Customer Reviews

Off the Tourist Trail: 1,000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives

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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!

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.

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

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 alternatives. The book itself is presented in a large coffee table format and is full of wonderfully colorful pictures that make you feel like you are there in the middle of the scene as well as suggestions and advice on what to do when you get there.

You can flip through the book looking for interesting places to visit or read about or you can approach the process more scientifically and search by theme. They include ancient and historical sights, festivals/parties, journeys, architectural marvels, natural wonders, beaches, sports, art and culture and cities.

For instance, I love the city of New York and when I go there I tend to revisit the same attractions which are generally right smack dab in the middle of the tourist path. The book contains a couple of pages on "Less Explored New York City." I can't wait until my next visit to go exploring. There are also some great suggestions for other well known cities.

If you enjoy travel and like the unexpected, this book will give you a lush presentation and lots of ideas for exploration no matter what you like--ancient ruins, modern cities, festivals or just beach combing.

Lovely book with wonderful pictures and colours and, for the most part, good tips on alternative tourist tours. But know one thing, you have to memorize what the book says, before you pack your bags and head off to the airport, because it is a half meter times 30 cm huge, massive, mega-heavy piece of art, that won't fit in any light baggage whatsoever. In other words, it's not your average Lonely Planet pocket book, that you can keep in your back pocket.

As for good alternative tours "for the most part", it is not exactly realistic when it might suggest a beach on a far away never heard of island in the Atlantic Ocean, instead of Bondi Beach in central Sydney...

Other than that, the book is a joy for the mind and for the eye!

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 historical details, how to get there and when to go in the typical DK format. However, it explains both what makes the Colosseum the lesser choice and a good choice. Should you still decide to go, tips are given on how best to do that. For many of the topics (like amphitheaters), more than the one main option is presented. Alternative amphitheaters in Lybia, Tunisia, Germany, Spain, Italy (Verona) and France are shown. It is the richness of the choices which are global and inclusive which delights me, but may frustrate the less serious or impoverished traveler.

I bought 5 travel books around the same time. This is the one that I come back to time and again. While the premise of the book is to avoid the more touristed sites, ignore that, after all, that is what the off-season is for. This volume is my candy shop window.
I invite you to share the plentyful delights.

This is a large, very heavy, and very beautiful book with extremely practical advice about avoiding crowded tourist areas and instead visiting places as good or better that those spoiled by their success. A super book and at a bargain price.

Wonderful large color photography. Great comparisons of "most popular" & "did you know?" vacation destinations, scenery & landmarks, festivals, beaches and other tourist attractions and/or photo ops.

My parents went to Finger Lakes while traveling through New York after reading this beautiful reference & coffee table book cover to cover while visiting in Seattle. They were not disappointed!

(neither was I due to the beautiful postcards!)

More delicious armchair travel! But with a twist this time. Off the Tourist Trail explores 'unexpected travel alternatives'. The authors of this book are the many travel writers who have contributed to the Eyewitness Travel books that DK publishers.

The format is pretty unique - alternatives to well known attractions, journeys, natural phenomenon and more such as Stonehenge, Niagara Falls and more are presented -up to six specifically related suggestions and up to 45 additional recommendations.

Many of the 'well-known' attractions were new to me, so I had just as much fun reading about them. But the off the beaten track destinations are amazing. Our world is so full of extraordinary sites and events. Many of them, I will never get a chance to see, so I enjoy travelling from my armchair. Each destination has a description along with practical information - getting there, where to stay, best time of the year to visit and a direct web address. ( I stopped many times to hop on the computer)

Of course, I always have to check out the Canadian suggestions. I was thrilled to see that Nova Scotia's Evangeline Trail was presented as an alternative to driving the old Route 66 in the US. We actually drove this trail this past summer and yes, it was pretty stunning. We took the train out to the East Coast to start, so I was interested to see the section on alternatives to the famous Orient Express train. The Canadian from T.O. to Vancouver is listed - a trip I'd like to undertake. As was the Viking Trail in Newfoundland, an suggestion in the Great Journeys section.

I've focused on North America, but there are mostly world wide suggestions. The Camino de Santiago has attracted literally hundreds of thousands of walkers, but there are alternatives - a pilgrimage to Rome being one of them.

I'm always drawn to the small islands found as specks on maps and globes. I wonder at the people who live there and what their lives are like. I had never heard of the tropical Fernando de Noronha Islands, suggested as a substitute for the Galapagos Islands, but I'd sure love to visit!

This coffee table sized book is printed on glossy stock and filled with lots of sharp, clear photos. Perfect for an armchair getaway.

DK Publishing is one of my favorites with their highly visual presentations for so many subjects. Travel books are especially helpful and interesting. Off the Tourist Trail gives alternate destinations for the traveler to consider by comparing popular locations and the alternate sites. Many great destinations prove too crowded with tourists to be enjoyable and to meet expectations. This book is an educational and enjoyable way to become acquainted with alternatives. If the traveler is still going to the first choice, helpful tips are provided. Perhaps your travel plans and dreams will change because of this information. Happy traveling.