This updated compendium of facts, observations, discoveries, reviews, serendipities, humor, experiences, and more is not only for the road traveler, but the armchair traveler as well. Unlike typical guides, which read more like phone directories, Romancing the Roads is a shared diary of discoveries along America's highways and byways. Join Gerry on a tour of hotels, B & B's, restaurants, national parks, antique stores, consignment shops, boutiques, and little-known places that make America such a great place for road-tripping. Unless otherwise noted, the author has visited every place mentioned, from the ostrich farm along Interstate 10 in Arizona to the Biltmore hotel in Los Angeles. Even if you never get in the car and discover such wonders for yourself, you will enjoy this vicarious journey to places both sublime and ordinary as the author makes her way from Washington to California and east to the Mississippi River.

To journey through South Africa is to step into a world where beauty is woven into every horizon. This is a country whose landscapes defy description: from the golden savannahs of the Highveld and the emerald vineyards of the Cape to the untamed wilds of Kruger and the dramatic meeting of two oceans at the continent’s edge. South Africa’s uniqueness lies not only in its breathtaking scenery, but in the vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions that infuse every encounter with meaning. Here, luxury is found in the stillness of dawn as elephants roam free, in the exquisite comfort of lodges designed to honour the land, and in the knowledge that each experience is anchored in a deep respect for nature and community. The country’s commitment to conservation and sustainability is a way of life – one that invites visitors to become stewards of its wild beauty. To explore South Africa is to be changed by it: to witness a place where grandeur and spirituality coexist, where adventure and serenity are never far apart, and where every moment is a celebration of life’s richness and possibility.
 
The warmth and resilience of South Africa’s people and their deep connection to the land creates encounters that resonate long after departure. Ubuntu, the unique philosophy that ‘we are because of others,’ shapes not only human relationships, but also the approach to conservation and sustainable tourism that defines the country’s finest establishments.
 
The lodges, hotels, and retreats featured in ‘South Africa’s Best’ represent more than luxury accommodation; they all embody a commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment by demonstrating how exceptional hospitality can coexist with conservation efforts. Here, solar-powered suites overlook pristine wilderness, organic gardens supply world-class kitchens, and tourism revenue directly supports local communities and wildlife protection initiatives. These properties are bastions of hope, demonstrating that luxury and purpose can flourish together, and that travel can be a force for good.
 
This edition has been enriched through our collaboration with Ardmore, South Africa’s celebrated design studio, whose distinctive ceramics, textiles, and homeware are inspired by the country’s flora, fauna, and folklore. Ardmore reflects a commitment to artistic excellence and social upliftment, embodying the philosophy of Ubuntu. Their work has transformed local talent into internationally recognised artistry while supporting conservation efforts.
 
Our partnership with Steadfast Africa further enhances this collection. As a boutique luxury travel company, Steadfast Africa curates bespoke journeys within South Africa that showcase the country’s most exceptional destinations. Their expertise ensures seamless access to the world-class lodges, exclusive reserves, and immersive cultural experiences featured in this edition. Steadfast Africa ensures that travellers are able to become active participants in preserving the country’s natural heritage and supporting the communities that call these landscapes home.
 
Whether tracking rhino on foot with expert guides, dining on farm-to-table cuisine under the stars, or participating in meaningful cultural exchanges, each featured destination invites guests to engage deeply and mindfully with both nature and heritage. What sets these luxury destinations apart is their shared ethos: a dedication to preserving the country’s wild beauty and uplifting its people, ensuring that South Africa’s wonders will endure for generations to come.
 
‘South Africa’s Best’ gives readers the opportunity to embark on a journey where every page is infused with purpose, gratitude, and the promise of lasting change. In compiling this edition, our hope is to unite travellers who share a love for this remarkable country and a desire to make a meaningful impact. This book is both a tribute and a call to action: to honour and protect the land, people, and wildlife that make South Africa truly extraordinary.

The BKB travel guide presents everything you need for your short stay in Essen including information on attractive city quarters, addresses for accommodation, shopping and of course entertainment. Highlights include the Philharmonic Concert Hall, Aalto Opera House, Essen Cathedral, the Golden Madonna, Villa Hugel, Museum Folkwang, the Zollverein Colliery, shopping and nightlife in Essen.

There's nowhere quite as cosy or as welcoming as the British pub, and with so many places reinventing themselves as contemporary inns there's never been a better time to stay in one. In conjunction with UK accommodation website Cool Places, this guide features the country's very best pubs where you can stay overnight - friendly, independently run places that serve great food and offer comfortable bedrooms to topple into at the end of the evening. Compiled by Rough Guides founder Martin Dunford and the Cool Places team of regional writers, each featured place has an incisive first-hand review and all the information you need for a comfortable stay - including suggestions for the best things to see and do nearby.

"If you can't wait to open up your cottage, taking a peek inside Northern Hideaways: Canadian Cottages and Cabins (The Images Publishing Group, 2022) will make you want to load the car up pronto."-House & Home It's long been a Canadian tradition to "head to the cottage" for holidays. Across the wide expanse of Canada, there are numerous opportunities to do just that. Whether it be a chalet in the ski fields, a boathouse on a fabulous lake, or even just a remote getaway in a secluded forest, Canada fields a wide range of options for places to unwind and spend time with family and friends, and to make the most of all seasons. With a carefully curated selection of beautiful contemporary cottage and cabin designs, this compelling book provides an insight into the Canadian love affair with holiday homes. This beautifully illustrated book celebrates the idea of the Canadian cottage and cabin, and includes a selection of stunning contemporary retreats, guaranteed to make you want to "head to the cottage" for a vacation. The projects and locations featured in this volume include: May House | Indian Point, Nova Scotia Smith House | Upper Kingsburg, Nova Scotia Cap St-Martin Residence | Potton, Quebec Cottage on the Point | Lanaudiere, Quebec Grand-Pic Chalet | Austin, Quebec Lake Brome Residence | Foster, Quebec Lakeside Cabin | Lac-Brome, Quebec Laurentian Ski Chalet | Saint-Donat, Quebec Maison Perchee | East Bolton, Quebec Prefabricated Country Home | Ivry-sur-le-Lac, Quebec Residence St-Ignace | Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola, Quebec The Slender House | Lake Memphremagog,, Quebec Ell House | Wellington, Ontario Go Home Bay Cabin | Georgian Bay, Ontario Kawagama Lake Boathouse | Dorset, Ontario Lake Joseph Cottage | Muskoka, Ontario Lake Manitouwabing Residence | McKellar, Ontario Lake Mississauga Cottage | Kawartha Highlands, Ontario Sky House | Stoney Lake, Ontario The Farm | Clarington, Ontario Woodhouse | Singhampton, Ontario Bowen Island House | Bowen Island, British Columbia House on the Bench | Naramata, British Columbia