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 - DK Eyewitness Travel - Off The Tourist Trail

This massive (and heavy) book is absolutely loaded with suggested places to visit that rival famous and very touristy locations and even popular festivals. Full-color photos will inspire you. Most of the suggestions come with Practical Information boxes with "Getting There and Around", "When to Go", and a useful website for more information. I like the This vs That format of each location and even offers a little side bar about why you should skip the more famous site.

My favorite part of the book are the chapters titled "Less-Explored" such as "Less-Explored New York" and "Less-Explored San Francisco" located toward the end. They offer unique and interesting experiences without dealing with the long lines or high prices. "Less-Explored New York", for example, has suggestions for Off-Broadway Theater and Performances, international foods to try, Hidden Parks, Music Venues, and suggestions on where to stay and where to eat.

Also at the end of every section are these great "44 More" sights to explore with pages full of great suggestions.

The section "Ancient and Historical Sights" highlights plenty of interesting alternatives such as Pyramids of Meroe in Sudan versus the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt followed by 4 more pyramids to check out. Avebury versus Stonehenge followed by 6 more prehistoric sites. Pula Arena in Croatia versus Rome's Colosseum. This is followed by 6 more amphitheaters to visit.

The "Festivals and Parties" section has suggestions all over the world including Salvador Carinval versus Rio Carnival. Both are in Brazil but the Salvador version offers more participation and is actually the biggest street party in the world. This is followed by 4 more Carnival parties to attend. If you enjoy music, check out the Montreal Jazz Festival versus the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland - it's much closer and much more manageable.

"Great Journeys" section includes chapters "Less-Travelled China" and "Less-Travelled India" in addition to famous treks such as Coastal Route 15 in Mexico versus Route 66 in USA or a Pilgrimage to Rome vs Camino de Santiago in Spain.

"Architectural Marvels" section includes lots of famous structures including Haghia Sophia in Istanbul versus Basilica San Marco in Venice. Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles versus Sydney Opera House in Australia (and it's much closer for us). Notre-Dame d'Amiens in France versus Notre-Dame de Paris.

The next section, "Natural Wonders" has several good American options - Devil's Tower in Wyoming and Bryce Canyon in Utah, but then the authors choose Iceland over Yellowstone.

The "Beaches" section has some gorgeous pictures. Turtle Bay in Watamu, Kenya, Sabratha in Libya, Manzanillo Beach in Costa Rica, and more.

"Sports and Activities" section has some adventurous options. Skiing in Kicking Horse versus Whistler in Canada. Hiking Mount Stanley in Uganda versus Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Diving in Australia's Christmas Island versus The Great Barrier Reef.

"Art and Culture" section includes some interesting options such as Wine-Tasting in Mendoza in Argentina versus Napa Valley. Rock Art of Drakensburg in South Africa versus The Cave Paintings of Lascaux in France. Lyonnaise Cuisine versus Parisian Cuisine. New York's Independent Galleries versus MoMa also in New York.

And finally, "Cities" section featues a lot of "Less-Explored" chapters in addition to a nifty Geographical Index.

Overall, this is a great book to get inspired for some new places to visit and new experiences to try. The price of the book is pretty reasonable. I leave my copy on the coffee table so guests can also feel inspired by the beautiful full color photographs.

Title: Off the Tourist Trail: 1,000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives
Author: DK Publishing
ISBN: 978-0756653996
Pages: 336

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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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Event - #Travel #Texas - Temple - Dig It! Family Day - August 1, 2026

Temple, Texas - Dig It! Family Day
August 1, 2026
Santa Fe Depot
Bring your kids for some hands-on fossil digging and other fun activities. Get ready to get dirty!
While you're in town, check out nearby Chalk Ridge Falls (5600 FM 1670) or Lake Belton (11725 W. Adams Avenue). Check the website down below for more FREE things to do.

Address: 315 W Avenue B, Temple, TX, United States, Texas 76501
Hours: 10:00 am CST - 1:00 pm CST
Fees: FREE

For more information, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/315-w-avenue-b-temple-tx-united-states-texas-76501/dig-it-family-day/1727791668556671/

For more about Temple, Texas, click here: https://www.discovertemple.com

Book Review - Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors by David Sobel

If you've never heard of David Sobel, do a quick google search. He has extensive information and has written many books on enjoying nature and the outdoors with including children.

This is a not a travel guide but rather a blend of memoir of David Sobel's family's adventures as they expored nature through different experiences and a guide on how you can enjoy nature with your own family. You might be inspired by the many stories to try new experiences as well.

This book is divided into parts based on a child's developmental phase along with a location that metaphorical aligns with that age. Part one focuses on Early Childhood (which he suggests covers ages two to seven) in the Meadow. Part two deals with Middle Childhood (ages seven through thirteen) in the Forest. Part three goes into Adolescence (ages thirteen up to eighteen) on the Rocky Ridge. Part four jumps up to Early Adulthood (ages over eighteen) in the Orchard.

I found the little snippets throughout the reading where there's a date and David's children's ages so we get context on what they are experiencing.

Chapter Nine disrupts the dreamlike narrative with discussion on the divorce that David experiences (a bit unexpectedly). The desire to continue taking his two children on natural adventures is touching.

Overall, this is a nice read and you may find some suggestions on experiencing your own natural adventures. Try to find a copy at your local library.

Title: Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors
Author: David Sobel
ISBN: 978-0996267694
Pages: 256

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Book Review - Modern Rockhounding and Prospecting by Garret Romaine

My family and I have visited many amusement parks and historical sites. At a large majority of them, there is usually a gemstone mining area or trough. You pay for a bag of dirt mixed with precious stones and then you wash the dirt in the water trough. It's a rather messy process so if you have younger children be sure to bring change of clothes.

We've done these many times over the years and you always get a nice pile of rocks to take home. Here's one of the better bags that we purchased which clearly listed what had been contained inside it.

Digging for special rocks and fossils is really fun for adults and children and always feels rewarding when you find something unique. That led me to pick up this book and it's a real keeper. The author, Garret Romaine, has extensive experience and expertise on this topic.

So what is rockhounding? It's the activity of searching for rocks (or gems or fossils) to collect. Almost everyone has probably seen a cool-looking rock in the dirt or in a stream and picked it up to examine it. That is rockhounding. Now, prospecting, takes it a step further and searches for treasures that can be valuable or profitable. The book's introduction lists the different types of rock hunters.

The book starts with a basic guide to geology and different types of rocks, gems and fossils. The listing of rock types is valuable as the author includes the best locations to find the specific rock type. For example, halite stones (common rock salt) can be found in Utah's Great Salt Lake area.

Look for the section titled "Gator Girl's Best Advise Ever" in Chapter One which gives suggestions on how to get started, finding support or like-minded people to help you, where to go, and some really sound advice on protective gear.

Chapter Two discusses "Where to Find It" with lots of resources, websites, applications, maps, and more. This book was published in 2024 so most of the information is still relevant but always double-check before heading out.

Chapter Three highlights preparations and tools for venturing out including vehicle prep and maintenance, emergency gear, and setting expectations.

The next chapter goes deeper into the actual physical labor of hunting in different environments - beaches, creeks, deserts, and more. I really appreciated the warnings about trying to search around old mines. The chapter ends with some really interesting meteorite hunting which I hadn't considered before but now I'm adding it to my list.

Chapter Five has suggestions on what to do with the treasures you have found like tumbling (remember those old-fashioned tumble machines we all wanted as kids?) and preservation techniques.

Overall, this is a great resource especially if you are a beginner and need some basic information to get started.

Title: Modern Rockhounding and Prospecting Handbook
Author: Garret Romaine
ISBN: 978-1493078493
Pages: 264

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Book Review - Black Hills Family Fun Guide by Kindra Gordon

If you're planning a family trip to South Dakota's Black Hills area, you should get a hold of this book and look through all the great suggestions.

The book is divided by chapters focused on activities: "Famous Faces to Visit", "Buffalo, Bears and Reptiles", "Dinosaurs Galore", "See It Made - Or Mined", "Meaningful Museums", "Outdoors to Explore", "Water Parks, Go-Carts and Other Good Times", "Histories and Oddities", and "Puttin' on a Show".

At the end of the book is an Index by City if you're trying to plot out a road trip and have specific cities in mind along the way. The author has included the city's website so you can do a further search on what to do or eat in town.

I like that each chapter has a map with very simple marks for points of interest. If you're tech-savvy, you could add the points to your own Google Map or other virtual map.

Each location mentioned also includes operating dates, admission, parking fees, address, phone number and website.

Some businesses have a nice little "Neat to Know" callout, such as the National Presidential Wax Museum in Keystone, South Dakota - the "Neat to Know" mentions President Calvin Coolidge's visit at Custer Park's State Game Lodge and Resort in 1927.

At the end of the chapters, there is a "For More" section which will direct you to similar experiences in other chapters.

Since this 2nd edition was published in 2017, be sure to confirm operating hours and fees before you visit.

Overall, this is a nice guide. I found lots of interesting places to visit on my next trip. Try to find this book at your local library or through interloan services.

Title: Black Hills Family Fun Guide: Explore South Dakota's Badlands, Devils Tower and Black Hills
Author: Kindra Gordon
ISBN: 978-1591937357
Pages: 136

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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 - Fodor's Travel - Bucket List USA

This book of 800 pages is stuffed full of inspiration and useful information plus colorful photographs, pull-out maps (like an Amtrak train map) and tons of helpful tidbits.

The first chapter is titled "Experience Bucket List USA" and you can find quick reference sections on Iconic Landmarks (besides the obvious ones like Golden Gate Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, there's also the Love sculpture in Philadelphia and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Montgomery), National Parks (a listing of the most popular and iconic parks like the Grand Canyon, Acadia, and Yellowstone), Adventures (not for the faint of heart like Mountain Biking in the Moab desert), Historic Sites (only a handful are listed but they are worthwhile stops like Ellis Island the Ebenezer Baptist Church), Natural Attractions (Redwood trees, Mammoth Cave, and a few more worth seeing), Museums (the top museums in the US focusing on culture and key points in our history), Festivals (well-known festivals like Comic-Con and Burning Man but even ones you might try for the first time like Telluride Bluegrass Festival or Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Seasonal Travel (leaf-peeping for sure), Family-Friendly Travel (my kids would argue against Colonial Williamsburg but luckily Busch Gardens is nearby), Roadside Attractions (you can't road trip through Texas without a stop at the iconic Cadillac Ranch), Spectator Sports (yes, these are iconic but definitely bucket list as in the tickets are super expensive or impossible to get), State Booze (Kentucky Bourbon and moonshine), Best Souvenirs, Best Places to Spot Wildlife, Top Music Experiences, What to Watch/Read/Listen To, and for a good laugh Wacky State Laws.

Next chapter "Great Itineraries" offers lots of road trip suggestions from six days to three weeks with day by day stops: Six Days in Badlands and Black Hills, One Week in Maui and the Road to Hana, One Week and the Underground Railroad, and more.

Chapter Three starts us out in "New England" with a nice map and regional highlights. My favorite sidebar in every chapter is the "What to Eat and Drink". Each chapter also has information such as know before you go, planning your time, big events, what to do, visitor information and contacts. Then the chapter gets further divided out by state in alphabetical order.

Chapter Four highlights "The Mid-Atlantic". Each chapter also has call out pages with vivid photographs for the must-see places of the region such as the Pocono Mountains.

Chapter Five gives us "The Southeast". You will also find a "Bucket List Picks" checklist for every state which makes for easy planning.

Chapter Six showcases "The Great Plains". For each state there is a listing of what to see or do and places to stay with address, contact and website information. See my comment down below about verifying the info before your journey.

Chapter Seven is "The West Coast and the Pacific". You can also find useful "when to go" information for the call out museums and parks so you can avoid either the most crowded times or the park closures. Again, double check hours and operating dates.

Chapter Eight offers "The Southwest".

Chapter Nine focuses on "The Rockies"

Chapter Ten highlights "The Great Lakes"

Since this book is so massive and heavy, I suggest tearing out the sections you need from your own copy rather than lugging the entire book with you. You could easily staple the pages together to make a mini book. That way you will have maps and important information with you when you lose cell coverage.

Definitely a keeper. You may be able to find used copies at local book stores or library sales.

Since this book was published in 2021, be sure to verify information like locations and hours before heading out as many businesses and processes changed after Covid.

Title: Fodor's Bucket List USA: From the Epic to the Eccentric, 500+ Ultimate Experiences
Author: Fodor Travel Guides
ISBN: 978-1640974562
Pages: 800

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Book Review - The Swimming Holes of Texas by Julie Wernersbach and Carolyn Tracy

This is one of those kinds of books that you didn't know you needed until you find it. I think most Texans or visitors head to the well-known swimming spots like tubing the Brazos River or enjoying water toys on Lake Travis. But, this book offers some really good alternatives and the pictures are trip-inspiring. I really like the "Top Five Lists" pull-out guide at the very end - "Best Spots for Accessibility", "Top Five Free Spots", "Top Five Spots for Kids", "Tip Five Dog-Friendly Spots", "Top Five for Camping", "Top Five Worth the Drive", "Top Five Off the Beaten Path", and "Top Five Places We Must Protect".

This book is organized by general location - North, East, Central, Austin and the Surrounding Area, South, and West. Each section has a nice dark-mode map with places labeled. Each swimming hole listed includes full address and website, hours, fees, park rules, camping availability, a descriptive about section, swimming information, amenities (like restrooms), and pro tips.

This book is a definite keeper if you live or visit Texas often and need a place to cool off or even an idea for a day trip. The photographs will definitely inspire you to take an upcoming trip during the heat of summer or during Spring Break.

Title: The Swimming Holes of Texas
Author: Julie Wernersbach and Carolyn Tracy
ISBN: 978-1477321522
Pages: 256

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Book Review - Atlas Obscura Wild Life by Cara Giaimo and Joshua Foer

If you've read the other Atlas Obscura books (Atlas Obscura, Gastro Obscura, etc) you will enjoy this book as well. It is packed full of interesting animals, insects, flowers, trees and other natural features and organisms. The photographs throughout this book are amazing. You will also find tons of well-researched information, tidbits, history and more. Even for creatures I'd normally skip over (like snakes), I actually found the information presented really interesting.

The book is divided into environments - Forests and Rainforests, Grasslands and Tundras, Mountains, Deserts, Shallows and Deeps, Cities, and Islands.

Not only is each natural creature or feature revealed in depth but the book highlights people who work in those fields. For example, under the Snow Leopards in the Mountains chapter is the highlight of A Snow Leopard Conservationist.

As a traveler, I zoomed in on the useful "how to see..." section listed for each topic (almost hidden in the lengthy text but in bold font). Many of them we'd probably never get to see especially those in war-torn places or really remote sites. But it's still nice to have the info.

This is a massive book full of really interesting information. Definitely a keeper.

Title: Atlas Obscura: Wild Life: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Living Wonders
Author: Cara Giaimo and Joshua Foer
ISBN: 978-1523514410
Pages: 464

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Book Review - You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes by Chris Hadfield

If you are a fan of satellite what-is-this type photographs, you will love this book. Astronaut Chris Hadfield put together this book based on photographs he had taken from space. Chris has a good sense of humor and the book is well written. I really enjoyed the introduction he wrote.

The book is divided out by location - Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America, and South America. The end of the book has a handy photo location map.

Many of the photos are thought-provoking such as the border between Mexico and the US or different times of day in Manhattan (9:23am vs 3:45am). Some photos feature interesting landscapes or natural damage (such as the San Andres Fault). You will see punctuation marks. Photos that look like constellations in the sky. Different views of ice or snow in cold climates.

Overall this is a great book to leave on the coffee table for all to enjoy.

Title: You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes: Photographs from the International Space Station
Author: Chris Hadfield
ISBN: 978-0316379649
Pages: 208

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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 - Frommer's EasyGuide to Toronto, Niagara and the Wine Country by Caroline Aksich

Great travel guide that mostly focuses on Toronto with a few side trips (Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Stratford, and Waterloo). The book starts off with "Best of" lists - "Best Authentic Experiences", "Best Restaurants", "Best Hotels", "Best Museums", "Best Free Things To Do", "Best Active Adventures", and the very interesting "Most Overrated Experiences", then "Best Festivals", "Best for Families", and "Best Neighborhoods".

Then you can find Suggested Toronto Itineraries and Neighborhoods in 1 Day, 2 Days, 3 Days, and 4 Days. Followed by "The Best of Toronto for Foodies" and more detailed info for "Best for Families" with highlights like the Ontario Science Centre and Centre Island.

This book has very detailed City-Street Maps which I appreciate.

Keep in mind that this book was published in 2019, so be sure to double-check operating hours and prices since Covid might have altered a lot of business's operations.

Title: Frommer's EasyGuide to Toronto, Niagara and the Wine Country
Author: Caroline Aksich
ISBN: 9781628874464
Pages: 288

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Book Review - Fodor's Travel Guide to Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada

I'm planning a trip next year to Canada and have been trying to narrow down the provinces I want to visit so you'll see a few book reviews of the different areas. Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada are definitely at the top of my list for the history and ease-of-access. This travel guide is full-color with some really inspirational photographs, detailed maps and city maps, and suggested itineraries.

After the introduction and the "Travel Smart" sections, the book is broken out by area - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. And these sections are further broken down into cities with "planning your time" highlights, things to do or see, places to eat, places to stay and more.

I especially like the experience suggestions in the beginning of the book - "What to Eat and Drink in Atlantic Canada", "What to Buy in Atlantic Canada", "Best Outdoor Adventures in Atlantic Canada", and "Best Historic Sites in Atlantic Canada".

The "Travel Smart" section lists out useful information - the Currency, Driving, Electricity, Time Zones, What to Pack and Wear, Getting There and then Getting Around. And even a "Helpful French Phrases" section you could tear out and take with you.

Even though this book was published in 2025, always double-check operating times and prices before heading out.

Title: Fodor's Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada: with New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland (Full-color Travel Guide)
Author: Fodor's Travel Guides
ISBN: 9781640977853
Pages: 352

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Book Review - National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: Texas by Jonathan Alderfer

If you read my last review, you'll know I've gotten into Birding. I've taken my birding "checklist" with me to several travel spots and spotted a few birds. Not too time-consuming and it doesn't cost any money except whatever is spent on the trip already (like park entrance fees or parking fees or gas).

Well since I started birding outside of my home area, I needed a more robust book than simple backyard birds. I wanted to learn about birds that I see migrating to some southerly locations and those unusual birds and ducks that visit lakes and ponds. So I picked up this National Geographic field guide. It's the perfect size to fit in your travel bag or you can easily rip out the colored list on pages 262-265 (which I did) and just checked birds off as I saw them.

This book isn't about attracting birds to your yard, but rather observing them in their natural habitat. The maps are color-coded for seasonality. There is a great identification guide in the beginning explaining the various parts and colorings. Information on behaviours and habitats as well as any useful field notes. Great little guide for those interested in trying out birding or who are seeking additional checklists.

You can also find other states in this series if you plan to travel outside Texas.

Title: National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: Texas
Author: Jonathan Alderfer
ISBN: 9780792241874
Pages: 272

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Book Review - Fodor's Travel Guide - Essential Costa Rica

Costa Rica has become a popular tourist destination and is definitely on my bucket list. A lot of airlines fly directly to the city of San Jose which is in the center of the country or Liberia which is in the northwest. Cruise lines are also making Costa Rica a stop on their itinerary. This guide is massive and very thorough with lots of colorful pictures and maps.

"Experience Costa Rica" is the first chapter and lists out most of the "must do" reasons to visit Costa Rica - Top 18 experiences, Best Beaches, Best Ecolodges, What to Eat and Drink, Eccotourism, Outdoor Adventures, Weddings or Honeymoons, The People, and Families. Followed by a "Travel Smart" section listing out how to get here and get around, the main language is Spanish and there's a handy guide of useful phrases, What to Pack (expect rainy weather), Tours and Calendars. The rest of the book is divided out into areas starting with San Jose, The Central Valley, Northern Lowlands, GuanaCaste, The Nicoya Peninsula, Central Pacific Coast, South Pacific, and The Caribbean Coast.

Each section lists contains a map, detailed information on the national park within it, food and accomodation suggestions, "planning your time" info, nightlife and shopping. I really appreciate the safety callouts for some of the more adventurous activities (like ziplines). The table of contents lists out all the maps with page numbers if you want to pull those out to pack in your luggage (like I do since I don't trust Wifi internationally). Excellent guide published in 2025.

Title: Fodor's Travel Guide - Essential Costa Rica
Author: Fodor's Travel Guide
ISBN: 9781640976924
Pages: 528

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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 - Moon Guide - Hudson Valley and the Catskills (Upstate New York) by Nikki Goth Itoi

Moon Guide to Hudson Valley and the Catskills is a nice introduction to the beautiful area of New York. The book starts with a nice introduction with Top 9 Experiences, Planning Your Trip, suggested Day Trips from New York City (with useful tips on utilizing subways), Cycling the Hudson River Valley (you can easily find local bike rentals if you don't have or bring your bike), Revolutionary War Routes for history lovers, Fun for Foodies, Contemporary Art (Indoors and Out), Fall Foliage Tours, and more. The middle chunk of the book is broken out by areas - Lower Hudson Valley, The Hudson Highlands, Mid-Hudson Valley and Southern Catskills, Western Catskills to the Delaware River, Upper Hudson Valley and the Northern Catskills, The Capital-Saratoga Region. Each section lists out suggested places to visit and restaurants to try followed by accommodations for each area and tips on getting around. At the back of the book you will find Essentials and Resources. Nice book. The only nitpick that I have with this guide is how they separate activities (like winter sports for example) from the town that was just discussed earlier in the chapter. So I was doing a lot of flipping back and forth. If you like to have everything listed town-by-town, this will bug you a bit.

This book was published in April 2019 so be sure to verify each location's hours and prices before heading out as a lot changed after Covid.

Title: Moon Guide - Hudson Valley and the Catskills
Author: Nikki Goth Itoi
ISBN: 978-1-64049-199-1
Pages: 330

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Book Review - Lonely Planet - Georgia and the Carolinas

This guide is stuffed full of useful maps, information and where to go. I also love how colorful this guide is starting with the colored tabs on the book edge. Starting with the red section or "Plan Your Trip" - a colorful map, Top 20 things to do or see, Need to Know including getting around, a useful "If You Like" guide by suggestions for Culture, Food, Craft Beer, History, and more. Month by Month festivals guide. Several suggested itineraries. Outdoor Activities. Eat and Drink like a Local (this is really useful if you are like me and looking for those local delicacies). Travel with Children. The next chunk of the book is divided into regions featuring places to visit, food stops, City Walk maps, off the beaten track callouts, accommodations, and more.

This guide was published in 2019, so be sure to verify your plans before heading out in case of any changes in hours or operations.

Title: Lonely Planet Georgia and the Carolinas 2 (Travel Guide)
Authors: Trisha Ping, Amy C Balfour, Jade Bremner, Ashley Harrell, MaSovaida Morgan, Kevin Raub, Regis St Louis, Greg Ward
ISBN: 978-1787017368
Pages: 384

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