Travel and holiday guides Books

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisPack your bags and come along as we journey to over 125 lost towns in Southern Minnesota. Read how the Civil War, changes in transportation, county seat disputes and other historical happenings changed Minnesota's landscape. Learn how and why lost towns and communities were created, how they thrived and why they eventually faded into history. Visit the people and places of Southern Minnesota in this fourth edition of the Minnesota's Lost Towns series. Be sure to check out the other titles in the series: Northern, Central, and Northern II.

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Book SynopsisWith soaring mountain tops and wide-ranging trails, the Catskills offer a truly special hiking experience to travelers of all kinds. Catskill veterans Derek Dellinger and Matthew Cathcart explore trails for every level of hiker, from the gentle but breathtaking slog up Slide Mountain, the tallest in the region, to the more challenging Cornell Mountain, a favorite of those more experienced. No matter your hiking goals, this guide will help you find the perfect trail for you among the Catskills’ 700,000 acres of natural treasure. In this beautiful first edition of 50 Hikes in the Catskills, as with all the books in the 50 Hikes series, you’ll find clear and concise directions, easy-to-follow maps, and expert tips for enjoying every moment of your hike—whether you’re looking for sublime mountaintop views, peaceful walks through nature, or your next great challenge—all in a gorgeous, full-color design.

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Book SynopsisRick and Susan Sammon are back to share their seasoned photography and travel wisdom, this time guiding the reader through the remarkable landscapes and cultural treasures of the Oregon Coast, from Cannon Beach to Bandon Beach. Whether toting professional gear or just smartphones, travelers will find practical tips and expert knowledge on taking the best photos of the coast’s shorelines, rock faces, lighthouses, and more. When the journey is over, The Oregon Coast Photo Road Trip offers photo editing advice for everything from industry-leading software to a smartphone’s default camera app, so the memories can be relived and preserved. More than just guides to the practice of photography, Rick and Susan also cover all of the best places to lodge, dine, and shop, providing a detailed and tailored itinerary and map so travelers can make the most of every mile of coast.

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Book SynopsisYosemite is a tremendously popular tourist destination, gaining visitors every year. The only complete guide to California’s southern Sierra Nevada—some of the most stunning wilderness in North America—is better than ever in this revised, updated, and beautifully redesigned third edition. Detailed reviews of lodging, dining, and recreation, plus outfitters, campsites, trails, and points of historic and cultural interest, make this book an essential companion to the incomparable Yosemite region. Renowned travel writer David T. Page makes it easy to get the very most out of your journey. In this book, as with every title in the Explorer’s Guide series, you’ll get beautiful photography, up-to-date maps, and lots of helpful advice from an expert author. Page has seen everything the Sierra Nevada has to offer and now so can you!

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully reimagined guide explores the best of Wisconsin’s great outdoors and presents a handful of new hikes and expanded information on popular routes from the previous edition. The hikes in this guide vary in length and difficulty, but John and Ellen Morgan provide everything an avid explorer needs to know about before setting off on a memorable adventure in Wisconsin. You’ll be taken deep into the woods of Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and to the breathtaking bluffs of Devil’s Lake State Park. Each trail is different, but all have been chosen for the great experiences they offer—whether in summer or in winter. In June, take in the beautiful sights and scents of the wildflowers in Nashotah Park. Then come back during December to snowshoe and cross-country ski across the trails that are open in the winter. With 50 Hikes in Wisconsin in tow, you’re sure to have the journey of a lifetime.

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Book SynopsisFew regions of America offer a landscape as beautiful, varied, and easily accessible as the Hudson Valley. From the stunning fjords of the Hudson Highlands, one can see both the Manhattan skyline and the distant looming Catskills. The challenging rock scramble up Breakneck Ridge is one of the most popular hikes in all the Northeast, but nearby, a quiet ridge-walk to Bald Mountain offers solitude and equally stunning views. In the Shawangunk Ridge, called on the Earth's "Last Great Places" by the Nature Conservancy, world-class hiking and climbing routes follow shining white conglomerate cliffs around the ridge's endless views. In this beautiful, full-color first edition, you'll discover expert tips from an experienced author, clear and concise directions, and fascinating context about the surroundings to enrich your hiking experience. History buffs will find endless fascination in the myriad ruins and cultural landmarks that dot the Hudson Valley's woods. From walks to rock scrambles, caves, gazebos, and majestic waterfalls, the Hudson Valley offers endless exploration.

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Book SynopsisThis guide details 25 of the best scenic tours during fall foliage season in New England. Trips vary from short drives on the coast to all-day excursions in the region’s mountains and forests. Detailed maps and itineraries complement trip descriptions that tell you what you’ll find along the route. In addition, sidebars suggest short walks and hikes that are great diversions when a little leg-stretching is required. This is the perfect companion for any leaf-peeping excursion. Drives include: A Covered Bridge Tour of Southwestern New Hampshire The Southern Berkshires: Hay Fields, Waterfalls, and Cobbles Rhode Island’s Beaches and Mansions: Westerly to Newport Connecticut River Tour Maine’s Big Woods: The Kennebec Valley and Moosehead Lake Experience the inimitable sights of autumn in New England, and leave no leaf unturned!

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Book SynopsisBack in its fifteenth edition, Explorer’s Guide Vermont endures as the most comprehensive and up- to- date guide to this popular New England state. With it in hand, experience the many natural and cultural wonders that make Vermont such a timeless, year- round vacation destination. Although Explorer’s Guide Vermont covers the entire Green Mountain State, the authors pride themselves on their detailed coverage of the less- traveled areas, especially the Northeast Kingdom. You’ll also find in- depth descriptions of major Vermont destinations like Burlington, Brattleboro, Manchester, and Woodstock. They highlight the most interesting and rewarding places to visit, whether on back roads or in bigger cities— artists’ studios, family farms, and historic sites among them. This guide provides great recommendations for every activity—biking; hiking and swimming; skiing, snowshoeing, and snowboarding; horseback riding, fishing, and paddling— and many more, both on and off the beaten track.

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Book SynopsisFrom the rustic charm of the Hill Country to the mountains, deserts, and stunning sunsets of West Texas, the plains and canyons of the Panhandle to the sandy dunes of the Gulf Coast, the diversity of Texas will astound you. This revised third edition highlights places of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical significance, all the while introducing you to some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet. There’s more to see, do, and taste in Texas than anyone could ever experience in a lifetime, but with this guide you’ll never lack for trying! Drives include: • The Rio Grande Valley • The Texas Coast • The Panhandle Plains and Canyons • The Best BBQ in Texas

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Book SynopsisNew Mexico-based author Sharon Niederman has been traveling, writing about, and photographing her home state for over two decades. In this third revised and updated edition of Explorer’s Guide New Mexico, she brings readers the very best of New Mexico’s cuisine, lodging, and natural environment. With this comprehensive guide, you can explore spectacularly breathtaking hikes and drives, discover treasures created by local artists, find festivals that celebrate native traditions, get indispensable advice on local attractions, and meet the people who will make your visit to the Land of Enchantment the experience of a lifetime. Sites include: • Manhattan Project National Historic Park • Taos and the Enchanted Circle • Santa Fe Trail Region • Route 66 Country

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Book SynopsisA hiker's companion to the best treks within striking distance of Alaska's largest city

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Book SynopsisTravel from the Twin Cities into the northernmost reaches of the state— the North Shore, Boundary Waters, and Canadian border— then explore the scenic byways that follow the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix rivers, wander the southern prairies, and meander through the lake districts. Included are details of lesser- traveled roads and regions, sites to see, tours, parks and trails, and historical information. Each and every drive also comes with a detailed map and itinerary, pricing and contact information for places to eat and sleep, as well as gorgeous color photography. Drives include: • Minnesota River Valley • River Bluffs and Amish Country • The Canadian Border: West to Roseau • America’s Little Sweden

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Book SynopsisThe White Mountains of New Hampshire are home to many gushing, cascading waterfalls waiting to be discovered. This completely revised and updated edition of Waterfalls of the White Mountains outlines hiking trails ideal for observing the more than 100 waterfalls in the region, no matter experience level or ability. Each hike opens with the trail at a glance overview—including the distance, difficulty, altitude gain, and directions to the starting point. Helpful tips and suggestions are offered throughout, like the best times of year for each hike, best vantage points for viewing the falls, great swimming holes for cooling down, and uncrowded scenic treasures that are perfect for a woodland picnic. Also featuring labeled maps and fascinating short essays on local history and lore, Waterfalls of the White Mountains guides readers through their next excursion to the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

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Book SynopsisIn this brand-new first edition guide, Sharon Niederman presents the best of New Mexico through 15 scenic tours designed to make the most of every mile. Readers will journey across the state and take in New Mexico’s unparalleled diversity in both natural beauty and cultural heritage. Drives will include peaceful side roads through quiet towns, highways with stunning canyon vistas, the streets of Spanish missions and stone cities, sweeping views of New Mexico’s famous mesas, and much more. Included with each drive are recommendations for food, shopping, sightseeing, and lodging, as well as detailed directions and fascinating local history from a veteran Southwestern travel writer. Expert navigation, curation, and beautiful photography will have readers eager to explore New Mexico in a whole new light.

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Book SynopsisOnly a stone’s throw away from the buzzing city that never sleeps, the Hamptons, Long Island, and the Jersey Shore have long served exhausted NYC residents looking to remove themselves from their busy lives and relax for a little while—a mini-vacation on the water not far from home. Yet each of these weekend hotspots has even more to offer than just sand and surf, including the trendy restaurants and bars, local art museums, and lush gardens of the Hamptons, photos of which are sure to spice up any social media profile. Beachy Weekend Getaways from New York City provides themed itineraries for weekend warriors of all interests, ranging from solo yoga retreats to beach trips with friends, a couple’s romantic getaway, and immersive arty or foodie adventures. With something for every weekend whim, Beachy Weekend Getaways from New York City is filled with advice for planning the perfect short escape.

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Book SynopsisSeattle is one of the most rapidly growing cities in the United States, and while there’s plenty to explore in the Emerald City, sometimes residents just need to get away from it all. Lush green forests perfect for hiking, tiny islands, charming fishing villages, and even British Columbia’s most authentic Chinese food, are all accessible within a few hours’ drive from the bustling metropolis. Easy Weekend Getaways from Seattle guides both travelers and Seattleites alike through their next weekend expedition. Whether you want to do serious hiking and biking, visit breweries, or tour locations from Twin Peaks or Twilight, this guidebook suggests a variety of destinations and travel tips for people of all interests planning their next weekend getaway in the Pacific Northwest. Chapters cover foodie getaways, romantic mini-breaks, the great outdoors, and quiet time, with perfectly curated itineraries to match your travel mood.

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Book SynopsisTennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, a wide tableland cut with a dizzying array of deep gorges, is a geological wonderland. It is a place to behold and savor. This updated second edition covers hikes from the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area near Kentucky to the fascinating Walls of Jericho astride the Alabama state line; from the thousand-foot gorge cut by the mighty Tennessee River down Chattanooga way to the watery beauty of Virgin Falls by Sparta. Specific emphasis is placed on the most scenic destinations and the unique places that make the plateau so special, places like the Great Stone Door, with its sandstone formations and vertical rock walls, and Cumberland Mountain State Park, with its ancient trees and evidence of ancient human history. Also included are comprehensive maps for each hike, scenic photos, and a hikes-at-a-glance table that makes choosing your desired hike a breeze.

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Book SynopsisHave a day or two to play? Take a short break from Denver or Boulder—Erin Barnes has done all the planning! More and more people are discovering the appeal of Colorado, moving to Boulder and Denver in growing numbers. The cities are great, but there’s so much more to this state! Hikes, festivals, camping excursions, brewery tours, and much more are within striking distance of these big cities. Whether readers are looking to hear great music and tour artisan distilleries in Fort Collins or enjoy art walks and cliff camping in Estes Park, Colorado has unique experiences to offer on all ends of the spectrum. Taking you down the road less traveled, Easy Weekend Getaways from Denver & Boulder will inspire locals and tourists alike to make the most of each weekend. This is the ultimate customizable guide to everything from UFO watchtowers to ashrams in the wilderness. With carefully curated chapters organized around various hobbies and interests, Erin Barnes has planned the perfect weekend.

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Book SynopsisMinnesota may be known for its lakes and small-town charm, but this updated Explorer’s Guide is here to show you all the hidden treasures of the North Star State. Consistently ranked among the most livable states, Minnesota is a mecca for diverse leisure activities and visitors of all ages. From a metropolitan arts culture to outdoor activities galore, Amy Rea gives readers a comprehensive secret weapon to traveling the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Leading you to landmarks both urban and rural, Explorer’s Guide Minnesota will introduce readers to the pride and beauty of this Midwestern region. Stop by art museums in Minneapolis and rock out at the bar where Prince filmed his Purple Rain concert series. Or head into the wilderness for a cabin resort vacation and snowshoeing. Whether it’s the Mall of America or scenic waterfront bike tours, Minnesota has a reason for every season. Complete with vibrant photographs and detailed maps, this is the only item you need to pack for your next adventure.

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Book SynopsisIn this updated and revised edition, intrepid local writers and travelers Drea Knufken and John Daters are once again your guides to the pinnacles of the Rockies, the sandstone valleys of the Western Slope, and the windswept prairies of the eastern state. Follow them through carefully crafted itineraries, so you too can: • Ski, hike, or camp in the 2.3-million-acre White River National Forest. • Navigate frontier paths and long-abandoned ghost towns. • Explore ancestral Puebloan settlements along the San Juan Skyway. • Drive the highest paved byway in North America, the Trail Ridge Road. This practical guidebook includes the authors’ expert insights into the state’s must-see sites, memorable meals, and cozy lodgings. This is the shortest route you can take to explore like a native and the perfect way for residents to delve deeper into the history and magic of Colorado.

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Book SynopsisCharleston has become the most compelling destination in the coastal South for people who are serious about food and cooking. Meanwhile, Savannah has the nation’s largest registered Urban Historic District, with a booming arts and film community to bring the past to life. This latest Explorer’s Guide is the best source for information on Charleston’s farm-to-table scene and Savannah’s artistic culture. And not to be missed: the area’s rural Coastal Islands hold rich history and the opportunity to learn more about the Gullah-Geechee culture of formerly enslaved Africans. Stay in romantic inns or luxurious resorts and dine on regional delicacies like oysters and quail. Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or renting a cottage for a week, see why Charleston, Savannah, and the historic small towns in between are beloved by residents and continue to enchant visitors.

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Book SynopsisIn this all-new first edition, hiking expert Matthew Cathcart (coauthor of 50 Hikes in the Catskills) delivers 50 hikes, walks, and day trips all throughout Pennsylvania. The hiking trails of Pennsylvania offer both novice and experienced hikers a tempting variety of natural terrain and human history. Sites featured in this comprehensive guide to the state’s offerings include the Whiskey Springs Rock Mazes, McConnells Mill State Park, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and the Lehigh Gap Appalachian Trail Loop.

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Book SynopsisIn South Carolina, explore from the Chattooga River at the Georgia state line to Jones Gap State Park; and, in North Carolina, journey from the Nantahala National Forest near Robbinsville in the southwest to the wildlands along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the northeast. This guide also includes hikes on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains. Some hikes in this book take place on the great Appalachian Trail, the master path of the Appalachians.

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Book SynopsisMaryland has so much to offer travelers and residents alike: world-class seafood, year-round recreation, and thrilling spectator sports. With this guide in tow, search scenic beaches for shark’s teeth, trace Civil War troop movements, track the heyday of the railroad, and visit lighthouses that have guided countless sailors through the Chesapeake Bay. This second edition includes all-new maps, color photography, and thoroughly updated information. All you have to do is jump in the car and let seasoned travel writer and Maryland-native Leslie Atkins be your guide. Drives include: Waters of the Chesapeake Bay Annapolis: Sailors’ State Capital Hidden Baltimore: A City of Neighborhoods Southern Tobacco Country

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Book SynopsisFrom the Chicago and Territorial roads, home of a historic and scenic railroad, to the Lower Peninsula’s Chain of Lakes area, Backroads & Byways of Michigan is the shortest route a visitor can take to knowing the state like a local. This fourth edition offers updated itineraries to scenic and intriguing places, like Michigan’s Wine Country—where you can sample local wines, chocolate truffles, and orchard fruits—and Western Michigan, once a mining area, now a winter-recreation wonderland and home of many spectacular waterfalls. The Backroads & Byways series provides you with all the crucial information you need to make every moment of your journey count. This guide features maps, photographs, and detailed listings for points of interest on every drive. Drives include: History off the Beaten Path Where Great Lakes Meet Superior’s Scenic Shoreline The Grape Coast

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