The Travel Bookshop

Lonely Planet is the largest travel guide book publisher in the world. In just over forty years, they have printed over 120 million books, becoming the most successful travel publisher ever. They have around 500 titles that span 195 countries, hiring a combination of travel and local writers to strike a balance between insider tips and foreign perspective. Additionally, these guides are updated with new additions every two years, allowing for new information and highlights with each edition.   These guide books are great because they are straightforward and to-the-point. They are printed in double-columned pages and small print, which can be difficult on the eyes, but ensures for maximum information incorporation. The guides are separated into four major sections: Plan Your Trip, On the Road, Understand, and Survival Guide. The first section covers all vital information one might need to make their trip happen—a cultural etiquette primer, maps, month-by-month calendars of major cultural events, and sample itineraries. The second section comprises the majority of the book; it covers individual areas, breaking down neighborhoods and cities into highlight sites, activities, festivals, events, nightlife, entertainment, shopping, and food recommendations. The Understand section provides a brief history of the country and culture,…

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail is Bill Bryson’s autobiographical account of his attempt to complete the AT. Bryson moves deftly between humorous observation and serious discussions relating to the trail’s history and his hiking experience, covering sociology, ecology, botany, zoology, and anthropology.   The book begins with Bryson’s vivid description of his personal interest with the Appalachian Trail. A piece of the trail runs by his home, and the occasional traveler passes by throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. After several years, Bryson and his friend, Stephen Katz, set out to hike the trail from the south end—from Georgia to Maine. The first half of the book is heavy with grief and frustration; Bryson’s travel partner, Katz, is crude, overweight, and a recoverin alcoholic—even less prepared for the trip than Bryson himself. They struggle with gear, decide to discard expensive equipment and food, and stumble through the heat of America’s south and mid-Atlantic.   Upon reaching Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the two decide that the entire trail is too much of an undertaking. They skip a massive section of the trail, picking up again in Roanoke, Virginia. After nearly 800 miles of hiking the two…

Visitors to the “Travel Guide” section of Barnes and Noble are faced with an overwhelming task: choosing the perfect travel book. Colorful and information-dense, each travel guide appears to offer something the others don’t—whether it’s a section of “insider tips,” additional transportation maps, or discounts on popular attractions. However, choosing a guide is important when traveling, especially if you are traveling outside of the country; without abundance WiFi and international cell phone data, travelers find themselves utilizing analog sources of information.   5 Things to Consider Getting the guide that works for you is as important as the purchase itself. Below, we have listed a few essential facts to consider when making your decision.   Size—Though this seems like a strange factor to consider, it is the best way to eliminate large swaths of options. Are you planning to keep a backpack with you? How big of a bag are you bringing? Would you prefer the guide to sit in your pocket for the duration of the trip? Thinking about how you want to store the book will help make this important decision.   Language aid—Though English is a widely-spoken language, you will likely encounter a few awkward language barriers….