Author: Insight Guides
Publisher: Apa Publications (UK) Limited
ISBN: 1789193281
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 859
Book Description
Insight Guides: all you need to inspire every step of your journey. From deciding when to go, to choosing which routes to travel, this guide is all you need to plan your trip across Europe by rail, with in-depth insider information on the best journeys to make the most of this scenic continent. · Insight Guide Great Railway Journeys of Europe is ideal for travellers seeking immersive railway journeys across the continent · In-depth on the history of European train travel: enjoy special features on new technologies and station architecture, all written by local experts · Invaluable maps, train routes, travel tips and practical information ensure effortless planning, and encourage venturing off the beaten track · Inspirational colour photography throughout - Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books · Inventive design makes for an engaging and inspiring reading experience About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.
Insight Guides Great Railway Journeys of Europe: Travel Guide with Free EBook
Author: Insight Guides
Publisher: Insight Guides
ISBN: 9781839053917
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
This Great Railway Journeys of Europe guidebook is ideal for travellers seeking inspirational guides and planning a more extended trip. It provides interesting facts about Great Railway Journeys of Europe's people, history and culture and detailed coverage of the best places to see. This Great Railway Journeys of Europe travel book has the style of an illustrated magazine to inspire you and give a taste of Great Railway Journeys of Europe. The book is printed on paper from responsible sources, and verified to meet FSC's strict environmental and social standards. This Great Railway Journeys of Europe guidebook covers: Crossing the Continent, Great Britain and Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia, Other European Routes. In this Great Railway Journeys of Europe travel guidebook, you will find: Unique essays - country history and culture, and modern-day life, people and politics Great Railway Journeys of Europe highlights - CLASSIC JOURNEYS: Settle-Carlisle; Seville-Madrid; Geneva-Milan, LUXURY TRAINS: The Royal Scotsman; The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express; El Transcantábrico, SCENIC BYWAYS: Shrewsbury-Swansea; Clermont Ferrand-Nîmes; Trier-Koblenz-Giessen; Sweden's Inlandsbanan, ISLAND RAILWAYS: Corsica; Mallorca; Sardinia, MOUNTAIN RAILWAYS: Le Train Jaune; The Glacier Express; The Harz Mountains Practical travel information - getting there and around, budgeting, eating out, shopping, public holidays, information for LGBTQ+ travellers and more When to go to Europe - high season, low season, climate information and festivals Insider recommendations - tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots Main attractions & curated places - narrative descriptions of where to go and what to see, covered geographically Tips and facts - interesting facts about Great Railway Journeys of Europe and useful insider tips High-quality maps of Great Railway Journeys of Europe - must-see places cross-referenced to colourful maps for quick orientation Colour-coded chapters - each place chapter has its own colour assigned to aid easy navigation of this Great Railway Journeys of Europe travel guide Striking pictures - rich, inspirational colour photography on all pages, capturing attractions, nature, people and historical features Free download of title's eBook - available after purchase of the printed guidebook to Great Railway Journeys of Europe Fully updated post-COVID-19 This Great Railway Journeys of Europe guidebook is just the tool you need to get under the skin of the destination and accompany you on your trip. It also makes a great gift because of its premium quality. This book will inspire you and answer all your questions while preparing a trip to Great Railway Journeys of Europe or along the way. It will also remain a beautiful souvenir after your trip.
Publisher: Insight Guides
ISBN: 9781839053917
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
This Great Railway Journeys of Europe guidebook is ideal for travellers seeking inspirational guides and planning a more extended trip. It provides interesting facts about Great Railway Journeys of Europe's people, history and culture and detailed coverage of the best places to see. This Great Railway Journeys of Europe travel book has the style of an illustrated magazine to inspire you and give a taste of Great Railway Journeys of Europe. The book is printed on paper from responsible sources, and verified to meet FSC's strict environmental and social standards. This Great Railway Journeys of Europe guidebook covers: Crossing the Continent, Great Britain and Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia, Other European Routes. In this Great Railway Journeys of Europe travel guidebook, you will find: Unique essays - country history and culture, and modern-day life, people and politics Great Railway Journeys of Europe highlights - CLASSIC JOURNEYS: Settle-Carlisle; Seville-Madrid; Geneva-Milan, LUXURY TRAINS: The Royal Scotsman; The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express; El Transcantábrico, SCENIC BYWAYS: Shrewsbury-Swansea; Clermont Ferrand-Nîmes; Trier-Koblenz-Giessen; Sweden's Inlandsbanan, ISLAND RAILWAYS: Corsica; Mallorca; Sardinia, MOUNTAIN RAILWAYS: Le Train Jaune; The Glacier Express; The Harz Mountains Practical travel information - getting there and around, budgeting, eating out, shopping, public holidays, information for LGBTQ+ travellers and more When to go to Europe - high season, low season, climate information and festivals Insider recommendations - tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots Main attractions & curated places - narrative descriptions of where to go and what to see, covered geographically Tips and facts - interesting facts about Great Railway Journeys of Europe and useful insider tips High-quality maps of Great Railway Journeys of Europe - must-see places cross-referenced to colourful maps for quick orientation Colour-coded chapters - each place chapter has its own colour assigned to aid easy navigation of this Great Railway Journeys of Europe travel guide Striking pictures - rich, inspirational colour photography on all pages, capturing attractions, nature, people and historical features Free download of title's eBook - available after purchase of the printed guidebook to Great Railway Journeys of Europe Fully updated post-COVID-19 This Great Railway Journeys of Europe guidebook is just the tool you need to get under the skin of the destination and accompany you on your trip. It also makes a great gift because of its premium quality. This book will inspire you and answer all your questions while preparing a trip to Great Railway Journeys of Europe or along the way. It will also remain a beautiful souvenir after your trip.
Insight Guides France (Travel Guide with Free eBook)
Author: Insight Guides
Publisher: Apa Publications (UK) Limited
ISBN: 1789192773
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 192
Book Description
Insight Pocket Guides: ideal itineraries and top travel tips in a pocket-sized package. Plan your trip, plan perfect days and discover how to get around - this pocket-sized guide is a convenient, quick-reference companion to discovering what to do and see in Krakow, from top attractions like National Museum and Wawel Castle, to hidden gems, including the quirky Pharmacy Museum and the Old Synagogue. - Compact, concise, and packed with essential information about Where to Go and What to Do, this is an ideal on-the-move companion when you're exploring Krakow - Covers Top Ten Attractions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK), St Mary's Basilica, Auschwitz, Kazimierz Jewish quarter and Tarnow, and Perfect Day itinerary suggestions Offers an insightful overview of landscape, history and culture - Contains an invaluable pull-out map, and essential practical information on everything from Eating Out to Getting Around - Sharp design and colour-coded sections make for an engaging reading experience About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.
Publisher: Apa Publications (UK) Limited
ISBN: 1789192773
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 192
Book Description
Insight Pocket Guides: ideal itineraries and top travel tips in a pocket-sized package. Plan your trip, plan perfect days and discover how to get around - this pocket-sized guide is a convenient, quick-reference companion to discovering what to do and see in Krakow, from top attractions like National Museum and Wawel Castle, to hidden gems, including the quirky Pharmacy Museum and the Old Synagogue. - Compact, concise, and packed with essential information about Where to Go and What to Do, this is an ideal on-the-move companion when you're exploring Krakow - Covers Top Ten Attractions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK), St Mary's Basilica, Auschwitz, Kazimierz Jewish quarter and Tarnow, and Perfect Day itinerary suggestions Offers an insightful overview of landscape, history and culture - Contains an invaluable pull-out map, and essential practical information on everything from Eating Out to Getting Around - Sharp design and colour-coded sections make for an engaging reading experience About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.
Great Railway Journeys of Europe
Author: Insight Guides
Publisher: Langenscheidt Publishers
ISBN: 9781585732630
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 412
Book Description
Insight Guides, the world's largest visual travel guide series, in association with Discovery Channel, the world's premier source of nonfiction entertainment, provides more insight than ever. From the most popular resort cities to the most exotic villages, Insight Guides capture the unique character of each culture with an insider's perspective. Inside every Insight Guide you'll find:.Evocative, full-colour photography on every page.Cross-referenced, full-colour maps throughout.A brief introduction including a historical timeline .Lively, essays by local writers on the culture, history, and people.Expert evaluations on the sights really worth seeing.Special features spotlighting particular topics of interest.A comprehensive Travel Tips section with listings of the best restaurants, hotels, and attractions, as well as practical information on getting around and advice for travel with children
Publisher: Langenscheidt Publishers
ISBN: 9781585732630
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 412
Book Description
Insight Guides, the world's largest visual travel guide series, in association with Discovery Channel, the world's premier source of nonfiction entertainment, provides more insight than ever. From the most popular resort cities to the most exotic villages, Insight Guides capture the unique character of each culture with an insider's perspective. Inside every Insight Guide you'll find:.Evocative, full-colour photography on every page.Cross-referenced, full-colour maps throughout.A brief introduction including a historical timeline .Lively, essays by local writers on the culture, history, and people.Expert evaluations on the sights really worth seeing.Special features spotlighting particular topics of interest.A comprehensive Travel Tips section with listings of the best restaurants, hotels, and attractions, as well as practical information on getting around and advice for travel with children
Insight Guides City Guide Beijing (Travel Guide eBook)
Author: Insight Guides
Publisher: Apa Publications (UK) Limited
ISBN: 1786716712
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 429
Book Description
Modern Beijing is a dynamic and increasingly sophisticated city with a wealth of unique history and fascinating culture. Be inspired to visit by Insight City Guide Beijing, a full-colour guide to this captivating city.Inside Insight City Guide Beijing: A fully-overhauled edition by our expert author.Stunning photography that brings this ancient city and its people to life. Highlights of the city's top attractions, from the breathtaking space of Tiananmen Square and historic buildings of the Temple of Heaven to the dynamic creativity of the 798 Art District and cutting-edge design at the National Stadium.Descriptive area-by-area accounts cover the whole city from the Forbidden City to the Summer Palaces, and beyond on excursions to the Great Wall of China and Chengde.A comprehensive Travel Tips section includes all the practical information you will need for your trip, including getting around.Detailed, high-quality maps throughout will help you get around and travel tips give you all the essential information for planning a memorable trip. About Insight Guides: Insight Guides has over 40 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps as well as picture-packed eBooks to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture together create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure. 'Insight Guides has spawned many imitators but is still the best of its type.' - Wanderlust Magazine
Publisher: Apa Publications (UK) Limited
ISBN: 1786716712
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 429
Book Description
Modern Beijing is a dynamic and increasingly sophisticated city with a wealth of unique history and fascinating culture. Be inspired to visit by Insight City Guide Beijing, a full-colour guide to this captivating city.Inside Insight City Guide Beijing: A fully-overhauled edition by our expert author.Stunning photography that brings this ancient city and its people to life. Highlights of the city's top attractions, from the breathtaking space of Tiananmen Square and historic buildings of the Temple of Heaven to the dynamic creativity of the 798 Art District and cutting-edge design at the National Stadium.Descriptive area-by-area accounts cover the whole city from the Forbidden City to the Summer Palaces, and beyond on excursions to the Great Wall of China and Chengde.A comprehensive Travel Tips section includes all the practical information you will need for your trip, including getting around.Detailed, high-quality maps throughout will help you get around and travel tips give you all the essential information for planning a memorable trip. About Insight Guides: Insight Guides has over 40 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps as well as picture-packed eBooks to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture together create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure. 'Insight Guides has spawned many imitators but is still the best of its type.' - Wanderlust Magazine
Insight Guides Explore Sri Lanka (Travel Guide eBook)
Author: Insight Guides
Publisher: Apa Publications (UK) Limited
ISBN: 1786716801
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 258
Book Description
The lure of golden sands entices visitors to Sri Lanka, but this Indian Ocean island is also home to ancient cities, diverse cultures and accessible wildlife. Insight Guide Explore Sri Lanka is the ideal pocket companion for your trip: a full-colour guide containing 12 easy-to-follow routes around the country, now a blockbuster travel destination.Inside Explore Sri Lanka:� Discover the bustling capital of Colombo and the tea terraces in the hill country, by way of charming Galle Fort and the cultural triangle's great Buddhist temples.� Experience the country's mouthwatering rice and curry-based cuisine and a performance of Kandyan drumming.� Insight's trademark cultural coverage sets the routes in context, with introductions to Sri Lanka's shopping, entertainment options, wealth of activities on offer and key historical dates.� Our recommended places to eat and drink are highlighted in each route, with even more suggestions in the directory section, which also contains a wealth of useful practical informationincluding a range of carefully selected accommodation to suit all budgets.� Pull-out map with useful plotted routes. � Evocative photography captures Sri Lanka's highly-varied and stunning tropical island scenery. About Insight Guides: Insight Guides has over 40 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps as well as picture-packed eBooks to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture together create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure. 'Insight Guides has spawned many imitators but is still the best of its type.' - Wanderlust Magazine
Publisher: Apa Publications (UK) Limited
ISBN: 1786716801
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 258
Book Description
The lure of golden sands entices visitors to Sri Lanka, but this Indian Ocean island is also home to ancient cities, diverse cultures and accessible wildlife. Insight Guide Explore Sri Lanka is the ideal pocket companion for your trip: a full-colour guide containing 12 easy-to-follow routes around the country, now a blockbuster travel destination.Inside Explore Sri Lanka:� Discover the bustling capital of Colombo and the tea terraces in the hill country, by way of charming Galle Fort and the cultural triangle's great Buddhist temples.� Experience the country's mouthwatering rice and curry-based cuisine and a performance of Kandyan drumming.� Insight's trademark cultural coverage sets the routes in context, with introductions to Sri Lanka's shopping, entertainment options, wealth of activities on offer and key historical dates.� Our recommended places to eat and drink are highlighted in each route, with even more suggestions in the directory section, which also contains a wealth of useful practical informationincluding a range of carefully selected accommodation to suit all budgets.� Pull-out map with useful plotted routes. � Evocative photography captures Sri Lanka's highly-varied and stunning tropical island scenery. About Insight Guides: Insight Guides has over 40 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps as well as picture-packed eBooks to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture together create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure. 'Insight Guides has spawned many imitators but is still the best of its type.' - Wanderlust Magazine
Amazing Train Journeys
Author: Lonely Planet
Publisher: Lonely Planet
ISBN: 1788682025
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 302
Book Description
Experience 60 of the worlds greatest and most unforgettable train journeys, from classic long-distance trips like Western Canadas Rocky Mountaineer and Darwin to Adelaides The Ghan, to little-known gems on regular commuting lines. Weve always had a soft spot for trains. We know the moment a train pulls out of a station bound for somewhere fantastic is when the adventure truly starts. Amazing Train Journeys is the culmination of asking more than 200 travel writers for their absolute favourites. Some are epic international adventures, others short suburban routes along stunning coastline. There are incredible feats of engineering, trains that snake their way through mountain peaks, and even those which have achieved Unesco World Heritage status. Each profile contains practical information including ticket options, timetables and stops, plus inspiring photos and illustrated maps. Journeys include: Africa & the Middle East: Johannesburg to Cape Town (South Africa) Andimeshk to Dorud (Iran) Bulawayo to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) The Americas: The California Zephyr (USA) Perurails Lake Titicaca Railway (Peru) The Serra Verde Express (Brazil) Asia: The Darjeeling Toy Train (India) The Reunification Express (Vietnam) Beijing to Shanghai by High-Speed Rail (China) Europe: The Glacier Express (Switzerland) Belgrade-to-Bar Railway (Serbia & Montenegro) London to Fort William on the Caledonian Sleeper (UK) Oceania: South Coast Line (Australia) The TranzAlpine (New Zealand) The Northern Explorer (New Zealand) About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the worlds number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, weve printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. Youll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.
Publisher: Lonely Planet
ISBN: 1788682025
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 302
Book Description
Experience 60 of the worlds greatest and most unforgettable train journeys, from classic long-distance trips like Western Canadas Rocky Mountaineer and Darwin to Adelaides The Ghan, to little-known gems on regular commuting lines. Weve always had a soft spot for trains. We know the moment a train pulls out of a station bound for somewhere fantastic is when the adventure truly starts. Amazing Train Journeys is the culmination of asking more than 200 travel writers for their absolute favourites. Some are epic international adventures, others short suburban routes along stunning coastline. There are incredible feats of engineering, trains that snake their way through mountain peaks, and even those which have achieved Unesco World Heritage status. Each profile contains practical information including ticket options, timetables and stops, plus inspiring photos and illustrated maps. Journeys include: Africa & the Middle East: Johannesburg to Cape Town (South Africa) Andimeshk to Dorud (Iran) Bulawayo to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) The Americas: The California Zephyr (USA) Perurails Lake Titicaca Railway (Peru) The Serra Verde Express (Brazil) Asia: The Darjeeling Toy Train (India) The Reunification Express (Vietnam) Beijing to Shanghai by High-Speed Rail (China) Europe: The Glacier Express (Switzerland) Belgrade-to-Bar Railway (Serbia & Montenegro) London to Fort William on the Caledonian Sleeper (UK) Oceania: South Coast Line (Australia) The TranzAlpine (New Zealand) The Northern Explorer (New Zealand) About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the worlds number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, weve printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. Youll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.
Around the World in 80 Trains
Author: Monisha Rajesh
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1408869780
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 337
Book Description
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER AWARD FOR BEST TRAVEL BOOK SHORTLISTED FOR THE STANFORD DOLMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 'Monisha Rajesh has chosen one of the best ways of seeing the world. Never too fast, never too slow, her journey does what trains do best. Getting to the heart of things. Prepare for a very fine ride' Michael Palin From the cloud-skimming heights of Tibet's Qinghai railway to silk-sheeted splendour on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Around the World in 80 Trains is a celebration of the glory of train travel and a witty and irreverent look at the world. Packing up her rucksack – and her fiancé, Jem – Monisha Rajesh embarks on an unforgettable adventure that takes her from London's St Pancras station to the vast expanses of Russia and Mongolia, North Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan, and beyond. The journey is one of constant movement and mayhem, as the pair strike up friendships and swap stories with the hilarious, irksome and ultimately endearing travellers they meet on board, all while taking in some of the earth's most breathtaking views.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1408869780
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 337
Book Description
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER AWARD FOR BEST TRAVEL BOOK SHORTLISTED FOR THE STANFORD DOLMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 'Monisha Rajesh has chosen one of the best ways of seeing the world. Never too fast, never too slow, her journey does what trains do best. Getting to the heart of things. Prepare for a very fine ride' Michael Palin From the cloud-skimming heights of Tibet's Qinghai railway to silk-sheeted splendour on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Around the World in 80 Trains is a celebration of the glory of train travel and a witty and irreverent look at the world. Packing up her rucksack – and her fiancé, Jem – Monisha Rajesh embarks on an unforgettable adventure that takes her from London's St Pancras station to the vast expanses of Russia and Mongolia, North Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan, and beyond. The journey is one of constant movement and mayhem, as the pair strike up friendships and swap stories with the hilarious, irksome and ultimately endearing travellers they meet on board, all while taking in some of the earth's most breathtaking views.
Insight Guides Japan
Author: Insight Guides
Publisher: Apa Publications (UK) Limited
ISBN: 1780056206
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 1046
Book Description
Insight Guide Japan offers a uniquely comprehensive approach to getting the most out of one of Asia's most alluring destinations. Engaging History and Culture chapters explain the island's intriguing and proud past, and the factors influencing its future; from ancient Shinto temples and samurai legend, to the impact of Western influences and the tsunami of 2011. The burgeoning arts and crafts scene, architectural treasures and local cuisine are fully explored and provide essential background information on the islands' distinctive culture and character. The Places chapters cover the islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu in detail and suggest excursions to the smaller surrounding islands. Full-colour photographs throughout give a true flavour of life in the country today. Detailed maps plot all major sights, and the Travel Tips offer selective advice on where to stay, the best places to eat and on the range of cultural and sporting activities.
Publisher: Apa Publications (UK) Limited
ISBN: 1780056206
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 1046
Book Description
Insight Guide Japan offers a uniquely comprehensive approach to getting the most out of one of Asia's most alluring destinations. Engaging History and Culture chapters explain the island's intriguing and proud past, and the factors influencing its future; from ancient Shinto temples and samurai legend, to the impact of Western influences and the tsunami of 2011. The burgeoning arts and crafts scene, architectural treasures and local cuisine are fully explored and provide essential background information on the islands' distinctive culture and character. The Places chapters cover the islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu in detail and suggest excursions to the smaller surrounding islands. Full-colour photographs throughout give a true flavour of life in the country today. Detailed maps plot all major sights, and the Travel Tips offer selective advice on where to stay, the best places to eat and on the range of cultural and sporting activities.