OUR STORY A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
It's time to travel the world as this book takes a peek at all sorts of interesting places around the globe.
The Table of Contents already offers a good impression at how much this book holds. The six chapters take a look at the six continents (Antarctica is not included), and each one holds around a dozen or so intriguing things that can be visited at each one. These include a huge variety as they touch upon natural wonders as well as animals, activities, or architecture. A very vague world map displays the continents and has a short paragraph, which adds a little excitement as to what each one might hold. Then, there's a list, which breaks down the locations into categories such as cities, experiences, water, and more to help those readers, who enjoy certain types of activities more than others, which ones might interest them most. Each chapter begins with a map of the continent where the general locations of each sight are pointed out as well as a photo to give a first impression of what each one is about. After that, each location is given a two-page spread, which is packed with photos and boxes of information explaining not only the general place but information and other things to do or see at that place.
There is a vast and varied mix in these pages. Some things are well known, while others surprise. There are activities for daredevils as well as animal fans or water enjoyers. The information highlights not only the important aspects of each place and activity but keeps the excitement high with fun notes or curious facts. The photos add to the fun and make sure to pack tons of atmosphere.
None of the information comes across as dry or monotone. Each highlight listed under the main location carries only a short paragraph and gives a glimpse at what makes it special without spending too much time on descriptions. It hits a few intriguing facts and moves on. The text speaks directly to the reader to draw them in and mentions things which the age group might find interesting.
While most readers probably won't jet around the world to visit these places, the photos and information opens awareness to the world and the wonders it holds. This makes it a nice addition not only to school collections but also for homeschoolers or even book enthusiasts, who enjoy learning more about the world around them.
This book is an exciting journey around the globe, showcasing fascinating destinations across six continents (excluding Antarctica). With six chapters, each highlighting unique and intriguing places, it covers a wide range of natural wonders, animals, activities, and architecture. There’s a great mix of nature, cultural, and historical experiences, offering something for everyone—whether you're seeking adventure, learning about different cultures, or exploring history.
I really enjoyed the maps, illustrations, photographs, and category breakdown (cities, water, experiences, etc.) that help guide readers to places that match their interests.
The writing is lively and accessible, offering just enough detail to spark curiosity without overwhelming the reader. From daredevil activities and animal encounters to cultural experiences and historical landmarks, the book offers a wonderfully diverse representation of the world’s wonders.
This book will inspire readers to take adventures and explore new places. It’s a great resource for school libraries, homeschoolers, or anyone passionate about exploring the planet from home.
I found myself immediately tabbing points of interest, and dreaming about our next family vacation.