Adventure Trekking: A Handbook for Independent Travellers --Trekking has become a major part of the adventure travel industry, so Robert Strauss has written a guide that helps people prepare and plan their treks. He provides a thorough overview of the major trekking regions in the world, explores the kinds of treks available, what to expect once you get there, how to prepare physically, how to plan a trip, what to take with you and how to stay safe and healthy. Filled with amusing anecdotes from the author's own experiences, this guide will ensure that you get the most from your adventure. $14.95
Berlitz 1998 Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships --Douglas Ward's updated book is the bible of the cruising world, and for good reason. He divides it into two thoroughly helpful sections: the first introduces you to life onboard, from choosing a stateroom to tipping the steward. The second describes in amazing detail the facilities of 230 ships and cruise lines, rating everything from the food and cabin service to overall value for your dollar. New expanded chapters explore tall ships and windjammers, river barge trips and small luxury yachts. $21.95
The Big Book of Adventure Travel -Plan the great escape of your choice with this classic (and newly revised) guide to over 400 adventures. From a rafting trip down the Zambesi to canoeing in Germany, from trekking in the Himalayas to bicycling through French vineyards, this guide provides all the details on tour operators, budgets, trip dates and fitness requirements. An added bonus: dozens of trip discount coupons are included. Let James C. Simmons put a little adventure in your life. $17.95
NEW Cadogan Southern Africa on the Wild Side--If the thought of Africa brings to mind only safaris, this new venture from Cadogan will expand your horizons. It offers an introduction to the nature and wildlife of Southern Africa, and leads you to outdoor adventures in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. Arranged by country and region, each chapter outlines activities ranging from traditional safaris to hiking in the bush, elephant treks, dolphin-watching, skydiving and white-water rafting. Whether you wish explore on your own or with a tour group, author Rupert Isaacson shows you the way, with good maps and inspiring photos. $21.95
Dive Sites of the Red Sea --Explore colorful coral gardens, shipwrecks and an extraordinary array of marine life with this new guide to diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea. Guy Buckles provides mapped descriptions of all the dive sites, as well as information on access points and transportation, site conditions, dive facilities, and emergency contacts. Color photographs will whet your appetite. $24.95
Also for $24.95
| Dive Sites of the Great Barrier Reef | Dive Sites of Malaysia & Singapore |
| Dive Sites of Indonesia | Dive Sites Of South Africa |
| Dive Sites of Kenya & Tanzania | Dive Sites of Thailand |
Eco-Touring: The Ultimate Guide --Magnus Elander and Stefan Widstrand guide you to the world's principal nature reserves, and describe the wildlife to be seen, the best time of year to go, how to get there and the accommodation options. The preserves range from Chile, Argentina and Ecuador to India, Australia and Canada. Color photographs provide a glimpse of the beauty that awaits the traveller. $24.95
Fodor's Healthy Escapes --This expanded edition covers 240 resorts and retreats in North America, Mexico and the Caribbean where you can get fit, feel good, find yourself and get away from it all. Thorough descriptions of spas specializing in luxurious pampering, sports conditioning, nutrition and stress control help you to choose the healthy vacation that suits your taste and budget. $17.00
Golf Digest's Best Places to Play 1998 --The Zagat's of the golf world, this guide consists of ratings of over 4,200 public and resort golf courses throughout the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. The subscribers to Golf Digest magazine have rated the courses for "playability", price, available lodgings, greens, tee times, practice ranges and pros. Everything is cross-referenced. $19.50
Golf Resorts International --Pamela Lanier reviews over 200 golf resorts throughout the world, from Scotland to Japan. She covers it all--course descriptions, green fees, facilities and accommodations. A must for the travelling golfer. $19.95
Also:
Golf Resorts: The Complete U.S. Guide $19.95
The Good Skiing Guide 1998 --This invaluable reference now includes ski resorts in Australia, New Zealand, South America and Japan, in addition to Europe, the U.S and Canada. It provides complete details on ski facilities, trails, lift prices, ski schools, child-care services, accommodations and apres-ski activities. It also rates each resort's suitability for families, beginners, intermediates and experts, includes maps of all the ski trails, and even provides information on snowboarding. $24.95
NEW Healing Centers and Retreats--Just in time for your "end of the millennium" angst, Jenifer Miller offers a review of a wide variety of healing centers and spas in the USA and Canada. Arranged by state, this new book covers everything from down to earth Native American healing centers to modern new age and upscale spas. All of the choices promise to set you free from stress and emotional and/or physical imbalances through a variety of methods including classes, healthy nutrition, outdoor activities (from horseback riding to apple picking), meditation, tai chi and healing ceremonies. Prices range from $12 a day to $1000 a weekend, so whatever your budget there is a getaway here that will take care of your overworked mind, body and spirit. $16.95
NEW Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya: A Climbing and Trekking Guide--The only updated guide available, it offers general climbing information for both novice and expert, details on weather, health and safety, and an introduction to the history of these two mountains. Most importantly, it gives descriptions of a multitude of routes (sometimes even several ways to go one particular route), with information on altitude and level of difficulty, and excellent maps. The author, Cameron Burns, is a longtime mountaineer and obviously knows and loves his subject. You will have swollen feet and sore knees just reading this guide, but you would be hard pressed to find a better trekking partner. $18.95
North America's Greatest Fishing Lodges --The only guide of its kind, this new book describes and rates over 250 angling destinations and lodges in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Central America. John Ross, a contributing editor of Sports Afield, provides an astonishing amount of information including ambiance and local lore, practical necessities such as rates, food, handicapped accessibility, transportation and the specific angling opportunities. He even assesses nearby non-angler activities such as golf and diving. $18.95
Peterson's Guide to Golf Schools --More than 200,000 people each year go on "golf learning vacations", and this guide offers comprehensive planning information on over 200 golf schools. Author James Max Lane, a staff writer for Links magazine, rates facilities, climate, teaching style, programs and costs and makes it easy for you to concentrate on improving your game. Color photographs bring each facility to life. $13.95
also:
Peterson's Guide to Tennis Camps & Clinics $13.95
Peterson's Learning Adventures Around the World--This book is packed with over 1300 mind-expanding vacations, including language programs, archaeological digs, cooking schools, garden seminars, and eco-volunteer groups. Each program and sponsor is described in full, with details on duration, cost, instructors/leaders, group size, housing, and sign up dates. $24.95
Ranch Vacations --Eugene Kilgore describes 200 of the best ranches in the U.S. and western Canada, with special emphasis on the outdoor activities offered, as well as descriptions of the programs for adults and children. The full-color photographs of the ranches will whet your appetite. $19.95
Shaw Guide to Cooking Schools 1998 --The nearly 800 listings in this guide span 38 states in the U.S., 22 countries around the world, and include cooking programs sponsored by both independent organizations and fully-accredited schools. Each listing provides a description of the institution offering the course and of the course itself, including duration, costs, accommodations, faculty, regional or culinary specialities, and contact information. Study French cooking in a chateau in the Loire Valley or learn wine appreciation in a Napa Valley winery. The possibilities are endless. $19.95
Travels Along the Edge--Part guidebook and part travelogue, this "book for the modern nomad" takes you on 40 adventures around the world. David Noland has actually taken most of the trips discussed here, from bicycling through Vietnam to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to sailing the Turkish coast in a gulet. He describes his own experiences with gusto (and humor), so that you can get a sense of what the trip is really like. He also has set up a helpful (if humbling) rating system to assess each trip's physical and mental challenges in order help you realistically decide on the trip that best suits your abilities. Tour operator details are included. $14.00
Volunteer Vacations --This completely updated guide profiles over 250 charitable organizations and the 2,000 projects they sponsor worldwide, all of which accept volunteers. Project descriptions, contact information, requirements, costs and application instructions are all discussed in detail. Cross-referenced indexes allow you to plan according to cost, location and time of year. Plant trees in an Ecuadoran rainforest, teach English in China, staff a health clinic in Africa or help excavate an old plantation in South Carolina, and do some good during your travels. $16.95
Wendy Perrin's Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know --To us, one of the most useful (and fun) columns in Conde Nast Traveler magazine is the Ombudsman column. Here Wendy Perrin, former Ombudsman and now the CNT Consumer News Editor, collects all the best columns from 1990 through 1996 in one handy reference. Topics range from frequent flier programs to bankrupt tour operators; from lost luggage to canceled flights; from shipping breakables home to dealing with emergencies overseas. Most importantly, she outlines all the things you should do before the trip to insure you won't get stuck if (when?) things go wrong. $15.00
Wild Planet --Tom Clynes' amazingly comprehensive guide to over 1000 festivals, carnivals, ceremonies and cultural events around the world provides a unique way to plan future trips. Arranged by country and region, the entries include lively descriptions and complete contact information. Experience the world's most fascinating celebrations and get an inside look at the culture you're visiting. $18.95