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Off the Tourist Trail: 1,000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives [Hardcover]

DK Publishing , Bill Bryson
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)


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Book Description

August 17, 2009
Off the Tourist Trail is a guide to the world's unspoiled sights and experiences. It takes a hundred clichéd tourist destinations - everything from over-visited national parks to overrated museums - and reveal 1,000 fresh and fascinating alternative options. Written by a team of travel experts, and with a foreword by Bill Bryson, this book brings vibrant cities, enchanting sights, breathtaking natural wonders and unforgettable experiences to life with informative narrative and stunning photography.

Choose your destination by theme - Ancient and Historical Sights, Festivals and Parties, Great Journeys, Architectural Marvels, Natural Wonders, Beaches, Sports and Activities, Art and Culture, and Cities - or simply flick through this sumptuous guide and be inspired. Practical advice on getting there and around, where to stay, where to eat and when to go, as well as useful 'Need to Know' facts, ensure that you get the most out of your time away.

Less crowded, generally less expensive, and often more spectacular and rewarding, these lesser-known wonders of the world encourage readers to ditch the famous but well-worn choices, reminding them what real travel is all about - escaping the everyday and embracing the new.

Vacations will never be the same again.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: DK Travel; 1 edition (August 17, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0756653991
  • ISBN-13: 978-0756653996
  • Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 10.1 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #591,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

This is the best of these books I have ever seen. loyal customer Bill  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 56 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Your Worldview, Expanded September 21, 2009
Format:Hardcover
The premise of OFF THE TOURIST TRAIL is ambitious: narrow the planet's must-see attractions to the hundred crème-de-la-crème; delineate what makes them so fabulous and acknowledge their drawbacks (usually crowds and commercialization); and then offer worthy alternatives. Oh -- and accompany it with mind-blowingly stunning photography.

The result? A coffee-table book presented with Dorling Kindersley's trademark lush sensuality -- smooth, heavy pages; vibrant colors; pleasing layout -- that is beyond successful. To be clear, the book is less an actual travel guide and more a guide for expanding one's worldview. Yes, uber-travelers might happily substitute one continent's beach or festival for another's, half a world away. But historical sites and natural wonders seem much less interchangeable, and the takeaway from this book is an awareness that even unique sites actually do have similars (Lascaux isn't the planet's only example of prehistoric rock art; Pompeii isn't the only preserved ruins; Route 66 isn't even the best driving trip).

My only caution is to Bill Bryson fans who are drawn by the prominent attachment of his name to this book. Be forewarned -- his only contribution is an unbelievably short, repetitive, and vacuous Foreword, and it frankly disrespects both the book and the reader.

Otherwise, highly recommended!
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Travel Idea Book Ever October 18, 2009
Format:Hardcover
There are lots of books around that give summaries of the world's "best." This is the best of these books I have ever seen. It has the usual DK excellence of design, but what makes it so useful is that it lists so many options in so many categories. Then, it gives plenty of information necessary for further study. The big categories are Ancient & Historical Sights; Festivals & Parties; Great Journeys; Natural Wonders; Beaches; Sports & Activities; Art & Culture; and Cities. For each, there are pages that list the most well known item, then its major competitor. What I like especially is that there are usually 4-44 additional destinations--small presentations, but sufficient, and usually with a small photo. Great. The whole world.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating. Wonderful photographs, Full of ideas August 23, 2009
By ELP FAN
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
As soon as i saw this book I was impressed with it. Basically it gives alternatives to common tourist attractions around the world, Its categorized by areas such as cities, mountains, festivals, etc. What I like is that it gives easy access to many travel ideas I might have never found out about or which wouldve taken hours to research, It a concise volume on lesser know places of interest around the world. Maybe lesser know but also maybe equally or more beautiful. While some of the many listed alternatives are only briefly described the book is just a jumping point for future reference and research via the internet. So if you like to travel and want to get off the beaten path this book is definitely for you. Happy Travels
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Travel book
What I love about this book, besides inviting one to visit less famous but often more spectacular, less advertised venues, is that every featured destination has the... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Utah Pamela
5.0 out of 5 stars Tourist Spots
It is nice to see some choices for places to visit that may not be as crowded as some of the well known places. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Corine
3.0 out of 5 stars So-So
Nice pictures but not very informative. Better to just cruise the 'net for travel ideas. Wish I had not made this purchase.
Published 10 months ago by R. A. Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars Places to go....
More delicious armchair travel! But with a twist this time. Off the Tourist Trail explores 'unexpected travel alternatives'. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Luanne Ollivier
5.0 out of 5 stars Off the Tourist Trail
DK Publishing is one of my favorites with their highly visual presentations for so many subjects. Travel books are especially helpful and interesting. Read more
Published 21 months ago by B. Carter
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful large color photography, beautiful reference & coffee table...
Wonderful large color photography. Great comparisons of "most popular" & "did you know?" vacation destinations, scenery & landmarks, festivals, beaches and other tourist... Read more
Published on December 11, 2010 by queenjd
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly useful travel book
This book is meant for the serious traveler or dreamer. Want to see amphitheaters? This guide will direct you away from the Colosseum in Rome to Pula Arena in Croatia with... Read more
Published on May 17, 2010 by Yolanda McCree
1.0 out of 5 stars Not for Frequent Travelers
We are retired and are fortunate to take about 6 trips a year. We've been to the major tourist destinatons and hoped this book would provide some new ideas. Read more
Published on May 8, 2010 by San Diego Shopper
5.0 out of 5 stars If you like to travel off the tourist trail, buy this book!
After perusing this book, I'm ready to pack my bags and head off to almost anywhere in the book! The book takes one hundred cliched destinations and gives you over a thousand... Read more
Published on November 22, 2009 by Deborah Verlen
4.0 out of 5 stars Tourist book - not suitable for tourists?
Lovely book with wonderful pictures and colours and, for the most part, good tips on alternative tourist tours. Read more
Published on November 22, 2009 by M. Bjorkevik
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