Travel season is here. Time to explore. To check off that bucket list and maybe unearth a few secrets from those who know best. The internet has put a dent in the travel book market, but not for those books that are filled with personal adventures, history and unknown treasures. Consider some of these books that promise memories beyond the normal, from history and adventures hiding in plain sight!
Regional Travel Books
Secret Southern California was written for all of the adventurers, those coming from both far and near, who seek truly unusual getaways. Secret Southern California is a totally updated guide that is a spin-off from the popular Off the Beaten Path Southern California, editions 1-8, by Kathy Strong. Still a guide to those hard-to-find spots, even in the most obvious destinations, this book is for the traveler who seeks something more than the usual: side-road explorations, “living” history lessons, new adventures, cutting-edge experiences and even secrets shared by locals and travel experts who know their destination best. No matter what your interests are, from Hollywood-movie-great haunts to lush, palm-lined Indian canyons or speakeasy bars, Secret Southern California will grant you some new ideas for your next vacation or weekend escape. Come along and discover those secrets that just have to be shared―especially when they are tied up in adventure, fun and anything but the expected. If you think you know everything about your favorite destinations in Southern California, consider this an opportunity to add a few more favorites to your list. For those who seek intrigue, pleasant surprises, let’s-not-tell finds and off-the-beaten-path treasures, this is just for you!
This 2023 edition includes link for custom Google map with locations Don’t waste time navigating padded online review sites or reading Key West guides written by people who don’t even live in Key West. Make your vacation a bucket list vacation with 100 offbeat, classic, and can’t-miss adventures in the Southernmost City delivered by Key West’s David L. Sloan. Each item on the list includes a description, reasons to do it, reasons to skip it, local advice, and a box where you can check off each adventure once it is complete. Key West is known as a bucket list destination. Sloan is known for his humor, local knowledge, and sense of adventure. Together, they make The New Key West Bucket List the perfect guide for making the most of your Key West vacation without wasting time.
U.S. Wandering
50-State Winery Guide: A Guide to US Wineries, Vineyards, Wine Tasting Rooms & AVAs
Whether you have an interest in winemaking yourself, are a connoisseur of wine, or simply want to have something to do on your road trip around the country, wine tasting is an excellent option. The first half of this 50-State Winery Guide book is going to teach you everything you need to know about Wine, Winemaking & Wine Tasting. Learn about the history of winemaking and the legalities of wine in the US, including if you can transport wine across state lines. You will gain a better understanding of all things related to wine with some of the most frequently asked questions concerning wine. The second half of the book is a comprehensive list of all the lesser-known wineries in the United States so you can plan your next wine tasting adventure. Did you know that every single state in the US has at least one winery? You can use this book to plan your next road trip to include a stop (or two) at some wonderful wineries. Cheers!
Did you know that the national park system spans over 85 MILLION acres of land across the United States? But not every state houses a national park. Actually, more than half of the states do not have any national parks at all. The authors took an early retirement to follow their dream of visiting these parks. In this book, 68 United States National Parks You Must See! Bucket List Worthy National Parks across the Continental US, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Island Territories you will be given an outline to the very best of the best that the national park system has to offer. Find a list of 25 states (and US territories) with a national park and vital information for planning your trip. Whether you want to explore mountains, caves, beaches, or wide-open plains, a US national park has something for you!
Globetrotting
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small
Build your dream vacation with this eclectic and tantalizing collection of 1,000 life-affirming adventures spanning the 7 continents. A travel book like no other, this unique guide will inspire both seasoned trekkers and arm-chair globetrotters alike to build experiences you will treasure forever. You’ll find memorable, once-in-a-lifetime activities organized by longitude and latitude (country-by-country index also included) so you can max out your itinerary with the best things to do and the best places to visit around the world. Discover recommendations that fit every traveler’s must-do list, whether you go for museums and cultural experiences, sports & adventure travel, natural wonders and monuments, or culinary delights. Packed with over 300 photos and info on the best beaches, museums, monuments, islands, inns, restaurants, and mountains at every longitude, each chapter includes not only geographically unique ideas, but also activities you can fit in to any itinerary, for travelers of all ages: Hitchhike across a border, or stand on the International Date Line. Watch sea turtles lay eggs on a beach. Raft on the Yukon, or zipline down the Alps. Volunteer at an Orangutan sanctuary in Borneo, or research your family history and visit an ancestral site.
