One for the Road: Fun on Foot in New England

by Kelly Amabile on

The Fun on Foot series is an independently published collection of guides to the best places to run, job and walk. The newest title in the series is Fun on Foot in New England, which highlights the best trails and pathways in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. There are detailed route suggestions for Cape Cod and Nantucket, and cities like Hartford, CT, Burlington, VT, Providence, RI and Boston, MA, which features expanded coverage.

The foot-focused team behind this series of guides is Warwick and Nola Ford, Australian-raised Canadian-Americans with a passion for running, skiing, and travel. While working as an executive, Warwick traveled frequently, and found that his biggest challenge at that time was identifying easy options for fitness in between countless cross-country flights. That led to the Fun on Foot project. Now, Warwick and Nola spend their time researching and documenting enjoyable on-foot routes in cities throughout the US.

One for the Road: Cycling Misadventures

by Kelly Amabile on

Balance for me is only achieved properly through the use of two feet on solid ground. So, needless to say, I’m jealous of all you folks confident enough to ride bikes for pleasure, and those who race competitively too. It’s definitely a smart, ecological and healthy way to travel, but it’s just not my thing.

However, this won’t stop me from telling you about a neat new anthology of cycling stories! A perfect gift for your bike lovin’ pals, Cycling’s Greatest Misadventures is a collection of twenty-seven true stories. Written by a variety of cyclers from everyday riders to expert pros, these tales tell of freak accidents, animal attacks, eerie incidents and an assortment of jaw-dropping bike calamities. Stories are organized around certain themes, like Race Day, Training, Turns for the Worse and Animal Encounters. There’s even a few stories devoted to cycling tales from places like Laos, Idaho and India.

Maybe some of these stories could convince me to face my two-wheel fears?! Possibly, but then one look at the Bike Crash Photo Gallery in the middle of the book, and I’m reassured that walking is indeed more my speed.

There are some events related to this new release coming up soon, including one on July 16th at Distant Lands in Pasadena, CA.

One for the Road: Ten Million Steps

by Kelly Amabile on

A new paperback edition of an epic personal journey was recently released by Menasha Ridge Press. Originally self-published in 2000 and since out of print, Ten Million Steps tells the story of hiking legend M. J. Eberhart. known on the trail as Nimblewill Nomad.

In January 1998, the retired physician from Florida began what would become a historic, 10-month, 4,400-mile journey, on foot, from the Florida Keys to Quebec. In his engaging and honest style, Eb (as he is known by off-trail friends) shares a vivid and detailed account of deep joy, physical pain and self-discovery along what is now known as the Eastern Continental Trail. He walked the entire length of the Appalachian trail and logged many miles (and steps!) on other trails and roads along the way. The story of his celebrated trek is sure to be a source of inspiration and enjoyment to fellow hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and armchair travelers too!

One for the Road: Rick Steves Istanbul

by Kelly Amabile on

European travel guru Rick Steves has changed things up a bit for one of his latest books. This new stand-alone guide to Istanbul was not written by him–a first for the super active and involved guide book master. Instead, Rick turned the project over to a pair of trustworthy and knowledgeable Europe Through the Back Door tour guides.

Husband and wife team, Lale Surmen Aran and Tankut Aran are an Istanbul couple that run a “Back Door” style travel agency, SRM Travel, and have led several Rick Steves’ Best of Turkey Tours. As Rick states in an introductory sidebar, “I believe [Lale and Tankut] know their hometown better than any non-Turk ever could. And, after a lifetime of tour guiding, they relate well to Americans and understand their needs and concerns.”

This city guide is a nice slim fit for your backpack or day-bag, loaded with tips on where to dine, sleep and shop in Istanbul. The Turkish travel duo suggest self-guided tours of Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and other sites, as well as walking tours of the Old Town back streets, the historic center, the Golden Horn inlet and the New District.

One for the Road: The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life

by Kelly Amabile on

The travel buzz word “experience” is nothing new. But a book from National Geographic released earlier this year has handpicked a bunch that are extra special: The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life offers up a collection of nourishing travel experiences, like cooking, painting, studying and volunteering.

We’re all familiar with the “It’s not the destination” travel mantra, right? We know it’s really all about the journey, regardless of where you go. So, instead of overloading you with places you should visit before you die, this book suggests specific things you can do to enrich your life while you’ve still got one. If 1,000 places to see seems daunting, why not start here first, with a manageable list of 100 learn-as-you-go vacation ideas for the US, Canada and Mexico.