The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel written by French author Alexandre Dumas completed in 1846. It is one of the author's most popular works, along with The Three Musketeers. Like many of his novels, it was expanded from plot outlines suggested by his collaborating ghostwriter Auguste Maquet.The story takes place in France, Italy, and islands in the Mediterranean during the historical events of 1815–1839: the era of the Bourbon Restoration through the reign of Louis-Philippe of France. It begins on the day that Napoleon left his first island of exile, Elba, beginning the Hundred Days period when Napoleon returned to power. The historical setting is a fundamental element of the book, an adventure story centrally concerned with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy, and forgiveness. Read more

"Polished, poignant... an inspiring story of true love."—Entertainment WeeklyA BEST BOOK OF 2019, NPR's Book ConciergeSHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BOOK AWARDOVER 400,000 COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDEThe true story of a couple who lost everything and embarked on a transformative journey walking the South West Coast Path in England Just days after Raynor Winn learns that Moth, her husband of thirty-two years, is terminally ill, their house and farm are taken away, along with their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, through Devon and Cornwall. Carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs, they live wild in the ancient, weathered landscape of cliffs, sea, and sky. Yet through every step, every encounter, and every test along the way, their walk becomes a remarkable and life-affirming journey. Powerfully written and unflinchingly honest, The Salt Path is ultimately a portrayal of home—how it can be lost, rebuilt, and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways. Read more

A Journey for the AgesThe Pilgrimage paved the way to Paulo Coelho’s international bestselling novel The Alchemist. In many ways, these two volumes are companions—to truly comprehend one, you must read the other.Step inside this captivating account of Coelho’s pilgrimage along the road to Santiago. This fascinating parable explores the need to find one’s own path. In the end, we discover that the extraordinary is always found in the ordinary and simple ways of everyday people. Part adventure story, part guide to self-discovery, this compelling tale delivers the perfect combination of enchantment and insight. Read more

An illustrated journal by the New York Times-bestselling author of Dear Paris. “Every page offers a tempting taste of Paris and its allure. Très charmant.” ―USA TodayPart memoir and part visual journey through the streets of modern-day Paris, France, A Paris Year chronicles, day by day, one woman’s French sojourn in the world’s most beautiful city. Beginning on her first day in Paris, Janice MacLeod, the author of the bestselling book, Paris Letters, began a journal recording in illustrations and words, nearly every sight, smell, taste, and thought she experienced in the City of Light. The end result is more than a diary: it’s a detailed and colorful love letter to one of the most romantic and historically rich cities on earth. Combining personal observations and anecdotes with stories and facts about famous figures in Parisian history, this visual tale of discovery, through the eyes of an artist, is sure to delight, inspire, and charm.“I thought there’d be no way she could outdo herself, but I was so wrong! . . . it’s the type of book you beg and plead and hope will never end.” ―Susan Blumberg-Kason, author of Bernardine’s Shanghai Salon“[A] lovely portrayal of the romantic city . . . [Janice MacLeod] has a great eye for the city’s beauty, capturing those precious moments that locals probably take for granted (and that an outsider never does).” ―Cheryl Yanek, Library Journal“Part Paris guidebook/part memoir/part visual candy store. As much a treat for the eyes as for the soul. A Paris Year is a must for anyone who loves Paris.” ―Lisa Anselmo, author of My (Part-Time) Paris Life Read more

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“Packed with insight and anecdote [this memoir] brings the Tower ravens to vivid life.” —George R .R. Martin, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of A Game of ThronesThe ravens at the Tower of London are of mighty importance: rumor has it that if a raven from the Tower should ever leave, the city will fall.The title of Ravenmaster, therefore, is a serious title indeed, and after decades of serving the Queen, Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife took on the added responsibility of caring for the infamous ravens. In The Ravenmaster, he lets us in on his life as he feeds his birds raw meat and biscuits soaked in blood, buys their food at Smithfield Market, and ensures that these unusual, misunderstood, and utterly brilliant corvids are healthy, happy, and ready to captivate the four million tourists who flock to the Tower every year.An intimate, and inspiring partnership has developed between the ravens and their human, the Ravenmaster, who shares the folklore, history, and superstitions surrounding the ravens and the Tower. Shining a light on the behavior of the birds, their pecking order and social structure, Skaife shows who the Tower’s true guardians really are—and the result is a compelling and irreverent narrative that will surprise and enchant.“An unending fount of raven lore.” —Petra Mayer, NPR“A beguiling, fascinating, and highly amusing account of the strangely magical birds.” —Helen MacDonald, The Atlantic“A natural storyteller, Skaife writes with affection and insight.” —PD Smith, The Guardian“Skaife] fill[s] in the story with scads of local color.” —Peter Lewis, The Boston Globe“Splendid.” —Booklist, starred review“A rollicking tale fit for nearly any armchair adventurer.” —Publishers Weekly Read more

A former New York Times Paris bureau chief explores the Louvre, offering an intimate journey of discovery and revelation.The Louvre is the most famous museum in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year with its masterpieces. In Adventures in the Louvre, Elaine Sciolino immerses herself in this magical space and helps us fall in love with what was once a forbidding fortress.Exploring galleries, basements, rooftops, and gardens, Sciolino demystifies the Louvre, introducing us to her favorite artworks, both legendary and overlooked, and to the people who are the museum’s lifeblood: the curators, the artisans producing frames and engravings, the builders overseeing restorations, the firefighters protecting the aging structure.Blending investigative journalism, travelogue, history, and memoir, Sciolino walks her readers through the museum’s front gates and immerses them in its irresistible, engrossing world of beauty and culture. Adventures in the Louvre reveals the secrets of this grand monument of Paris and basks in its timeless, seductive power. Read more

If you are a fan of the 'A Rosie Life in Italy' series, you will be glad to hear A Rosie Life In Italy 6 - ‘Rosie Lets Herself Go’ is on its way!Description coming soon, but expect a lot of laughs in this one, along with new and old friends, and house renovations and gardening in Italy the Rosie and Ronan way, as they prepare the house for their first solo women travellers, digital nomads and Rosie’s women’s writing retreats in Italy.Note from Rosie: "I hope to have it ready before Christmas, but I’m putting the release date as February just in case there is any delay. The more pre-orders I get the quicker I write!" Read more

🌟Much more than a typical Italy travel guide in 2024【Lifesaver on your first trip to Italy】This book will tell youif trains really can be an hour late, whether it’s appropriate to leave a tip at the restaurant, and how to navigate those confusing Italian markets. It will equip you with the most important thing: an understanding of the country and its people.✚ useful Italian phrases with translations and pronunciation✚ museum websites where you can buy tickets at the lowest prices✚ apps to buy bus tickets online in different cities✚ phone numbers for embassies and emergency services, just in case✚ translation of Italian signs【No clichés. Personal, friendly, conversational】This book won't provide you with typical tourist routes around the Colosseum, lengthy hotel adverts, or the usual list of attractions you'd find on the first page of a Google search. Instead, reading this book is like having a conversation with your best friend who just returned from a trip to Italy and is eager to share his personal experiences【12 chapters with everything you need】1. What is Italy2. South vs. North3. Transport4. Climate5. Accomodation6. Food and wine7. Local market8. Supermarket9. Restaurant10. Pizzeria11. Bar12. ItaliansThis book won't help you plan a detailed itinerary for Italy. But it will give you more: a genuine insight into the essence of Italy itself. So that your First Time in Italy will be unforgettable — and then there will be a second, third, fifth, and twenty-fifth time. And be careful: Italy knows how to enchant at first sight :) Read more

From Amazon bestselling author Craig Briggs, The Journey continues with book thirteen in the series, LAND of RIVERS and TREES.Dark clouds of uncertainty hang over Craig and Melanie’s future in Spain as the spectre of a no-deal Brexit looms. Can Craig set the record straight before an unknown criminal past puts paid to them taking back control?When newly introduced regulations threaten to scupper Craig’s winemaking aspirations, he and Melanie embark on a quest to learn new skills. Little do they know it will require the patience of a saint and the understanding of an unfamiliar language, but sterner tests lie ahead.Rising costs and falling reservations raise questions about the viability of their holiday rental property. After much soul searching, they decide to turn the page and put their beloved house on the market but, with only days until the first guests of the season arrive, an unexpected water pump failure adds to their woes. Will they find a solution in time?Challenges come and go, but their love for their adopted homeland remains unwavering. From chocolate and churros to drinks and nibbles, cathedrals and castles to rivers and beaches, Craig and Melanie’s life is an ever-changing collage of people, places, sounds, and food.Craig’s flowing writing style and detailed descriptions take the reader on a memorable journey that will remain with them long after the final page has been turned. Read more

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOKHere are two thousand years of London’s history and folklore, its chroniclers and criminals and plain citizens, its food and drink and countless pleasures. Blackfriar’s and Charing Cross, Paddington and Bedlam. Westminster Abbey and St. Martin in the Fields. Cockneys and vagrants. Immigrants, peasants, and punks. The Plague, the Great Fire, the Blitz. London at all times of day and night, and in all kinds of weather. In well-chosen anecdotes, keen observations, and the words of hundreds of its citizens and visitors, Ackroyd reveals the ingenuity and grit and vitality of London. Through a unique thematic tour of the physical city and its inimitable soul, the city comes alive. Read more

Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through London. From the sacred stones of Westminster Abbey to the top of the London Eye, the city is yours to discover! Inside Rick Steves London you'll find:Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring London Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London to where to find the best tikka masala or fish and chips How to connect with local culture: Catch a show in Soho, take afternoon tea, or have a pint of English ale with Londoners in a pub Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a Pimm's Cup Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and world-class museums like the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Day trips to Windsor, Cambridge, and Stonehenge Detailed neighborhood maps and a fold-out city map for exploring on the go Covid-related travel info and resources for a smooth trip Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves London. Spending just a few days in the city? Try Rick Steves Pocket London. Read more

Stroll Lisbon's cobbled lanes, cruise the Douro River, and soak up the sun on Algarve beaches: experience Portugal with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Portugal you'll find:Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Portugal Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from the bone chapel of Évora and the palaces of Sintra to seaside street food and lush vineyards How to connect with culture: Chat with friendly locals over a glass of vinho verde, enjoy a dinner of fresh seafood stew, or spend an evening at a bluesy fado bar Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of local port Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and historic museums Detailed maps for exploring on the goUseful resources including a packing list, a Portuguese phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading Over 400 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Complete, up-to-date information on Lisbon, Sintra, Salema, Cape Sagres, Lagos, Tavira, Évora, Nazaré, Batalha, Fátima, Alcobaça, Óbidos, Coimbra, Porto, Peso de Régua, Pinhão, and more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Portugal. Read more

* NOW WITH A NEW CHAPTER *'A hugely enjoyable romp through the pleasures and pitfalls of setting up home in a foreign land.'- GuardianGiven the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: Denmark, land oflong dark winters, cured herring, Lego and pastries, was the happiest place on earth.Keen to know their secrets, Helen gave herself a year to uncover the formula for Danish happiness.From childcare, education, food and interior design to SAD and taxes, The Year of Living Danishly records a funny,poignant journey, showing us what the Danes get right, what they get wrong, and how we might all live a little more Danishlyourselves.In this new edition, six years on Helen reveals how her life and family have changed, and explores how Denmark, too – orher understanding of it – has shifted. It's a messy and flawed place, she concludes – but can still be a model for a betterway of living. Read more

Abandoned in a bucket…to new adventures in GreeceThe delightfully comic account of a British couple and their imported cats starting over in a new country continues in Bucket to Greece Volume 17. Nikos is at his wits end when a vandal targets him with insulting graffiti, desecrating his fields with mounds of rubbish. Romance is in the air when Vasos asks Sherry, and Victor, on a date, and Christos has a lot of grovelling to do when Violet Burke flounces off the job.Taking a trip down memory lane, Victor revels in the joys of grubby kitchens when Pelham, a former colleague, visits. Doreen tackles the Greek moped test to earn her diploma, Hal buys his great-niece an adorable old donkey, and Sherry rescues an abandoned hoglet. If you’re a fan of Greek travel and culture then the Bucket to Greece series is a must, with a bucketful of laughs along the way. Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to London.Discover London's most popular experiences and best kept secrets - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - from perusing the floral stalls at Columbia Road Flower Market to joining an exhilarating all-speed boat ride along the Thames, and exploring Europe's largest urban parkland at Richmond Park.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's London travel guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning trips of 1-2 weeks or moreUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate London and connect experiences together with easeCreate your ideal trip with exciting Perfect Day itineraries with suggestions of unmissable attractions and activities to match your passions, plus day trips from London so you can explore the surrounding areasGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including visiting Buckingham Palace, admiring St Paul's Cathedral's grand architecture, and exploring the V&A museumSpecial features on the city's 12 legendary markets, West End theatre guide, London transport explainedExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; accessibility; and responsible travel Connect with London culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out map of LondonCovers the West End, City of London, South Bank, Kensington & Hyde Park, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch, & Spitalfields, East London & Docklands, Hampstead & North London, Notting Hill & West London, South London, Richmond, Kew & Hampton Court plus day trips to Windsor, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Woking, Leigh-on-Sea, St Albans, Wiltshire Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary city with Lonely Planet's London. Read more

For more than two millennia Istanbul has stood at the crossroads of the world, perched at the very tip of Europe, gazing across at the shores of Asia. The history of this city—known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, now Istanbul—is at once glorious, outsized, and astounding. Founded by the Greeks, its location blessed it as a center for trade but also made it a target of every empire in history, from Alexander the Great and his Macedonian Empire, to the Romans and later the Ottomans. At its most spectacular, Istanbul was re-founded by Emperor Constantine I as New Rome, the capital of the eastern Roman Empire. He dramatically expanded the city, filling it with artistic treasures, and adorning the streets with opulent palaces. Constantine built new walls around it all—walls that were truly impregnable and preserved power, wealth, and withstood any aggressor—walls that still stand for tourists to visit. From its ancient past to the present, we meet the city through its ordinary citizens—the Jews, Muslims, Italians, Greeks, and Russians who used the famous baths and walked the bazaars, and the rulers who built it up and then destroyed it, including Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the man who christened the city "Istanbul" in 1930. Thomas Madden's entertaining narrative brings to life the city we see today, including the rich splendor of the churches and monasteries that spread throughout the city. Istanbul draws on a lifetime of study and the latest scholarship, transporting readers to a city of unparalleled importance and majesty that holds the key to understanding modern civilization. In the words of Napoleon Bonaparte, "If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital." Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Iceland.Discover popular and off the beaten track experiences from sailing among majestic icebergs in Iceland's most famous glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón; to devouring lobster at the authentic small-town festival of Humarhátíð; and exploring Þingvellir National Park on horseback.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Iceland Travel Guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week tripsUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Iceland and connect experiences together with easeCreate your perfect trip with exciting itineraries for extended journeys combined with suggested day trips, walking tours, and activities to match your passionsGet fresh takes on must-visit sights and swim between the continents at Silfra Fissure, explore Katla Geopark, hike through Snæfellsjökull National ParkSpecial features on capturing the Northern Lights, Reykjavik food and nightlife, and road trip through the WestfjordsExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Icelandic culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out map of ReykjavikCovers Reykjavik, Southwest Iceland & the Golden Circle, Southeast Iceland, West Iceland, The Westfjords, North Iceland, East Iceland, The Highlands Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary country with Lonely Planet's Iceland. Read more

Lonely Planet's Italyis our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the country has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. Relive the past at Pompeii, take a world-class Tuscan wine tour and explore the unspoilt wilderness of Sardinia; all with your trusted travel companion.Inside Lonely Planet's Italy Travel Guide: Lonely Planet's Top Picks - a visually inspiring collection of the destination's best experiences and where to have themItineraries help you build the ultimate trip based on your personal needs and interestsLocal insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - whether it's history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politicsEating and drinking - get the most out of your gastronomic experience as we reveal the regional dishes and drinks you have to tryToolkit - all of the planning tools for solo travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, family travellers and accessible travelColour maps and images throughoutLanguage - essential phrases and language tipsInsider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spotsCovers Rome, Turin, the Cinque Terre, Genoa, Milan, Venice, Verona, Bologna, Parma, Florence, Pisa, Naples, Bari, Sicily, Sardinia and more!eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones)Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data chargesEffortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviewsAdd notes to personalise your guidebook experienceSeamlessly flip between pagesBookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flashEmbedded links to recommendations' websitesZoom-in maps and imagesInbuilt dictionary for quick referencingAbout Lonely Planet:Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures Company, is the world's number one travel guidebook brand. Providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973, Lonely Planet reaches hundreds of millions of travellers each year online and in print and helps them unlock amazing experiences. Visit us at lonelyplanet.com and join our community of followers on Facebook (facebook.com/lonelyplanet), Twitter (@lonelyplanet), Instagram (instagram.com/lonelyplanet), and TikTok (@lonelyplanet).'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' Fairfax Media (Australia) Read more

From the assassination that triggered World War I to the ethnic warfare in Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia, the Balkans have been the crucible of the twentieth century, the place where terrorism and genocide first became tools of policy. Chosen as one of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times, and greeted with critical acclaim as "the most insightful and timely work on the Balkans to date" (The Boston Globe), Kaplan's prescient, enthralling, and often chilling political travelogue is already a modern classic.This new edition of Balkan Ghosts includes six opinion pieces written by Robert Kaplan about the Balkans between 1996 and 2000 beginning just after the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords and ending after the conclusion of the Kosovo war, with the removal of Slobodan Milosevic from power. Read more