In the entire universe, there seems to be one constant that most everyone shares: the notion of beauty. This fact is not scientific, it is not logical, and the value of this knowledge is hard to assess. But the certainty is absolute as every one of us looks into a meadow of waving flowers, gazes at the surf and the sea, or looks deep into the night sky at the stars and beyond. God's Art explores the grace, the texture and the colors of this beautiful universe, and asks a lot of questions along the way: Why isn't the universe gray instead of such a rich incredible range of colors; Why is there so much variety in all things from snowflakes to galaxies; Why are we blessed with an appreciation for all this wonder if it does not contribute to our survival? Questions are more fun than answers, and a well-phrased quandary will keep us occupied longer than a stark fact. This is a beautifully illustrated book of questions.

Lonely Planet Knows Ireland. Gentle mountains, rugged ridges,wild moorlands, warm hospitality and the infamous Irish weather:taking to the trail in Ireland is never dull. With routes acrossthe most spectacular landscapes of the Republic and NorthernIreland and highlights of the Waymarked Ways, this guide has hikesfor every ability level. Our resident Irish authors share the bestof their walking experience, including the rolling WicklowMountains, the spiky summits of Connemara, the sandy beaches of theDingle Peninsula and the dramatic coastal cliffs of the northwest.In This Guide: Everything you need to know to get prepared.Listings for sleeping, eating and facilities along the way. Adviceon equipment, health and safety.

standing work almost from the moment of publication.Beginningwith a groundbreaking interpretation of the ori-gin and nature ofthe city Lewis Mumford follows the city's developmentfrom Egypt andMesopotamia through Greece Rome and the MiddleAges to the modernworld. Instead of accepting the destiny of the city asthetendencies to metropolitan congestion suburban sprawl andsocialdisintegration, Mumford outlines an order integratingtechnical facilitieswith biological needs and social norms. Ascompelling as it is compre-hensive Mumfords award-winning work "isfar more than the study ofurban culture through the ages. It is arevitalization of civilizations( Kirkus Reviews).

“Marble palaces balanced atop wooden poles, commuters crossingthe Grand Canal standing in gondolas, prosecco bottlespopping in tight quarters: Venice defies all common sense, andchooses wonder instead.” – Alison Bing, Lonely Planet Writer

Discover Washington DC Toss a Frisbeein the shadows of the founding fathers on America's frontlawn View cutting-edge art in a former munitions factory Drink beers while practicing your putt in a bar that doubles as amini-golf course Chow down on curry served from a van full of would-be circusringleaders In This Guide: Two authors, 50 days of in-city research, 15 detailed maps,innumberable half-smokes eaten Dedicated Politics chapter reveals what makes the capital citytick Expanded Eating chapter lets you taste everything from ChesapeakeBay crabs to Salvadoran pupusas

Take a fresh approach to Venice with this "Step by Step"guide, part of a brand new, stylishly designed series from InsightGuides. Lavishly illustrated in full colour, this book features 14irresistible self-guided walks and tours, written by a local expertand packed with great insider tips. Whether you are new to the cityor a repeat visitor, whatever your interests, and however long yourstay, this book is the perfect companion, showing you the smartestway to link the sights and taking you beyond the beaten touristtrack. All the walks and tours come with clear, easy-to-followfull-colour maps and hand-picked places to eat and drink en route.A 'Key Facts' box at the start of each tour highlights therecommended time needed to enjoy it to the full, plus the distancecovered and a start and end point; all this makes it simple to findthe perfect tour for the time you have to spare. The book alsorecommends top tours by theme and includes a special 'Only in'feature, highlighting a number of experiences or attract

——古老的传奇 对历史学家而言，希腊无疑是富有魅力的国度，哲学、政治、历史、语言、戏剧、体育……几乎西方文明的所有要素都可以在这里找到它们的根。深厚的历史积淀和文化传统是希腊人引以为傲的，也是他们愿意和来访者分享的。 对旅行者来说，希腊更是一个神奇的地方。不管你选择什么交通工具，一踏上希腊的土地，你都会立刻陶醉在地中海灿烂的阳光里。从那一刻起，你就成了风景的一部分。蓝天在上，白沙在下，震撼人心的文明遗迹，风味独特的美酒佳肴，热情好客的希腊人民……所有这一切都让会让你不可抗拒地爱上这个美丽的国家。 在你踏上这片神奇的土地，开始一段摄人心魄的旅程之前，本书将是一个精彩的预演。

Experience the best of Hungary with Lonely Planet's 6thedition. Discover the quiet beauty and fascinating culture of thischarming country - relax in Art Nouveau splendour at a thermalbath, treat your palate to the excellent local wines or watchhistory unfold as you drift down the Danube. Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to theheart of every destination they visit. This fully updated editionis packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed togive you the information you need to make the most of yourtrip. In This Guide: Essential color section illustrating Hungary'shighlights Unique interviews with a potter, Klezmer band and a cyclingspecialist Activities chapter includes horse riding, hiking, caving andmore

What Will Your Washington DC Encounter Be? Meandering amongmuseums and monuments with fellow global citizens in America'sfront yard, or hobnobbing and nose-rubbing with politicos, wannabepoliticos and wannabe wannabe politicos? Creeping yourself out onThe Exorcist steps - and beware a tipsy tumble, or chowing down onDC's infamous half smokes and chili dogs with Obama? Cocktail-swilland hip-shake the night away - the question is, hip-hop, salsa orlingala? Blaze the urban frontiers of up-and-coming 'hoods such asColumbia Heights and Northeast. Discover twice the city in half thetime with a full-color pull-out map and detailed neighborhood mapsfor easy navigation. Our fabulous local author recommends the verybest sights, restaurants, shops, bars and clubs with uniqueitineraries and must-see highlights to help you make the most of ashort trip. Locals offer insider-only perspectives, from apolitical journalist on the best celebrity - and Obama - spottingto a real estate developer on the next best 'hood.

Paul Theroux celebrates fifty years of wandering the globe bycollecting the best writing on travel from the books that shapedhim, as a reader and a traveler. Part philosophical guide, partmiscellany, part reminiscence, The Tao of Travel enumerates “TheContents of Some Travelers’ Bags” and exposes “Writers Who Wroteabout Places They Never Visited”; tracks extreme journeys in“Travel as an Ordeal” and highlights some of “Travelers’ FavoritePlaces.” Excerpts from the best of Theroux’s own work areinterspersed with selections from travelers both familiar andunexpected: Vladimir Nabokov J.R.R. Tolkien Samuel Johnson Eudora Welty Evelyn Waugh Isak Dinesen Charles Dickens James Baldwin Henry David Thoreau Pico Iyer Mark Twain Anton Chekhov Bruce Chatwin John McPhee Freya Stark Peter Matthiessen Graham Greene Ernest Hemingway The Tao of Travel is a unique tribute to the pleasures and painsof travel in its golden age.

Shake off the nine to five and get where the living iseasy. Easy like sunny surf beaches, zipping around on motorbikes,Mandi Lulur massages and drinking in the sleek bars of Seminyak.Can't you just feel the water at your toes? Not just cheap andconvenient, these two islands offer so much more. Grab thisinformative guide for a tour around Bali Lombok, with theirfiery cuisine, lush jungle and brilliant beaches. Yes, everyone'sbeen to Bali, now find out why. This guidebook has been fully updated! * Includes a "What's new" section for return visitors and hasexpanded coverage of the Gili Islands and other emerging hotspots. * Intuitive layout and new text styles make it easier to read,scan and find information at a glance * New visual design and structure improves navigation withoutsacrificing depth or quality * Expanded planning section helps travellers plan by time,season, interest or region * New map design improves map legibilty for easy navigation

Cuba is a continuing education. Just when you think you vefigured it out, it confounds you with another brow-beating riddle.That essentially is its underlying attraction. Brendan Sainsbury,Lonely Planet Writer Our Promise You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planetauthors visit the places we write about, each and every edition. Wenever accept freebies for positive coverage, and you can rely on usto tell it like we see it.

Fully-revised and updated, this Berlitz Pocket Guide to Viennaprovides all the information you need to enjoy this fascinatingcity, in a handy and genuinely pocketable format. Easy-to-use,colour-coded chapters allow you to locate information quickly, andfull-colour, fold-out maps provide instant orientation, making thisguide ideal for on-the-spot-reference. The Top 10 attractions arehighlighted on an illustrated, double-page spread, capturingeverything you simply can't afford to miss, such as theStephansdom, Hofburg, Karlsplatz and much more, helping you to makethe most of your stay. The comprehensive 'Where to Go' chaptercovers the entire city, region by region, with recommended sightspinpointed along the way. From concerts to coffee houses and avisit to the Prater, there are plenty of ideas for things to do,including active pursuits and activities for children. A dedicated'Eating Out' section provides information on local specialities anduseful vocabulary to help you read the menu and place orders withease.

Whatever you hunger for - art, architecture,cuisine, snow - you better pack a big appetite when you come toAustria. Symphonies in a Viennese concert hall, spotting marmots onthe Alpine trails, heavenly cakes and a kitschy Sound of Music tour- you'll be popping your dirndl with pleasure. This guidebook has been fully updated! * Redesigned color highlights section and dedicated chapter onOutdoor Activities * Intuitive layout and new text styles make it easier to read,scan and find information at a glance * New visual design and structure improves navigation withoutsacrificing depth or quality * Expanded planning section helps travellers plan by time,season, interest or region * New map design improves map legibilty for easy navigation

Nowhere else can so many cultures be found in such a tight spaceyou can wake up on the Mediterranean coast, have lunch in Paris andsee a show that night in London. Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Lonely PlanetWriter Our Promise You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authorsvisit the places we write about, each and every edition. We neveraccept freebies for positive coverage, and you can rely on us totell it like we see it. Inside This Book 14 expert authors 13 mountain ranges crossed 6,354,782 sq km explored 73 local beers sampled Inspirational photos Clear, easy-to-use maps In-depth background Easy-to-read layout Comprehensive planning tools At-a-glance practical info

Best-selling Tolkien expert Brian Sibley (The Lord of theRings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy and The Lord of the RingsOfficial Movie Guide) presents a slipcased collection of fourfull-color, large-format maps of Tolkien's imaginary realmillustrated by John Howe, a conceptual designer for the blockbusterfilms directed by Peter Jackson. The set includes a hardcover bookdescribing in detail the importance and evolution of geographywithin Tolkien's epic fiction and four color maps presented withminimal folds, including two (Beleriand and Numenor) never beforepublished in this country.

Discover Barcelona Leave your preconceptions about architecture behind at thecurving, coral-like facade of Gaudí’s whimsical Casa Batlló Send your tastebuds to seafood heaven with a plate of fideuà(Catalan noodles) at a beachfront restaurant near PortOlímpic Join in the chants of ‘Bar?a, Bar?a, Baaar?a!’ at Camp Nou, thelegendary home ground of the Barcelona football club Witness the eccentric heights of Catalan creativity in themuseums and galleries of Montju?c, Barcelona’s cultural hub In This Guide One local author, more than 500 hours of research, more than 200eating and drinking recommendations, and untold morsels of tapassampled Color sections on the top Barcelona experiences, and awesomearchitecture from Gaudí to the Torre Agbar Content updated daily - visit www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/barcelona for up-to-the-minutereviews, updates and traveler insights

New format means loads more colour, better maps and aneasy-to-read layout.

The only hotel guide wholly based on consumer feedback making it a truly unique and non-biased guide to finding the best place to stay in Australia and New Zealand. The guide comes with a FREE loyalty card for HotelClub.com with great savings of up to 60 per cent on over 20,000 hotels across 97 countries and GBP15 credit on initial registration. Each of the top 300 hotels featured have been tried and tested by clients of HotelClub.com, the world's leading online booking company with 2 million members. Each hotel recommendation includes an independent de*ion, a full-colour photograph and details of the facilities available. Hotel locations are plotted on full-colour maps and the accommodation is assessed according to value for money, family friendliness, cleanliness, facilities, staff attitude, location and restaurants.

How will you see Norway? From behind a sled pulled by huskies?From the top of a glacier? Over an aquavit at Ibsen's old table inOslo's Grand Cafe? The exquisitely clear air of Lofoten Islands,colourful wooden houses, remote Svalbard...so much to see. And somany ways to see it. This guidebook has been fully updated! * Intuitive layout and new text styles make it easier to read,scan and find information at a glance * New visual design and structure improves navigation withoutsacrificing depth or quality * Expanded planning section helps travellers plan by time,season, interest or region * New map design improves map legibilty for easy navigation

Lonely Planet's team of authors has island hopped the Bay ofIslands, immersed themselves in Rotorua's proud Maori culture,kayaked Abel Tasman's pristine bays and cruised the magnificentMilford Sound, as well as exploring everything in between. With allthat research and more, Lonely Planet New Zealand is your key tothe best possible Kiwi experience. Lonely Planet guides are writtenby experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit.This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical andhonest advice, designed to give you the information you need tomake the most of your trip. In This Guide: Full Coverage of hiddensecrets plus all the don't-miss attractions. Activities of everykind, from abseiling to zorbing. Unique Green Index to help makeyour travels ecofriendly.

Full-color travel guide to Venice, one of Europe’s mosthistoric and beautiful cities, with comprehensive de*ions ofall sights and attractions, and clearly presented practicalinformation. Full-color photographs and maps throughout, acomprehensive street atlas section and a handy orientation map onthe inside front cover. The Features section focuses on the city’shistory, people and culture, from its wealth of art andarchitecture to opera and the Venice carnival. The Places sectioncovers each neighborhood of the city, as well as the surroundingislands.

Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, may be a hotbed of progressiveattitudes, but in the rest of the 'Land of the Blue Sky', liferemains pretty much the same - horses outnumber people, nomadsstill move camp each season and on long-distance bus rides you'llbe serenaded by passengers singing folk tunes. If you time yourtrip right you can experience the festival of Naadam, this annualthree-day festival features Mongolian wrestling, horse racing,archery and traditional sports. The only guide to include maps of major towns across all regions.GPS coordinates to help you find what you're looking for, even whenthe signs don't help, as well as feature essays to provide insightinto Mongolian history and way of life. This guidebook has been fully updated! * Intuitive layout and new text styles make it easier to read, scanand find information at a glance * New visual design and structure improves navigation withoutsacrificing depth or quality * Expanded planning section helps travellers plan by time, season,interest or re