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Summary

Following up on the enormous success of theJourneys of a Lifetimeseries of travel gift books, National Geographic bring you100 Countries, 5000 Ideas, a large-format, lavishly illustrated, softcover travel planner. This essential travel companion to one hundred of the world's most fascinating countries is packed with more than 250 big, colorful images, 110 original, detailed maps, and evocative text to inspire your next great trip. Divided into two sections, this book helps you choose destination that suits your interests, how to get there, and what to do. The first part presents a series of charts that helps you pick the best places to visit according to your needs and desires, including the best seasons to go to each country-whether you're interested in a three-week vacation or a long weekend or something in between-as well as a chapter including which destinations are best for children, adventure seekers, history lovers, and the like. In addition to vacation ideas, you'll be given specific airfare costs, approximate cost of a trip, health precautions, and other important tips. The book's second section surveys the one hundred countries-from Argentina to Zimbabwe, and everything in between-describing each one's unique highlights and ideas on what to do while visiting, as well as offering a wealth of practical information to help plan a memorable trip. A special sidebar outlines the pros and cons of each destination.100 Countries, 5000 Ideasis an irresistible blend of practical travel information and inspiring ideas-adorned with stunning imagery-to help fuel your wanderlust, and make your dream trip possible.

Author Biography

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC is one of the world's leading nonfiction publishers, proudly supporting the work of scientists, explorers, photographers, and authors, as well as publishing a diverse list of books that celebrate the world and all that is in it. National Geographic Books creates and distributes print and digital works that inspire, entertain, teach, and give readers access to a world of discovery and possibility on a wide range of nonfiction subjects from animals to travel, cartography to history, fun facts to moving stories. A portion of all National Geographic proceeds is used to fund exploration, conservation, and education through ongoing contributions to the work of the National Geographic Society.

Supplemental Materials

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Excerpts

Unforgettable Nights

The time when travelers paid little attention to the ambiance of their hotel room beyond wanting to sleep well is gone. Nowadays, the quality and originality of lodging play an ever greater role for tour planners. Original and unusual types of lodging in far off places can be costly, but many exotic accommodations guarantee—besides the cultural and sociological aspects—an unforgettable experience by themselves.
The following is a survey of the latest novelties in lodging worldwide. Besides the options listed, there is a vast range of other possibilities—from spending a night in various converted palaces, pagodas, and monasteries to staying in buildings of the Salvation Army, missions, or youth hostels. Th e last few are not only inexpensive but sometimes attractive alternatives.
For extravagance, the ice hotels of Canada and Finland take first place, as much for location as price. These hotels are an evanescent luxury; they have to be rebuilt year after year. To provide 50 rooms, the builders need 20,000 tons of snow and 3,000 tons of ice. The design of these hotels is unique in that everything, from floor to ceiling, including the beds, is made of
ice. Of necessity, the temperature inside seldom reaches even 32ľF. On average, travelers should budget for $400/£260 a night.
Other interesting nighttime refuges are caves. This kind of lodging has been popular for some time. In some regions—for instance, in Matmata, Tunisia, and Cappadocia, Turkey—they are a kind of trademark. Less well known are the cave lodges in western France. The caves are often cool and damp, but have a wonderful atmosphere and can be fairly reasonable at about $500/£325 per week.