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Lonely Planet Journey Books
The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World
This book is the definitive pictorial dedicated to travel and the world, capturing every country on the planet with photographs and atmospheric text. Inspirational, inviting, and beautiful, it combines stunning images with entertaining and informative text that captures the essence of being there.
444 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
July 24, 2012
Do not buy or read this book if:
1.) You have no time to go on a long trip afterwards...
2.) You have no money to go on a long trip afterwards...
3.) You have no intension to be going on a long trip afterwards...
because it is sooooo well written and illustrated, you will feel antsy down to your toes...
...so off You go...
1.) You have no time to go on a long trip afterwards...
2.) You have no money to go on a long trip afterwards...
3.) You have no intension to be going on a long trip afterwards...
because it is sooooo well written and illustrated, you will feel antsy down to your toes...
...so off You go...
July 4, 2007
This might be my favorite book in the house.
Two pages devoted to each country in the world. All of the countries are in alphabetical order, so you skip around the world haphazardly - but that's part of what I like about this book. It's easy to navigate, well researched, and there's beautiful photography. Don't use this book to decide what country you'd like to visit though. it'll just make you want to visit them all.
Two pages devoted to each country in the world. All of the countries are in alphabetical order, so you skip around the world haphazardly - but that's part of what I like about this book. It's easy to navigate, well researched, and there's beautiful photography. Don't use this book to decide what country you'd like to visit though. it'll just make you want to visit them all.
August 4, 2007
This is one of the most beautiful books I've come across in years. Stunning full-color, full-page pictures, country facts, and brief bits of Lonely Planet trivia--paging through this book is such a joy. Though the pictures don't necessarily represent the most typicaly beautiful parts of a country, they somehow capture those things that are remarkable about it. Books like this remind us why we love traveling and why we love this amazing world.
January 27, 2014
Okay, so I didn't exactly read *this* book, but I read the 2nd one. And until its on GoodReads, I'll keep this one on my bookshelf.
I wanted this book because I thought it would make for a great coffee table book. I love, love, LOVE to travel, so what better?!
Things I liked:
-it has almost every country
-the layout of each page (the pictures, the info, the stats)
-the majority of countries have 4 pictures
-the information provided (best time to visit; what to read, listen, watch, eat; in a word)
-there was an outline of the country and if you wanted to know where it was located, they provided you with a map reference (to the map in the first couple of pages)
Things I didn't like:
-that it didn't have each countries flag
-it would have been better as a hardcover, not paperback
Not only did I get this book to by my 'coffee table book' I got it because I thought it would be a great way to map where I've been. I bought sticky tag notes (of different colours) to put on each page that corresponds to each country and city I've been to. I'll see if I can add a picture at some point.
I wanted this book because I thought it would make for a great coffee table book. I love, love, LOVE to travel, so what better?!
Things I liked:
-it has almost every country
-the layout of each page (the pictures, the info, the stats)
-the majority of countries have 4 pictures
-the information provided (best time to visit; what to read, listen, watch, eat; in a word)
-there was an outline of the country and if you wanted to know where it was located, they provided you with a map reference (to the map in the first couple of pages)
Things I didn't like:
-that it didn't have each countries flag
-it would have been better as a hardcover, not paperback
Not only did I get this book to by my 'coffee table book' I got it because I thought it would be a great way to map where I've been. I bought sticky tag notes (of different colours) to put on each page that corresponds to each country and city I've been to. I'll see if I can add a picture at some point.
April 10, 2020
Read: April 2020
This was a bittersweet read at a time when we are under coronavirus lockdown. Full of beautiful photographs and plenty of information, this has given me lots of travel inspiration for the future.
This was a bittersweet read at a time when we are under coronavirus lockdown. Full of beautiful photographs and plenty of information, this has given me lots of travel inspiration for the future.
June 1, 2025
4 Stars
Another great Travel Book from Lonely Planet! This one features ~200 countries!
To start, this book is so HUGE I can barely lift it (not even joking)! Definitely a coffee table book!
The book places the countries in alphabetical order which was ideal. For each country it tells of the best time to visit, top things to see and to do, random facts, the capital, population, size and language. It also has two to four beautiful pictures for each country.
It is really great coffee table book! I found SO many places that I would love to go to and many that I hadn't even thought about before. I wouldn't say though that it is a book to sit down and read, but a great one to flip through and especially if you are looking for travel inspiration!
I do think the photographs could have sometimes been better, or more linked to the "Top things to do". The pictures for England, Japan and France in particular were dreadful! But the majority were definitely very well done, even if there were a few random picks!
Not a book if you are after lots of information, other more focused Lonely Planet books I've read would have been better for that. However, a great overview book.
Such a great gift for any travel fanatics as it gives a really nice quick look at each country and will make you want to travel to many new places!
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Another great Travel Book from Lonely Planet! This one features ~200 countries!
To start, this book is so HUGE I can barely lift it (not even joking)! Definitely a coffee table book!
The book places the countries in alphabetical order which was ideal. For each country it tells of the best time to visit, top things to see and to do, random facts, the capital, population, size and language. It also has two to four beautiful pictures for each country.
It is really great coffee table book! I found SO many places that I would love to go to and many that I hadn't even thought about before. I wouldn't say though that it is a book to sit down and read, but a great one to flip through and especially if you are looking for travel inspiration!
I do think the photographs could have sometimes been better, or more linked to the "Top things to do". The pictures for England, Japan and France in particular were dreadful! But the majority were definitely very well done, even if there were a few random picks!
Not a book if you are after lots of information, other more focused Lonely Planet books I've read would have been better for that. However, a great overview book.
Such a great gift for any travel fanatics as it gives a really nice quick look at each country and will make you want to travel to many new places!
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2008
Lonely Planet has done something very unusual here. With 213 countries (from Aghanistan to Zimbabwe -- and yes, in alphabetical order), with four pages per entry, they manage to get across a great deal of information.
Each country's entry has the same subsections: best time to visit (sometimes this is a different historical era), essential experiences, getting under the skin (with sections on what to read, listen to, watch, eat and drink); in a word (usually a greeting); trademarks, surprises, and a small map. There are always interesting photos, and not usually of the big landmarks for each locale.
In other words, what "The Travel Book" aims to do is give you a taste of what to expect, and an idea of where you can get more information before a trip so that you are more culturally aware than the average traveler. This book is an entertaining addition to any travel buff's bookshelf.
Each country's entry has the same subsections: best time to visit (sometimes this is a different historical era), essential experiences, getting under the skin (with sections on what to read, listen to, watch, eat and drink); in a word (usually a greeting); trademarks, surprises, and a small map. There are always interesting photos, and not usually of the big landmarks for each locale.
In other words, what "The Travel Book" aims to do is give you a taste of what to expect, and an idea of where you can get more information before a trip so that you are more culturally aware than the average traveler. This book is an entertaining addition to any travel buff's bookshelf.
June 8, 2021
Kompakt und wunderschön gestaltet:
Dieses Buch habe ich mir selbst geschenkt, um mein Fernweh in COVID-19-Zeiten zu mildern. Und was ist passiert? Es war absehbar, ich habe selbstverständlich größeres Fernweh bekommen und kann nicht aufhören, darin zu stöbern und zu lesen... doppelt, dreifach! Es ist ein wunderbares Buch, um sich einen Überblick der Länder zu verschaffen, die man noch bereisen möchte und in Erinnerung der Länder zu schwelgen, die man bereits bereist hat.
Dieses Buch habe ich mir selbst geschenkt, um mein Fernweh in COVID-19-Zeiten zu mildern. Und was ist passiert? Es war absehbar, ich habe selbstverständlich größeres Fernweh bekommen und kann nicht aufhören, darin zu stöbern und zu lesen... doppelt, dreifach! Es ist ein wunderbares Buch, um sich einen Überblick der Länder zu verschaffen, die man noch bereisen möchte und in Erinnerung der Länder zu schwelgen, die man bereits bereist hat.
February 5, 2017
This is a must-have book for all travellers!
It is a coffee table book, so not one to carry around in your travels, but definitely a good starting point to decide where to go on your next adventure.
The book features a summary for each country in the world, including highlights, best times to visit, books to read, and obviously stunning pictures.
Highly recommend it.
It is a coffee table book, so not one to carry around in your travels, but definitely a good starting point to decide where to go on your next adventure.
The book features a summary for each country in the world, including highlights, best times to visit, books to read, and obviously stunning pictures.
Highly recommend it.
January 28, 2013
A nice coffee table book of interesting photos. However, given the errors and omissions I noted about the countries I am familiar with, I would discourage anyone from using this book to plan a journey.
1. In Canada (my home country), Anglophones are not predominantly bilingual and Francophones do not have control over the country - yes, they are disproportionately represented in parliament as is Prince Edward Island but they are still a minority in a huge North American sea.
2. Despite giving recognition to tiny coral atolls in the middle of the ocean, the Shetland Islands were not even on the map of Scotland - one more reason I suppose for their movement to separate.
If you want an interesting picture book journeying through the world where each country is represented by people from that country, try The Quilt of Belonging edited by Esther Bryan. A millenium project to recognize that at least one person from every country in the world makes their home in Canada.
1. In Canada (my home country), Anglophones are not predominantly bilingual and Francophones do not have control over the country - yes, they are disproportionately represented in parliament as is Prince Edward Island but they are still a minority in a huge North American sea.
2. Despite giving recognition to tiny coral atolls in the middle of the ocean, the Shetland Islands were not even on the map of Scotland - one more reason I suppose for their movement to separate.
If you want an interesting picture book journeying through the world where each country is represented by people from that country, try The Quilt of Belonging edited by Esther Bryan. A millenium project to recognize that at least one person from every country in the world makes their home in Canada.
January 24, 2014
As someone who has travelled extensively, I've read my share of travel guides. I have always found Lonely Planet books to be very evidently 'Mercian; there are several condescending remarks about many cultures and counties in this book (and others I've read) that have really turned me off. National Geographic or DK guides are the best by far!
June 25, 2017
This is a wonderful book on all the countries. It gives a great snapshot of each country's character and the pictures are amazing.
July 1, 2019
Snapshots of every country. Great collection!!
May 23, 2009
The 1,200 photographs in this book are, for the most part, mouth-watering, and I like the egalitarian design (the countries are listed in alphabetical order, and each one gets two pages, no matter the size or population or relative fame). A word to the easily offended: there are several photos of bare-breasted women and at least one of nude children.
Certainly this book whets a person's appetite for international travel. As a travel guide it's not very useful, since there's only bits of information on each nation, but it's wonderful browsing and would probably be good for people trying to make up their minds on where they want to go.
Certainly this book whets a person's appetite for international travel. As a travel guide it's not very useful, since there's only bits of information on each nation, but it's wonderful browsing and would probably be good for people trying to make up their minds on where they want to go.
June 4, 2009
This is one of my favorite books to look through. Whenever the travel bug bites I either watch one of Samantha Brown's shows on the Travel Channel or I pick this book up and the travel bug (temporarily) goes away. As much as I love to travel and see new places my bank account does not always agree! Actually, it rarely agrees! But this book helps keep me sane!
This book is amazing. Seriously. Lonely Planet takes you on an adventure, an adventure that goes through 230 countries (in alphabetical order). Each country gets two pages in the book. One page is just pictures, and the other is facts about the country. This book is informative, but please don't read this if you want to learn every little thing about Peru or what hostels to stay in when you travel to France. The Travel Book just gives a general overview (with gorgeous pictures). This is a great resource to be able to get a sense of all of the countries in the world.
One each country's page it follows the same format: There is a small blurb about the country followed by: The best time to visit, Essential experiences (things you must do!), Getting under the skin (what to read, listen to, eat and drink to get a better feel of the country), In a word (a word of phrase that sums up the country/language), Trademarks, Surprises, and there is always a small map of the country at the end of the page. Plus the country's capital, population, and official language are also given.
This book may be a little outdated in some aspects, as it was published five years ago but it is still a fantastic read. You can travel the whole world just by lounging on the couch. I think it makes a great coffee table book.
Where to first? Your journey awaits...
This book is amazing. Seriously. Lonely Planet takes you on an adventure, an adventure that goes through 230 countries (in alphabetical order). Each country gets two pages in the book. One page is just pictures, and the other is facts about the country. This book is informative, but please don't read this if you want to learn every little thing about Peru or what hostels to stay in when you travel to France. The Travel Book just gives a general overview (with gorgeous pictures). This is a great resource to be able to get a sense of all of the countries in the world.
One each country's page it follows the same format: There is a small blurb about the country followed by: The best time to visit, Essential experiences (things you must do!), Getting under the skin (what to read, listen to, eat and drink to get a better feel of the country), In a word (a word of phrase that sums up the country/language), Trademarks, Surprises, and there is always a small map of the country at the end of the page. Plus the country's capital, population, and official language are also given.
This book may be a little outdated in some aspects, as it was published five years ago but it is still a fantastic read. You can travel the whole world just by lounging on the couch. I think it makes a great coffee table book.
Where to first? Your journey awaits...
October 23, 2008
This book is an excellent summary of every country and island in the world. Lonely Planet takes you on a brief journey to countries far and wide in a completely unbiased way. The U.S. or China get the same 'face time' as Cyprus or Djibouti.
On each page you will find spectacular pictures capturing the culture of the country and its people, rather than the famous landmarks. The text begins with an introduction to the country, then proceeds with information that would be interesting to travelers; not necessarily 'tourists'... but travelers. This information includes the best time to visit, trademarks, books or movies to get "under the skin", and examples of things to experience, eat, or drink.
A Journey Through Every Country in the World provides a great insider's introduction to every country in the world.
On each page you will find spectacular pictures capturing the culture of the country and its people, rather than the famous landmarks. The text begins with an introduction to the country, then proceeds with information that would be interesting to travelers; not necessarily 'tourists'... but travelers. This information includes the best time to visit, trademarks, books or movies to get "under the skin", and examples of things to experience, eat, or drink.
A Journey Through Every Country in the World provides a great insider's introduction to every country in the world.
August 21, 2022
I love these books, and I like the layout for this latest edition. I always come away with a new appreciation for some counties and move them up on my bucket list... Uruguay and Slovenia, I'm looking at you!
There were some typos, especially names of people.
There were some typos, especially names of people.
January 9, 2022
This book satiates my wanderlust from yet another bout of isolation…
The “Getting under the skin” section is hazardous, racked up quite a reading list from this section 🤣
The “Getting under the skin” section is hazardous, racked up quite a reading list from this section 🤣
August 21, 2021
Wonderful coffee table book! You can even bench press with this later ;) 2 pages for each country, one with beautiful pics and other with some details on what's must see there, special foods etc. You'll not find tons of info on each country, but to add everything in one travel book is impossible.
Do note that it's called a travel book, but it's impossible to take on any of the travels at atleast 7lbs!
Do note that it's called a travel book, but it's impossible to take on any of the travels at atleast 7lbs!
July 20, 2022
I haven't strictly 'read' this and probably won't for a while, but I got this as a gorgeous gift from my colleagues and I am so happy with it. Gorgeous pictures and details. I'll cherish this forever!
November 10, 2018
Excellent photos and guide information.
September 28, 2022
DNF too much book
November 18, 2024
Beautiful photography. Makes me want to travel even more than I already do and has added more places to my travel wishlist.
September 4, 2025
The absolute coolest!!!!!!
December 20, 2025
We pull this book out and I make everyone pick a country we look up and read about. Pictures are beautiful!
Read
April 27, 2023I loved this book back when I first found it years ago. It definitely encouraged my feelings at the time of wanting to travel!
May 28, 2019
What an amazing book, though I do wish I had a more updated version now. Each country in the world gets a single two-page spread. Equal real estate goes to tiny island nations like Cyrus or Kiribati as to global super powers like France and the United States. And 75% of each spread is devoted to photos, so you only get a very small taste of what each country has to offer. That being said, Lonley Planet distills its information down to a fantastic overview, covering best times to visit, essential experiences, ways to "get under the skin" with recommended books, music, movies, food, and drink, plus a section on "tradmarks" and surprises.
I'm slowly reading it cover to cover and dream of a day when I could visit each country in alphabetical order, just like this. This book will be the closest I'll likely get to that, but it's fun to dream.
I wouldn't really recommend it for travel planning, it's really more for dreaming or maybe a very early starting place for ideas of where to go and what to do. Mainly it looks fantastic on the coffee table.
I'm slowly reading it cover to cover and dream of a day when I could visit each country in alphabetical order, just like this. This book will be the closest I'll likely get to that, but it's fun to dream.
I wouldn't really recommend it for travel planning, it's really more for dreaming or maybe a very early starting place for ideas of where to go and what to do. Mainly it looks fantastic on the coffee table.
February 4, 2017
This travel book is honestly magical. It gives me that strong sense of need to travel, and I love it. When I'm flipping through the pages I feel as if I'm in the country. The pictures are breathtaking, like I would honestly buy a giant book full of photos from around the world. There's so much useful information, especially for someone who really wants to start traveling the world ASAP. It's a beautiful book and definitely a must in my family.
January 22, 2025
This is like a compilation of travel brochures for every country. Each entry has some pretty pictures and bullet points of what to see and do, along with a brief map in the corner. Would be better as a skimmer but I’m weird enough to read reference book cover to cover. It’s the only way I’ll ever take a round the world tour.
February 8, 2017
My favorite coffee table book. One of these days I shall read/watch/listen to everything on every list.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews