Nomad Secrets
Master the Art of Digital NomadismImagine a life where the world is your office and the thrill of new experiences awaits at every corner. Nomad Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Thriving Anywhere is your roadmap to turning this dream into your daily reality.In this transformative guide, you'll dive into the essence of the digital nomad lifestyle, debunking common myths and embracing its evolution. Assess your readiness with thoughtful self-evaluation, and cultivate the mindset necessary to succeed in a life untethered.With tailored advice on choosing the perfect destination, you'll discover top nomad-friendly locations and criteria for selection to match your unique preferences. Navigate the intricacies of visa requirements and financial management with ease, ensuring that your journey is smooth from the start.Your mobile office is vital to your success. Learn how to set up an efficient workspace, equipped with essential tools and reliable internet access. Uncover strategies for finding remote work opportunities and build a network that supports your career on the go.Maintaining productivity can be challenging, but with expert time management techniques and tips to avoid burnout, you'll thrive no matter where you are. This guide also emphasizes balance, helping you build a sustainable routine and integrate work seamlessly with leisure.Immerse yourself in new cultures confidently by overcoming culture shock and picking up new languages with ease. Forge meaningful connections with like-minded individuals and engage in local events, fostering a global community as you travel.Prepare for unexpected challenges with practical advice on handling health, safety, and troubleshooting common issues. Long-term planning chapters will help you envision and evolve your nomadic life, ensuring growth and satisfaction well into the future.Embark on a journey of discovery and growth with Nomad Secrets. Transform your life, embrace freedom, and thrive anywhere in the world.
To Lose the Madness
In this career-defining work, Browning explores the breaking point every mind has after finding her own limit during a gauntlet of traumatic events. Pulled out of this blast-crater moment in her life by a friend, she is brought away from the insanity and deep into the snowy Sangre de Cristo Mountains where, standing in front of a herd of wild buffalo, she comes face to face with the terms we all must come to surrounding the loss we face in this life. Offering no answers and seeking no pity, Browning lays herself bare in this radically authentic offering. She carries restricted subjects such as miscarriage, mental illness, and suicide out of the silence by offering her own private journey as an example of the power of transcendence.
Hey Ranger!
Amusing and informative, Hey Ranger! teaches as it entertains with tales of boat ramp misadventures, lost Afghani campers, encounters with wild animals, dumb crooks, and more. One chapter, "Tales from the Wild Side," brings together unusual incidents from National Park Service reports, and the concluding essay, "Don't Be a Victim of Your Vacation," advises visitors on how to avoid being a story on the evening news.
Inside the French Riviera
Behind the glamour of the French Riviera lies a world rarely described.In Inside the French Riviera, Dutch author Arnold Verhoeven offers a series of sharp, personal observations drawn from years of living and working in Cannes. Moving beyond postcard images and celebrity clich矇s, he explores the everyday realities behind one of the world's most mythologised coastlines.Through encounters with guests, officials, entrepreneurs and outsiders, Verhoeven reveals a Riviera shaped as much by power, money and silence as by sunlight and luxury. The book combines memoir, reportage and cultural reflection, tracing how global politics, local customs and human ambition quietly intersect along the C繫te d'Azur.Written with irony, restraint and an outsider's eye, Inside the French Riviera is not a guidebook, but a literary portrait of a place where appearances matter - and where what remains unseen often tells the real story.
RVs for Rookies
"I didn't plan to become an RVer. Life handed me an ultimatum, and I chose to take a drastic leap of faith and bought a fifth wheel to live in full-time." Other RV books are written by couples chasing adventure and freedom. This isn't that book. In today's economy, people buy RVs for all kinds of reasons, and this book is written for those who need to make a move now-and for those who don't have a lot of time to figure it out. Whether it's from a relationship that's run its course, a job that sends you to remote locations, seeking weekend escapes, seasonal travel, dreaming of a different kind of freedom, a more exciting retirement or just full-time living. RVs for Rookies is for people who need to know what RV living is really like when you're learning as you go, making mistakes, and discovering that the best adventures are often the ones that were never planned. Inside, you'll find: - Practical guidance on selecting your RV - Managing power and water systems - Planning routes and preparing for emergencies - Creating a cozy, sustainable home-like environment - Budgeting tips and avoiding common pitfalls - Embracing the mindset shift that comes with life off the grid Whatever your plans are, this book gives you the knowledge and confidence to make your tiny home on wheels the best Big Decision you ever made-that takes you from "What have I done?" to "I've got this!"
On Foreign Soil
On Foreign Soil collects seven essays about personal experience far from (or close to) home that changed and widened each author's perspective on the world and their perception of "foreign" vs. "home." This anthology is the shared work of several members of the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation's Tuesday Writers group. What brings writers together? Perhaps a shared desire to make the words on the page match the truths in their minds. At first, the group members were strangers. Now, through reading aloud and offering thoughtful feedback, they've built trust and a rhythm that helps each of them grow. In this book, they share their writing about living on foreign soil and ask: What defines foreign soil?
National Geographic Ultimate Guide to the National Parks
Full of expert advice on the best trails, scenic drives, wildlife spotting, must-do adventures, and more, this comprehensive guide is the ultimate resource for your next great escape to all 63 national parks in the U.S. Discover America's wildly beautiful landscapes, monuments, and historic places with carefully curated expert recommendations, complemented by brand-new National Geographic photography to inspire your next adventure: Tips and tricks to experience the best every park has to offer, from the otherworldly sand dunes of New Mexico's White Sands National Park to the northern wonderland of the Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska Maps of every park highlighting points of interest, including a pull-out wall map to pin your progress as you make your way through every parkExpert recommendations for the best walking and hiking trails, scenic overlooks, campgrounds, drives, and wildlife spottingCurated lists of thrilling adventures from kayaking and biking to backpacking and sand-boarding Park ranger recommendations for off-the-beaten-path sites and hidden gems within every parkPlanning information from when to visit; park fees, passes, and reservation requirements; and visitor center information and accommodations Beautiful and never-before-seen National Geographic photography that will inspire you to pack your bags and get out and explore And so much more! Whatever outdoor adventure is calling your name--from rafting the Colorado River to climbing majestic peaks to forested nature walks--you'll find what you're looking for in this comprehensive guidebook. All that's left to do is pick your park and go explore!
Goodly Barrow
GOODLY BARROW is a long-unavailable classic that charts the history and character of Ireland's second-longest river, from the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the sea in Waterford. T.F. O'Sullivan's riverine narrative embraces legend and song, literature and anecdote, viewing Irish history through the prism of the waterway: from the early tribal kingdoms of the Celts, to the Vikings and Normans who made passage up the estuary, leaving a legacy of castles, abbeys, monasteries and towns; from the Tudor and Cromwellian settlements on the fertile plains of Carlow and Kildare, to Quaker bridge-builders and Huguenot refugees. It opens up a little-known part of Ireland's countryside and heritage, and is an invaluable guide for boaters and armchair travellers alike.
To The Gold Coast for Gold
To The Gold Coast for Gold offers an immersive account of one of the most daring and adventurous expeditions of the 19th century. Authored by the legendary explorer Sir Richard Francis Burton and his companion Verney Lovett Cameron, this volume chronicles their journey to West Africa in pursuit of gold, revealing both the physical challenges of the African terrain and the intricate dynamics of local societies. From encounters with remote communities to navigating treacherous landscapes, Burton and Cameron provide readers with rich, firsthand observations that blend travel narrative, ethnography, and historical insight.This volume is the first in a personal narrative series that captures the spirit of exploration during the Victorian era. It not only recounts thrilling adventures but also reflects on the cultural, social, and political realities of the Gold Coast region at the time. Essential reading for enthusiasts of exploration, African history, and classic travel literature, this work preserves the legacy of one of the era's most intrepid explorers.
Vanifesto
This isn't just a travel memoir. It's a sparkly little love letter to the road-where home appears in golden sunrises, unexpected kindnesses, and those quiet, heart-full moments shared between a girl and her bright-eyed dog.Vanifesto is a delightfully whimsical true adventure, brimming with wanderlust and wonder. It invites readers to follow their curiosity, trust the tiny tug of instinct, and believe that the universe sprinkles hints of magic along every winding highway. Perfect for animal lovers, dream chasers, stargazers, and anyone who lives life with the windows down and their heart wide open.Join Hailey, a plucky Jack Russell with a spirit twice her size, as she sets off in her beloved van to find the shimmering monarch butterfly migration in Mexico-and discovers that even the smallest traveler can stumble into the brightest, most extraordinary journey of all.
Gone to Look for America
Gone to Look for America is a lyrical, offbeat travel memoir of the USA - a modern American road trip told through stories, songs, and encounters with the wild, the weird, and the quietly profound.Travelling from the Appalachian mountains to Nashville, New Mexico and New Orleans, psychologist and songwriter Steve Bonham digs beneath the headlines to explore the American dream, the pull of freedom, and the urge for reinvention. Along the way he meets musicians, outliers, small-town characters and landscapes that reveal a deeper, more human America.Part cultural exploration, part travelogue, part love letter to contemporary Americana, this is a reflective work of narrative non-fiction about myth, music, self-reliance and belonging - written for anyone drawn to the open road and the stories it carries.Where the stories are wild - and the truth walks beside you.
The Complete Guide to Ocean Cruising
The Complete Guide to Ocean Cruising is a comprehensive source about cruising. The authors have shared years of experience gained from exploring the world aboard a variety of cruise ships. As you read through this book, you will find answers to questions that you might have about ocean cruising while you learn about the process for booking and enjoying a cruise. You will also find information that can save you time, money, and stress during various phases of your cruise experience. In addition to details about all phases of the cruise process, hundreds of "Savvy Cruiser Tips" that can help new and seasoned cruisers better prepare for and enjoy an ocean cruise are included. Additionally, there are "Did You Know" information tidbits scattered throughout that inform you about the cruise industry and travel throughout the world. And, there is a "Useful Information and Resources" section that contains information to enhance content found in the book. Some items in that section include a glossary of cruise related terms, descriptions of typical ship officers, listings of major cruise lines, their ships, and passenger capacities, description of cruise line owners, a form for creating a cruise budget, and much more.
Camino
Winner: New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards and Seven Sisters Book Awards This full-color illustrated book of poetry chronicles the author's 500-mile solo pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Daily poetic reflections recount the joys, physical challenges, humor, and locations of the long-distance walk, and explore the larger metaphor of the spiritual journey. The meditations, photographs and other art work document the daily walk from one town to the next, the experience of staying in hostels called albergues, of trying to sleep amidst snoring pilgrims, of meeting strangers from around the world who become friends. Each page celebrates the unfolding blessings that come from carrying only what is needed and from learning to recognize the abundance of grace in ordinary life. This book is a beautiful and inspiring companion for those contemplating or returning from pilgrimage, for the curious armchair reader who may want to follow the walk from hostel to hostel along the ancient Camino, as well as for those interested in the journey of the human soul.
Wander
Through a circumnavigation of the globe, in search of a cure for his insatiable wanderlust, Jacob Linthorn has an uncanny knack of falling into extraordinary situations. Meeting an unconventional pirate in the Java Sea, seeking enlightenment in the mountains of Sri Lanka, a head-on car wreck in the Baja desert to drunken Siberians, a dodgy hotel in Costa Rica, strung-out in India and the demise of bad men by the names of Big Red and Ox. Provocative, whit-filled, some-times apprehensive, this is WANDER. A first time collection of essays, stories and travel pieces by Gregory Rewega.
Five-Star Trails: The Ozarks
Discover 43 five-star hiking trails in Arkansas and Missouri, including popular routes and hidden gems throughout the Ozark Mountains.Peaceful waterfalls, dramatic mountain vistas, and untamed streams, the Ozarks region is a popular and beloved destination--and there's no better place to hit the trails. This diverse geographical area offers a variety of easy, moderate, and strenuous hikes. Visit pristine natural springs in the Mark Twain National Forest. Traverse the rugged mountain canvas of the Ozark National Forest. See the towering Cedar Falls in the Arkansas River Valley.Explore 43 of the region's best, five-star trails with this easy-to-carry and easy-to-use guidebook. In the updated edition, acclaimed author, expert hiker, and former board member of the Ozark Highlands Trail Association Jim Warnock presents everything you need to know about spectacular outings that lead to mountain panoramas, remote wilderness, amazing wildlife, and more.Inside you'll find: Descriptions of 43 five-star hiking trails for all levels and interestsGPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles, and detailed directions to trailheadsInsight into the history, flora, and fauna of the routesRatings for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for childrenSave time and make the most of your hiking adventures. From the banks of Lake Alma to the broken-down buildings of the Rush ghost town, you'll experience the best of the Ozarks' breathtaking scenery and varied terrain. Lace up, grab your pack, and hit the trail!
Italy
Over 150 striking images celebrating perhaps the most beautiful country in the world. From the natural beauty of Lakes Como and Garda to Tuscan vineyards, the glory of Venice's canals and palaces, the magnificence of classical antiquity in Rome and Renaissance Florence, there is just so much of Italy to inspire and delight.In over 150 striking images, Italy celebrates perhaps the most beautiful country in the world. From the natural beauty of lakes such as Como or Garda to the vineyards in Tuscany to the many beaches, from the pretty seaside towns of the Cinque Terre to the glory of Venice's canals and palaces, from the magnificence of classical antiquity in Rome to the Arab-Norman architecture of Palermo to Renaissance Florence, there is just so much to feast on in Italy. But apart from the famous highlights, the book also features lesser known sides to the country, be it pretty, unexplored corners and examples of everyday life, or the abandoned cave towns of Puglia and the 16th century star-shaped town of Palmanova. Presented in a landscape format and with captions explaining the story behind each entry, Italy is a stunning collection of images.
Volcano
Alongside famous volcanoes such as Mount Etna in Sicily and Mount St Helens in Washington State, the book features many lesser-known volcanoes across all the continents. Each entry is accompanied with a fascinating caption explaining the geological forces at work, and how the volcano has shaped its surrounding areas across millennia.Did you know that there are more than 60 active volcanoes in Europe today? Or that the longest-existing lava lake is in Ethiopia? Or that Mount Stromboli off the coast of Italy has been in almost continuous eruption for the past 2000 years? Illustrated with 200 spectacular photographs, Volcano is a fascinating visual journey around the globe, selecting the most striking live and extinct volcanoes from Alaska to Antarctica, from Tanzania to Tasmania, from Kamchatka in Russia's far east to Indonesia and the Philippines. Alongside famous volcanoes such as Mount Etna in Sicily, Mount Vesuvius on the Italian mainland and Mount St Helens in Washington State, the book features many lesser known but equally interesting volcanoes across all the continents. Each entry is accompanied with a fascinating caption explaining not only the geological forces at work, but also how the volcano has shaped the history of the surrounding areas across millennia. Presented in a landscape format and with more than 190 outstanding photographs of around 100 entries, Volcano is a stunning collection of images.
Norway
From the Arctic Circle to Oslo's lively city life, from the northern lights to nights when the sun never sets, from gardens to immense bridges linking the country's many islands, Norway is a fascinating exploration of this increasingly popular tourist destination.Did you know that Oslo is the only capital city in Europe where you can go cross-country skiing? Just take your skis on the metro to the suburbs and ski off from the platform across the frozen, snowy landscape. Stretching so far from north to south, and from west to east - the country reaches further east than St Petersburg - Norway has a larger number of different habitats than almost any other European country. It has Scandinavia's most spectacular fjords, steep mountains, pretty fishing villages, beautiful beaches - and continental Europe's largest glacier. From remote settlements within the Arctic Circle to Oslo's lively city life, from the northern lights to white nights when the sun never sets, from sculpture gardens to immense bridges linking the country's many islands, Norway is a fascinating exploration of this increasingly popular tourist destination. With captions explaining the story behind each entry, Norway is a stunning collection of images celebrating this striking country.
Let's Pack & Jet!
"Let's Pack & Jet!" is a fun and interactive book for kids, teaching them how to pack for any adventure! Follow Brie as she gets ready for her trip, making sure she packs all the essentials.It's the perfect children's book to make packing fun and exciting for young travelers. It includes vibrant illustrations and a playful story, kids will learn how to pack like a pro for their next big adventure!
Going Local
Travel is not, and should never be, a "been there, done that" proposition. Enlightened travelers understand that it's not about selfies posted on Instagram, but what famous sites they can check off their bucket lists. It's about authentic experiences. In the 21st century, to pardon the clich矇, the world is our oyster. We can be in almost any city on the planet in 24 hours, in the most remote outpost of civilization in 48.Modern explorers thrive in their discomfort zones. They seek immersion, wisdom, and a greater understanding of people and places. Going Local features; how to become part of the experiential travel moment, contributing to the sharing economy on a peer-to-peer level. Case studies in living overseas - embracing foreign cultures through local cuisine, perhaps volunteering on the road. How an around-the-world adventure is a life-changing involvement. What it means to be a responsible traveler, and how to choose tour operators whose focus on sustainability protects and gives back to local societies.
Haunted Surry to Suffolk
Take a journey along Routes 10 and 460 eastbound to enjoy the lovely countryside and metropolises that spread around these two roads. Most of all, discover that some historical houses, plantations, battlefields, parks, and even modern cites, have more that touristy knickknacks, ham, and peanuts to offer. Many have ghosts!Bacon's Castle has been haunted since the 1600s. Stay in a cabin overnight at Chippokes Plantation State Park, and you might find you have a spectral bedfellow. The city of Smithfield has more to offer that the world's oldest ham; it also has some very old phantoms stalking its buildings. Take a ghost tour of Suffolk and see why the biggest little city is also one of the spookiest. Discover the myths and legends of the Great Dismal Swamp and see what phantoms are still haunting the wildlife refuge. And it that's not enough, Bigfoot, werewolves, and UFOs are part of the paranormal scenery. These and other areas of southeastern Virginia are teeming with ghosts, sasquatch, UFOs, and monsters. See what awaits you along 460 south and 10. No matter which road you take, the phantoms can't wait to SCARE you a good time.
The Artist & Her Lover
This fast-paced travel romance is Part II of a trilogy series of books. It's an upmarket romance involving a love triangle in the Sahara Desert. Autumn Simmons, an American and a 'na簿ve' artist, lives with her lover, Colin Acieta, in a chateau in Amalfi, Italy -a seaside town with small bays, picturesque cliffs, and hundreds of uphill stone steps overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Acieta, a photographer, travels to the parched and barren Sahara Desert to rescue his siblings from a migrant trafficker. Yet, his noble mission is thwarted when he is held hostage by local domestic terrorists. To negotiate Acieta's release, Autumn travels to the Sahara Desert. And there, she meets Brahim Ghali, a Muslim Berber, dressed in ankle-length thobes and kufiyah headdresses, who believes in polygamy and has a harem of women. But Autumn is a 'limerence' to Ghali, and he becomes tragically obsessed with her. Which of Two Sigma Males Will Win Autumn's Heart? and Will she return to Italy or remain in the Sahara? The Author encourages readers to listen to Jesse Cook's instrumentals, like Closer to Madness, Cascada, and Baghdad, while reading the book, to view the difference between Picasso's and Delaquoix's paintings of The Women of Algiers to more deeply immerse themselves in the Sahara setting of the novel. Author / Illustrator, Edwina Louise Dorch, won the American Writing Award for best inspirational novel in 2023 and was a finalist in the crime genre in 2024. She is a psychologist who teaches art therapy on a barrier island off the Coast of Florida. And, her paintings are shown in galleries along the Florida A1A highway.
The Artist & Her Lover
This fast-paced travel romance is Part II of a trilogy series of books. It's an upmarket romance involving a love triangle in the Sahara Desert. Autumn Simmons, an American and a 'na簿ve' artist, lives with her lover, Colin Acieta, in a chateau in Amalfi, Italy -a seaside town with small bays, picturesque cliffs, and hundreds of uphill stone steps overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Acieta, a photographer, travels to the parched and barren Sahara Desert to rescue his siblings from a migrant trafficker. Yet, his noble mission is thwarted when he is held hostage by local domestic terrorists. To negotiate Acieta's release, Autumn travels to the Sahara Desert. And there, she meets Brahim Ghali, a Muslim Berber, dressed in ankle-length thobes and kufiyah headdresses, who believes in polygamy and has a harem of women. But Autumn is a 'limerence' to Ghali, and he becomes tragically obsessed with her. Which of Two Sigma Males Will Win Autumn's Heart? and Will she return to Italy or remain in the Sahara? The Author encourages readers to listen to Jesse Cook's instrumentals, like Closer to Madness, Cascada, and Baghdad, while reading the book, to view the difference between Picasso's and Delaquoix's paintings of The Women of Algiers to more deeply immerse themselves in the Sahara setting of the novel. Author / Illustrator, Edwina Louise Dorch, won the American Writing Award for best inspirational novel in 2023 and was a finalist in the crime genre in 2024. She is a psychologist who teaches art therapy on a barrier island off the Coast of Florida. And, her paintings are shown in galleries along the Florida A1A highway.
Destinations
Dr. Patrick Treacy, a globally renowned, award-winning physician, invites you on an extraordinary journey in Destinations. With a career spanning diverse roles across continents, Treacy shares captivating stories of his encounters with vibrant cultures, from bustling cities to remote corners of the world. Blending a Western lens with deep respect for local traditions, his narratives are both humorous and profoundly insightful. Rooted in a passion for music, a reverence for history, and a commitment to healing and learning, Destinations offers an unforgettable exploration of humanity's rich tapestry.
Highways and Byways of California
From San Diego near the southern border to the far northern reaches of the state around Mount Shasta, Highways and Byways of California chronicles a trip through California in the very early years of the 20th century, not long after Yosemite became a national park and before the coming boom years transformed the countryside. Traveling the back roads, with stops in some of the celebrated towns of The Golden State, travel writer and folklorist Clifton Johnson describes the scenery and wildlife and entertains with anecdotes and tales from his fellow travelers and the characters encountered along the way.Excerpted from Highways and Byways of The Pacific Coast, this travelogue was first published by The MacMillan Company in 1908 as part of the Highways and Byways of America series.About the American Highways and Byways series: Written in the very early years of the 20th century, each volume in the Highways and Byways series chronicles a trip along the back roads of America-with stops in cities like New Orleans and San Francisco-long before the advent of the interstate and when more than half of the country's population lived in small towns and rural places.Come along with other intrepid travelers of the day. The roads may be rough by today's standards, but the mood is light, with tales of hunting and Indians, wild animals and highwaymen. Up through the snows and the sugar pines, across deserts, along the rivers and bayous, and deep into farm country-sometimes by stage or wagon, sometimes on foot or by rail-meeting local characters along the way, the adventure continues.
The Road Warrior's Prayer Journal
The Road Warrior's Prayer Journal: A Travel Scrapbook is a unique spiritual companion designed for Christians who love the open road and want to experience God in every mile. The journal is designed for road warriors to document their journeys through prayer and scrapbooking. This beautifully designed journal for Christian travelers helps to make prayer more exciting and engaging by coupling prayer with photo documentation and creative writing so that travelers can weave together prayer, creativity, and the beauty of their journeys into one meaningful keepsake.This guided journal blends scrapbooking, reflective writing, travel documentation, inspirational quotes, and prayer prompts to help believers savor every moment of their adventures while deepening their connection with God. Whether you're taking a weekend road trip, embarking on a cross-country expedition, serving on a mission journey, serving at camp for the summer, attending a retreat, or exploring a new city, this journal gives you space to capture memories and miracles alike.Inside you'll find: Prayer prompts Inspirational quotes for road warriors on the moveCreative scrapbooking spaces for photos, tickets, maps & mementosFlexible journaling layouts for short trips, long journeys, ministry travel, or restorative getawaysThis beautifully designed journal brings joy, creativity, and spiritual insight to every traveler who wants their journey to be more than transportation-it becomes a testimony.Let the road take you somewhere meaningful. Let God meet you mile by mile.
Passport Prayers
Passport Prayers is a beautifully designed prayer journal for Christian travelers who long to plan and cover their international journeys in powerful, intentional prayer. Whether you are preparing for missions work, study abroad, vacation, ministry travel, or global exploration, this journal becomes your companion as you embark on God-led adventures.Inside, you'll find guided prompts designed to help you pray. With space for reflection, meditations, prayer prompts, and travel memories, this journal transforms routine travel planning into a sacred, prayer-filled experience.Perfect for travelers, missionaries, group leaders, pastors, travel agents, and anyone seeking God's presence around the world. Passport Prayers helps you journey with peace, purpose, and Holy Spirit guidance-no matter the destination.Your passport gets you there.Prayer carries you through.
Belonging to the World
Readers' Choice Book Awards Bronze Winner, Adult NonfictionSome journeys we choose. Others choose us.In the aftermath of tragedy, Barry Hoffner wanted to feel the pulse of the world again. The whole world.When Barry Hoffner lost his wife and travel partner, Jackie, in a sudden tragedy, his grief was a black hole that consumed everything. But amid the quiet wreckage of loss, something unexpected stirred: the call to move, to reconnect, and to live fully again.What began as a reluctant return to the road became an audacious mission to visit all 193 countries on Earth-not to escape his pain but to transform it. Along the way, Barry discovered a world with far more depth and complexity than headlines suggest-one full of unexpected joy, even amid hardship and struggle. From war zones to mountaintops, refugee camps to ancient ruins, he found people whose kindness and openness brought him back to life.Belonging to the World is a deeply felt memoir of healing from grief, finding resilience, and forging human connection across the globe.
Brazilian Sketches
Brazilian sketches presents a series of vivid travel reflections centered on faith, culture, and transformation in Brazil. The work captures the author's observations as he journeys through the country's diverse regions, exploring both its physical beauty and spiritual landscape. Through descriptive accounts of cities and remote communities, it portrays the coexistence of tradition and progress, revealing a society shaped by faith, superstition, and gradual change. The narrative highlights the significance of education, moral guidance, and leadership in nurturing social and spiritual growth. It emphasizes the dedication of missionaries striving to bring enlightenment and compassion to people in need of guidance, while also respecting the local customs and human warmth that define Brazilian life. The text blends personal experience with reflection, offering insight into the moral and cultural challenges of spreading faith in a complex society. Ultimately, it becomes a record of spiritual perseverance and human connection, celebrating the enduring power of belief and understanding.
A Traveller In Little Things
A traveller in little things reflects on the subtle beauty and quiet resonance found in everyday encounters and natural landscapes. Through a series of gentle observations, the narrative draws attention to how small experiences often carry the most enduring emotional weight. Rather than focusing on sweeping events, it invites a reconsideration of what truly shapes understanding and connection. The rhythm of rural life and the fleeting interactions with strangers become moments of clarity, revealing insight through simplicity. The relationship between human presence and the environment is treated not as spectacle but as quiet intimacy. Nature is not separate from reflection but a partner in it, offering stillness and subtle guidance. The writing emphasizes how memory and meaning emerge from details that might otherwise be overlooked. Whether in conversation or solitude, the individual becomes more aware of life's quiet offerings. The collection becomes a meditation on attention itself how what is small, slow, or easily missed might contain the most essential truths about presence, kindness, and wonder.
Travels Into North America Vol. II
Travels Into North America Vol. II offers a meticulous examination of colonial American life through the lens of scientific observation and cultural inquiry. The work focuses on the intricate relationship between environment, economy, and society as experienced by a European naturalist engaging with unfamiliar terrain. With attention to flora, fauna, and agricultural methods, the narrative emphasizes how ecological and human systems intertwine. The author's journey from Europe to North America becomes not only a geographic passage but also an intellectual shift, challenging assumptions and prompting comparisons between continents. The careful recording of everyday practices farming, governance, commerce serves as a form of cultural mapping, revealing the foundations of a society shaped by both European influence and local adaptation. Observations of manners and social customs bring further depth, offering glimpses into the character of communities and their values. This blend of empirical curiosity and ethnographic detail forms a vivid document of a time when the natural world and social order were both subjects of discovery.
Travels Into North America Vol. III
Travels Into North America Vol. III offers a meticulous examination of colonial American life through the lens of scientific observation and cultural inquiry. The work focuses on the intricate relationship between environment, economy, and society as experienced by a European naturalist engaging with unfamiliar terrain. With attention to flora, fauna, and agricultural methods, the narrative emphasizes how ecological and human systems intertwine. The author's journey from Europe to North America becomes not only a geographic passage but also an intellectual shift, challenging assumptions and prompting comparisons between continents. The careful recording of everyday practices farming, governance, commerce serves as a form of cultural mapping, revealing the foundations of a society shaped by both European influence and local adaptation. Observations of manners and social customs bring further depth, offering glimpses into the character of communities and their values. This blend of empirical curiosity and ethnographic detail forms a vivid document of a time when the natural world and social order were both subjects of discovery.
Travels Into North America Vol. I
Travels Into North America Vol. I offers a meticulous examination of colonial American life through the lens of scientific observation and cultural inquiry. The work focuses on the intricate relationship between environment, economy, and society as experienced by a European naturalist engaging with unfamiliar terrain. With attention to flora, fauna, and agricultural methods, the narrative emphasizes how ecological and human systems intertwine. The author's journey from Europe to North America becomes not only a geographic passage but also an intellectual shift, challenging assumptions and prompting comparisons between continents. The careful recording of everyday practices farming, governance, commerce serves as a form of cultural mapping, revealing the foundations of a society shaped by both European influence and local adaptation. Observations of manners and social customs bring further depth, offering glimpses into the character of communities and their values. This blend of empirical curiosity and ethnographic detail forms a vivid document of a time when the natural world and social order were both subjects of discovery.
Travels Through France And Italy
Travels through France and Italy presents a vivid personal account shaped by physical discomfort, social skepticism, and the uncompromising gaze of a traveler unwilling to romanticize what he sees. Rather than offering a passive record of picturesque landscapes and admired monuments, the narrative reveals a deeply subjective journey framed by illness, loss, and growing irritation with unfamiliar customs. The author's reflections often shift between wry humor and biting critique, revealing how travel amplifies both external observation and internal unrest. His interactions with locals, especially in the early stages of arrival, convey frustration with perceived inefficiencies and hospitality he views as insincere or opportunistic. Yet behind the caustic tone lies a restless mind drawn to comparison between countries, temperaments, and values highlighting tensions between expectation and experience. The work becomes not just a record of movement across space, but a study in temperament shaped by grief and declining health. The result is a travel narrative that blends personal disquiet with cultural evaluation in sharp and often unflattering detail.
Town Life In Australia
Town Life in Australia offers a perceptive and layered examination of urban development in late 19th-century Australia, capturing the emerging social fabric of its major cities. The account reflects how architecture, commerce, and daily habits contributed to the shaping of a distinctly Australian urban character, while still echoing remnants of British influence. It reveals the contrasts between cities like Melbourne and Sydney, not just in pace or aesthetics, but in values, civic organization, and public demeanor. The narrative uncovers how urban expansion reflected broader ambitions of cultural identity, class formation, and economic positioning. Through comparisons and street-level observations, the work captures the tensions between imitation and innovation, familiarity and independence. It reveals how cities functioned as laboratories for national self-definition, navigating imported customs while forming their own rhythms. The writing elevates everyday details - storefronts, traffic, social clubs - into reflections of progress and complexity. This portrayal of town life becomes more than description; it is a lens into a society defining itself through its cities.
101 Epic Things To Do in Retirement
101 Epic Things To Do in Retirement: Find Your Why and Live It BoldlyYou didn't retire to sit still.You've got decades of experience, wisdom, and curiosity-and now, for the first time, the freedom to do something real with it. But here's the catch: without purpose, even the most comfortable retirement can start to feel like a long weekend that never ends.101 Epic Things To Do in Retirement is your ultimate playbook for turning free time into purpose time. You'll start by discovering your "why"-what truly lights you up-and then dive into your choice of 101 life-changing projects that prove retirement is anything but boring.���� Start a Little Free Library and spread the love of reading���� Rescue animals, mentor teens, or preserve your town's history����️ Write that book, open an Etsy shop, or finally learn to paint���� Build something bigger than yourself-and have a blast doing itFrom simple weekend ideas to full-blown passion projects, every chapter sparks new possibilities for connection, creativity, and contribution. Each project includes budget estimates, time commitments, and practical tips-because purpose shouldn't be overwhelming, it should be exciting.If you're ready to reinvent what retirement looks like, this book will show you exactly how.Stop wondering what's next. Start building it.Your most meaningful adventures are still ahead.Perfect for recent retirees, pre-retirees planning their next chapter, or anyone ready to prove that the best is yet to come.
American Notes
American notes is a vivid travel narrative portraying a journey across the Atlantic and through the social and cultural landscape of America. The work opens with engaging depictions of the sea voyage, where humor and observation blend to capture the discomforts and curiosities of ocean travel. Upon arriving in the United States, the narrative shifts toward detailed reflections on the people, customs, and institutions encountered along the way. The author's perceptive eye examines the contrasts between American and English life, offering both admiration and critique. Scenes of bustling cities, political gatherings, and rural landscapes reveal a diverse and changing nation marked by opportunity and contradiction. The lively tone combines satire with sincerity, allowing the travelogue to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. Through its keen descriptions and moral reflections, the book becomes more than a record of travel - it stands as a meditation on progress, character, and humanity observed through the lens of cross-cultural experience.
Voyage Of The Paper Canoe
Voyage of the paper canoe chronicles an ambitious and adventurous journey from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico. The narrative captures the challenges and wonders of navigating rivers and waterways in an innovative paper canoe, offering vivid observations of landscapes, towns, and communities encountered along the way. Early in the journey, the author transitions from a traditional wooden canoe to the lighter paper design, confronting the unpredictable currents, tides, and weather while adapting to the demands of long-distance travel. The narrative intertwines practical navigation with reflective insights, highlighting the interplay between human endeavor and the natural world. Through encounters with local residents and exploration of historical and geographical contexts, the journey becomes both a physical expedition and an intellectual voyage, revealing the nuances of culture, environment, and human resilience. Bishop's meticulous attention to detail and his appreciation for the subtleties of river life enrich the work, making it a compelling blend of travel writing, adventure, and personal reflection.
Personal Narrative Of A Pilgrimage To Al-Madinah & Meccah Volume 2
Personal narrative of a pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Volume 2 presents an exceptional journey into places rarely entered by outsiders at the time. The account follows a traveler who adopts a new identity in order to move unnoticed within a community guided by tradition and devotion. Preparation becomes a crucial step, requiring the learning of new customs, mannerisms, and behaviors. The opening describes leaving Alexandria and entering a busy world filled with unfamiliar sounds, languages, and expectations. The focus is not on individual people but on the emotional intensity and personal transformation that take shape while navigating sacred spaces and social boundaries. Each stage of the journey reveals challenges that test patience, endurance, and resilience. The landscape and rituals demand adaptability, while the constant need to remain unnoticed adds pressure to every moment. The pilgrimage becomes more than a physical expedition. It evolves into an experience that reshapes understanding of identity, belief, and humility. Through careful observation, the traveler develops respect for the culture and the spiritual depth of the surroundings. The narrative demonstrates that true exploration involves openness to change and willingness to confront personal limitations.
Eight Years' Wanderings In Ceylon
Eight years' wanderings in Ceylon recounts an explorer's experiences across the diverse landscapes and cultures of colonial Ceylon, weaving adventure with reflection. The narrative opens with the traveler's arrival in a setting that defies his romantic expectations, presenting a vivid contrast between imagined splendor and the realities of settlement life. As he journeys inland, he immerses himself in the island's untamed wilderness, engaging in hunting expeditions and witnessing the daily rhythms of life shaped by both nature and colonial enterprise. The work highlights the tension between human ambition and environmental challenge, capturing the hardships of pioneering through unfamiliar terrain and the effort to establish stability in a rugged land. Woven through its vivid descriptions of tropical scenery and wildlife is an undercurrent of determination and resilience, reflecting both the allure and difficulty of exploration. The book stands as an account of endurance, discovery, and the complex encounter between European aspiration and Eastern terrain.
The Cruise Of The "Cachalot" Round The World After Sperm Whales
The cruise of the "Cachalot" round the world after sperm whales presents a vivid and realistic portrayal of life aboard a whaling ship as it journeys through treacherous seas. The narrative captures the arduous daily routines, fierce camaraderie, and personal endurance required in the demanding world of whaling. From the moment the voyage begins, the story immerses readers in the rough environment of seafaring life, introducing a mixed crew bound by necessity and the shared pursuit of whales for survival and profit. The ocean becomes both a workplace and a powerful adversary, shaping the sailors' characters through hardship, danger, and perseverance. The intense depictions of labor, weather, and marine life bring authenticity to every episode, while the human experiences of fear, resilience, and discovery form the emotional core of the narrative. Through its detailed observations, the book evolves into a reflection on courage, adaptation, and the unrelenting spirit of those who face the unknown to master their trade and nature's vastness.
Eothen
Eothen or traces of travel brought home from the east recounts the journey of a traveler moving from Europe into the heart of the Ottoman Empire. The narrative begins with the author's departure from Semlin, positioned on Europe's edge, and his passage towards the contrasting world of the East, marked by historic cities and cultural tensions. Amidst fears of plague and the division between differing peoples, the story captures vivid impressions of the Ottoman way of life, from traditional clothing to social demeanor. More than a mere travelogue, the book explores the dynamic encounter between East and West, highlighting the cultural disparities and exchanges that define this borderland. Through personal interactions and detailed observations, the author reflects on the complex histories and social dynamics of the region, setting the tone for a broader meditation on transformation and identity within a richly historic landscape. The work combines wit, insightful commentary, and a sense of adventure, offering readers not just a physical journey, but a profound cultural and personal exploration.
Pictures From Italy
Pictures from Italy presents a lively account of a traveler's journey through Italy, offering a sequence of impressions rather than a structured itinerary. The narrative unfolds as the traveler explores cities such as Genoa, Rome, and Lyons, capturing the varied sights, customs, and temperaments encountered across the Italian landscape. The story begins with a vibrant departure scene from Paris, brimming with the energy of bustling streets and eccentric travelers. Throughout the journey, moments of humor and reflection blend seamlessly with vivid depictions of towns, countryside, and people. Rather than serving as a guidebook, the work reads as a personal meditation enriched with wit and curiosity. The narrator's keen observations reveal how art, architecture, and daily life intertwine to shape Italy's charm. Beneath the surface humor lies a subtle appreciation of cultural complexity and a fascination with human behavior. This travel narrative transforms routine scenes into poetic reflections, merging satire and delight in ways that illuminate the traveler's engagement with the world's beauty and oddity.
Egypt (La Mort De Philae)
Egypt (La Mort De Philae) captures a meditative journey through the landscapes of Egypt, reflecting on the intersection of ancient majesty and the fleeting presence of the modern world. Set against the still grandeur of the pyramids, the Sphinx, and the desert's vast silence, the narrative evokes both wonder and melancholy as it contemplates the endurance of history amid human transience. Through lyrical observation, the narrator immerses in the mystery of a civilization that defies time, sensing the quiet echo of vanished dynasties beneath the moonlit ruins. The sacred and the decayed coexist within this timeless tableau, where spiritual reverence blends with sorrow for the inevitable decline of grandeur. The presence of travelers and guides adds contrast between enduring permanence and the restless pace of contemporary life. This work unfolds as both a travel reflection and a poetic meditation on mortality, transformation, and the tension between memory and impermanence that defines the human experience.
Letters From The Cape
Letters from the cape is a vivid and intimate account of travel and cultural encounter, composed through the personal correspondence of Lady Lucie Duff Gordon during her stay in South Africa. Written with warmth, intelligence, and sensitivity, the letters reveal her observations of colonial life, human relationships, and the natural beauty of the Cape region. The early portions describe her voyage and arrival, capturing both the physical challenges of the journey and the emotional depth of her reflections. Through her encounters with the Dutch settlers, Malay community, and indigenous peoples, she portrays a society of contrasts shaped by hardship, resilience, and adaptation. Her writing blends personal experience with sharp social insight, offering commentary on race, class, and the complexities of empire while maintaining an enduring sense of empathy. Each letter reflects her curiosity and moral awareness, turning simple experiences into thoughtful meditations on humanity and belonging. Letters from the cape endures as both travel literature and a humane exploration of cross-cultural understanding.
Vignettes Of San Francisco
Vignettes of San Francisco is a collection that captures the spirit, charm, and diversity of a vibrant city through personal reflection and keen observation. The essays begin by celebrating the city's unique geography, bohemian energy, and the allure that draws visitors and residents alike. Through vivid descriptions of bustling streets, ferry crossings, and colorful neighborhoods, the narrative highlights the everyday interactions and characters that give the city its distinctive personality. The author balances affectionate storytelling with thoughtful social commentary, exploring how culture, community, and individual experience intertwine to create a dynamic urban tapestry. Observations range from lively marketplaces to quiet moments of reflection, illustrating both the human pulse and the architectural and natural beauty of the surroundings. The essays emphasize the vitality of ordinary life while revealing subtle insights into social norms, customs, and interactions. Vignettes of San Francisco invites readers to experience the city's rhythm and character, offering a nuanced and engaging portrait that celebrates its charm, energy, and the richness of its people and places.
A Day With A Tramp And Other Days
A day with a tramp and other days offers a vivid collection of personal stories based on an individual's travels across America as a day laborer. The book captures interactions with various workers and tramps, revealing the hardships and resilience experienced by those living on the margins of society. It explores the fluid nature of identity through the author's encounter with a young man living as a tramp, emphasizing the complexity of social labels. Themes of loneliness, companionship, and the human condition permeate their reflections on the search for honest work and the challenges faced in a world marked by poverty and uncertainty. The narratives provide a compassionate insight into the experiences of marginalized laborers, shedding light on social and economic struggles. Written in an empathetic and direct style, the collection serves as a powerful social commentary that brings to life the realities faced by the working poor navigating an unforgiving landscape.
