Book Review - 50 Best Adventures on Earth by Richard Bangs

Richard Bangs has a lot of amazing credits to his name - he co-founded Sobek Expeditions in 1969, one of the original travel-adventure companies (it's now called MT Sobek). This award-winning company arranged small groups of adventurers into all sorts of experiences all over the world. If you browse the website (https://www.mtsobek.com/) you can find all sorts of options from luxury to roughing-it type trips.

The introduction lists out the activity levels (1 being the easiest up to 5 being strenuous) so you can decide where on the scale to focus on or to eliminate. Of course, most of the moderate trips can be customized to be harder or easier.

The book is then divided into locations starting with Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America, and the Polar Regions.

Each suggested trip includes information on "Best Times" to go, "Activity Level", "Accommodations" (suggestions), "Features", and "GPD Coordinates". Then the trip is broken out into day-by-day itineraries which can be customized as well depending on how long you plan to visit.

Some level 1 activities include Botswana Flying Safari. Accommodations are "high-end eco-lodges" and you will definitely be paying the price for these luxuries. This is a 9 day itinerary but could easily be shortened.

Level 2 which is a little more strenuous than level 1 but is still good for all ages. Cruising the Galapagos falls into Level 2 with a lot of traveling from Quito to Galapagos and other nearby islands. Great for nature lovers.

Easter Island is another Level 2 activity. The five day itinerary consists of just exploring the island and some local's unique culture.

Cuba is listed as a Level 2 activity, but getting to Cuba is challenging. Keep this in your back pocket until they lift the restrictions to visit as a tourist.

Rafting Guatemala is a Level 4 and the accommodations lists Tents and Eco-Lodges. It's 10 days of what I'd call "roughing-it".

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a Level 5. Ironically, the accommodations sound better than Guatemala - "comfortable camping" and "comfortable hotels". This one is also 10 days.

Hiking Wild Scotland is a Level 3. The best times to attempt it is May through September before the weather turns sour. Hiking Ireland North to South is also Level 3 and runs along the same months. This one is a bit longer at 12 days.

Another Level 3 in America is Rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Despite the summer months, May through September, I've heard the water is ice cold. So arrive prepared. This itinerary is a long one at 14 days.

Overall, this is an interesting book to get some inspiration and trip ideas. You could easily customize the suggested itineraries to your own needs. I'd definitely look for it in your local library or share through inter-library loans.

Title: 50 Best Adventures on Earth
Author: Richard Bangs
ISBN: 978-1493085453
Pages: 272

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Book Review - Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Adventures from the World's Leading Travel Authority

When planning a vacation, if you lean towards activities that are more physical or challenging such as running marathons or rock climbing in the desert, this is the book for you.

For me and my family, I focused on activities that young children could enjoy which wasn't many. Here are the chapters that could fall into the family-friendly category or could be re-worked a bit to become family-friendly: Going to Extremes (a few choices such as the Dead Sea, Greenland, Vatican City), Best Four-Legged Adventures (Reindeer Sledding, Dog Mushing (check on age range requirements), Wagon Train Adventure), Boy's (and Girl's) Own Adventures, Get Your Thrills Indoors (Chakazoolu Indoor Theme Park or Indoor Skiing and Snowboarding), Intrepid Treasure-Hunting Trips (Gold Panning in British Columbia, Canada), Best Undiscovered US Parks, and a chapter dedicated to Family-Friendly Adventures (options like beaches in Bali, Indonesia or Ranching in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Are you a strong swimmer and enjoy water activities, check out these chapters: Best Spots to Catch a Big Wave, Wildest Swims in the World, Epic Sea-Kayak Paddles, Sail or Bust, Get on Board, Truly Wild Waterways, Best Rafting Rivers, Sweetest Snorkel Spots, and more.

Enjoy rock climbing, these might appearl to you: Mountain Quests, Most Spectacular Rock Climbs, Rock Stars: World's Best Bouldering, Best Beginners' Climbs, and more.

Prefer running or extreme hiking? How about Gotta Be In It to Win It: Best Races, Downhill Dashes, Mind-Blowing Marathons, Best Treks with Killer Views, Best ultra Runs, World's Highest Treks, Longest Treks, and more.

Like animals plus adventure (no petting zoos in here), try these: Scariest Animal Encounters, Most Excellent Equine Escapades, Best Birding in Highlands and Islands, Essential African Adventures, and more.

This book was published in 2013 so double-check all the locations to be sure they are still open to tourists and the information is correct.

For a family of young children or for really lazy people who prefer relaxing, this wasn't a very useful guide but there were a few suggestions. If you enjoy daring activities, you'll get plenty of inspiration.

Title: Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Adventures from the World's Leading Travel Authority
Author: Lonely Planet Authors
ISBN: 978-1743217191
Pages: 352

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Book Review - The World's Best National Parks in 500 Walks by Mary Caperton Morton

This is a massive book broken out by Continent (North America, South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, and Australasia).

The author breaks out each section by trails. Each trail is listed with its corresponding National Park, location, and a description. Many of the trails also contain distance, start, difficulty, and seasonal information. A few include a map.

Some of the parks contain more than one hiking trail such as Denali National Park and Preserve. The author highlights several hiking trails - "Savage Alpine Trail" (which is a moderately difficult one), "Horseshoe Lake Trail" (easy), "Mount Healy Overlook Trail".

The photographs in this book are gorgeous. I enjoyed flipping through and bookmarking ones that sounded manageable enough for my family. But, I just used this book as a starting point. Then I went to the National Park's website and got all the information I needed from there.

It would have been nice if this author had a directory for trails by difficulty. That would help someone quickly narrow down which trails they should focus on, such as my family needing easy trails.

Overall, it's a nice book to view inspirational photographs and add to your planning board. If you enjoy hikes, you can find similar inspirational books about hiking trails published by Thunder Bay Press.

Title: The World's Best National Parks in 500 Walks
Author: Mary Caperton Morton
ISBN: 978-1645176282
Pages: 400

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Book Review - Lonely Planet Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks by Brendan Sainsbury and Jade Bremner

This is an excellent, full-color guide to the 3 National Parks - Banff and Jasper in Canada and Glacier in Montana. The book is color-coded with tabs - Plan Your Trip, On the Road, Understand, and Survival Guide.

The Plan Your Trip section contains useful information such as colorful maps, Top 20 to see and do, Need to Know, Month-by-Month things to do, Sample Itineraries, Activities, Family Travel and Travel with Pets.

On the Road digs deeper into each park - Banff National Park and Sights Around the Park (such as Canmore or Kananaskis Country), Jasper National Park, Glacier National Park and Around the Park (West and East Glacier, St Mary and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation). There's a section on Waterton Lakes National Park.

Understand section highlights the parks today, the history of the parks, geology, wildlife, and conservation.

Survival Guide at the end offers general travel information - health and safety, suggested clothes to pack, transportation and getting around, and more.

What sets this guide apart are the really useful hiking maps detailing the routes for almost every trail.

Title: Lonely Planet Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks: Detailed Itineraries | Travel Like a Local | Insider Tips | Covers Banff, Jasper, Glacier, Waterton Lakes, and more (National Parks Guide)
Author: Brendan Sainsbury and Jade Bremner
ISBN: 9781838696757
Pages: 272

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Book Review - Moon Guide - Idaho by James Patrick Kelly

The first section of this book, "Discover Idaho" is full color and shows highlights as well as info on planning your trip, Idaho's Best Road Trips, Wine Country Weekend, Rest and Relaxation, High-Country Adventures, and the Quest for the Perfect Powder. The middle chunk of the book is divided into areas starting with Boise, Southwest Idaho (Owyhee Mountains and Canyonlands), Magic Valley (Twin Falls, North and South Snake River), Southeast Idaho (American Falls, Teton Basin), Sun Valley and the Sawtooths, North-Central Idaho, The Panhandle (The Silvery Valley, Priest Lake). Then the back of the book has useful Essentials (Travel tips, transportation and getting around, Health and Safety) and resources.

This book was published in early 2016 so double-check all your plans before you head out as times, prices and operations might have changed.

Title: Moon Guide - Idaho
Author: James Patrick Kelly
ISBN: 9781631210150
Pages: 449

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Book Review - Day Hikes in Yellowstone National Park by Robert Stone

Planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park? This handy guide points out hikes you can reasonably complete in a day and, in fact, most of them can be completed in under 2 hours. Of course, that doesn't include the time to stop and admire nature or views. If you prefer gentle hikes, look for those with lower elevation numbers of "near-level" like Natural Bridge Trail (Hike Number 44). Each hike has detailed information and easy-to-follow maps. Great guide to toss into your backpack.

Keep in mind this book was published in 2005 so be sure to check the official National Park Website (https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm) before heading out to be sure the trail you're interested in is still available. A hydrothermal Explosion last year has caused some damage and closures. Check your local library for a copy of the guide.

Title: Day Hikes in Yellowstone National Park: 82 Great Hikes, 4th Edition
Author: Robert Stone
ISBN: 1573420484
Pages: 184

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Book Review - Lonely Planet Great Lakes and Midwest USA's National Parks (National Parks Guide)

This compact little guide is surprisingly full of good information and a fold-out full-color map. The first few pages highlight some great things to do followed by a useful "need to know" section. There's a listing of some but not all festivals or events throughout the year. More pages offering advice on what to wear and equipment you may need (or can rent), how to stay safe, and average temperatures. There are several pages featuring "best of" such as "Best Hiking", "Best Wildlife Viewing", "Best Family Experiences" and more.

If you prefer roadtripping, there are three road trips planned out - Oklahoma Tribal Trails, Pioneer Trails, and Blackhills Loop - with maps and info on each major stop.

The back of the book features guides on different wildlife you may spot, outdoor activities, and landscapes/geology.

Overall, a great guide that fits really well in your day bag!

Title: Lonely Planet Great Lakes and Midwest USA's National Parks (National Parks Guide)
Author: Regis St Louis, Anita Isalska, Brendan Sainsbury
ISBN: 978-1838696108
Pages: 130

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Book Review - New Mexico Family Outdoor Adventure by Christina M Selby

Finding activities for children is always a challenge because you have to take into consideration their energy level, their hiking ability, and their idea of fun. The author of this travel guide is also a mother and has gone on these trips with her two children and her experiences shine throughout with lots of good info and tips. I really appreciate the detailed instructions on how to get to the different hiking trail heads (which can be challenging to find without good signage or maps). If you enjoy camping, be sure to check out the suggested campgrounds listed in here for the different locations.

Another great feature of this book are the fun activities that most children can participate in (like Class 1 White Water Rafting). You'll find mountain biking, paddling, fossil hunting, and more. Also, there are suggestions throughout each adventure where you can teach your children valuable science or history lessons without being annoying. Little tids bits of goodness, I call them. I'm looking forward to finding similar books on other states.

Title: New Mexico Family Outdoor Adventure: An All-Ages Guide to Hiking, Camping, and Getting Outside
Author: Christina M Selb
ISBN: 978-0826362933
Pages: 322

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Special Offers - Even MORE Amazon Discounts on Selected Travel Books and Maps

I went down a bunch of rabbit holes last night looking at more travel related goodies Amazon has marked down. I purchased a bunch for next year's trips that I wanted to share with you. As always, check your local library to see if they offer these books and maps for FREE. I like to have hardcopies of maps so I can circle and make notes on them.

Fun Guides:

50 Places to Travel with Your Dog before you die - https://amzn.to/3ZDXK57

Texas:

National Geographic Texas Guide Map - https://amzn.to/46BddVO

National Geographic Adventure Map of Texas and Oklahoma - https://amzn.to/46rRHmi

Field Guides to Wildlife, Birds, Trees and Wildflowers of Texas - https://amzn.to/3PKcL0q

Moon Travel Guide - 52 Things to Do in Austin and San Antonio (this is a great weekend guide) - https://amzn.to/3F3UQNt

Yosemite National Park:

National Geographic Topographic Map to Yosemite National Park Day Hikes - https://amzn.to/45ebWml

A Field Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks - https://amzn.to/3F16k4g

Regional Hiking Series - Hiking Yellowstone National Park - (I'm really excited to get this guide) - https://amzn.to/3PL6Atj

Frommers Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park - https://amzn.to/3ZHbonQ

Bird Watching Books:

Bird watching is a great way to observe nature in your location or while you travel. I used to bring binoculars but now our cell phones have such great zooms that I just use that instead. I usually bring my guide so I can check off the birds I see as I go.
The Bird Watching Answer Book - https://amzn.to/46bmB2u

American Birding Assoc State Field - Birds of Texas - https://amzn.to/46bmB2u

Hiking Guides:

The Falcon Guide - Hiking with Kids New England - https://amzn.to/3toU3UA

AMC's Best Day Hikes near Boston - https://amzn.to/3MaFZoz

AMC's Best Day Hikes in Vermont - https://amzn.to/3RKBnsM

National Parks:

Our National Parks by John Muir - https://amzn.to/46hJuBh

Moon USA National Parks Guide - (This is an excellent guide) - https://amzn.to/3LKuKTe

Joshua Tree: The Complete Guide to Joshua Tree National Park by James Kaiser - (this place is definitely on my must-visit list) - https://amzn.to/3F3CcoQ

National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map to Arches National Park - https://amzn.to/3RISmeU

National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map to Bryce Canyon National Park - https://amzn.to/46y1rve

National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map to Canyonlands National Park - https://amzn.to/45gLgBE

Other Guides:

Explorer's Complete Guide to North Carolina's Outer Banks - https://amzn.to/3RKxzYg

Moon Travel Guide to Floriday Keys with Miami and the Everglades - (this is an excellent guide) - https://amzn.to/3tcKBnc

111 Places in San Franciso That You Must Not Miss - https://amzn.to/3PIe1RZ

The Everything Travel Guided to Ireland: From Dublin to Galway and Cork to Donegal - (definitely on my bucket list!) - https://amzn.to/3PL6phx

Wild Philly: Explore the Amazing Nature in and around Philadelphia - https://amzn.to/3rBUWZw

This post contains some affiliate links whereby if you make a purchase this channel will make a small commission. It won't change your price or contain any hidden fees. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases which go right back into maintaining this channel. Win-Win.