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Fodor's Walt Disney World 2015
by Fodor'sFodor's correspondents highlight the best of Walt Disney World, including the most thrilling rides, notable water parks, and shopping and nightlife options. Our park experts vet every recommendation to ensure you make the most of your time, whether it's your first trip or your fifth. MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS from Epcot to Universal Studios PERFECT HOTELS for every type of park visitor BEST RESTAURANTS to satisfy adults and the kids GORGEOUS FEATURES on Walt Disney and character meals VALUABLE TIPS on when to go and ways to save INSIDER PERSPECTIVE from theme-park experts COLOR PHOTOS AND MAPS to inspire and guide your tripeir favorite baseball stars at a spring-training camp.INDISPENSABLE TRIP PLANNING TOOLS: An entire chapter devoted to "Planning an Orlando Vacation" includes comprehensive ticket price charts, advice for those traveling in groups both large and small, tips on skipping lines in the parks, budget schedules, and much more. The major theme parks and all the "lands" and "worlds" feature their own sections with ride recommendations by age, information on height restrictions, and maps that make it easy to explore.DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor's Walt Disney World 2015 offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. PULLOUT MAP: A handy take-along map provides added value, giving travelers essential information about top attractions and nearby dining so they can travel with confidence.INCLUDES: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Wet N' Wild, Tampa, The Space Coast, St. Petersburg, and more. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts.
Fodor's Walt Disney World 2016
by Fodor'sFor generations, Americans have come to play and dream in Orlando. Whether visitors want to wander the halls of Hogwarts or dine with Cinderella, Fodor's Walt Disney World provides everything they need to know. Color photos and features highlight the best of the theme parks, area hotels and restaurants, golf courses and spas, and Orlando.r character meals. * ILLUSTRATED FEATURES: Magazine-style features like Doing Orlando and the Parks Right help travelers customize trips to meet their needs. A Man, A Mouse, A Legacy delves into the interesting background of Walt Disney and includes an encompassing timeline of the park's history. * INDISPENSABLE TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS: An entirely new Experience chapter devoted to planning an Orlando vacation includes comprehensive ticket price charts, advice for those traveling in groups both large and small, tips on skipping lines in the parks, budget schedules, and much more. The major theme parks and all the "lands" and "worlds" feature their own sections with ride recommendations by age, information on height restrictions, and maps that make it easy to explore. * DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor's Walt Disney World offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. * PULLOUT MAP: A handy take-along map provides added value, giving travelers essential information about top attractions and nearby dining so they can travel with confidence. * INCLUDES: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Wet N' Wild, the surrounding Orlando area, and more.
Fodor's Walt Disney World with Kids 2012
by Fodor'sYour Ticket to a Magical Family Vacation!Inside this new ebook edition is all the information you need to have the family vacation of a lifetime at the Orlando theme parks. Up-to-date and written with the help of more than 500 families, this guide is packed with details on all the attractions at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Seaworld. It's user-friendly, fun, and designed for at-a-glance reference. And it will help you and your family plan the vacation each of you wants.Inside you'll find:* Time- and money-saving tips, insider's secrets, and scare factors for every ride and venue* Full restaurant and hotel descriptions, with star ratings* Quick Guides, Don't Miss Lists, and favorite attractions by age group* Updates on Disney's Fastpass system and Universal's Express system* Know-how for Disney cruises
Fodor's Walt Disney World with Kids 2013
by Kim Wright WileyFor generations, Americans have come to play and dream in Orlando. Whether you want to wander the halls of Hogwarts or dine with Cinderella, Fodor's Walt Disney World provides everything you need to know. Expanded Coverage: Orlando is always changing, and this edition captures the newest rides and attractions, as well as area restaurants and hotels, for Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld.Indispensable Trip Planning Tools: An entire chapter devoted to "Planning an Orlando Vacation" includes comprehensive ticket price charts, advice for those traveling in groups both large and small, tips on skipping lines in the parks, budget schedules, and much more. The major theme parks and all the "lands" and "worlds" feature their own sections with ride recommendations by age, info on height restrictions, and maps that make it easy to explore.Discerning Recommendations: Fodor's Walt Disney World offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. "Word of Mouth" quotes from fellow travelers provide valuable insights.TripAdvisor Reviews: Our experts' hotel selections are reinforced by the latest customer feedback from TripAdvisor. Travelers can book their Orlando stay with confidence, as only the best properties make the cut.
Fodor's Walt Disney World with Kids 2015
by Kim Wright WileyKim Wright Wiley has penned 23 editions of this book and really knows her stuff when it comes to planning an Orlando vacation and taking in the attractions at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld. And for this edition she is once again joined by her daughter Leigh Wiley Jenkins. They combine their wit and wisdom with insights from almost 500 families to create a guide that's thoroughly updated, user-friendly, and fun.EXPANDED COVERAGE: The guide includes new hotels and restaurant menus, as well as complete coverage of the ever-changing Magic Kingdom theme park as well as hints of what's to come in the expanded Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure. INDISPENSABLE TRIP PLANNING TOOLS: Charts and star ratings make comparing hotels and restaurants a breeze. Lists grouping attractions by age group and charts with vital stats on all the amusements make picking must-see sights simple. Checklists allow planning, packing, and devising on-the-ground itineraries to go smoothly.IN-THE-KNOW TIPS: This book is chock-a-block with time- and money-saving tips and insider's secrets, and every ride or venue has a scare-factor assessment.EVERYTHING DISNEY AND BEYOND: Separate chapters on Universal, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, and area restaurants and nightspots make all of Orlando accessible. A special cruising chapter thoroughly covers Disney ships and cruise-vacation options.MEDIAGENIC AUTHORS: Kim Wright Wiley is an undisputed authority on Walt Disney World. Her knowledge about every aspect of planning a Disney trip is phenomenal. Both she and her daughter Leigh Wiley Jenkins are available to appear in the media to share it.
Fodor's Walt Disney World with Kids 2016
by Kim Wright WileyInside this new edition is all the information you need to have the family vacation of a lifetime at the Orlando theme parks. Up-to-date and written with the help of more than 500 families, this guide is packed with details on all the attractions at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. It's user-friendly, fun, and designed for at-a-glance reference. And it will help you and your family plan the vacation each of you wants. INSIDE You'll Find Time- and money-saving tips, insider secrets, and scare factors for every ride and venue Clear, easy-to-read maps Full restaurant and hotel descriptions, with star ratings Quick Guides, Don't-Miss Lists, and favorite attractions by age group Updates on Disney's new attractions, FastPass+, and MagicBand payment system Know-how for Disney cruisesips and insider's secrets, and every ride or venue has a scare-factor assessment. EVERYTHING DISNEY AND BEYOND: Separate chapters on Universal, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, and area restaurants make all of Orlando accessible. A special cruising chapter thoroughly covers Disney ships and cruise-vacation options. MEDIAGENIC AUTHORS: Kim Wright Wiley is an undisputed authority on Walt Disney World. Her knowledge about every aspect of planning a Disney trip is phenomenal. Both she and her daughter Leigh Wiley Jenkins are available to appear in the media to share it. INCLUDES: World Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Orlando, and more.
Fodor's Washington, D.C. 2013
by Fodor'sIn our nation's capital, many thrilling reminders of the American saga reside in this uniquely purposed slice of geography: with history around every corner, Washington, D.C. is a city that magically blends yesterday and today. This updated guide--often among our top 3 domestic best-sellers--lets visitors discover the myriad, ever-changing charms of the nation's capital. Expanded Coverage: World-class museums, shady parks, and an important arts scene make Washington, D.C. an ever-changing American showcase (more than 15 million tourists head here every year). Plus, brand new hotel, restaurant, shop, and bar reviews in this annual update offer fresh tips for staying, and playing, in such top hotspots as Dupont Circle and Georgetown.Discerning Recommendations: Fodor's Washington D.C. offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. "Word of Mouth" quotes from fellow travelers provide valuable insights.TripAdvisor Reviews: Our experts' hotel selections are reinforced by the latest customer feedback from TripAdvisor. Travelers can book their Washington D.C. stay with confidence, as only the best properties make the cut.
Fodor's Washington, D.C. 2015
by Fodor'sFodor's correspondents highlight the best of Washington, D.C., including world-famous monuments, amazing museums, trendy shops, and tempting restaurants. Our local experts vet every recommendation to ensure you make the most of your time, whether it's your first trip or your fifth. MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS from the White House to Georgetown PERFECT HOTELS for every budget BEST RESTAURANTS to satisfy a range of tastes GORGEOUS FEATURES on the Mall and the Capitol VALUABLE TIPS on when to go and ways to save INSIDER PERSPECTIVE from local experts COLOR PHOTOS AND MAPS to inspire and guide your trip super-useful sections, such as "D.C With Kids," "Free in D.C.," and "Top Attractions." Chapters on "Museums," "Monuments and Memorials," and "Official Washington" cover the top sights. Each neighborhood section opens with a "Top Reasons to Go" map, supported by other essential information designed to help in planning and scheduling visits to attractions; some neighborhoods have walks as well. All this, plus exhaustively detailed chapters on "Nightlife," the "Performing Arts," "Sports," "Shopping," and "Side Trips," makes it easy for readers to custom-plan an exciting vacation. DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor's Washington, D.C. 2015 offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. PULLOUT MAP: A handy take-along map provides added value, giving travelers essential information about top attractions, walking tours, and nearby dining so they can travel with confidence. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts.
Fodor's Washington, D.C. 2016
by Fodor'sWith history around every corner, Washington, D.C. is a city that seamlessly blends yesterday and today, and it's a perennial favorite for families. This updated guide--a strong domestic bestseller--lets travelers discover the myriad charms of the nation's capital, from its stately monuments to the trendiest restaurants.OLS: The Experience chapter includes a variety of super-useful sections, such as D.C With Kids, Free in D.C., and Top Attractions. Chapters on Museums, Monuments and Memorials, and Official Washington cover the top sights. Each neighborhood section opens with a "Top Reasons to Go" map, supported by other essential planning information; some neighborhoods have walks as well. All this, plus exhaustively detailed chapters on Nightlife, Performing Arts, Sports, Shopping, and Side Trips, makes it easy for readers to custom-plan an exciting vacation. * DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor's Washington, D.C. offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. * PULLOUT MAP: A handy take-along map provides added value, giving travelers essential information about top attractions, walking tours, and nearby dining so they can travel with confidence. * ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts.
Fodor's Western Ireland
by Fodor'sIt's hard not to fall in love with Western Ireland as you flip through a vivid full-color photo album. Explore the layout of city centers and popular neighborhoods with easy-to-read full-color maps. Plus, get an overview of Irish geography with the convenient atlas at the end of the ebook. What's Covered? Get to Know Western Ireland and Dublin: The multiple delights of Cork City make it an excellent base to explore the treasures of County Cork- from Blarney Castle to the breathtaking views over Bantry Bay. Kerry and Limerick Counties are nestled in the southwest of Ireland, with sights that top every tourist's must-see list. The most brazenly scenic coastal drive in the land, the Ring of Kerry will use up your entire flash card in a jiffy! The Gap of Dunloe lets you walk through the heart of Killarney's purple mountains and cross the glittering blue lake of Killarney. And don't forget to have your camera handy for Ireland's prettiest village, Adare. To the north lies County Clare. Set with postcard-perfect villages like Doolin, the lunar landscape of the Burren, and the towering Cliffs of Moher, County Clare is pure tourist gold. Nearby, Galway City offers a compact historic center with a lively music and pub scene. For a look at traditional Irish culture, take a trip to one of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay. With the most westerly seaboard in Europe, Connemara and County Mayo remain the most Irish part of Ireland. Connemara is an almost uninhabited landscape of misty bogland, studded with deep blue lakes under huge Atlantic skies, and distant purple hills. Outside the main towns- Castlebar and Westport- the rest of County Mayo has long empty roads leading to isolated shorelines and stunning vistas.Most travelers to Ireland will not be able to resist a stop over to Dublin, Ireland's capital, and one of Europe's most popular city-break destinations. With magnificent museums including Hugh Lane and the National Museum, Georgian architecture, and of course, hundreds of pubs, the city's pleasures are uncontainable. Note: This ebook edition includes photographs and maps that will appear on black-and-white devices but are optimized for devices that support full-color images.
Fodor's Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks
by Fodor'sGet inspired and plan your next trip with Fodor's e-book guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. To get your bearings in the parks, browse through a brief overview of each park and peruse full-color maps of the region. You'll develop an immediate sense of each park's awe-inspiring landscape as you flip through a photo album filled with vivid full-color photographs. Move on to read more about each park and find all of the essential, up-to-date details you expect from a Fodor's guide: from the best dining and lodging in the area to must-see hikes and scenic drives, Fodor's has it all.Discover two great northwestern Wyoming parks in one e-book. Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the world. Best known for its gushing geysers and flowing hot springs, this park is filled with hydrothermal activity. Grand Teton National Park is near Yellowstone but is its own impressive destination, with the regal Tetons rising up from Jackson Hole and trails for every skill level.Note: This e-book edition includes photographs and maps that will appear on black-and-white devices but are optimized for devices that support full-color images.
Fodor's Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
by Fodor'sGet inspired and plan your next trip with Fodor's e-book guide to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon national parks. To get your bearings in the parks, browse through a brief overview of each park and peruse full-color maps of the region. You'll develop an immediate sense of each park's awe-inspiring landscape as you flip through a photo album of vivid full-color photographs. Move on to read more about each park and find all of the essential, up-to-date details you expect from a Fodor's guide: from the best dining and lodging in the area to must-see hikes and scenic drives, Fodor's has it all.Discover two great Central California parks in one e-book. Shimmering waterfalls and the soaring granite monoliths of Half Dome and El Capitan are some of the classic images you'll see in Yosemite's 748,000 acres. Ancient evergreens tower over visitors among the jagged mountain slopes of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, which cover more than 850,000 acres combined.Note: This e-book edition includes photographs and maps that will appear on black-and-white devices but are optimized for devices that support full-color images.
The Folded Earth
by Anuradha RoyIn a remote town in the Himalaya, Maya tries to put behind her a time of great sorrow. By day she teaches in a school and at night she types up drafts of a magnum opus by her landlord, a relic of princely India known to all as Diwan Sahib. Her bond with this eccentric, and her friendship with a peasant girl, Charu, give her the sense that she might be able to forge a new existence away from the devastation of her past. As Maya finds out, no place is remote enough or small enough. The world she has come to love, where people are connected with nature, is endangered by the town's new administration. The impending elections are hijacked by powerful outsiders who divide people and threaten the future of her school. Charu begins to behave strangely, and soon Maya understands that a new boy in the neighbourhood may be responsible. When Diwan Sahib's nephew arrives to set up his trekking company on their estate, she is drawn to him despite herself, and finally she is forced to confront bitter and terrible truths. A many-layered and powerful narrative, by turns poetic, elegiac and comic, by the author of An Atlas of Impossible Longing.
The Folded Earth: A Novel
by Anuradha RoyIn a remote town in the Himalaya, Maya tries to put behind her a time of great sorrow. By day she teaches in a school and at night she types up drafts of a magnum opus by her landlord, a relic of princely India known to all as Diwan Sahib. Her bond with this eccentric, and her friendship with a peasant girl, Charu, give her the sense that she might be able to forge a new existence away from the devastation of her past. As Maya finds out, no place is remote enough or small enough. The world she has come to love, where people are connected with nature, is endangered by the town's new administration. The impending elections are hijacked by powerful outsiders who divide people and threaten the future of her school. Charu begins to behave strangely, and soon Maya understands that a new boy in the neighbourhood may be responsible. When Diwan Sahib's nephew arrives to set up his trekking company on their estate, she is drawn to him despite herself, and finally she is forced to confront bitter and terrible truths. A many-layered and powerful narrative, by turns poetic, elegiac and comic, by the author of An Atlas of Impossible Longing.
The Folies Bergere in Las Vegas
by Karan Feder Jerry JacksonDebuting at the Tropicana Hotel on Christmas Eve, 1959, at a reported cost of one quarter-million dollars (over two million in today's dollars), the Folies Bergere stage show featured a cast of "eighty stars" and promised an elegant evening of sensual entertainment complete with sensational song and dance numbers, curious novelty acts, and exquisite leggy showgirls. Imported directly from Paris, the iconic French production, famed for its elegant and chic legacy, was a mainstay on the Las Vegas Strip for nearly half a century. A 1959 Las Vegas Sun newspaper article portends the significant role that the Folies Bergere would play in the city's history: "From beginning to end this is the most dazzling entertainment which any city has been privileged to see. It's saucy, piquant and racy in the splendidly provocative French way. Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, is now no idle boast."
Folk Arts of Japan
by Soetsu Yanagi Hugo MunsterbergThis edition was originally published in print form by Tuttle Publishing in 1958.The Folk Arts of Japan by Dr. Hugo Munsterberg deals with a rediscovered branch of Japanese art which, in straightfoward beauty of its products, is currently delighting the Western world. Although these folkcraft creations have their roots in the country's ancient and colorful art tradition, their unassuming grace makes them unmistakably in harmony with modern functional design.Here Dr. Munsterberg bringing to his work the fruits of four years of study in Japan and a deep knowledge of Oriental culture, makes available for the first time in English a comprehensive guide and commentary on this significant branch of Japan's varied arts.
Folklore, People, and Places: International Perspectives on Tourism and Tradition in Storied Places (Routledge Advances in Tourism and Anthropology)
by Jack Hunter Rachael IronsideFolklore, People and Place is a contribution towards better understanding the complex interconnectivity of folklore, people and place, across a range of different cultural and geographical contexts. The book showcases a range of international case studies from different cultural and ecological contexts showing how folklore can and does mediate human relationships with people and place. Folklore has traditionally been connected to place, telling tales of the land and the real and imaginary beings that inhabit storied places. These storytelling traditions and practices have endured in a contemporary world, yet the role and value of folklore to people and places has changed. The book explores a broad range of international perspectives and considers how the relationship between folklore, people, and place has evolved for tourists and indigenous communities. It will showcase a range of international case studies from different cultural and ecological contexts showing how folklore can and does mediate human relationships with people and place. By exploring folklore in the context of tourism, this book engages in a critical discussion of the opportunities and challenges of using storied places in destination development. The case studies in the book provide an international perspective on the contemporary value of folklore to people and places engendering reflection on the role of folklore in sustainable tourism strategies. This book will be of interest to students, academics, researchers in fields such as anthropology, folklore, tourism, religious studies, human geography and related disciplines. It will also be of interest to scholars and practitioners of traditional ecological knowledge.
Follow Me: Treat yourself to a short and satisfying love story
by Sheila O'FlanaganFOLLOW ME is a fabulously warm, witty and romantic novella from the No. 1 bestselling author Sheila O'Flanagan. A wonderful read, perfect for fans of Kerry Lonsdale and Liane Moriarty.Pippa Jones seems to have it all. The only thing that the high-flying career girl is missing is love. When she spots a gorgeous man who seems to be following her everywhere she goes, she wonders if fate is trying to throw them together. But with her job on the line can she afford to make time for this handsome, mysterious stranger?
Follow Me: Treat yourself to a short and satisfying love story
by Sheila O'FlanaganFOLLOW ME is a fabulously warm, witty and romantic novella from the No. 1 bestselling author Sheila O'Flanagan.Pippa Jones seems to have it all. The only thing that the high-flying career girl is missing is love. When she spots a gorgeous man who seems to be following her everywhere she goes, she wonders if fate is trying to throw them together. But with her job on the line can she afford to make time for this handsome, mysterious stranger?
Follow Me: Treat yourself to a short and satisfying love story
by Sheila O'FlanaganFOLLOW ME is a fabulously warm, witty and romantic novella from the No. 1 bestselling author Sheila O'Flanagan.Pippa Jones seems to have it all. The only thing that the high-flying career girl is missing is love. When she spots a gorgeous man who seems to be following her everywhere she goes, she wonders if fate is trying to throw them together. But with her job on the line can she afford to make time for this handsome, mysterious stranger?
Follow Me To: A Journey around the World Through the Eyes of Two Ordinary Travelers
by Nataly Zakharova Murad OsmannThe Follow Me project was created in 2012 based on the concept of showing the beauty and uniqueness of different locations around the world. It is a story told through the eyes of two ordinary travelers who attempt to portray local lifestyles and narratives by means of photography. Since the project's launch on Instagram, it has become a worldwide Internet sensation, emerging as a leading news feature and gathering millions of views on social media and the news sites that covered it. In each stunning image, photographer Murad Osmann is led to a new location by his girlfriend, Nataly Zakharova.These images remind us that in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we so often forget to stop and appreciate the things that surround us--the historical and architectural heritage left to us by our ancestors. Readers join Osmann from the point of view of the main character and are taken on a journey to different historical and cultural sites. The project aims to acquaint readers with different lifestyles. For Osmann and Zakharova, this theme seems infinite, as there are an endless number of places to visit on our planet. Paging through the book, readers will be invited to see something familiar to them from another point of view, via the lens of Osmann's camera.Follow Zakharova and Osmann on a trip around the world, through such locations as Moscow, Madrid, Ibiza, Hong Kong, New York, and London.
Following Atticus: Forty-eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship
by Tom Ryan"In the mountains Atticus became more of what he'd always been, and I became less-less frantic, less stressed, less worried, and less harried. I felt comfortable letting him lead, and he seemed to know what I needed. He always chose the best route, if ever there was a question, and my only job was to follow." Middle-aged, overweight, and acrophobic newspaperman Tom Ryan and miniature schnauzer Atticus M. Finch are an unlikely pair of mountaineers, but after a close friend dies of cancer, the two pay tribute to her by attempting to climb all forty-eight of New Hampshire's four-thousand-foot peaks twice in one winter while raising money for charity. In a rare test of endurance, Tom and Atticus set out on an adventure of a lifetime that takes them across hundreds of miles and deep into an enchanting but dangerous winter wonderland. Little did they know that their most difficult test would lie ahead, after they returned home. . . . At the heart of this remarkable journey is an extraordinary relationship that blurs the line between man and dog, an indelible bond that began when Tom, following the advice of Atticus's breeder, carried the pup wherever he went for the first month of their life together. Following Atticus is ultimately a story of transformation: how a five-pound puppy pierced the heart of a tough-as-nails newspaperman, opening his eyes to the world's beauty and its possibilities. It was a change that led to a new life among the mountains; an unforgettable saga of adventure, friendship, and the unlikeliest of family; and an inspiring tale of finding love and discovering your true self.
Following Caesar: From Rome to Constantinople, the Pathways That Planted the Seeds of Empire
by John KeaheyA travel narrative following three ancient roads and looking at more than two thousand years of history of Ancient Rome through the modern eye.In 66 b.c., young, ambitious Julius Caesar, seeking recognition and authority, became the curator of the Via Appia, a road stretching from Rome to Brindisi. To gain popularity with Roman citizens along the way, he borrowed significant sums to restore the ancient highway. He eventually achieved greatness in Rome and the far reaches of Gaul, leading armies along the Via Appia and its sister road, the Via Egnatia, across the Balkans, to battle enemies in Roman civil wars.Other armies followed these two roads that eventually connected Rome to Constantinople, today’s Istanbul. Both Octavian and, later, his friend-turned enemy Mark Antony traveled portions of these roads to defeat Caesar’s murderers, Brutus and Cassius. The great Roman statesman Cicero, the Roman poet Homer, the historian Virgil, and many other notables also journeyed on them. In the early second century a.d., the emperor Trajan charted a new, faster, coastal route between Benevento and Brindisi, later called the Via Traiana.Today, the remains of these roads are preserved as archaeological wonders, and can be seen through the countryside near, and sometimes under, modern highways in the ruins of ancient Roman cities. Some of the earliest villages have disappeared, while others have grown into modern towns with the ancient roads hidden beneath latter-day pavements.In this sojourn across Roman history, John Keahey delves into encounters with diverse peoples in these towns in Italy, North Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey, who warmly embrace travelers following in the footsteps of their ancestors. They shared knowledge of historical sites, meals, and a wealth of local lore. Keahey’s unparalleled storytelling breathes life into the prominent figures, pivotal events, and ancient roads that paved the way for the rise and endurance of the Roman empire. It is a journey full of adventure, discovery, and friendship.
Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World
by Mark TwainSo begins this classic piece of travel writing, brimming with Twain's celebrated brand of ironic, tongue-in-cheek humor. Written just before the turn of the century, the book recounts a lecture tour in which he circumnavigated the globe via steamship, including stops at the Hawaiian Islands, Australia, Fiji Islands, New Zealand, India, South Africa and elsewhere.View the world through the eyes of the celebrated author as he describes a rich range of experiences — visiting a leper colony in Hawaii, shark fishing in Australia, tiger hunting, diamond mining in South Africa, and riding the rails in India, an activity Twain enjoyed immensely as suggested by this description of a steep descent in a hand-car: "The road fell sharply down in front of us and went corkscrewing in and out around the crags and precipices, down, down, forever down, suggesting nothing so exactly or so uncomfortably as a crooked toboggan slide with no end to it. . . . I had previously had but one sensation like the shock of that departure, and that was the gaspy shock that took my breath away the first time that I was discharged from the summit of a toboggan slide. But in both instances the sensation was pleasurable — intensely so; it was a sudden and immense exaltation, a mixed ecstasy of deadly fright and unimaginable joy. I believe that this combination makes the perfection of human delight."A wealth of similarly revealing observations enhances this account, along with perceptive descriptions and discussions of people, climate, flora and fauna, indigenous cultures, religion, customs, politics, food, and many other topics. Despite its jocular tone, this book has a serious thread running through it, recording Twain's observations of the mistreatments and miseries of mankind. Enhanced by over 190 illustrations, including 173 photographs, this paperback edition — the only one avai1able — will be welcomed by all admirers of Mark Twain or classic travel books.