Luoghi Nascosti

by Sarah Baxter, Amy Grimes (Illustrator), Susanna Molinari (Translator)

Wander off the beaten track to uncover the world’s most secret destinations through insightful text and beautiful hand-drawn illustrations: discover an ancient gateway to the Mayan underworld, a mysterious underwater monument sunken off the Ryukyu Islands in Japan or a prehistoric village covered for centuries by a huge sand dune in the Orkney Islands.

In Inspired Traveller's Guide: Hidden Places travel journalist Sarah Baxter’s evocative words instantly transport you to twenty-five of the world’s most obscured places. From remote locations that visitors must trek and wade just to catch a glimpse of, to forgotten cities only recently revealed and places purposefully hidden as sanctuaries from persecution, each destination has a very human story at its heart. 

Featured locations:
Tyneham, England
Skara Brae, Scotland
Menlo Castle, Ireland
Ladby Ship, Denmark
Our Dear Lord in the Attic, Netherlands
Montsegur, France
Kaisertal, Austria
Black Forest, Germany
Rok Runestone, Sweden
Villa of Tiberius, Italy
Bulnes, Spain
Lalibela, Ethiopia
Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Turpan Oasis, China
Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
Yonaguni, Japan
Mount Borradaile, Australia
Curio Bay, New Zeland
Spirit Island, Canada
The Green Mill, USA
Havasu Canyon, USA
Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, USA
Actun Tunichil, Belize
Choquequirao, Peru
El Mirador, Guatemala

Savour a moment to delight in the serenity and seclusion of the secret escapes collected in this beautifully illustrated guide, full of surprise, wonder and sights otherwise unseen.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, History, Nature, Adventure

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Sarah Baxter is a writer, book author and editor specialising in travel, adventure, history and the great outdoors. In the name of exploration, she's climbed Kilimanjaro, snorkelled with killer whales, eaten sheep's brain, walked on the wings of a bi-plane, descended into an Icelandic volcano, learned to salsa in Barcelona and much, much more. Formerly deputy editor at Wanderlust travel magazine, she now writes for a range of outlets including The Telegraph, The Independent, iPaper, Wanderlust, Sunday Times Travel magazine, Country Walking and others. She has also authored many books, including A History of the World in 500 Walks, The Inspired Traveller's Guide to Spiritual Places and Lonely Planet's Where to Go When.

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting and beautifully-illustrated book, and perfect to read during a pandemic when I haven't left Scotland (and have barely left Glasgow) in over a year.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting little book that tells the stories of abandoned/hidden places around the world to visit. Many of the stories are depressing, like the opening one about an ancient English village whose residents were evicted during the war to set up a military base and never allowed to return or the Irish castle that burned with most of its small number of residents and workers inside. There is a decided preference for European places, which take up at least half of the book. A handful of African, North American, South American and other continents' hidden places are also provided.

Each place is described lyrically with a focus on history but also on story telling, in about 4 pages. There are beautiful illustrations of each place (generally about two paintings) but no photographs. This was a shame for me, as I really wanted to see photos of the places described.

I'm not sure if I'd really want to visit any of these places and some of them are impossible (underwater, buried in jungle, etc.). In the end, I just felt a little sad about most of them.

As an unrelated note, the author is listed as Sarah Baxter and when I clicked to see what books she had written, quite a few poorly rated porn collections were listed. Ms. Baxter is not a Goodreads author and I don't know if Goodreads just lumped all the books that had "Sarah Baxter" (a rather common name) listed as a contributor together, but it might be worth looking into if this is a different author.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

[AlenGarou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Di solito sono per gli atlanti più specifici e ricchi di fotografie, ma questa collana uscita dalla penna di Sarah Baxter riesce a catturare il lettore e a trasportarlo nei luoghi citati senza utilizzare i classici media.
Come espresso nel titolo, in questa guida verranno esaminati luoghi che normalmente sfuggono alle solite mete turistiche. Tra castelli diroccati, siti archeologici, meraviglie naturali e mondi sommersi, scopriremo non solo le loro particolarità, ma anche le loro storie misteriose e spesso tristi, come quelle del villaggio di Tyneham in Inghilterra o del castello di Menlo in Irlanda. Insomma, c’è né per tutti i gusti e tutti i continenti.
Sta di fatto che ogni pagina mi ha fatto venire voglia di mollare tutto e partire per l’avventura, ben consapevole che sul campo durerei cinque minuti a farla grande… se non muoio prima facendo l’autostop perché viaggiare in questa economia è un lusso.
Ma se amate spostarvi e volete espandere i vostri itinerari non potete perdervi questa guida.
Sto giusto pensando di trasferirmi nella valle di Kaisertal per non trovarmi circondata da gente che sembra scappata dallo zoo.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a truly fascinating book. The author has collected a few gems of sites and places across the globe which could be classified as hidden treasures.
Some are literally only recently been discovered and not fully excavated; having been abandoned, nature has reclaimed her own. Others, has been deemed less important or too far off the tourist route to be visited by and known by large numbers of travellers.
I remember walking the Pennine Way; crowds would take over the hills for about 800 metres around a car park but thereafter no- one was seen and great sights were shared with sheep and few other human eyes. Too Withins (of Withering Heights association) too far from Haworth for the average walker to traipse. So it seems with some of these places collected for us by this travel author. A climb, or a two day trek making them too far off the beaten track to become Kodak photo opportunities.
The book is interesting but it has a limited value if it became a bucket list of places to visit. One it would seem to miss the point, secondly there is a deeper and meaningful message here.
Why we journey and explore. Why we venture for new horizons and fresh challenges. Further what travel is about. That is understanding a place, it’s people, culture and history.
This book provides illustrations and text to bring these hidden spots to the reader’s attention. The question isn’t to repeat the visits and get likes on Facebook surely but to be enthused to be a more informed tourist. To seek out the unusual rather than just ticking off places like collecting badges and got the tee-shirt holidaying.
His book makes the process of going to new places a more intense experience. Something to plan and research more and perhaps find your own hidden valleys, lost cities or abandoned settlements.

[Stephen West · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rate this book high especially because it has given me some new places to add to my bucket list. I really enjoyed the art style of the pictures used to show off the locations.

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many amazing places that I would love to visit.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Inspired Traveler series and it is not necessarily about 'hidden' places - although several locales are ruins that have not been extensively excavated or do not have easy accommodations for tourists - like clear roads. Even some of the trails to some of these places are quite strenuous - like Machu Picchu's sister city of Choquequirao which is a two-day track from a small village starting with a mile-deep descent into a canyon and then an even higher trek back up the other side.

- There is the village of Tyneham in England in which the population was 'temporarily' evicted so that soldiers could train for the upcoming D-day invasion. Their descendants are still not allowed to return.
- A secret Catholic church constructed in the 1600's in Amsterdam, Our Dear Lord in the Attic is exactly that - a small church on the second and third floors of what was once a residence.
- Phnom Kulen, the first city of the Khmer Empire of Cambodia and only 19 miles from the more famous Angkor Wat.

There is Lalibela in Ethiopia, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe, the mystery of Yonaguni off the coast of Japan. The Black Forest of Germany. Havasu Canyon and the tribal nation that lives there in the Grand Canyon but outside the National Park - permission to enter/visit is required. Mount Borradaile in Australia which forbids outsiders from entering on this aboriginal land. The Green Mill in Chicago and a favored hangout of Al Capone.

There are a total of twenty-five locations and each receives a bit of history as well as how to get there - if it's even allowed. There are numerous two-pages spreads along with other lavish illustrations done by Amy Grimes.

This entire series is a fun set of travel guides and I hope that Baxter continues to tell her readers of these unusual collections of locales.

2021-239

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning and informative! Sarah Baxter and Amy Grimes, writer and illustrator respectively, have created a unique and beautiful tome that both engages and informs the armchair traveler of the “Hidden Places” this world harbors. Those who are adventurous and courageous enough to undertake some of these trips are in for a one-of-a-kind journey. Some of the hidden places I found interesting were “Tyneham” in England, an English town that stood frozen in time, “Skara Brae” an ancient settlement of a bygone era in Scotland, “Menlo Castle” shrouded in mystery in Ireland, the “Villa of Tiberius” an abandoned and vast complex forgotten by time in Italy and “Lalibela” a network of underground churches buried underneath the soil in Ethiopia.

Other sites that were listed that surprised me were “The Green Mill” in Chicago, IL where the infamous Al Capone enjoyed listening to his jazz and drinking his Prohibition liquor in splendor, “The Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims” in Brooklyn, NY where many runaway slaves’ final destination to freedom lay beneath this church’s foundation, “Choquequirao” the ancient Inca city in Peru, which is known as the sister site of the legendary “Macchu Picchu”, the peace and tranquility offered by “Kaisertal” a remote and serene town in the Austrian alps and “Curio Bay” in Southern New Zealand where one gets a glimpse of a fossilized, Jurassic period wonderland.

I truly enjoyed this book! I learned of sites I’ve never heard of before and this guide injects one with the adventure bug. Can’t wait to travel soon! 🧳

[Laural Griffen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book complimented by beautiful illustrations. Each short and detailed account peels back the layers of 25 hidden places from around the world. Reading about these hidden spots prompted me to further explore them on Youtube....wonderful armchair travel!

[Monique Van hest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zeer gecharmeerd van de illustraties en het idee van dit boek. De verhalen over de plekken vond ik, na een enthousiast leesbegin, uiteindelijk iets te veel opsommend.

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

* I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
After Reading "Spiritual Places" from the same author and illustrator duo I was delighted to see that this is coming out too.
Amy Grimes illustrations enchant me, especially the way that trees are drawn (and there's plenty of them in Hidden Places).
As in Spiritual Places, the chapters are short but insightful and wonderfully written, starting in Europe and making their way around the world.
Sarah Baxter has a talent in making us learn about and appreciate these places and fill us with wanderlust but also let us recognize their importance and why we maybe should not all treat these as the new exclusive cool holiday getaway. This was my biggest fear: Showing us those hidden gems as if they are the next good thing to exploit. Thankfully, the book treats these places with respect.
I am excited to learn what the next Inspired Traveller's Guide will have to offer!

[Galina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kniha popisuje zajímavá místa z celého světa, kterým k dokonalosti chybí víc geografických nebo historických faktů. Nejzajímavější jsou nakonec jen ty ilustrace.

[Lacey Pfalz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Baxter's Hidden Places re-imagines the world. Aimed at inspiring travelers to go against the wave of tourists crowding into popular locations across the globe, Baxter condenses some of the most enigmatic and mysterious places in the world into easily digestible descriptions. One might find the descriptions of these exotic locales too short; however, I understand that they are only meant to inspire more research in a potential traveler.

This book is beautiful. The font, the binding, the book. Everything glimmers, including the gold embossed title. Amy Grimes' illustrations add such a beautiful aspect to this book, and in a world that has largely decided that there's nothing we haven't seen or discovered, her illustrations prove us wrong. They make the idea of "Hidden places" more compelling; they make us wonder, what does this place look like in real life? And that sense of wonder is magical.

I really want to get the entire Inspired Traveller's Guide series, because they're perfect for when you just want some inspiration.

[Kerrie Hoar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting book filled with fascinating places of the world - several of which were already on my list of places that I want to visit ... Skara Brae in Scotland, The Black Forest of Germany and Mount Borradaile in Australia.  I have added a few more to my list .... Tyneham in England, Menlo Castle in Ireland and villa of Tiberius in Italy .... just to name a few.  I am generally more drawn to photography, but the illustrations in this book are fantastic.

I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written look at some unusual sites around the world. Brief, interesting historical information provided about each area. While the book has nice illustrations to accompany each locale, I can’t help but wish actual photos of the sites were included instead.

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this travel book because its not as interesting as it sounds, and the illustrations were rustic paintings similar to Grandma Moses, which doesn't exactly inspire you to travel.

[Randa ElSayed · Rating 4 out of 5]

أماكن خفية | سارة باكستر
التقييم: ٤نجوم

عزيزي قارئ المراجعة،
ليس كل كتاب عن السفر دعوة لحزم الحقائب، بعضُها وهذا واحد منها، دعوة أعمق للتوقف، للإنصات، وللنظر إلى العالم بعين أقل استعجالًا.

كتاب "أماكن خفية" للكاتبة سارة باكستر ليس دليلًا سياحيًا بالمعنى التقليدي، ولا خريطة للرحلات السريعة، بل عمل تأملي عن الفضول، والذاكرة، والأماكن التي اختارت، أو أُجبرت أن تبقى خارج الضوء.

من الصفحة الأولى، يتضح لنا أنها لا تكتب عن الزيارة بقدر ما تكتب عن العلاقة بين الإنسان والمكان.
كل فصل يفتح بابًا صغيرًا على موقع منسي، مثل قرية أُفرغت من سكانها بصمت، مدينة نامت تحت الغابة، معبد نُحت في الصخر، أو وادٍ لا يصل إليه إلا من آمن بأن في البُعد سحرًا.
اللغة هنا هادئة، مشبعة بالحكايات، لا تُغرق القارئ في التواريخ، لكنها تمنحه ما هو أثمن: الإحساس.

الكتاب يضم 25 مكانًا موزعة على قارات العالم، مع ميلٍ واضح نحو أوروبا، لكن دون إغفال أفريقيا، وآسيا، والأمريكيتين.
نقرأ عن قرية "تاينهام" الإنجليزية التي فقدت أهلها خلال الحرب، وعن "قلعة مينلو" الأيرلندية التي احترقت، ومعها ذاكرة كاملة، وعن "لاليبيلا" في إثيوبيا بكنائسها المحفورة في الصخر، وعن "تشوكويكيراو" في بيرو، المدينة الشقيقة لماتشو بيتشو، التي لا تزال تحرس هدوءها وسط الجبال.
هذه الأماكن لا تُقدم بوصفها وجهات، بل كأماكن حية لها زمنها الخاص، وجراحها، وصمتها.

الرسومات التي أنجزتها "آيمي غرايمز" ليست تزيينًا بصريًا فحسب، بل لغة موازية للنص.
ألوان ترابية، أشجار مرسومة بحنان، ظلال توحي بالغروب، والقدم، وكأن كل لوحة تقف في المسافة بين الواقع والحلم.

صحيح أن غياب الصور الفوتوغرافية قد يخيب أمل بعض القراء، وقد وجدت نفسي أبحث عن بعض المواقع لاحقًا، لكن في الوقت نفسه، تمنح الرسوم مساحة للخيال، وتُعيد للأماكن شيئًا من غموضها المستحق.

ما يميز هذا الكتاب حقًا هو رسالته غير المعلنة، فهو لا يشجع على جمع الأماكن، ولا على ملاحقة الإعجابات، بل يطرح سؤالًا هادئًا: لماذا نسافر؟ هل لنصل، أم لنفهم؟ هل نبحث عن المكان، أم عن أنفسنا فيه؟

تخبرنا الكاتبة باحترام واضح لهذه المواقع، وتُلمح دون وعظ إلى أن بعض الأماكن لا تحتاج مزيدًا من الزوار، بل مزيدًا من الفهم، وكلمة "الخفية" هنا لا تعني المجهول فقط، بل أيضًا المحمي، البعيد، أو المقصِي عمدًا عن الزحام.

إيقاع الكتاب بطيء، فصوله قصيرة لكن مشبعة، أشبه بنزهة ذهنية أو رحلة منزلية مثالية. قد تشعر أحيانًا بالحزن، فالكثير من القصص تحمل فقدًا، أو دمارًا، لكن هذا الحزن ليس ثقيلًا، هو حزن التأمل، ذاك الذي يجعلك تُقدر ما تبقى.

في النهاية، لا يمكن النظر إلى الكتاب على أنه يعلم القارئ كيف يسافر، بقدر ما هو كتاب يعيد تهذيبه على فن النظر نفسه.. إنه يدعوه إلى التمهل، إلى رؤية الجمال الكامن في الهامش، وإلى الإصغاء لذلك الهمس الخافت الذي تطلقه الأرض حين يغيب الضجيج.

كتابٌ أنيق، إنساني في رؤيته، يصلح لأن يكون رفيق قراءة هادئة في مساء شتوي، أو شرارة حلم بمغامرة قد لا تتحقق أبدًا، لكنها تظل حية في الداخل، كإمكانية دائمة للدهشة.

إنه كتاب عن الأماكن التي لم تستنزف بعد، وعن ذلك الإحساس البسيط والعميق في آنٍ واحد، الإحساس بأن العالم مهما بدا مكتشفًا، ومستهلكًا، لا يزال يحتفظ بشيء لم نره بعد.

#ترشيحات_سلحفاة_قراءة 🐢📚

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

***Does mention brothels and the Red Light District if you have kids planning on reading this book***

Hidden Places starts off explaining that not all the locations are actually "hidden" as most people would understand the concept. Instead the concept embraces places that are inaccessible, places that were overlooked but well-known secrets, those abandoned and/or are part of nature, those covered up by history, those restricted for the peace of the inhabitants or a combination of the above as well as hidden. As such the book's subject can be a bit misleading.

At the same time for those groups whose preferred social isolation, upkeep of tradition and cultures as well as peace is reliant on their inaccessibilty, I find such books like this one to be irreverent. Although it may thrill modern readers and/or travelers to find these little known gems, to learn about lesser known history and be able to pass on information that otherwise may be forgotten, it still is also inviting the modern world to invade for better or worse (although usually for the worse).

Each entry includes the name of the location in a box to the left of the start of the entry's text while reqaders can find information about Where and What in the upper right of the page.

The following body of text provides readers with information about how to get to said location, its history and significance, its traffic now and also how the modern world may be influencing it or how that location is faring in today's modern world. Readers will also find out which of the meanings of hidden apply here.

Readers will find gorgeous illustrations with some full pages and others as full spreads. Most tried to capture the nature of the surrounding areas and as a result I feel like the book would have been better served with real photos instead of with the medium it did even though it fits the thought of armchair traveler.

All in all it was a fairly decent book and with a bunch of newer locations than is normally trotted out for these types of works. As such I would recommend the book for armchair travelers or those who like lesser known history.

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a little hard to review books like this. One prominent reason in my mind is that by highlighting lesser travelled locations aren't we in the danger of losing that place to the rising tide of travellers/visitors? Once I get past that thought and see each individual site mentioned here, I could move on to just enjoying them at the moment and not overthinking.

This is a collection of lesser-known gems of places, each with something unique to offer. Some of them are quite close to some other more well-known tourist 'traps'. I loved the gist of the stories that went with each description, it was surprisingly just the right amount. A little more than a snippet of knowledge but not too deep that it would be hard to talk about if you or someone else brought the topic up or even just remember the salient facts of. I only wish the pictures had been real ones. The artist did an excellent job, and although the paintings/drawings of the scenes are beautiful, I would have appreciated the content even more with actual pictures, preferably in high definition!

I have had friends (or at least one) who have made many adventures holidays and while I do not necessarily ever plan to emulate them (I like my basic creature comforts), I love hearing about it. This entire book felt like the author was narrating a story of her trip, and that felt nice. I recommend this to people who like general knowledge about locations, and I think it can spark many conversations about the histories of those places. 

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een prachtig mooi en interessant geschreven boek over allerlei verborgen plekken in de wereld, en we gaan ook echt door de hele wereld heen. Van Europa tot Afrika tot Amerika en Azië. De meeste verborgen plekken waren nieuw voor me! Ik vond het leuk om de geschiedenis te leren van deze plekken, wat er speciaal aan is, en hoe moeilijk ze te bereiken zijn (helaas zin de meeste niet te doen voor een gewoon mens zoals ik). Het boek heeft ook prachtige illustraties die je helemaal wegvoeren naar die verborgen plek (ja, zo kom je er nog, in ieder geval deels).
Ik zou het boek zeker aanraden.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little chapters telling of places to visit that are off the beaten path or hard to get to make this a book for someone like me who is perfectly fine with armchair excursions. The author gives just enough of description to pique the interests of the reader and the illustrations by Amy Grimes enhance the whole. A few of the places I had heard about but most I was unfamiliar with. This was a nice jaunt to such places as Our Dear Lord in the Attic church in Amsterdam, Kaisertal in Austria, Great Zimbabwe in Africa and Havasu Canyon in Utah, just to name a few.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indulged myself with a treat book and regretted it after (not because of the book but because of me spending money on myself!) but then I read the first location Tyneham in Dorset and I was instantly hooked.
"There are no parcels piled up in the post office these days; no jars of liquorice on the counter nor sounds of telegrams... this solemn little village has lost its visitors. Or rather, they've lost it."

Every hidden place is written magically and mysteriously with an accompanying illustration. After reading this book, my regret has disappeared!

[Daisy Hendrikx · Rating 3 out of 5]

De vormgeving van dit boek is prachtig! De kaft sprak me ontzettend aan, zo mooi. Ik zou het zo thuis een ere plekje in de kast geven. Maar ik heb ook genoten van alle illustraties in het boek zelf.
De teksten vond ik persoonlijk iets te beschrijvend.
Maar als reisliefhebber is dit een heel leuk boekje om even bij weg te dromen over alle mysterieuze, intieme, verborgen, sfeervolle plekjes (ik heb er zelf maar eentje bezocht, spirit island).

[Dodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great introductory of some gems that you might be interested in visiting. There several categories like fairy tales locations, magic in nature, healing…etc and in each category there are serval places that you can visit that correspond to the theme of the category it’s in. With that said each location only has a page or too about it. A good introduction to these places.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a travel guide at all. There are several places that are heavily restricted or extremely difficult to visit, so there's no real intent that anybody reading this book will actually visit any of these places. It's vibes only, and that's all I was looking for here. This is part of a series of not exactly travel guides, and I'll probably look at a few more of those.

[christinemm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review on Amazon. In a nutshell, the writing makes you visualize the place in your mind, 25 places are explored. Stylized illustrations by Amy Grimes, I enjoyed everything about this book for an escapist read.

[Cami Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE travel and the excitement this book brings me to possibly visit a few of these hidden places! The artwork is beautiful. Was better to read about a few places at a time, so it took me a while to finish.

[Kristel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk om eens tussendoor te lezen. Vooral gericht op menselijke bouwwerken. Per locatie wat meer uitleg dan je op Wikipedia vindt, maar sommige van de plaatjes lijken wel afgeschilderd van Wiki-foto's. Toch verbazend hoeveel oude beschaving er op verborgen plekken aanwezig is.

[brightredglow · Rating 5 out of 5]

These days, books are the only way for me to travel. This was a nice read.

[Emma Carstens · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a coffee table book than anything. The illustrations are very cool but it would be more interesting if they were real photos of these places.