COVER Travel books and DVDs to enjoy at home
We may not be able to venture far right now. But that doesn’t mean we can’t leave our four walls behind and go on an escapist adventure. It’s still possible to explore new places, admire lovely landmarks, meet new people and discover delicious cuisines from the pages of a book or TV screen.
We’ve rounded up some best books and DVDs that will have you globe-trotting from the comfort of your armchair.
COFFEE TABLE COMPANION Destinations of a Lifetime, National Geographic
Enjoy a photographic tour of the world in this spellbinding book on your next tea break. Hundreds of the Earth’s most breathtaking places – both natural and man-made – are illustrated with vivid, full-colour images taken by world-class photographers. These images, coupled with evocative text, feature a plethora of visual wonders – from ancient monoliths, scenic islands and stunning artwork, to electric cityscapes, white-sand seashores, rainforests, ancient cobbled streets and amazing architecture. And, should you find your dream destination, the book is also packed with information advising where to eat, where to stay, and what to do once the current restrictions are over.
■ Available from Waterstones, £25
TOUR THE TROPICS Martin Clunes: Islands of Australia
In this three-part series, acclaimed actor and comedian Martin Clunes embarks on an exploration of 16 of Australia’s 8,000 enchanting islands, including Restoration Island, the
Tiwi Islands and Phillip
Island. Along the way, he learns about the area’s wildlife, meets some of the natives to find out more about their culture and experiences what life is really like for those living and working on the islands.
■ Available from WHSmith, £6.99
BEST OF BRITISH Urban Rambles, Nicholas Rudd-Jones
Take an illustrated walking tour through 20 beautiful British cities. Whether you’re a fan of big city breaks, or a keen country walker, or simply like discovering new places, Urban Rambles is the book to inform and inspire you. Explore cathedral cities such as York and Lincoln, seats of learning such as Cambridge and Oxford, trading ports like Bristol and Liverpool, as well as the Victorian industrial cities Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham. You’ll find photographs of landmarks to admire and interesting information on green spaces and architectural gems along the way. Plus, recommended cafés, pubs and independent shops. ■ Available from Amazon, £16.99
BON APPETITE! Rick Stein’s Tastes of the World
Travelling across the world from Cornwall to Shanghai, celebrity chef Rick Stein takes us on a culinary journey – from an idyllic French odyssey and a spicy stopover in India, to a soulful side-trip to Spain and a personal tour through his homeland of Germany. Along the way, he samples a range of traditional foods and creates his own inspired dishes. But this is no ordinary cookery show – it’s just as much about the people, history and culture of the places visited as it is about the food.
■ Available from Amazon, £15.37
A MOUTHWATERING MEMOIR Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Eatlist
When we travel, the food we eat tells a story, unlocking customs and revealing traditions. To celebrate this, the Lonely Planet has compiled a list of the top 500 most exciting eateries on earth. You’ll discover the planet’s most thrilling and famous culinary experiences, the culture behind each one and what makes them so special. From meticulously crafted sushi in Tokyo, to mouth-watering piri-piri chicken in Mozambique and pilgrimage-worthy pizza in Naples, this is a mustown bucket list for foodies and those who love to travel.
■ Available from Amazon, £14.95
WONDERFUL WALKS Best walks with a view: Julia Bradbury
Hailed as television’s queen of the outdoors,
Julia Bradbury has spent years exploring Britain’s beautiful countryside and discovering some of its most spectacular landscapes.
In this DVD she laces up her walking boots and, using her expert knowledge, she shares irresistible walks that offer great views, local history and colourful characters.
Each walk is less than ten miles and takes you up hills and down dales, fellsides and mountains, along valleys, coastal paths, across rivers and streams, and through fields and woodland.
Available from Zavvi.com, £14.99
EXPLORE THE WORLD – FROM YOUR SOFA Travels with Michael Palin
From the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the golden sands of the Sahara, the legendary Michael Palin has seen it all. And now you can, too, with this special box set, containing every episode from each of his BBC travel series’ over a 20-year period from 1989 to 2009. Travelling by train, boat, camel, balloon, dog sled and many other forms of transport, Michael has visited more than 100 countries and travelled more than 100,000 miles.
From crossing the International Date Line to swimming in the Zambesi or singing with the Pacific Fleet Choir, these series not only take us to the most fascinating places, but introduce us to incredible people. Available from www.themichaelpalin.com £57.99
THE BRILLIANT AND BIZARRE Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders (Second Edition)
More a cabinet of curiosities than a traditional guidebook, Atlas
Obscura revels in the unexpected, the overlooked, the bizarre, and the mysterious. Inside, you’ll find natural wonders, like the dazzling glow worm caves in New Zealand, so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can sit and drink comfortably. Plus architectural marvels – including the Stepwells in India – and mind-boggling events, such as the Baby-Jumping Festival in Spain. With its compelling descriptions, hundreds of photographs, surprising charts, maps for every region of the world and new city guides, it’s the type of book you can read in your kitchen that will transport you somewhere thousands of miles away.
Available from Amazon, £16.10