The Neolithic village known as Skara Brae was continuously occupied for about 300 to 400 years, before being abandoned around 2500 BC. Despite severe coastal erosion, eight houses and a workshop have survived largely intact, with their stone furniture still in place. This is the best-preserved settlement of its period in northern Europe, and thousands of artefacts were discovered during excavations of the site. Who lived here? How did they live? And why did they ultimately abandon the village? In this lively account, Dr David Clarke, who led major excavations at Orkney's Skara Brae, describes the details of the site and explores some of the enigmas posed by this extraordinary survival.

Traveling to Tokyo? Be sure to see some of the most iconic sites in Tokyo and nearby cities--from gorgeous skylines and jaw-dropping nature to hidden treasures. With this photo/guidebook, visitors can explore both the cutting-edge and traditional parts of the city like a local. Misaki Matsui, the photographer and author, introduces the beauty of the four seasons of Tokyo and surrounding cities that Japanese residents love. The collection showcases more than 100 beautiful images of Tokyo including Senso-ji, Roppongi Hills, Todoriki Valley, Mt. Takao, the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and more.

'Another delicious romance from Tracy Corbett. It's fun, quirky and delightfully romantic.' Rosanna Ley, author of From Venice with Love What happens on holiday doesn't always stay on holiday...When mousy factory-worker Lilith Monroe meets gorgeous Will Taylor on holiday, she reinvents herself as Lily, a risk-taking costume designer extraordinaire. What's the harm in a few white lies when she'll never see Will again? Back in England, Will can't stop thinking about Lily. When his events company needs a costume designer last minute for the Royal Windsor Festival, it's like fate is knocking on his door. He can hire Lily and see if the spark is still there. Except he hasn't been entirely honest with Lily... Can a holiday fling become something more, or are there too many untruths between Lilith and Will? A gorgeously uplifting romance for fans of Portia MacIntosh and Trisha Ashley. Praise for Someone Like You 'I loved this book and devoured the whole thing in one day. It's one of those stories which is so realistic, romantic, and funny, that surely someone is going to want to turn it into a movie. One for fans of Sophie Kinsella' Reader review 'This is truly a wonderful romantic story. I enjoyed this book to pieces! I smiled through most of it, teared up a time or two, and highly recommend this book to anyone.' Reader review 'Love a bit of romance and this book ticked all the boxes, thoroughly enjoyable read with likeable characters and a good background' Reader review 'What a treat this story was. At the beginning of the story I was in tears and by the end I had a huge smile on my face. This book has the ultimate feel good factor about it.' Reader review

Besides the overwhelming amount of visual information that can stand in the way of a pleasant museum visit, there’s another trivial matter: meaning. Many of us aim to understand and categorize everything we see, but what do you truly think when looking at a particular artwork? The activities on these cards help you to establish a connection with an artwork yourself, despite any given information. You can do this in each museum, anywhere in the world. Follow the activities from A-Z, choose one randomly or do the ones who appeal to you most.

Fate brought them together, now it's up to them to make it work...Having left the army to recover from a traumatic experience, Captain Jane Reed is on her way to Venice to assist Lady Veronica Cooper, a world-famous writer who has lost her mojo. Plagued by grief and sleepless nights, Jane soon finds a kindred spirit in Veronica, coping with her own loss after the death of her husband. When the two relocate to Veronica's villa in the countryside to escape the summer tourists, Jane meets the rest of the Cooper family - including Veronica's brooding son, David. With his own tragic past, David has resigned himself to a life of solitude. Jane finds herself determined to bring joy back into his life, even if it means finally spilling her secrets. Can Jane and David help each other heal, and find love in the process, or are some scars too deep to treat? A tender and uplifting romance for fans of Rosanna Ley and Jennifer Bohnet.

Celebrating Chicago's best restaurants and eateries with recipes and photograph, The New Chicago Chef's Table profiles signature “at home� recipes from over 50 legendary dining establishments. A keepsake cookbook for tourists and locals alike, the book is a celebration of Chicago's farm-to-table way of life.

On the Trail of William Wallace offers a refreshing insight into the life and heritage of the great Scots hero whose proud story is at the very heart of what it means to be Scottish, and whose effect on the ordinary Scot through the ages is manifest in the many sites where his memory is marked. In trying to piece together the jigsaw of the reality of Wallace’s life, David R. Ross weaves a subtle flow of new information with his own observations. His engaging, thoughtful and at times amusing narrative reads with the ease of a historical novel, complete with all the intrigue, treachery and romance required to hold the attention of the casual reader and still entice the more knowledgeable historian. An encyclopaedia-cum-guidebook, this is stuffed with fascinating titbits not usually on offer in the conventional history book.

Is there anything new to say about Robert Burns? John Cairney says it's time to trash Burns the Brand and come on the trail of the real Robert Burns. He is the best of travelling companions on this entertaining journey to the heart of the Burns story. Internationally known as 'the face of Robert Burns', John Cairney believes that the traditional Burns tourist trail urgently needs to find a new direction. In an acting career spanning forty years he has often lived and breathed Robert burns on stage. On the Trail of Robert Burns shows just how well he has got under the skin of Burn's complex character. This fascinating journey around Scotland is a rediscovery of Scotlands national bard as a flesh and blood genius. On the Trail of Robert Burns outlines five tours, mainly in Scotland. Key sites include: Alloway - Burn's birthplace. Tam O' Shanter draws on the Alloway Kirk witch-stories first heard by Burns in his childhood; Mossgiel - Between 1784 and 1786 in a phenomenal burst of creativity Burns wrote some of his most memorable poems including "Holy Willie's Prayer" and "To a Mouse"; Kilmarnock - The famous Kilmarnock edition of "Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect" published in 1786; Edinburgh - Fame and Clarinda (among others) embraced him; and Dumfries - Burns died at age 37. The trail ends at the Burns mausoleum in St Michael's churchyard.

Journeys through the Inside Passage 1st edition 1992 2nd edition 1998 Writer and fisherman Joe Upton recounts the riveting stories of explorers of the past and seafarers of the present in JOURNEYS THROUGH THE INSIDE PASSAGE. His chronicle offers events vivid in their telling: the journey of widow Muriel Blanchet, who solo navigated a small vessel in the 1930s with her five children; the failed meeting of explorers Alexander Mackenzie and George Vancouver in 1793; countless sinkings; and tales from the author's own experiences plying this legendary waterway. "A thoughtful combination of sailing instructions, travel guide, social history and personal diary, and a convincing depiction of a waterway as cultural and geographical region." --Writer's Northwest "Once in a while, an author who knows a good deal about a subject writes a book. In rare instances the knowledgeable author is also a fine writer, and the book achieves distinction. Joe Upton's JOURNEYS THROUGH THE INSIDE PASSAGE is one of those happy occurrences-a book that will sweep readers along the water maze of the Inside Passage with pleasure and interest, providing entertainment and instruction in equal measure . . . The love of the sailor for the sea is evident, but the author is a sailor who reads literature and history to understand his region . . . He relates stirring tales of shipwrecks interspersed with other lively tales of adventures of himself and friends. Good stories of colorful characters at sea and on land abound . . . Those who traverse Alaska's maritime world will find Upton exciting and authentic. And armchair literary voyagers like myself will place the book high on the list of favorite maritime reading . . . A book that should never be allowed to go out of print." --Anchorage Daily News "Alternately exhilarating and contemplative . . . Upton's approach underscores the powerful effect of the sea and land on those who choose to wrestle with them." --Booklist "Joe Upton fans, and their number is legion, will be delighted that he's back writing about his first love, that wonderful, dangerous, beautiful, lovely country known as Southeast Alaska." --Nor'westing "Joe Upton, a commercial fisherman and noted author of ALASKA BLUES, takes us on a tour of the Inside Passage from Seattle to Skagway]. It is a moving memory of passagemaking, an anecdotal history of the region, a pilot's guide, an essay on nautical individualism, and a monument to a way of life that continues . . . Well written, with the rhythmic ebb and flow of all fine stories of voyaging, it is a pleasure to read." --Boating Books "Whether he writes of facing the rough waters of Queen Charlotte Sound alone or watching the sunset from an isolated settlement hacked out of the wilderness, Upton demonstrates on every page that he is a craftsman who knows how to reel in the right word and do it with no wasted effort." --Fairbanks News-Miner

Dervla Murphy's first epic journey from Ireland to India by bicycle, "Full Tilt", is a complete adventure in itself. It is also the first volume of a trilogy of experience that continues with Tibetan Foothold. For the young Irish woman, once she had got herself to India by July 1963, immersed herself in the life of the sub-continent, working for six months in an orphanage for Tibetan children in the refugee camps of Northern India. Here, she fell in love with the 'Tiblets' - the cheerful, tough, uncomplaining, independent and affectionate children of the new Tibet-in-exile. Dervla vividly describes day-to-day life in the camps where hundreds of children are living in squalor while a handful of dedicated volunteers do their best to feed and care for them, attempting to keep disease at bay with limited resources. She pitches in with a helping hand wherever it is needed and finds time to visit the Dalai Lama and his entourage. Dervla's heart-rending account is interwoven with her own observations on the particular cultural and social problems associated with trying to help a people who have lived in isolation from the rest of the world and she becomes a perceptive witness to the inner realities and sometime inadequacies of aid-work. First published in 1966, "Tibetan Foothold" not only confirmed Dervla's status as a traveller, but also revealed her to be a truly independent voice and an acute observer of politics and society.

The recent interpretation of Maya hieroglyphs has given us the first written history of the New World as it existed before the European invasion. Now, two central figures in the massive effort to decode the glyphs, Linda Schele and David Freidel, make this history available for the first time in all its detail. A Forest of Kings is the story of Maya kingship, from the beginning of its institution and the first great pyramid builders two thousand years ago to the decline of Maya civilization and its destruction by the Spanish. Here the great historic rulers of Precolumbian civilization come to life again with the decipherment of the writing. At its height, Maya civilization flourished under great kings like Shield-Jaguar, who ruled for over sixty years, expanding his kingdom and building some of the most impressive works of architecture in the ancient world. Long placed on a mist-shrouded pedestal as austere, peaceful stargazers, the Maya elites are now known to have been the rulers or populous, aggressive city-states.

Hailed as "a Rosetta Stone of Maya civilization" (Brian M. Fagan, author of People of the Earth), A Forest of Kings is "a must for interested readers," says Evon Vogt, professor of anthropology at Harvard University.

Take to the rails and have a European adventure with this inspiring and practical guidebook. Thanks to Europe's ever-expanding and improving rail network, there's never been a better time to explore this diverse continent by train. But with so much ground to cover, it can be difficult to know where to start - and that's where Europe by Train comes in. Compiled by a team of travel experts, our 50 hand-picked itineraries will kickstart your plans, showing you how to join the dots between Europe's must-see destinations and introducing you to plenty of lesser-visited stops along the way. Featuring a mix of short trips and epic adventures, cross-continent and region-specific itineraries, this book provides endless inspiration, whether you're looking to hop between Europe's capitals, explore Scandinavia or experience the best of Italy. Packed inside Europe by Train you will find: - 50 inspiring and practical itineraries for exploring Europe by train. - Routes cover a variety of distances, from four-day trips to month-long adventures. - Each route covers either an epic cross-continent journey (eg from the North to the South, East to West) or a particular area, region or country (eg Beneluxe, Northern Italy, Finland), with the text describing the places you stop at rather than the journey between them. - Practical information details how to get between each stop, total distance travelled, trip duration and ticketing tips. - Some routes feature suggested detours and opportunities to extend your trip. Once your head is well and truly packed with rail trip ideas, you'll be ready to start planning out the details. This handy guidebook has all the route infographics, network maps and practical information - including advice on what tickets to buy, how to catch connections and tips for travelling on night trains - you need to get started. We've also included detours and opportunities to extend the route, so you can curate your own rail adventure.

'Oh my goodness this book is just gorgeous!!!!! I read it in an afternoon because I couldn't put it down!!... I'm so excited for other people to read this magnificent book.' NetGalley reviewer, A sun-baked terrace. The rustle of vines. And the clink of wine glasses as the first cork of the evening is popped... Welcome to Italy. A place that holds the answer to Zia-Lucia Costa Chalmers' many questions. Not least, how she ended up with such a mouthful of a name. When revelations close to home turn Zia's world upside down,she realises the time has come to search out the Italian family she's never known. But as she looks for answers, she can't help but notice Piero, the vineyard owner next door - a distraction who may prove difficult to ignore... This summer, join Zia as she sets out to uncover her past. But can she find the future she's always dreamed of along the way? The perfect summer read for fans of Katie Fforde and Carole Matthews. Readers love Under The Italian Sun! 'I was awake until 3.15am reading... Sizzling and heartwarming. I loved it.' NetGalley reviewer, 'HOLY COW! If you want a one-way ticket to Italy without ever leaving your couch, then this is the book for you... I could not get enough.' NetGalley reviewer, 'Absolute escapist joy... I felt completely transported to Italy.' NetGalley reviewer, 'Wonderful Italian escape!! Feel good brilliant read! Loved this book!!' NetGalley reviewer, 'Escapist perfection in a novel.' NetGalley reviewer, 'Fantastic staycation read, pure escapism.' NetGalley reviewer, 'A charming, heartwarming read. I loved it!' NetGalley reviewer, 'Climb into the pages and soak in the sunshine - this book is wonderful!' Milly Johnson 'Packed full of love, friendship, romance and sunshine... An addictive read.' NetGalley reviewer, 'Full of sunshine and secrets.' Heidi Swain 'Utterly captivating... A must read... I loved it.' NetGalley reviewer, 'Evocative, engaging and gloriously romantic.' Cathy Bramley 'I just could not put this story down... Bliss!' NetGalley reviewer,

This alternative guidebook is travel writer Ellie Walker-Arnott’s personal ode to her stunning and always intriguing home country. She takes you off the beaten track to hundreds of curious and unexpected places and reveals hidden places that tell an interesting story and will make you marvel. The book covers an eclectic range of alluring themes such as seaside secrets, historic spas, modernist architecture, adrenaline adventures, chocolate-box villages, sleepovers in incredible buildings and many more.

The presence of the once-powerful Cherokees is still evident throughout the southeastern United States in names like Chickamauga, Hiwassee, Chattahoochee, Unicoi, Oconee, and Tuscaloosa. For those interested in learning more about the rich heritage of the Cherokees by visiting their historic sites, the second edition of Vicki Rozema’s Footsteps of the Cherokees: A Guide to the Eastern Homelands of the Cherokee Nation is an excellent guide. In the early 1800s, the Cherokee Nation reached from western North Carolina to middle Tennessee, and south to northern Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Then, in 1838, thousands of Cherokees were forced to leave their farmlands, homes, and sacred sites during that infamous trek to Oklahoma, the “Trail of Tears.� Rozema traveled over 4,000 miles and spent four years and close to 2,500 hours visiting, researching, and photographing the sites of the Cherokee Nation. Footsteps of the Cherokees is a guide to these scenic, cultural, and historic locations. The book is divided into two sections. In the overview, Rozema traces the history of the Cherokees from their prehistoric ancestors to their interaction and conflict with white explorers and settlers to stories of the few who remained behind after the forced march west. This information puts the 190 sites listed in the book into historical perspective. The second section focuses on the sites themselves. The sites are divided into nineteen areas named after central locations. The starting locations include Chattanooga, Knoxville and Maryville, Atlanta, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Northeast Georgia, Northwest Alabama, and South Carolina. The coverage of each site includes a discussion of the area’s history, background information, detailed directions, hours of operation, entrance fees, and important phone numbers. The book includes over 200 black-and-white photographs. Take an afternoon or weekend and travel back in time to the glory days of the Cherokee Nation. Whether in your car or favorite armchair, Footsteps of the Cherokees will take you to the great tribe’s hunting grounds, battlegrounds, sacred lands, homelands, birthplaces, and burial sites. Vicki Rozema is the author of Cherokee Voices: Early Accounts of Cherokee Life in the East and Voices from the Trail of Tears and Voices from the Trail of Tears. The first edition of Footsteps of the Cherokees received an Award of Merit from the Tennessee Historical Commission in 1996. Also an acclaimed photographer, she is a history professor at the University of Tennessee.

Oregon Off the Beaten Path features the things travelers and locals want to see and experience--if only they knew about them. From the best in local dining to quirky cultural tidbits to hidden attractions, unique finds, and unusual locales, Oregon Off the Beaten Path takes the reader down the road less traveled and reveals a side of Oregon that other guidebooks just don't offer.

Texas is unique, not only because it is the only state to enter the Union by way of a treaty, but because a clause in that treaty gives Texas the right, in perpetuity, to divide into as many as five separate states. These "Five States of Texas" reflect the remarkable geographic variety of this vast landscape. From the plains and mountains, beaches and deserts, forests and rugged canyons, Laurence Parent captures the beauty of the Texas landscapes, places, and people that are as diverse as its many-faceted culture.