Soul of Marrakesh
Zohar Benjelloun, author
Fabrice Nadjari, author
Jonglez Publishing
9782361954659, $14.95, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Marrakech-guide-exceptional-experiences/dp/2361954656

Synopsis: Marrakesh is the fourth largest city in Morocco. Historically, it is one of the four imperial Islamic cities of Morocco and the capital of the Marrakesh - Safi region. It is west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

With the publication of "Soul of Marrakesh: A guide to 30 exceptional experiences" by co-authors Zohar Benjelloun and Fabrice Nadjari, the armchair traveler and on-site visitor cn step inside Yves St Laurent's private library, drink the best orange juice in the legendary Jamaa el-Fna square, stay with some renowned traditional gnawa musicians, feast on the medina's most eco-friendly tagine, while away a few days in a hotel hidden in a palm grove that's also a rare bird sanctuary, discover the secret museum where everything is for sale, a a great deal more.

The co-authors of "Soul of Marrakesh", Zohar Benjelloun and Fabrice Nadjari, are passionate about Morocco. They have explored every corner of the fascinating city of Marrakesh to provide their readers with the most exciting and unexpected experiences.

Critique: A part of The 'Soul of' collection from Jonglez Publishing, "Soul of Marakesh offers a new approach to the art of travel that consists of vagabonding around, chance encounters and unforgettable experiences. Informatively illustrated and exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Soul of Marakesh" is an ideal guidebooks for itinerary planning and one that unlock the hidden doors of a city, capture its essence and delve into every last nook and cranny to uncover its soul. While highly recommended for community and college/university library Travel Guide collections, it should be noted for personal use that "Soul of Marakesh" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.95).

Editorial Note: Each guide in the 'Soul of' series includes: The 30 best experiences a city has to offer; Interviews with those who give the city its spirit; and Original illustrations that capture the city's soul.

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