Travel Publications Reviewed
Books, maps, pictures, all sources of great inspiration for adventures, on this page we’ll strive to show case the very best of what’s out there, Separate the best from the rest and make sure that only the worthy make it on to your bookshelf.
This is our first read of a Footprint Travel Guide, and boy were we impressed (and a little disappointed that we’ve not used one of these guides before). Unlike many other popular guides which might incorporate Skye and Outer Hebrides into a guide about Scotland, it’s refreshing to see that Footprint’s “Focus” edition devotes all its pages solely to said destination.
The guide is divided in to two main sections, the first focusing on and around Skye, while the second half focuses on Outer Hebrides. Each islands attractions are highlighted as well as recommendations for places stay and how to get there via the local transport links. Prices and useful contacts should be up to date as this guide’s last publication date is as recent as July 2011. Simplified maps contained within this guide are amongst the best we've seen for a travel guide going a long way from the square block maps often found in other guides. It’s quite surprising how much useful information can be condensed into this compact format making it great practical companion when exploring these remote and fascinating islands.
We’ll be testing this guide out in the field in mid August as part of our Outer Hebrides hike for charity (for more info click here) and will re-review this title upon our return.
RRP:£6.99
Avaliable: Out now from Footprint Travel Guides
Whether you’re heading to Cape Verde on a package holiday, or intend on roughing it with your backpack, Bradt offer a well-rounded travel guide to this fascinating country that caters for every travellers thirst for knowledge. Now in its fifth edition it’s pretty safe to say that you’ll struggle to find a more thoroughly researched travel guide on Cape Verde. The authors go a long way to bring to light the history of these islands as a whole and on an individual basis. Whilst the first section of this book concentrates on the historical and cultural overview of the islands and will be of interest, providing good background information, it’s not until the second part that it really gets down to the in-depth practicalities of each island. With nine islands to cover, this guide does well to highlight activities and things to see in all these diverse islands. Along with the expected content of places to stay, eat and see, it contains extremely useful maps and hiking routes, enabling the more adventurous to explore the environment on foot. Each section dedicated to an island details sites and points of interest which you’ll struggle to find information on from other means (such as browsing the web), and can only be brought to a traveller’s attention by those who have lived, visited, and explored the Cape Verde.
For those who fall in love with Cape Verde, this book goes beyond what you may expect from a stereotypical guide book and even offers advice on how to purchase or invest in property. Packed full of useful contacts, maps, and current up to date prices, make this a valuable companion for venturing to this amazing archipelago.
Usefulness: This guide really did enhance our exploration. Being full of tight knit communities, much of the island we stayed on would have gone un-noticed had it not been for this practical guide.
RRP:£15.99
Avaliable: Out now from the Bradt Online Store
There’s more to 2012 then just the London Olympics and this great little title proves exactly that. Lonely Planet explores trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the upcoming year. 'Best in Travel 2012' not only focuses on the popular and upcoming travel destinations, but pays detail to famous landmarks from around the globe. The title stands out from the shelf with listings of points of interest that will be your 'last chance' to visit as well as your 'first chance'to experience. The opening of 'Shard London Bridge', the completion of the UK’s Coastal path, bridging Italy with Sicily, newly opened areas of Bhutan and much more, make this a very relevant guide for 2012.
Wonderfully presented and conveniently divided into top 10 countries, regions, cities and travel lists, make it easy to skip through pages and come upon a page that will inspire you to book your next holiday. Festival lovers will be happy to hear that at the end of this book you’ll come to a neat little planner which highlights 35 world events by month.
Giftability: Get two copies of this book, one for as a gift to a friend and one as a gift for yourself.
Inspiriblity: There’s a lot packed into this book, both from afar and closer to home. It's bound to get your travel bug itching.
RRP:£14.99 Lonely Planet our currently offering Best in Travel 2011 (last years edition of this title) for free with every 2012 purchase making this an absolute bargain.
Avaliable: Out now from the Lonely Planet Shop
There really are 1000 reasons why this book is worth picking up. Just as it says on the cover, this book is a catalogue of Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Sights. WOW what a collection; encompassing the natural and the manmade. An entertaining read from start to finish as you flick through ‘Most Breathtaking Viewing Platforms’, ‘Greatest Harbours’, ‘Coolest Caves’, ‘Medieval Sights’ or ‘Awesome Canyons’. Not just geographically focused, the title includes sections on ‘Best Bookshops’, ‘Most Risqué Sites’ or ‘Ugliest Beasts’; these being just a snippet of the 100-odd sections on offer.
With a clear and neat layout, the title is an excellent starting and reference point for inspired travellers. Each ‘sight’ has a description followed by with a few short lines on where you can get more information and travel arrangements. Many of the pages are accompanied with some excellent photography bringing the selected destination to your very own living room. Lonely Planet is sure to make you want to get out there and plan the next adventure to discover some of our Earth’s ultimate sights.
The selection of sights them self consist of a mixture of well known and developed tourist attractions, as well as going a long way to cover amazing sights we’ve not heard off - adding an extra value to the book. If your planning a long trip across a selection of countries there’s bound to be something in here that you’ll add to you itinerary as a result of reading this.
Truly a sight for traveller’s eyes!
Giftability: This would make an excellent gift for anyone with a passion for travel.
Inspiriblity: The title offers just a glimpse of what there is to offer in the world and shows an insight into some incredible locations that really open your eyes. Truly an inspiring reference book.
RRP:£15.99
Avaliable: Out now from the Lonely Planet Shop
Not to be confused with a book on aviation,' How to Land a Jumbo Jet' is a selection of fantastic figures and statistics all wonderfully and quite uniquely presented using informative graphics. It offers a wide collection of travel trivia from around the globe. With no boring line graphs or bar chats, this book concentrates on bringing you colourfully illustrated pictorials to some truly fascinating facts. Maps include trailblazing exploration routes from the past as well as world crime rates and vaccination recommendations; making this not only collection of trivia but also a practice guide.
Everything you need to know from which country is the most proud, what goes into a backpack, to where to go nude, travel luggage woes and of course how to land a jumbo jet can be found in this exciting new title, making this is a great addition to a coffee table. Every time you’ll pick it up for quick flick through you’ll end up studying the visually stimulating data for hours, leaving you eager to impress your friends with some worldly knowledge.
Giftability::A great inexpensive gift for anyone with an interest in travel, figures and graphic design.
RRP:£9.99
Avaliable: Out now from the Lonely Planet Shop