'I am bit reluctant to tell you about this book as I''d like to keep its contents all to myself. I fear that these stunningly beautiful, fascinating places around the world off the beaten track now lie in danger of us over eager tourists. The photographs are exceptional, the pages glossy quality, the information sometimes surprising but extremely interesting, inspiring and useful.
It is a great reference guide if you are planning a trip, but also just a lovely coffee table or bed time book to uplift you when you are feeling a bit ill or down. It is divided helpfully into sections such as natural wonders, beaches, cities etc.
This would make a fantastic present for someone, maybe a wedding present for a couple who like travelling, if you can bear to share it. '
Customer Review:
Review by: H R Riley, 18 February 2010
'A superb and detailed publication, brimming with intense quality of both production and content.
The book presents the interests and delights of lesser (if) known destinations compared with their more readily recalled alternatives. The pages are packed with an abundance of inspiring and inviting photography. It is the perfect travel reference companion, covering every area of interest from ancient history, architecture, natural beauty and phenomena, sports, festivals, arts and culture; yet also including a wealth of practical advice such as the best time of year to visit, how to get there and website information.
As stated by Bill Bryson in the foreward to the book ''...there are more fantastic things in the world to see than you can ever possibly hope to get to'', it seems likely that there is more information in this book than one could ever expect to take in! If I were to make one criticsm, it would be that of ''travel overload or indigestion''!
''The Road Less Travelled''cannot be recommended highly enough - a must for anyone with any interest in the stunning discoveries of travelling.'
Customer Review:
Review by: P J Godliman, 15 February 2010
'The Road Less Travelled - 1000 amazing places off the tourist trail.
I found this front cover title statement a little untrue. The fact is that this book does indeed give hundreds of wonderful examples of places to see and visit that are, somewhat, less well known. However, the surprise to me is that the book does so much more than this. There are many direct comparisons between the well known and the "off the track" places.
These comparisons are further supported by a host of additional attractions, many in single paragraph summary, the majority of which I have not ever heard of.
The authors of the different main article pages are clearly knowledgeable, and portray their views in such a way that I can form an image in my mind of the sites and events that they are describing.
The Road Less Travelled is set out in nine sections, each of which contains many examples of where one could travel to, and why. Each section also ends with a section that gives a brief insight into 44 other places of interest and note. (I wonder why 44?)
The book is not a read from cover to cover tome, but is ideal for browsing "little and often," and, I would suggest, particularly if you are need of a little lift. Many of the places are described with a distinct humourous angle - many made me chuckle outwardly and I found myself reading out loud to family members, because I could not bring myself to keep the article to myself!
A particular favourite is the Haro Wine Battle vs La Tomatina, the latter being world famous. However, the Haro event seems a delicious, entertaining and fun-filled occasion, that I really must witness soon.
I began my journey with this book by looking for places that I have travelled to. I was delighted to find that the opinions expressed by the various authors were very similar to mine and this gave me confidence to explore the book in more detail.
The written content is clear, simple and informative, but I will not be doing The Road Less Travelled true justice if I do not mention the pictures.
The photography is quite jaw-dropping on very many occasions. I could not help but flick through the pages just to look at the amazing images, almost forgetting that there was also the excellent text to complement the pictures. The colour reproduction is sharp and vibrant, examples of which are the Taj Mahal made of oranges and lemons for the Citrus Festival, Menton, France, and Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA "in all its fiery glory." Quite beautiful images, both.
I also like the two pages that follow the index, About our Authors. Each contributor is given a brief history profile and a quotation describing their next destination. In comparison I am a novice traveller, who has been given numerous ideas for future travel destinations, and a renewed enthusiasm to hit - The Road Less Travelled. '
Customer Review:
Review by: Roxanne, 11 February 2010
'The "Road Less Travelled" offered a wonderful insight to alternative sights from the cliched ruins we are always advised to see. I loved this book with it''s little facts and tips and the colour coding of the sections, which were nicely broken down for convience. It made it easy to look through. I can''t wait for my next big trip, I guarantee I''ll be trying these recommendations of places. '
Customer Review:
Review by: A.B. Chaudri, 09 February 2010
'A thoroughly enjoyable read which I have found hard to put down since I received it. I must commend Dorling Kindersley, as a lot of thought has gone into the production of the book and its contents. There are so many places of interest that I had not even heard of, even though I have travelled extensively. I feel invigorated to travel and look forward to visiting a number of the places with zeal and relish.
I like the layout of the book, particularly the emphasis placed on the groupings for each heading – Ancient and Historical Sights, Architectural Marvels, Cities etc. The reader can easily separate the modern from the ancient and the natural from the man-made.
Each place description is concise, yet at the same time comprehensive enough to give the reader a good overview. I will definitely be spending many hours reading the book along with my wife and I can safely endorse this publication as one of the best books of travel I have ever read. '
Customer Review:
Review by: Marie Bracks, 02 October 2009
'To understand the colosseum you need to know it was built more than 2000 years ago & it''s still there, meanwhile life kept moving ahead re: comment a traffic roundabout also the size of ITALY is about the size of Victoria. Since I live in Italy I have seen it at least 12 times & never had a pickpocket but have always seen tourists graffiti the walls of the colosseum! no wonder they don''t have concerts there. Sites need to be looked at with imagination, thought, wonder, knowledge not just looked at with eyes. REALITY: It''s sad that there exists people like this who are allowed to put such ignorant comments out and spoil it for others.'
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