“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

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.

When Jos Saramago decided to write a book about Portugal, hisonly desire was that it be unlike all other books on the subject,and in this he has certainly succeeded. Recording the events andobservations of a journey across the length and breadth of thecountry he loves dearly, Saramago brings Portugal to life as only awriter of his brilliance can. Forfeiting the usual sources such astourist guides and road maps, he scours the country with the eyesand ears of an observer fascinated by the ancient myths and historyof his people. Whether it be an inaccessible medieval fortress seton a cliff, a wayside chapel thick with cobwebs, or a grand mansionin the city, the extraordinary places of this land come alive.Always meticulously attentive to those elements of ancient Portugalthat persist today, he examines the country in its current periodof rapid transition and growth. Journey to Portugal is an ode to acountry and its rich traditions.

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.

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Coastal California is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Ride the surf in the south, hug a redwood in the north, and discover the great cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of coastal California and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet Coastal California Travel Guide: *Color maps and images throughout *Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests *Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots *Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices *Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss *Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel

A million copy best-selling exploration of the animal kingdom, featuring facts and beautiful photos of over 2,000 wild animals from all habitats on planet Earth. Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide brings together the expertise of over 70 natural history specialists and the beautiful images of wildlife photographers from around the globe to illustrate, describe, and explain the incredible range of creatures in the animal kingdom. This fully up-to-date edition covers fascinating animals from across the globe including the newly discovered Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon, Jumping Spider, and Piglet Squid. From the smallest invertebrates to the mighty blue whale, Animal is a truly unrivalled look at life on planet Earth. Previous edition ISBN 9781405362337 ,

MustSees Paris, a new addition to the MustSees series, hitsthe city's highlights for a 24-hour visit, a weekend or longer.Visit iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur and NotreDame. Dive into art at the Louvre, Pompidou Centre, Musee d'Orsayand the new Centquatre. Stroll the Champs-Elysees or Ile St-Louis,and then have dinner in the Marais. This pocket-size guide helpsyou do it all with detailed maps, recommended hotels and MustSeesstar-rating system.

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).

You might be expecting to find elegant cities, spectacularpeaks and ancient cave cities in Ukraine, but were you expectingrampaging nightlife in Odesa and bathers parading around in18th-century and punk costumes on the Yalta coast? Hit the ground running with more Ukrainian * than competingother guides 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

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.

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

Offers coverage of Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony, Bavaria,Baden-Wurttemburg, Rhinel and Hesse, Bremen and Hamburg. This titleincludes fill-colour sections that present the traditional imagesof Germany.

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

This bumper photographic portrait of Rome brings together hundreds of photographs from the 1840s through to today to explore the extraordinary history, beauty, and art of this incomparable cultural capital. From sepia and black and white to color, these outstanding images dating from the 1840s to the present day allow us ― through the eyes of such photographers as Giacomo Caneva, Pompeo Molins, Giuseppe Primoli, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Carlo Bavagnoli, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Pasquale De Antonis, Peter Lindbergh, Slim Aarons, and William Klein ― to discover Rome in its many compelling guises: as the center of the Roman Empire, as one of the cradles of the Renaissance, as a favorite destination for travelers and a rich patchwork of varied neighborhoods, as the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, a stage for politics, and as the perfect backdrop for film and fashion shoots. Reaching back into illustrious archives, some of the book s early images offer us a privileged Grand Tour glimpse of some of Rome s most

WHAT WILL YOUR BANGKOK ENCOUNTER BE? Watching the sun set while sipping a cocktail at one of Bangkok's rooftop bars Unwinding with a relaxing Thai massage Eating your way through the fresh, irresistible and affordableworld of Thai street food Hunting for bargains in the bustling labyrinth that is ChatuchakWeekend Market Shopping like a Thai teen at Bangkok 's famous malls Recovering from big-city exertions on an idyllic palm-fringedbeach, just a few hours away DISCOVER TWICE THE CITY IN HALF THE TIME Full-color pull out map and detailed neighborhood maps for easynavigation Bangkok resident and veteran food writer recommends the very besteating, drinking, shopping, entertainment and sights Unique itineraries and highlights help you make the best of ashort break Insider tips from tuned-in locals, including a Buddhist monk 'sinsights into the benefits of meditation, and a local food writer's tips on the best places to experience

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.

Featuring more diving information than many other guides, thiswork also includes options for sustainable travel, comprehensivetrip itineraries, and more. color photos, 57 maps.