Best General Russia Travel Guides
With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Japan truly shows you this country as no one else can. Series Overview: For more than two decades, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides have helped travelers experience the world through the history, art, architecture, and culture of their destinations. DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: the most maps, photographs, and illustrations of any guide. "Known… for its four-color maps, photos and illustrations, the [DK] Eyewitness Guides are extremely user-friendly for travelers who want their information delivered in a concise, visual way."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As is the case with all DK Travel Guides, it is very well organized by region of the country, after providing you with an overview of Japan along with some history and cultural topics. Then when you go to each regional section, the guide has numbered points of interest or suggested places to visit that are thoroughly explained and that are keyed to a corresponding number on a road map so once again you know where you are in Japan. Finally, they provide a fairly detailed section of Travel Essentials and thoroughly cover topics such as safety, how to get around on public or private transportation, currency, health and a host of other vital topics one must consider prior to any international trip."
"I love all the Eyewitness Travel series."
"Wonderful book and layout."
"It contains detailed descriptions by region and their areas, a great section on traveler's needs (where to stay, where to eat & drink, shopping, Onsen, Theme Parks, Sports & Activities, Special interests, and a great survival guide with practical information, travel info, a life saving phrase book and a great index, the book provides a "further reading" list for you if you want to read more but honestly, with this much information it should be more than enough for my 3 week trip to Japan."
"It's a good book though as a reference."
"The pictures and illustrations are great and I have bought DK series for over ten countries."
"this book is very informative and has beautiful colored pictures."
"Well organized."
With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: New Orleans truly shows you this country as no one else can. With guidebooks to hundreds of places around the globe available in print and digital formats, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides show travelers how they can discover more. DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: the most maps, photographs, and illustrations of any guide. "Known… for its four-color maps, photos and illustrations, the [DK] Eyewitness Guides are extremely user-friendly for travelers who want their information delivered in a concise, visual way."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Published in 2015, it contains historical background information on the city, beautiful graphics, and useful pages at the beginning of the book, starting on page 10, that explain how to take in as much of the city as possible in 2 days, 3 days and 5 days."
"I learned that sometimes restaurants go downhill after getting great reviews-always best to check with locals if highly rated restaurants are worth it."
"My son wanted a travel book on New Orleans as part of his research in writing a play."
"So it says "Top 10"???"
"I love this guide."
"Eyewitness gives you everything you need to know about a destination: great photographs, great historical background, great layout."
"On the last day I gave it to a couple from Belgium who were staying another week."
"It is small, the cover is laminated for increased durability and it has really good, easy to read maps of Manhattan and the subway system."
With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Morocco truly shows you this country as no one else can. With guidebooks to hundreds of places around the globe available in print and digital formats, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides show travelers how they can discover more. DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: the most maps, photographs, and illustrations of any guide. "Known… for its four-color maps, photos and illustrations, the [DK] Eyewitness Guides are extremely user-friendly for travelers who want their information delivered in a concise, visual way."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love every DK book that I get - they are the best."
"First, I have to say that I have a older edition of the book and have been dreaming of going to Morocco for almost 20 years."
"I purchased this book in preparation for my trip to Kenya."
"Went to Morocco las July."
"as advertised, excellent photography and maps."
"it is a fantastic country to visit and the Travel Guide does it justice."
"Love Eyewitness Books!!"
Best General India Travel Guides
This is the miraculous and triumphant story of Saroo Brierley, a young man who used Google Earth to rediscover his childhood life and home in an incredible journey from India to Australia and back again... At only five years old, Saroo Brierley got lost on a train in India. A Long Way Home is a moving, poignant, and inspirational true story of survival and triumph against incredible odds. Born in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India, Saroo Brierley lives in Hobart, Tasmania, where he manages a family business, Brierley Marine, with his father.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is the real-life story of Saroo, a five-year-old child in a village in central India, who gets lost and finds himself transported all the way east to Calcutta, some 1800 kms away. However Saroo always wonders about his origins, with clear memories of his birth mother Kamala, his kid sister Shekila and elder brothers Kallu and Guddu, whom he looked up to as a child two decades before. Gradually, over five years, with incredible patience and perseverance , Saroo, at age 30, using Google Earth's satellite images and Facebook, miraculously locates the train station with the identifying features of his childhood. Saroo soon goes to India and reconnects with his birth family to the great delight of his elderly mother Kamala and his siblings Shekila and Kallu, who are now married with children. It is a great tribute to these wonderful technologies which make it possible for the adult Saroo to sit ten thousand miles away in Hobart, Australia and exactly locate the water tower and overpass of his childhood memory and find out the correct name of his village. Going through the early chapters where Saroo survives for six weeks as a five-year-old in Calcutta, I had palpitations as I felt anxious that nothing terrible should befall young Saroo!"
"This is a unique story about a boy who became lost in India, adopted, relocated to Australia and his, eventual, return back to India in search of his birth mother and family."
"This is one of those rare stories in which "truth is stranger than fiction.""
"I thought it was excellent."
"This story is both incredibly terrifying and wonderfully heart-warming."
"Thoroughly enjoyable read; how incredible that this little boy had such strong survival instinct in a city swarming with millions of people, and an impressive memory for detail which has resulted in an evocative rendering of his becoming lost."
"I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about this remarkable Journey."
"I bought this book in the hopes that my kids will someday want to read his incredibly brave journey."
Best Estonia Travel Guides
From top restaurants, bars, and clubs to standout scenic sites and walks, our insider tips are sure to make your trip outstanding. Whether you're looking for unique and interesting shops and markets, or seeking the best venues for music and nightlife, we have entertainment and hotel recommendations for every budget covered in our Eyewitness Travel Guide. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania truly shows you the country as no one else can. About DK Eyewitness Travel Guides : For more than two decades, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides have helped travelers experience the world through the history, art, architecture, and culture of their destinations.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"DK eyewitness guides are the best."
"You can't beat the KD books."
"This is the latest edition I was looking for (2015)."
"This book offers wonderful historical and cultural notes and helped us see many museums, enjoy the good life of summer, and also understand a little bit of the strength of the people through time!"
"Lots of pictures and information, good for preparing for trip ."
"Received promptly, product as described."
Best Switzerland Travel Guides
After a day of sightseeing and hiking the Alps, treat yourself to a glass of local wine, cheese fondue, and delicious Swiss chocolate. Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants in cities, villages, and resort towns. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I wanted to use it to plan a tour of Switzerland from Zurich to Geneva but, while the book has a section on Lake Geneva, there is not ONE WORD on Geneva except to say that other places around the lake are more worthwhile."
"great while planning a Switzerland vacation."
"We used all the time for our trip."
"you do not need to read the entire book just the cities you are planning to visit."
"Great book but wish there was more information around the villages along Lake Constance."
"However, it dissed Geneva where we spent a couple of nights."
"Good descriptions, But it is very difficult to plan a trip, with this guide, I may buy another guide of Rick Steves, as a complement of. Eyewitness Travel Guide, definitely the best."
Best Central United States Travel Guides
Amazing MN is a book for proud or homesick Minnesotans with 272 pages of state and city rankings, unusual information, stunning design, and a touch of whimsy. With less than 2% of the nation's population, Minnesota is a model for prosperity, creativity, and quality of life. It's about the fabric of the state its constant investment in the arts, its dedication to the environment, its balanced economy, its educational attainment, and, above all, its water. ''Minnesotans are brought up to be self-effacing and sheepish and hangdog about our state - it's the curse of Lutheranism - and finally Lee Lynch has broken through this plywood ceiling and come right out and shown how terrific we are. --Garrison Keillor, graduate of Anoka High School. This beautifully designed book will alter the perception of Minnesota more than anything that's come along in decades.''. His unabashed love for his state makes him its foremost reporter and most artful advocate.''.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Of course most of us that live here don't need to read the book to want to stay."
"any minnesotan should have this."
"Lots of facts about the state."
"Not just the same old Minnesota fan-boy stuff, but REAL numbers to back up just how awesome Minnesota truly is."
"This was a Christmas gift for a native of Minnesota and she was thrilled to receive it... she couldn't put it down!"
"Clean water, clean air, indoor amusement park at the huge Mall of America – and water park indoors! In his Powder-milk Biscuits ads, Garrison Keillor has told us for years, “And the children are above average.” (He is referring of course to the children of Lake Wobegon that wonderful mythical village in rural Minnesota.). Expats and Minnesotaphiles everywhere learn that Minnesotans are the country's safest drivers vs. the country's worst drivers [TX #3 worst, Louisiana #4 worst]."
"I bought this book for my daughter who lives in CA, but was raised in MN."
"I actually listened to the author of this book on the radio... the research and incredibly interesting unknown facts are unmatched!"
Best Morocco Travel Guides
With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Morocco truly shows you this country as no one else can. With guidebooks to hundreds of places around the globe available in print and digital formats, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides show travelers how they can discover more. DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: the most maps, photographs, and illustrations of any guide. "Known… for its four-color maps, photos and illustrations, the [DK] Eyewitness Guides are extremely user-friendly for travelers who want their information delivered in a concise, visual way."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Add this book to "The essential guide to customs & culture of Kenya" to know the local people's traditions, background, what to do when meeting new people & most importantly to expand your awareness about our fellow brothers & sisters inhabiting this planet."
"DK Eyewitness is the absolutely best view of a country or region before visiting it."
"I love every DK book that I get - they are the best."
"Really was helpful in my recent safari to Kenya great overview of the country and wildlife. A bit heavy since I had a 33 pound limit on the Bush planes but would not have traveled without it."
"First, I have to say that I have a older edition of the book and have been dreaming of going to Morocco for almost 20 years."
"I purchased this book in preparation for my trip to Kenya."
"Went to Morocco las July."
"as advertised, excellent photography and maps."
Best West South Central United States Travel Books
Chef Folse's seventh cookbook is the authoritative collection on Louisiana's culture and cuisine.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Ok, this book surprised me."
"This is one of the best cookbook that I have. I have several cookbooks that have only cajun recipes, but this book puts them all into one big cookbook."
"My husband and I already have this book and use it constantly."
"I initially received this book as a gift and just replaced it due to a house fire."
"This book more then any other is the "unofficial" Cajun and Creole cook book."
"I bought this book for my husband who loves to cook."
"In it you'll find recipes for everyday products like chicken, pork, beef, and you'll also find recipes for some game animals as well."
"My husband and I were astonished that the first 100 pages+ are devoted to the different people groups that live in in La."
Best Siberia Travel Guides
Against nearly insurmountable odds and relying on hunting and her own wits, Sarah Marquis survived the Mafia, drug dealers, thieves on horseback who harassed her tent every night for weeks, temperatures from subzero to scorching, life-threatening wildlife, a dengue fever delirium in the Laos jungle, tropic ringworm in northern Thailand, dehydration, and a life-threatening abscess. The descriptions of time and place are just detailed enough to become animated with life, and the author's courage is inspiring." “A National Geographic Explorer of the Year in 2014 recounts her journey with the clear-eyed resolve and keen observational skills that make her a successful solo trekker.” ― Book Page.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Author walked a long way, but didn't describe as much as I would have liked to read about."
"One to let you know what literature is out there if you are just getting started with your own armchair adventuring; and two, to show that I have a fairly good grasp of what the literature looks like. The first thing I noticed was that you can tell that an American didn't write this book. The second thing I noticed, and which is of a lot more importance is that the book is not written like a diary or a reconstruction of a story based on a diary. For some reason men on horseback would show in the middle of the night at her camps no matter how hard she had tried to stay hidden. I'm used to reading the diaries of settlers so I'm comfortable with jumps in time in that format. But as I said this isn't a diary so the jumps are a little strange and unwelcome. One example is where she tells us her personal philosophy is to never stay in one spot for more than one night unless it is an absolute emergency. She then tells us that she plans to ask him why the Mongolians are behaving in such an unexplained fashion -- women taking off their tops when in her presence and the men appearing in the middle of the night."
"I had seen a prelude on a TV show and expected greater insight into the culture and people."
"A good read."
"The books is a wonderful testament to her ferocious perseverence and also has some very poignant and heart touching moments when you can feel her loneliness and sorrow at the loss of a beloved companion."
"Couldn't put it down."
"Heard an interview on radio, which peaked my interest."
Best Moscow Travel Guides
Written in the tradition of Tolstoy's War and Peace , Grossman’s Life and Fate , and Solzhenitsyn’s The Gulag Archipelago , Yuri Slezkine’s gripping narrative tells the true story of the residents of an enormous Moscow apartment building where top Communist officials and their families lived before they were destroyed in Stalin’s purges. "This panoramic history plotted as an epic family tragedy describes the lives of Bolshevik revolutionaries who were swallowed up by the cause they believed in. A twelve-hundred-page epic that recounts the multigenerational story of the famed building and its inhabitants--and, at least as interesting, the rise and fall of Bolshevist faith." "Yuri Slezkine, Mercurian par excellence, has caught an extraordinary set of lives in this book. Few historians, dead or alive, have managed to combine so spectacularly the gifts of storyteller and scholar." Yuri Slezkine’s guiding argument in this remarkable, many-layered account of the men (rarely women) who shaped the October Revolution is that the Bolsheviks were not a party but an apocalyptic sect. The House of Government is a compelling microhistory of the interwar Soviet elite, but it is also a literary-rhetorical tour de force." "A brilliant retelling of, mainly, the first two decades of the Soviet era in a sprawling saga centered around a famous and infamous Moscow apartment building created for the new elite." "[ The House of Government ] is a dizzying book, a hall of mirrors, panoramic and bizarre, as puzzlingly esoteric and thrillingly fervent as the doctrines it describes."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Some even sought to have the relevant family apartments converted into museums, as secular shrines to the departed, although Moscow’s housing shortage, which remains a constant whatever the changes in ideological climate, militated against this outcome. Thus in the 550 fully furnished family apartments in the largest residential building in Europe the new Soviet aristocracy enjoyed high ceilings and central heating as standard, whilst also enjoying access to amenities including a hairdressing salon, kindergarten, gymnasium, tennis court, library, laundry, movie theatre, and a cafeteria from which meals could be ordered for collection, at a time when most Muscovites had to make do with dilapidated and overcrowded communal apartments in which the stale smell of cabbage soup competed with the general stench of despair."
"A masterpiece - Slezkine does a superb job of weaving personal stories through this historical work, using photos, trial transcripts, and letters."
"This is a massive hybrid work that tells the personal human story of the Revolutionary Soviet elite. The book is centered around the story of the massive housing complex in Moscow built for the elite around the time of the first five-year plan (around 1930). It has grand diversions into literature, religion, russian intellectual history and all sorts of other matters. Its length and its tendency to cross so many traditional lines makes it exceptionally interesting but difficult to review. Rather than being the product of one ruthless man, Stalinism seems within the context of the book to be the inevitable outcome of the system. The author's religious analogy actually works in this case in that if their ideas had been implemented, it would have been like throwing the entire country into a monastery. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge came closest to actually making that model real with all the well-known consequences. I came away seeing more clearly what a dramatic change Lenin's NEP was for the true revolutionary faithful and how it created splits within the party that were eventually only resolved through the purge trials. Dealing with the question, he launches into a rambling history of nearly every religion in the world complete with lots of personal opinions an interpretations. Certain matters should have been included in perhaps extended appendix sections where they could stand alone as diversions into topics rather than interruptions of the narrative. It expects a great degree of familiarity with Russian and Soviet history in all its aspects (political, historical, religious, cultural, literary, intellectual and more...) I personally found it very rewarding as a read. Its narrowly focused on life at the very top of society and tending toward the stories of the true-believer party members."
"This book will give the reader a depth of understanding of the terrible tragedy that ensued upon the eventual triumph in 1917 of the millenarian politics of the Russian oppositional intelligentsia of the late 19th century."
Best St. Petersburg Travel Guides
Full-colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - art, architecture, literature Free, convenient pull-out St Petersburg map (included in print version), plus over 15 colour maps Covers Sennaya, Kolomna, Smolny, Vosstaniya, Vasilyevsky Island, Petrogradsky Island, Vyborg Side and more. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I went to St Petersburg o my own and book gave great tips."
"Excellent , like all Lonely Planets."
"Very handy for my trip to Russia."