Koncocoo

Best Specialty Travel

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Talk about a bucket list: here are natural wonders—the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand, or a baobob tree in South Africa that's so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can drink comfortably. Not to mention the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, Turkmenistan's 40-year hole of fire called the Gates of Hell, a graveyard for decommissioned ships on the coast of Bangladesh, eccentric bone museums in Italy, or a weather-forecasting invention that was powered by leeches, still on display in Devon, England. “Fair warning: It's addictive.” — NPR, “Cosmos & Culture” “In this gorgeous collection, the celebrated Atlas Obscura website is condensed into 480 pages of awe-inspiring destinations. “Odds are you won’t get past three pages without being amazed at something truly strange that you didn’t know existed.” — San Francisco Chronicle. “Richly illustrated, delightfully strange, this compendium of off-beat destinations should spark many adventures, both terrestrial and imaginary.” — Boston Globe. “Whether describing a Canadian museum that showcases world history through shoes, a pet-casket company that will also sell you a unit for your severed limb, a Greek snake festival, or a place in the Canary Islands where inhabitants communicate through whistling, the authors have compiled an enthralling range of oddities. Featuring full-color illustrations, this hefty and gorgeously produced tome will be eagerly pored over by readers of many ages and fans of the original website.”— Booklist (Starred Review). a wonderful browse [for] armchair travelers who enjoyed Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York and Frank Warren’s PostSecret .” — Library Journal. It's the kind of book that makes you want to pack in your workaday life and head out to places you'd never have dreamed of going, to see things you could not even have imagined. “ Atlas Obscura is a joyful antidote to the creeping suspicion that travel these days is little more than a homogenized corporate shopping opportunity. Here are hundreds of surprising, perplexing, mind-blowing, inspiring reasons to travel a day longer and farther off the path. Never start a trip without knowing where a haunted hotel or a mouth of hell is!”. —GUILLERMO DEL TORO, filmmaker, Pan’s Labyrinth “ What a strange and wonderful book! Each page reveals some hidden realm—a realm that is frightening, or funny, or magical, or simply mad, but that always leaves the reader in wonder.”. —DAVID GRANN, author of The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon. Be grateful when visiting the Karni Mata Rat Temple if one of the 20,000 venerated rodents runs across your bare foot—it is considered good luck.
Reviews
"Revel in the places that you've seen!"
"I read a short description of the book in the travel section of the SF Chronicle a few weeks ago, and made the purchase based on that. That said, there are items about things I have no interest in seeing, e.g., “Lake Monsters of the USA,” but there don’t seem to be many of that sort of thing included. As with "Lake Monsters," even if you (or a recipient) aren't likely to visit many of the places described, I think for many curious people this would make for an interesting read even without the travel element. It's not a perfect book, and I don't think any one book can be perfect for all readers, but I do think it's very good and I can easily recommend it for anyone who might be potentially interested."
"This book exceeded my already higher-than-average expectations."
"We purchased it for our 19 year old grandson."
"Such a fascinating book!"
"Super fun and entertaini g read if the off beat and curious is your thing."
"Purchased as a gift and spent much of one night pouring through it before giving it away."
"This book is great to have around to pick up while you're waiting for your son to put his socks on, when your eyes need a screen break, during a boring conference call, when you just want to escape your little world for a few minutes."
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The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small
With 1,000 adventures for all ages, it’s never too soon or too late to begin the things you’ve only dreamed of doing. Bucket List not only includes standard travel to-dos like kayaking through Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay or visiting Petra at sunrise; but also localized experiences, such as sipping tea with Bollywood stars in Mumbai or helping conserve the Arabian oryx."
Reviews
"Fun book!"
"After reading a great review in Esquire Magazine I looked at this book- definitely lives up to that review."
"Excellent ideas both large and small!"
"Got this for my dad as a birthday gift, he loves it and is actually changing some of his travel plans to do some of the unique things written about in the book."
"Easy to read because it’s all pictures."
"Love it for ideas for my Vision Board."
"fun book I gave as a gift."
"This book is terrific."
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Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her. “Strayed’s language is so vivid, sharp and compelling that you feel the heat of the desert, the frigid ice of the High Sierra, and the breathtaking power of one remarkable woman finding her way—and herself—one brave step at a time.” — People (4 stars). — The Boston Globe "One of the most original, heartbreaking, and beautiful American memoirs in years. The cumulative welling up I experienced during Wild was partly a response to that too infrequent sight: that of a writer finding her voice, and sustaining it, right in front of your eyes.” —Dwight Garner, The New York Times. Strayed’s journey is exceptional.” — San Francisco Chronicle “One of the best books I’ve read in the last five or ten years. Wild is angry, brave, sad, self-knowing, redemptive, raw, compelling, and brilliantly written, and I think it’s destined to be loved by a lot of people, men and women, for a very long time.” —Nick Hornby. By laying bare a great unspoken truth of adulthood—that many things in life don’t turn out the way you want them to, and that you can and must live through them anyway— Wild feels real in many ways that many books about ‘finding oneself’ . [Strayed] has the ineffable gift every writer longs for of saying exactly what she means in lines that are both succinct and poetic. an inborn talent for articulating angst and the gratefulness that comes when we overcome it.” — The Washington Post “Vivid, touching and ultimately inspiring account of a life unraveling and of the journey that put it back together.” — The Wall Street Journal “Strayed . with a raw emotional power that makes the book difficult to put down. In walking, and finally, years later, in writing, Strayed finds her way again. And her path is as dazzlingly beautiful as it is tragic.” — Los Angeles Times “A fearless story, told in honest prose that is wildly lyrical as often as it is dirtily physical.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune. “This isn’t Cinderella in hiking boots, it’s a woman coming out of heartbreak, darkness and bad decisions with a clear view of where she has been. There are adventures and characters aplenty, from heartwarming to dangerous, but Strayed resists the temptation to overplay or sweeten such moments. Her pacing is impeccable as she captures her impressive journey.” — The Seattle Times “Strayed’s journey was at least as transcendent as it was turbulent. She faced down hunger, thirst, injury, fatigue, boredom, loss, bad weather, and wild animals. Yet she also reached new levels of joy, accomplishment, courage, peace, and found extraordinary companionship.” — The Christian Science Monitor “Strayed writes a crisp scene; her sentences hum with energy. Cheryl Strayed emerges from her grief-stricken journey as a practitioner of a rare and vital vocation. She has become an intrepid cartographer of the human heart.” — Houston Chronicle “A deeply honest memoir about mother and daughter, solitude and courage, and regaining footing one step at a time.” — Vogue “This is a big, brave, break-your-heart-and-put-it-back-together-again kind of book. I snorted with laughter, I wept uncontrollably; I don’t even want to know the person who isn’t going to love Wild. This is a beautifully made, utterly realized book.” —Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted and Cowboys are My Weakness.
Reviews
"Being an avid reader of true life adventures,this is definitely one of my favorites.I think what I loved about this story, is it is so honest, and primal.We all have times in our lives when we want to just leave everything behind, and go on an essential walkabout.Yet, we don't really know how many people are required to be involved in a singular journey."
"Some of the events that she recalls are very sad, yet it's in the sadness, her happy moments, the scenes that she describes and her "radical aloneness" that I strangely felt empowered, just from reading her story. Hers' is not just one of a woman braving it through the wild of the PCT alone, but the story of a human being on their journey to save themselves."
"Her inner mental battles, the unique people she meets along the way, the beauty and majestic world that is put for you to see (or imagine seeing) is a journey I enjoyed taking with her."
"Although I did not hike the PCT I did backpack in Yosemite."
"I have an acquaintance who also hiked this trail, writing in a moleskin book and drawing beautiful line. illustrations. Having also lost my Mother recently, lived and hiked in No CA, gave me reference points. And when noted - and her feet, body was ravaged, why not contact Paul to, at least, get new boots, proper weight in. backpack? I took it to the northern woods of Michigan - where it's raw and unpopulated, to read - when I was scattering my own Mother's ashes."
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Best Beach Travel

Beaches
His work forges the synergy between wanderlust and adventure, creating the ultimate visual escape. Gray Malin is a photographer best known for his aerial beach photography, which he has transformed into a lighthearted, conversation-igniting, joyful brand.
Reviews
"Obsessed with every photograph in this book."
"amazing coffee table book and gift!"
"Beauty shots of gorgeous beaches around the world."
"Great coffee table book, love it!"
"Unique pictures."
"The photos are divine and expertly executed ... all while making one feel like you are off on vacation."
"Beautiful coffee table book!"
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Best Budget Travel Guides

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day: Third Edition: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter
If you've ever dreamed of traveling the world, flying off to Europe, a honeymoon the Seychelles, or just taking your family toDisney or a trip to London, How to Travel the World on $50 a Day will give you the practical, step-by-step instructions to get your there - from start to finish on $50 a day (or less). He interviews dozens of other travelers about their success on the road and how you can apply that to your own trip. “Whether you’re a savvy backpacker or just dreaming of getting a passport and going overseas, Matt’s collection of easy-to-employ money-saving strategies will open your eyes to the near-infinite ways of seeing the world without busting your budget.” —Matt Gross, former New York Times Frugal Traveler. Filled with insider strategies and resources, it’s a valuable primer for your upcoming adventures.” —Tim Leffel, author of The World’s Cheapest Destinations.
Reviews
"But I saved several hundred dollars instantly when I read about the various websites that Mr. Kepnes talked about in his book (specifically the ones that consolidate the low-cost airlines - not found in google travel). The cost of the book is insignificant compared to what you would save even if you are a solo traveller so don't hesitate to get this book."
"Great tips and information on traveling cheaper and smarter."
"someday i will run away from home to travel the world and i will be thanking Matt Kepnes for this little gem he put together for us hamsters & sheep that work in these endless, mind numbing jobs....someday...."
"just one chapter helped me save money on trips I was planning!"
"I leave for Costa Rica in two weeks, for four weeks."
"There's a lot of "traveling the world" blogs around Internet, and the tips on this book are likely among all of them, but the specific tips for every region of the world really worth the time (and money) you invest in the book."
"Matt's advice on budgeting and finding different modes of travel is wise and worth many times the cost of his book."
"Offers advice regarding staying in touch with your funds."
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Best Business Travel Reference

Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World
The tsunami of cheap credit that rolled across the planet between 2002 and 2008 was more than a simple financial phenomenon: it was temptation, offering entire societies the chance to reveal aspects of their characters they could not normally afford to indulge. Lewis 's rare gift as a guide through the world of credit default swaps and sovereign debt doesn t come simply from his deep understanding of how the global financial system works . Combining his easy familiarity with finance and the talents of a travel writer, Mr. Lewis sets off in these pages to give the reader a guided tour through some of the disparate places hard hit by the fiscal tsunami of 2008, like Greece, Iceland and Ireland, tracing how very different people for very different reasons gorged on the cheap credit available in the prelude to that disaster. Mr. Lewis 's ability to find people who can see what is obvious to others only in retrospect or who somehow embody something larger going on in the financial world is uncanny. And in this book he weaves their stories into a sharp-edged narrative that leaves readers with a visceral understanding of the fiscal recklessness that lies behind today 's headlines about Europe 's growing debt problems and the risk of contagion they now pose to the world. Lewis's rare gift as a guide through the world of credit default swaps and sovereign debt doesn't come simply from his deep understanding of how the global financial system works . Combining his easy familiarity with finance and the talents of a travel writer, Mr. Lewis sets off in these pages to give the reader a guided tour through some of the disparate places hard hit by the fiscal tsunami of 2008, like Greece, Iceland and Ireland, tracing how very different people for very different reasons gorged on the cheap credit available in the prelude to that disaster. Mr. Lewis's ability to find people who can see what is obvious to others only in retrospect or who somehow embody something larger going on in the financial world is uncanny. And in this book he weaves their stories into a sharp-edged narrative that leaves readers with a visceral understanding of the fiscal recklessness that lies behind today's headlines about Europe's growing debt problems and the risk of contagion they now pose to the world. Combining his easy familiarity with finance and the talents of a travel writer, Mr. Lewis sets off in these pages to give the reader a guided tour through some of the disparate places hard hit by the fiscal tsunami of 2008, like Greece, Iceland and Ireland, tracing how very different people for very different reasons gorged on the cheap credit available in the prelude to that disaster. And in this book he weaves their stories into a sharp-edged narrative that leaves readers with a visceral understanding of the fiscal recklessness that lies behind today s headlines about Europe s growing debt problems and the risk of contagion they now pose to the world. Lewis s rare gift as a guide through the world of credit default swaps and sovereign debt doesn t come simply from his deep understanding of how the global financial system works .
Reviews
"He's talking about European countries that drank the elixir of seemingly endless and cheap credit prior to the bursting of the recent financial bubble. What would you call a man who owns a 40,000 square foot ranch located on thousands of acres in the middle of nowhere with its own water supply and an arsenal of automatic weapons? to various governments, to the point that eventually markets would question the credibility of these governments. Just as Bass bought credit default swaps on subprime mortgages prior to the financial crisis, Bass later bought credit default swaps on Greek government bonds, because he was convinced that Greece would be one of the first countries to experience real problems. Ireland: "But while the Icelandic male used foreign money to conquer foreign places--trophy companies in Britain, chunks of Scandinavia--the Irish male used foreign money to conquer Ireland. Germany: "Either Germans must agree to integrate Europe fiscally, so that Germany and Greece bear the same relationship to each other as, say, Indiana and Mississippi (the tax dollars of ordinary Germans would go into a common coffer and be used to pay for the lifestyles of ordinary Greeks) or the Greeks (and probably, eventually, every non-German) must introduce `structural reforms,' a euphemism for magically and radically transforming themselves into a people as efficient and productive as the Germans." We've got the core of the average lizard.'. Wrapped around this reptilian core is a mammalian layer (associated with maternal concern and social interaction), and around that is wrapped a third layer, which enables feats of memory and the capacity for abstract thought. 'The only problem is our passions are still driven by the lizard core.'."
"Just like all Michael Lewis books, a good read."
"the most engrossing 20/20 hindsight of the year."
"I found the discussion riveting on how each country, state, or city adjusts to the problems of unfunded retirement accounts, out of control deficits and the greed that drives us all."
""Boomerang" transfers that unique ability fromthe world of individual cut throats on Wall Street to the world of short sighted politicians in small countries."
"Just a quick reading review of what happened the last time our economies went belly up... Those who do not study history are condemned to repeat and all that...."
"From Iceland and Greece to Ireland, Germany and California, Michael Lewis takes the reader on an entertaining, irreverent and insightful ride through the international debt crisis and the sociologies of the places he examines. Economics 101 or a little time in front of CNN will give the reader enough financial knowledge to enjoy "Boomerang," so don't let the lack of a PhD keep you from tackling it."
"Item is exactly as described."
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Best Family Travel Guides

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018 (The Unofficial Guides)
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018 explains how Walt Disney World works and how to use that knowledge to make every minute and every dollar of your vacation count. And because they've found that "spontaneity and self-discovery work about as well at Walt Disney World as they do on your tax return," The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is packed full of essential advice for anyone braving the frontiers of the mother of all theme parks.
Reviews
"If you’re lookin for info about making a trip to Disney World, this book is absolutely amazing!"
"You don't want a rained on Kindle (God forbid ) It seemed as thought there was a lot of "filler" in this book, I understand this is a subjective book , but just my opinion."
"If you get it, go ahead and spend the $10 for their online access (touringplans.com) - it's an essential piece to customize travel plans in the parks for what you want to see and when."
"However, many rides in WDW have been closed (Maelstrom, Backlot Tour, Pirates of the Caribbean, the sorcerers hat in DHS, etc) that are so significant they need to urgently put out a revised edition."
"This book was very valuable in planning our Disney World trip in March."
"So informative, it's insightful, and it's the go-to book for how to successfully navigate Disneyworld."
"I have used this book every time to help plan my trip. I have learned that if you do not plan a WDW trip as a "type A" personality, you will lose out not only on time, but money, and in the case of Walt Disney World....time equals your money spent."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Literary & Religious Travel Guides

A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: St. Jean - Roncesvalles - Santiago (Camino Guides)
Now updated to include newer maps and photos - and lighter in weight to support carefree traveling - this comprehensive guidebook to the Camino de Santiago and its offshoots contains all the information needed by modern-day pilgrims wishing to walk the sacred Way of St. James. John Brierley is a former chartered surveyor and the author of A Pilgrim’s Guide to Camino de Santiago , A Pilgrim’s Guide to Camino Finisterre , and A Pilgrim’s Guide to Camino Portugués .
Reviews
"I have only one reservation to make with respect to Mr. Brierley's recommendations: His placing the " Route de Napoleon" as the recommended route for crossing the Pyrenees on the first day from St. Jean Pied de Port. The authentic pilgrims route had always been the Valcarlos/Arneguy route with its connections with the Charlemagne saga and its numerous villages are well equipped to cater to the needs of pilgrims."
"Have just returned from 3 weeks on the Camino and this book was fantastic."
"I read through about 1/2 of this in detail in preparation for making the Camino with 2 of my young-adult kids."
"Maps included in the book also seem to quite good."
"I really like Brierley's stage maps & his step by step description of the trail especially when signage is sparse."
"Quick shipping, great product, painless transaction - highly recommended."
"Good info."
"We have a friend about to embark on the trek."
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Best Senior Travel Guides

Motorhome and RV Retirement Living: The Most Enjoyable and Least Expensive Way to Retire
Freedom, adventure, fun, stress-free, and relaxing are words RV owners frequently use to describe why they enjoy the RV lifestyle. You may find that retiring and living the RV lifestyle is just what you want to do. After all, the RV lifestyle is the most enjoyable and least expensive way to retire.
Reviews
"I can still use the information in this book being a part timer."
"Actually this book was ordered by accident, but does have some good tips."
"A good read if you are considering living long-term in an RV."
"Very well written with some great tips."
"I enjoyed the whole book Jerry was very informative, we had 2 tv's before one very used and one new but nothing fancy."
"He included much useful information from types of RVs to how to find work while on the road."
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Best Solo Travel Guides

Tracks: A Woman's Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback
Robyn Davidson's opens the memoir of her perilous journey across 1,700 miles of hostile Australian desert to the sea with only four camels and a dog for company with the following words: “I experienced that sinking feeling you get when you know you have conned yourself into doing something difficult and there's no going back." Why does Robyn Davidson walk 1,700 miles across the Australian desert accompanied by four camels?
Reviews
"pooled ink Reviews: If you have any interest in Australia, journeys to unfamiliar places with trials and daunting challenges, or camels, then I suggest you pick up a copy of this book or hunt down the movie and experience it for yourself."
"This was a lot more about this young woman politics an pol philosophy then it was about her trip in the desert with the camels."
"This truly enjoyable and fascinating story has been brought to my attention through the waves of promotion generated by the film--upcoming or already available, I am not sure."
"She chose to chart a course across the Australian desert in the early 80's solo with her camels and dog."
"The first half of the trip was also less enjoyable because a great deal of it was complaining about how she had sacrificed the real meaning of the trip by obtaining sponsorship."
"As the story unwinds one can almost feel they have joined the author on her quest."
"A true journey with the author!"
"A large fraction of the book deals with the challenges she faced in Alice Springs, learning to train camels and developing the equipment and skills she would need."
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Best Spa Travel Guides

The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed
Best-selling author and longtime Hawai‘i resident, Andrew Doughty, unlocks the secrets of an island so lush and diverse that many visitors never realize all that it has to offer. Explore with him as he reveals breathtaking trails, secluded beaches, pristine reefs, delicious places to dine, relaxing resorts, exciting waterfalls, colorful canyons and so much more. • Frank, brutally honest reviews of restaurants, hotels and activities show you which companies really are the best…and which to avoid— no advertisements. • Driving tours let you structure your trip your way, point out sights not to be missed along the way and are complemented by over 100 spectacular color photographs. Wizard guidebooks take over a year to compile and the writers are residents who personally and anonymously review every facet of the island. All told in a frank, humorous way that keeps the reading fun.|The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, 9th edition|The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, 10th edition.
Reviews
"My husband and I went on our honeymoon to Kauai but couldn't rent a car or have enough money to take advantage of all the opportunities Kauai has to offer. It warned us of dangerous terrain and locations depending of the seasons.We were able to go on several hikes and explore hidden gems."
"Then read and hilite the places, they list the address for every place there is to visit, so you can put the address for every place you want to see or the address for the 5 star pizza places and then when you get there and you want to see Queens Bath, pull it up on gps and go, we would have never found Queens Bath otherwise."
"Such great info. we stayed in Lihue at The Marriott Beach Club. rented a car from airport (cheaper than getting from hotel and its just a shuttle ride to airport from hotel). Took the car and went to the North Shore for a full day - Anini beach was our favorite but had fun visiting Hanalei Bay, Tunnels Beach and Ke'e beach as well. on the way back to Lihue that evening, We stopped at the best Mexican food spot in Kapaa called Verde. That afternoon we spent the day cruising the south shore and relaxed on Kekaha Beach. Blue Hawaiian was also super easy for us to get to...our hotel shuttle took us to their bay at the airport."
"AD makes great points about what to schedule ahead and what not to bother with."
"The book mentions and encourages you to find the Kauai APP but there isn't any."
"One of the better travel guides I've found."
"I am bookmarking so many pages before our trip!"
"Can not wait to visit Kauai but am sure glad the manager of the hotel we’ll be staying at recommended this book."
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Best Special Needs Travel Guides

I'll Push You: A Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends, and One Wheelchair
Friendship takes on new meaning in this true story of Justin and Patrick, born less than two days apart in the same hospital. Patrick’s immediate response was: “I’ll push you.”. We live in a culture that values romantic love and to a certain extent familial love, but we have very few stories of brotherhood like this one: a story about lifelong friends who, when life became challenging, didn’t back away, but instead became more committed to one another, more connected, more willing to sacrifice. It’s the story of two friends who’ve spent their entire life’s journey pushing each other to be better people. I’ll Push You is a powerful story of friendship and faith, defining what it means to a part of a community.
Reviews
"“A friend in need is a friend indeed” is taken to a whole new level by Patrick and Justin of this powerful journey of true friendship!"
"Gave away my copy of the book, just bought another copy to read again and have available to gift if the opportunity presents itself."
"I started reading this book while traveling."
"An amazing true story about the bonds of friendship and faith."
"You will be inspired, challenged, brought to tears and also laugh as Justin and Patrick. share their story."
"Loved this book!!!"
"It's a glimpse into the very heart of human connection, love, brokenness and why we need each other."
"I would highly recommend this book."
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Best Student Travel Guides

The Study Abroad Journal: Your Roadmap to an Epic Experience Abroad
This Journal helps you go beyond the superficial tasks and basic country-hopping that make many study abroad experiences less than impressive to professors, grad school committees, parents, and future employers. Built from proven goal-setting, action planning, and productivity principles and strategies, the Study Abroad Journal is designed to help you transform your experience beyond “it was awesome” to create a study abroad experience that is both meaningful for your personal and academic development and game-changing for your career and life. MEASURE THE VALUE OF YOUR STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE: Study abroad ain't cheap. But students often struggle to show that they did much more than “have a good time.” The Study Abroad Journal will help you dive deeper into your experience and walk away with some fun memories and some tangible, super impressive learning outcomes as well.
Reviews
"The Study Abroad Journal is the ideal companion for this course, and will provide a lasting artifact for students to keep with them as they move through life."
"As someone who has studied abroad multiple times and who now works with students as they prepare for their own international experiences, I am so excited to have a tool like this to make the value of the study abroad experience concrete."
"We are definitely excited to receive this next batch of journals and to see how our scholarship recipients in particular grow with them."
"I wish this journal had existed when my daughter studied abroad in Switzerland."
"I was able to outline my goals in a variety of fields before I had even left."
"This is an incredible tool that I wish I had when I studied abroad."
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Best Theme Park Travel Guides

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018 (The Unofficial Guides)
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018 explains how Walt Disney World works and how to use that knowledge to make every minute and every dollar of your vacation count. And because they've found that "spontaneity and self-discovery work about as well at Walt Disney World as they do on your tax return," The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is packed full of essential advice for anyone braving the frontiers of the mother of all theme parks.
Reviews
"If you’re lookin for info about making a trip to Disney World, this book is absolutely amazing!"
"You don't want a rained on Kindle (God forbid ) It seemed as thought there was a lot of "filler" in this book, I understand this is a subjective book , but just my opinion."
"If you get it, go ahead and spend the $10 for their online access (touringplans.com) - it's an essential piece to customize travel plans in the parks for what you want to see and when."
"However, many rides in WDW have been closed (Maelstrom, Backlot Tour, Pirates of the Caribbean, the sorcerers hat in DHS, etc) that are so significant they need to urgently put out a revised edition."
"This book was very valuable in planning our Disney World trip in March."
"So informative, it's insightful, and it's the go-to book for how to successfully navigate Disneyworld."
"I have used this book every time to help plan my trip. I have learned that if you do not plan a WDW trip as a "type A" personality, you will lose out not only on time, but money, and in the case of Walt Disney World....time equals your money spent."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Tourist Destinations & Museums Guides

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018 (The Unofficial Guides)
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018 explains how Walt Disney World works and how to use that knowledge to make every minute and every dollar of your vacation count. And because they've found that "spontaneity and self-discovery work about as well at Walt Disney World as they do on your tax return," The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is packed full of essential advice for anyone braving the frontiers of the mother of all theme parks.
Reviews
"Recommend, if you are going to Disney."
"You don't want a rained on Kindle (God forbid ) It seemed as thought there was a lot of "filler" in this book, I understand this is a subjective book , but just my opinion."
"However, many rides in WDW have been closed (Maelstrom, Backlot Tour, Pirates of the Caribbean, the sorcerers hat in DHS, etc) that are so significant they need to urgently put out a revised edition."
"So informative, it's insightful, and it's the go-to book for how to successfully navigate Disneyworld."
"Just got back from my first trip to Disney, information made the trip much better."
"I have used this book every time to help plan my trip. I have learned that if you do not plan a WDW trip as a "type A" personality, you will lose out not only on time, but money, and in the case of Walt Disney World....time equals your money spent."
"This fantastically organized and well-researched book includes attraction details for all four Disney Parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios), plus the same level of attraction details for both Universal Parks (Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure). We admittedly went during the slower season, but following the touring plans in the book (with my modifications due to our interests) prevented us from having to ever wait in line for more than 10 minutes - and we got on most rides and attractions within about 2-3 minutes of arriving at the attraction. The Kindle version works great for how I use the book, but if you want to be able to have a hard copy of the park maps and touring plans with you, the paper book would be better. While older versions of this book would work in a pinch, I will likely continue to buy the latest edition of this book each time I plan a trip to Disney - the parks are constantly changing. I then use the touring plans in the back of the book to get an order in which to view the attractions in. Because we can ride things like that at any county fair in the state, we don't ride those sorts of rides at Disney - a fact which inevitably means the touring plans I used won't work for families with young children, as those are the rides they most want to see!"
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Best Travel with Pets

Shop Cats of New York
Popular cat blogger Tamar Arslanian and Instagram pet photographer Andrew Marttila capture these deeply loved and well cared for animals in their city habitat and reveal how they came to reign over their urban kingdoms. “For Manhattanites (and those in the no-longer-outer boroughs), Andrew Marttila’s photographs of SHOP CATS OF NEW YORK, written by Tamar Arslanian, is proof that friendly felines are the best distraction when the world seems primed to topple off its axis.” (The New York Times). “Every New York cat lover has a favorite local shop cat (four of the felines in this book prowl shops in my Brooklyn neighborhood); now their star power goes nationwide!” (USA Today). “Whether greeting customers, reviewing inventory, or keeping on top of finances by sleeping across the credit card reader, the utterly endearing stars of Shop Cats of New York prove that felines make the best companions and coworkers.” (Francesco Marciuliano author of I Could Pee On This: And Other Poems By Cats). “Tamar Arslanian has collected the stories of many of N.Y.C.’s working cats for the book Shop Cats of New York, which features stunning photos of the subjects from Andrew Marttila.
Reviews
"great book for cat fanatics."
"A perfect gift!"
"Super cute and interesting."
"Beautiful photos and lovely stories shared of each of the shop cats."
"As a New Yorker, and a Brooklynite, I love the fact that I have actually seen some of the cats in this book in person!"
"Nice job on this!"
"I love cats so I just had to read this book from my hometown New York."
"Beautifully done and well written."
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Best Sports Travel

The Last Englishman: A Thru-Hiking Adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail
Across arid, desolate expanses of scorching heat, the magnificence of the Sierra Nevada, and the dense forests of Oregon and Washington, those who dare tackle the Pacific Crest Trail find there’s no room for complacency when facing the extremes of the elements. One who can easily translate the awe-inspiring and often humbling moments of life on the trail into a powerful, honest, and light-hearted tale of desperation, perseverance, and spirit. Witness the fear as he battles a phobia of bears, snakes, spiders, and camping in the woods after dark. With the harshest winter for years looming, be by his side as he enters into a desperate race against time, facing a dangerous, physical and very real threat to become the last Englishman to complete the greatest long distance hiking trail on Earth. 'Telling the true story of a six-month PCT hike from Mexico to Canada, crossing wild desert and mountain and meeting everything from eccentric hikers to rattlesnakes along the way. Keith Foskett has hiked over 10,000 miles in recent years and holds a deep respect for the outdoor spaces of this world.
Reviews
"This was such a terrific read."
"I am glad I had the movie "Wild" as a frame of reference for Mr. Foskett's (Fozzie) book about his through hike of the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT)."
"He is gregarious enough to meet and profile the unique individuals that make hiking interesting, as well as provide a visualization of his daily hikes."
"Maps of the trail every so often would have helped follow his progress."
"An overall great read."
"This book I bought on the strength of another book by the author."
"I usually read fiction, but Fossie's tale of his Pacific Crest Trail hike kept me entertained beginning to end."
"Fozzie shares his friendships with various people he meets on the trail and doesn't hesitate to compliment American hospitality. Keith has since traversed the Appalachain Trail and has written a book about that experience."
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Best Adventure Travel

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Talk about a bucket list: here are natural wonders—the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand, or a baobob tree in South Africa that's so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can drink comfortably. Not to mention the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, Turkmenistan's 40-year hole of fire called the Gates of Hell, a graveyard for decommissioned ships on the coast of Bangladesh, eccentric bone museums in Italy, or a weather-forecasting invention that was powered by leeches, still on display in Devon, England. “Fair warning: It's addictive.” — NPR, “Cosmos & Culture” “In this gorgeous collection, the celebrated Atlas Obscura website is condensed into 480 pages of awe-inspiring destinations. “Odds are you won’t get past three pages without being amazed at something truly strange that you didn’t know existed.” — San Francisco Chronicle. “Richly illustrated, delightfully strange, this compendium of off-beat destinations should spark many adventures, both terrestrial and imaginary.” — Boston Globe. “Whether describing a Canadian museum that showcases world history through shoes, a pet-casket company that will also sell you a unit for your severed limb, a Greek snake festival, or a place in the Canary Islands where inhabitants communicate through whistling, the authors have compiled an enthralling range of oddities. Featuring full-color illustrations, this hefty and gorgeously produced tome will be eagerly pored over by readers of many ages and fans of the original website.”— Booklist (Starred Review). a wonderful browse [for] armchair travelers who enjoyed Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York and Frank Warren’s PostSecret .” — Library Journal. It's the kind of book that makes you want to pack in your workaday life and head out to places you'd never have dreamed of going, to see things you could not even have imagined. “ Atlas Obscura is a joyful antidote to the creeping suspicion that travel these days is little more than a homogenized corporate shopping opportunity. Here are hundreds of surprising, perplexing, mind-blowing, inspiring reasons to travel a day longer and farther off the path. Never start a trip without knowing where a haunted hotel or a mouth of hell is!”. —GUILLERMO DEL TORO, filmmaker, Pan’s Labyrinth “ What a strange and wonderful book! Each page reveals some hidden realm—a realm that is frightening, or funny, or magical, or simply mad, but that always leaves the reader in wonder.”. —DAVID GRANN, author of The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon. Be grateful when visiting the Karni Mata Rat Temple if one of the 20,000 venerated rodents runs across your bare foot—it is considered good luck.
Reviews
"Revel in the places that you've seen!"
"I read a short description of the book in the travel section of the SF Chronicle a few weeks ago, and made the purchase based on that. That said, there are items about things I have no interest in seeing, e.g., “Lake Monsters of the USA,” but there don’t seem to be many of that sort of thing included. As with "Lake Monsters," even if you (or a recipient) aren't likely to visit many of the places described, I think for many curious people this would make for an interesting read even without the travel element. It's not a perfect book, and I don't think any one book can be perfect for all readers, but I do think it's very good and I can easily recommend it for anyone who might be potentially interested."
"This book exceeded my already higher-than-average expectations."
"We purchased it for our 19 year old grandson."
"Such a fascinating book!"
"Super fun and entertaini g read if the off beat and curious is your thing."
"Purchased as a gift and spent much of one night pouring through it before giving it away."
"This book is great to have around to pick up while you're waiting for your son to put his socks on, when your eyes need a screen break, during a boring conference call, when you just want to escape your little world for a few minutes."
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Best General Travel Reference

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Talk about a bucket list: here are natural wonders—the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand, or a baobob tree in South Africa that's so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can drink comfortably. Not to mention the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, Turkmenistan's 40-year hole of fire called the Gates of Hell, a graveyard for decommissioned ships on the coast of Bangladesh, eccentric bone museums in Italy, or a weather-forecasting invention that was powered by leeches, still on display in Devon, England. “Fair warning: It's addictive.” — NPR, “Cosmos & Culture” “In this gorgeous collection, the celebrated Atlas Obscura website is condensed into 480 pages of awe-inspiring destinations. “Odds are you won’t get past three pages without being amazed at something truly strange that you didn’t know existed.” — San Francisco Chronicle. “Richly illustrated, delightfully strange, this compendium of off-beat destinations should spark many adventures, both terrestrial and imaginary.” — Boston Globe. “Whether describing a Canadian museum that showcases world history through shoes, a pet-casket company that will also sell you a unit for your severed limb, a Greek snake festival, or a place in the Canary Islands where inhabitants communicate through whistling, the authors have compiled an enthralling range of oddities. Featuring full-color illustrations, this hefty and gorgeously produced tome will be eagerly pored over by readers of many ages and fans of the original website.”— Booklist (Starred Review). a wonderful browse [for] armchair travelers who enjoyed Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York and Frank Warren’s PostSecret .” — Library Journal. It's the kind of book that makes you want to pack in your workaday life and head out to places you'd never have dreamed of going, to see things you could not even have imagined. “ Atlas Obscura is a joyful antidote to the creeping suspicion that travel these days is little more than a homogenized corporate shopping opportunity. Here are hundreds of surprising, perplexing, mind-blowing, inspiring reasons to travel a day longer and farther off the path. Never start a trip without knowing where a haunted hotel or a mouth of hell is!”. —GUILLERMO DEL TORO, filmmaker, Pan’s Labyrinth “ What a strange and wonderful book! Each page reveals some hidden realm—a realm that is frightening, or funny, or magical, or simply mad, but that always leaves the reader in wonder.”. —DAVID GRANN, author of The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon. Be grateful when visiting the Karni Mata Rat Temple if one of the 20,000 venerated rodents runs across your bare foot—it is considered good luck.
Reviews
"Revel in the places that you've seen!"
"I read a short description of the book in the travel section of the SF Chronicle a few weeks ago, and made the purchase based on that. That said, there are items about things I have no interest in seeing, e.g., “Lake Monsters of the USA,” but there don’t seem to be many of that sort of thing included. As with "Lake Monsters," even if you (or a recipient) aren't likely to visit many of the places described, I think for many curious people this would make for an interesting read even without the travel element. It's not a perfect book, and I don't think any one book can be perfect for all readers, but I do think it's very good and I can easily recommend it for anyone who might be potentially interested."
"This book exceeded my already higher-than-average expectations."
"We purchased it for our 19 year old grandson."
"Such a fascinating book!"
"Super fun and entertaini g read if the off beat and curious is your thing."
"Purchased as a gift and spent much of one night pouring through it before giving it away."
"This book is great to have around to pick up while you're waiting for your son to put his socks on, when your eyes need a screen break, during a boring conference call, when you just want to escape your little world for a few minutes."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Outdoors & Nature Travel

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Talk about a bucket list: here are natural wonders—the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand, or a baobob tree in South Africa that's so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can drink comfortably. Not to mention the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, Turkmenistan's 40-year hole of fire called the Gates of Hell, a graveyard for decommissioned ships on the coast of Bangladesh, eccentric bone museums in Italy, or a weather-forecasting invention that was powered by leeches, still on display in Devon, England. “Fair warning: It's addictive.” — NPR, “Cosmos & Culture” “In this gorgeous collection, the celebrated Atlas Obscura website is condensed into 480 pages of awe-inspiring destinations. “Odds are you won’t get past three pages without being amazed at something truly strange that you didn’t know existed.” — San Francisco Chronicle. “Richly illustrated, delightfully strange, this compendium of off-beat destinations should spark many adventures, both terrestrial and imaginary.” — Boston Globe. “Whether describing a Canadian museum that showcases world history through shoes, a pet-casket company that will also sell you a unit for your severed limb, a Greek snake festival, or a place in the Canary Islands where inhabitants communicate through whistling, the authors have compiled an enthralling range of oddities. Featuring full-color illustrations, this hefty and gorgeously produced tome will be eagerly pored over by readers of many ages and fans of the original website.”— Booklist (Starred Review). a wonderful browse [for] armchair travelers who enjoyed Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York and Frank Warren’s PostSecret .” — Library Journal. It's the kind of book that makes you want to pack in your workaday life and head out to places you'd never have dreamed of going, to see things you could not even have imagined. “ Atlas Obscura is a joyful antidote to the creeping suspicion that travel these days is little more than a homogenized corporate shopping opportunity. Here are hundreds of surprising, perplexing, mind-blowing, inspiring reasons to travel a day longer and farther off the path. Never start a trip without knowing where a haunted hotel or a mouth of hell is!”. —GUILLERMO DEL TORO, filmmaker, Pan’s Labyrinth “ What a strange and wonderful book! Each page reveals some hidden realm—a realm that is frightening, or funny, or magical, or simply mad, but that always leaves the reader in wonder.”. —DAVID GRANN, author of The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon. Be grateful when visiting the Karni Mata Rat Temple if one of the 20,000 venerated rodents runs across your bare foot—it is considered good luck.
Reviews
"Revel in the places that you've seen!"
"I read a short description of the book in the travel section of the SF Chronicle a few weeks ago, and made the purchase based on that. That said, there are items about things I have no interest in seeing, e.g., “Lake Monsters of the USA,” but there don’t seem to be many of that sort of thing included. As with "Lake Monsters," even if you (or a recipient) aren't likely to visit many of the places described, I think for many curious people this would make for an interesting read even without the travel element. It's not a perfect book, and I don't think any one book can be perfect for all readers, but I do think it's very good and I can easily recommend it for anyone who might be potentially interested."
"This book exceeded my already higher-than-average expectations."
"We purchased it for our 19 year old grandson."
"Such a fascinating book!"
"Super fun and entertaini g read if the off beat and curious is your thing."
"Purchased as a gift and spent much of one night pouring through it before giving it away."
"This book is great to have around to pick up while you're waiting for your son to put his socks on, when your eyes need a screen break, during a boring conference call, when you just want to escape your little world for a few minutes."
Find Best Price at Amazon
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