Travel

For 60 years the Eurovision Song Contest has existed in a parallel universe where a song about the construction of a hydro-electric (read more)

For 60 years the Eurovision Song Contest has existed in a parallel universe where a song about the construction of a hydro-electric power station is considered cutting-edge pop, where half a dozen warbling Russian grandmothers are considered Saturday night entertainment, where a tune repeating the word 'la' 138 times is considered a winner, and where Australia is considered part of Europe During those sixty years we have witnessed scandals: in 1957, Denmark's Birthe Wilke and Gustav Winckler enjoyed an outrageously long 13-second kiss because the stage manager forgot to say 'cut' during the live broadcast. We have witnessed national outrage: the 1976 Greek entry was a savage indictment of Turkish foreign policy in Cyprus. But most have all we have witnessed silly costumes, terrible lyrics and performers as diverse as Celine Dion and Dustin the Turkey.

This book chronicles the 100 craziest moments in the history of Eurovision - the drag acts, the bad acts, the nul points heroes and the night in Luxembourg when the floor manager warned the audience not to stand up while they applauded because they might be shot by security forces. It captures some of the magic from this yearly event that continues to beguile and bemuse in equal measure. (hide)

Stretching for around thirty miles to the coast, the Mersey Estuary is perhaps best known for Liverpool's spectacular waterfront (read more)

Stretching for around thirty miles to the coast, the Mersey Estuary is perhaps best known for Liverpool's spectacular waterfront and the Mersey Ferry. But there are many other hidden gems along its shores, including waterside parks, sandy beaches and poignant reminders of the days of steamships and sail. The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide provides suggestions for places to visit along the estuary, from its upper reaches in Warrington to where it meets the sea at New Brighton and the Sefton Coast.
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In our globalised but increasingly polarised age, Kapuscinski shows how the Other remains one of the most compelling ideas of our (read more)

In our globalised but increasingly polarised age, Kapuscinski shows how the Other remains one of the most compelling ideas of our times. In this reflection on a lifetime of travel, the renown travel writer takes a fresh look at the Western idea of the Other: the non-European or non-American. Looking at this concept through the lens of his own encounters in Africa, Asia and Latin America, Kapuscinski traces how the West has understood the Other from classical times to colonialism, from the Age of Enlightenment to the postmodern global village.

Published:24 Jul 2018 (hide)

Rory Stewart's moving account of his walk across Afghanistan in January 2002 was immediately hailed as a classic. Caught between (read more)

Rory Stewart's moving account of his walk across Afghanistan in January 2002 was immediately hailed as a classic. Caught between hostile nations, warring factions and competing ideologies, at the time Afghanistan was in turmoil following the US invasion. Travelling entirely on foot and following the inaccessible mountainous route once taken by the Mogul Emperor, Babur the Great, Stewart was nearly defeated by the extreme, hostile conditions.

Only with the help of an unexpected companion and the generosity of the people he met on the way did he survive to report back with unique insight on a region closed to the world by twenty-four years of war. Winner of the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Award and the Spirit of Scotland Award and shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award, the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize and the Scottish Book of the Year Prize. (hide)

The Spanish Ambassador's Suitcase is a hilarious new collection of diplomatic tales by Matthew Parris and Andrew Bryson Heard the (read more)

The Spanish Ambassador's Suitcase is a hilarious new collection of diplomatic tales by Matthew Parris and Andrew Bryson Heard the one about the Spanish Ambassador who arrived in the scorching Saharan desert fully suited and with a mysteriously enormous suitcase? Or the horse they gave Prime Minister John Major in Turkmenistan - which hapless embassy officials had to rescue from the clutches of the Moscow railway? These and other 'funnies', as they are known in Whitehall, are included in Matthew Parris and Andrew Bryson's glorious new volume of not so diplomatic writing, which accompanies a new BBC Radio 4 series is a follow up to their acclaimed collection of ambassadors' final despatches, Parting Shots. Drawn from Freedom of Information requests and previously overlooked Valedictories these startling despatches throw a revealing light on how the British have viewed the world - and, unwittingly perhaps, on how the world has viewed the British. (hide)

The world's most authoritative atlas, beautifully re-designed and fully updated in a new 15th edition. A unique and timeless gift (read more)

The world's most authoritative atlas, beautifully re-designed and fully updated in a new 15th edition. A unique and timeless gift for all occasions. Our world as it is today in one beautiful volume.

Fully updated mapping with over 200,000 place names. New world topics include migration, health and resources. The 15th edition of The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World has been beautifully redesigned. (hide)

From Austin to Bogota, Vienna to Wellington, discover the best day and weekend trips within three hours of 60 of Lonely Planet's (read more)

From Austin to Bogota, Vienna to Wellington, discover the best day and weekend trips within three hours of 60 of Lonely Planet's favourite cities. With sights, activities and hidden gems - all built around themes like art & culture, the outdoors, and food & drink - you'll find amazing ideas for your next city escape or long stopover, as well as new experiences to enjoy near where you live. Most of the 60 cities in this book could fill a lifetime with new experiences, but a short journey by either train, bus or car opens a world beyond to explore.

In Three Hours From we hope to inspire you to look beyond the city limits for your next adventure. Whether you're in Delhi, Vancouver, Brisbane or Rome, and whether you live there, work there, are on vacation or are simply passing through with a day to kill, we encourage you to widen your net. Just an hour and 40 minutes from Cape Town you can spy breaching whales from the cliff path at Hermanus; within two hours of Manhattan you can be surfing at Rockaway Beach; and near Beijing you can choose between rafting a scenic gorge, visiting Jin-era temples or hiking along the Great Wall. (hide)

Tides: A Primer for Deck Officers and Officer of the Watch Exams prepares the reader for the Officer of the Watch and Master/Mate (read more)

Tides: A Primer for Deck Officers and Officer of the Watch Exams prepares the reader for the Officer of the Watch and Master/Mate certificates required by all officers on commercial seagoing vessels. From the formation of tides and and tidal stream data, right through to practice questions with answers, and even mock exam papers, this book will provide you with all the reference material you need in order to pass your exams.

Published:7 Jan 2019 (hide)

Time Out's resident team helps you get the best out of California's cosmopolitan cultural centre, giving you the inside track on (read more)

Time Out's resident team helps you get the best out of California's cosmopolitan cultural centre, giving you the inside track on local culture plus hundreds of independent venue reviews. As well as covering visitor essentials, Time Out San Francisco includes features on important news, trends and openings to help you get under the skin of the city. The San Francisco city guide includes: full colour photography, using original imagery to give a real sense of the place; it includes handy pull-out San Francisco map; extensive area guides not only cover the sightseeing in San Francisco, but also restaurants, bars and shops - all plotted on maps handily located within the chapter; it also offers top 20 list of the must-see highlights; it also includes itineraries to help you plan your visit Critic's choices pick out the best San Francisco sights, experiences and cultural highlights - at a glance.

All San Francisco restaurants and bars have been visited and reviewed anonymously by critics who pay their own way San Francisco hotels independently reviewed. The revamped Time Out Guides retain the independence and local expertise that the series is known for, while adding more features to help the visitor navigate the city. Whether you have an action-packed 24 hours or a leisurely week in which to take it all in, these guides are more essential than ever. (hide)

This guide is a wonderful addition to Conway's best-selling pocket book series that examines this famous ship from a refreshingly (read more)

This guide is a wonderful addition to Conway's best-selling pocket book series that examines this famous ship from a refreshingly different angle. Launched in May 1911, the triple-screw steamer Titanic was the pride of the White Star Line and at that time the largest passenger ship in the world. Built to carry passengers in comfort and luxury on the lucrative transatlantic route, her design, fittings and on board facilites epitomised the spirit of the age in terms of elegance and style. (hide)