One for the Road: Lonely Planet Encounters

by Kelly Amabile on

I’ve got a friend visiting New York this week for the very first time, and in advance of her visit, I road-tested a few guides to see which might work best to use during her short stay. For the rest of this week, I’ll feature the NYC versions of several guidebook series. Consider this part-two of my previous I Love NY mini-book reviews.

First up is New York Encounter, the Big Apple edition of Lonely Planet’s new series of pocket guides that were launched in May. Geared for “urban adventurers seeking unique experiences” the books are for travelers who want to “rapidly immerse themselves in a city.” They were created in collaboration with travelers who seek info from locals in the know. Some short Q&A’s throughout the book showcase the diversity of personality and place that characterizes these guides: there are interviews with the guys behind the High Line, a pedicab driver originally from the Ukraine, a Brooklyn bodega owner and a curatorial assistant at MoMA.

The focus is on experience. There are limited accommodation suggestions, since the emphasis is on what you can do, and in a city like NYC, sleeping doesn’t really count for much. Organized by neighborhood, each section has maps that show places to eat, shop, drink, see and play. There’s a free pull-out map in the rear too, for when you don’t mind looking like a tourist as you plunge deeper into your encounter with the city.

Wheelers on “Wait, Wait” During June US Book Tour

by Kelly Amabile on

Lonely Planet founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler are kicking off a two week book tour of the US with an appearance at Book Expo in New York City today. They will then continue on with a series of events at bookstores and other venues from Boston to Portland.

They will visit The Geographical Society of Philadelphia and The Chicago Tribune’s Printers Row Book Fair, and will also stop by NPR’s Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me while in the Windy City next week.

The publishing powerhouse duo is touring in support of their two new books, both released this spring: Tony Wheeler’s Bad Lands: A Tourist on the Axis of Evil and Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story. Tony’s book offers a first-hand look at his travels through some of the world’s most dangerous regimes; places like Afghanistan, Burma, Iran, Libya, Cuba and North Korea. The other book, written together by the couple, is a personal account of their 40-years in the travel guidebook biz. I’ve only had time to skim the Table of Contents of my copy, but it looks as if it must read like a good story while also serving as a textbook for the travel publishing industry.

One for the Road: Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children

by Kelly Amabile on

I think it’s safe to say that Maureen Wheeler is the mother of the modern-day travel guide. Her publishing partnership with husband Tony has created a company that continues to inspire, guide and connect travelers worldwide.

Through the years, Lonely Planet has introduced all sorts of creative travel titles, in addition to their traditional shoestring guides. One of these alternative guides is Travel with Children, which Maureen originally wrote back in the 1980’s. On the most recent 2002 edition, she teamed up with author Cathy Lanigan.

The result is a practical guide for parents on how to have meaningful travel experiences with children, whether toddlers or teens. Besides the usual particulars (tips on packing, planning and prep), this handy guide includes advice on breastfeeding, pregnant travel and on-the-road health. The country profiles, while useful, receive poor marks from some reviewers as not meeting the level of detail expected from the LP brand. But they do feature the best kid-friendly sights and educational opportunities in some less obvious family destinations like Bhutan and Cairo. There’s also a little first-hand advice from the Wheeler’s well-traveled kids, Kieran and Tashi.

Although mom might want a vacation FROM the kids on Mother’s Day, this book has the potential to make her and dad look at family travel in a whole new way.

2007 Webby Award Winners Announced

by Justin Glow on

The winners of the 2007 Webby Awards have been announced, and while Gadling didn’t take home a trophy this year (though we were named an “Official Honoree“), several other great travel-related websites did. Here are the nominees and winners in the travel category of the 2007 Webby Awards:

Maybe next time we can take home a Webby!

One for the Road: NYC Lonely Planet Guide

by Kelly Amabile on

The I Love NY tourism slogan turns thirty in 2007, so to honor this great state, I’ll be highlighting a variety of travel books related to New York all week. Since I currently live in New York State and work in New York City, I’ve managed to accumulate a rather unique collection of guidebooks. But to kick things off, I’ll begin with a basic no-brainer suggestion:

Whether your visiting New York for the first or the fifth time, Lonely Planet’s 2006 NYC City Guide will come in handy at some point during your Gotham travels. When I started working in Manhattan again last fall (after almost ten years away from the city), I turned to LP’s guide, and have kept it safely stashed in my desk at work. It has helped reacquaint me with the city’s neighborhoods and grid layout, and the condensed, easy-to-read pull-out map has been a useful resource to keep tucked in my purse.

Brooklyn definitely gets special play in this guide that’s primarily Manhattan focused. “Brooklyn and the Outer Boroughs” are grouped together in an introductory overview. But there is substantial content on the sites and sounds of Brooklyn throughout the book, including two walking tours among the 11 suggested. There are also sleek, glossy, full-color photo chapters on NYC architecture and Central Park. You can’t go wrong with this book if you’re a guidebook traveler, but I’d also suggest it as a decent gift for recent transplants to NYC, or folks returning home to the Big Apple who may be in need of a refresher course on this city of constant change.