From romantic destinations to world’s best cities, these guides can take you to great places.
Shopping, romance, bucket lists, inspiration and information: All of these things and more can be found in books for travelers that are out this season in time for the holidays.
• “Places for Passion: The 75 Most Romantic Destinations in the World,” by Pepper Schwartz and Janet Lever (Frommer’s, $23), offers inspiration for couples’ getaways from sophisticated cities and exotic destinations to beaches, resorts and outdoor adventures around the world. Schwartz, a University of Washington sociology professor, is also a “love and relationship expert” for AARP and one of the experts on A&E Networks’ FYI channel’s reality series “Married at First Sight.”
• “111 Shops in New York That You Must Not Miss: Unique Finds and Local Treasures,” by Susan Lusk and Mark Gabor (Emons Publishers, $20), is a fun guide to retailers around the city, from well-known emporiums such as Eataly and ABC Carpet & Home, to unusual specialty shops selling books, vintage jewelry, skateboards, hats, lingerie and more.
• “World’s Best Cities: Celebrating 220 Great Destinations” (National Geographic, $40) is a gorgeously illustrated hardcover book that offers an inviting glance at cities around the world from New York to Abu Dhabi, along with curated lists of best cities in categories such as eco-smart, oceanfront, high-altitude and all-American.
• “You Only Live Once: A Lifetime of Experiences for the Explorer in All of Us” (Lonely Planet, $30), also a lavishly illustrated hardcover, describes experiences rather than places, from tasting the world’s hottest chili peppers to the best birding, safaris, train rides and castles.