Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

In these entertaining birding anecdotes from around the world, Bo Beolens, alias the 'Fatbirder', traverses many of the planet's wild places, along with his wife Maggie, looking at birds - some familiar, others exotic, a few beyond a person's most extravagant expectations. On the way, he meets up with a wide variety of human, animal and bird characters and experiences a plenitude of amusing and sometimes bizarre happenstances, all told with the author's wellknown flair and panache. Certainly, his travels are a credit to his courage and fortitude in coming to terms with wild birds of different plume, hue and voice. The book, with a prelude by celebrity naturalist and broadcaster Mike Dilger, comprises twenty-six alphabetical 'chapters' - starting with A for Anhinga, the Snake-bird, and ending with Z for Zebra Finch - each being accompanied by a humorous drawing by cartoonist and illustrator Des Campbell. A-Z of Birds will surely amuse and entertain all those who have a passion for birds and wish to be inspired by one who already has lots of first-hand experience of how to (usually) get the most out of travelling to far-flung lands to see them.

Too old to make a gap-year trip? At the age of forty-three, overweight and settled in a good job, what made Andy Fosker embark on just such an adventure, travelling to South America, the Galapagos Islands, Easter Island, New Zealand and Australia? Ahead lay spectacular scenery, wondrous nature, unusual customs and cuisine, any number of flying, crawling and biting insects and perhaps most daunting of all, a test of his ability to be on his own for long periods of time. Follow Andy's journey through his diaries; what made him laugh and what made him sad, the highs and lows and the lasting memories of a momentous time in his life. The Diaries of Me - A Traveller, "The most amazing experience of my life. Travel broadens the mind and helps to reduce the waistline! If you have the opportunity to travel then grab it with both hands."

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

One morning Carolina wakes up, determined to change something in her life. She has had enough of living her monotonous daily routine and craves something else, something unusual. How about a trip around the world? Her adventure takes her to the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. During her travels she encounters endangered mountain gorillas, walks with wild lions, and flirts with adrenaline boosting activities like bungee jumping. But what does this experience bring her spiritually?

Have you ever experienced a strong compulsion to head for the hills? In your dreams have you ever pictured yourself running free over some beautiful moorland landscape, with the wind in your hair and the heather tickling you elsewhere? Perhaps, until now, you have put it down to eating cheese before going to bed? Well, maybe it is the Call of the North - inviting you to explore the Pennines. Maybe it is time to set aside life's problems, step into the footprints of the heroes of old and lose yourself in some exquisite wilderness. Join Peter Lancaster as he dodges death and disaster travelling the Pennines, with only 'Auntie' (his 1963 Rover) for company...apart from his wife Jane, sheepdog and pint of beer. When life is an uphill struggle, why not pause and take a look at the view for a while?

Having made the daring decision to set off around the world by bicycle, Pam Goodall left the comfortable surroundings of her home in West Sussex one spring morning, and went on to pedal her way through Europe, Asia and America. She was approaching her sixtieth birthday and travelled alone. Riding It Out is a record of this remarkable journey, giving a vivid and lighthearted account. This includes the trials of finding a place to sleep each night, the reality of owning a Brooks saddle and choosing to ignore persistent warnings from well meaning strangers of the dangers lurking ahead for a lone female cyclist. The challenge of obtaining visas throughout Asia proves nerve-wracking and costly. This one woman tale of adventure encapsulates the spirit of freedom of the open road (or bumpy track) so that you can enjoy the experience without the discomforts.

It's 3 a.m. and Elizabeth Gilbert is sobbing on the bathroom floor.

She's in her thirties, she has a husband, a house, they're trying for a baby - and she doesn't want any of it. A bitter divorce and a turbulent love affair later, she emerges battered and bewildered and realises it is time to pursue her own journey in search of three things she has been missing: pleasure, devotion and balance.

So she travels to Rome, where she learns Italian from handsome, brown-eyed identical twins and gains twenty-five pounds, an ashram in India, where she finds that enlightenment entails getting up in the middle of the night to scrub the temple floor, and Bali where a toothless medicine man of indeterminate age offers her a new path to peace: simply sit still and smile. And slowly happiness begins to creep up on her.

With his sixtieth birthday looming, Colin Renton decides that it’s time to escape office life and focus on achieving some of his unfulfilled goals.  He embarks on a year-long adventure that takes him from the busy streets of Edinburgh to the traffic-free roads, sodden fields and dusty paths of Europe’s winemaking regions. He laces up his running shoes and joins thousands of fellow athletes in races that test him over various distances, degrees of difficulty and levels of seriousness. His schedule, which culminates with a marathon debut, takes him to places he would otherwise not have visited. On his travels, he seeks out local wines that deserve a place in a carefully chosen twelve-bottle case, a process that throws up some fascinating insights and introduces him to a vintage crop of engaging characters. The crossover between running and wine uncorks a tale of endurance, curiosity and discovery, told in an accessible style and served up with a splash of local colour and a drop of wry humour.

‘Witty and fascinating … a guide book that can't help but inspire’ independent.co.uk Anthony Bourdain saw more of the world than nearly anyone. His travels took him from his hometown of New York to a tribal longhouse in Borneo, from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, Paris, and Shanghai to the stunning desert solitude of Oman’s Empty Quarter – and many places beyond. In World Travel, a life of experience is collected into an entertaining, practical, fun and frank travel guide that gives readers an introduction to some of his favorite places – in his own words. Featuring essential advice on how to get there, what to eat, where to stay and, in some cases, what to avoid. Additionally, each chapter includes illustrations by Wesley Allsbrook. Supplementing Bourdain’s words are a handful of essays by friends, colleagues, and family that tell even deeper stories about a place, including sardonic accounts of traveling with Bourdain by his brother, Chris; a guide to Chicago’s best cheap eats by legendary music producer Steve Albini, and more. ‘An enduring embodiment of Bourdain’s love for the whole world and a reminder of how to stack our priorities the next time we’re able to follow in his footsteps’ New York Times

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.