Currently I'm reading: Jenseits vom Tatort by Horst Brandt
Bloglovin
Page visits
Follow me on
Showing posts with label travel guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel guide. Show all posts
17 May 2015
Title
| Pakistan - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture |
Author
| Safia Haleem |
Publisher
| Kuperard |
Publication Date
|
May 2013
|
Pages
| 168 |
Genre
| Travel Guide |
Description
Pakistan is a land with a unique history, formed by migrating peoples who have left their footprint in its diverse cultures, languages, literature, food, dress, and folklore. The country is besieged by bad news, but despite the political turmoil the everyday life of its people is more stable, rich, and rewarding than the media headlines would lead you to believe. A myriad local festivals and celebrations and a vibrant cultural life go unremarked. Pakistan has the eighth-largest standing army in the world and is the only Muslim-majority nation to possess nuclear weapons, but few know that it is also the home of two unique schools of art.
This complex nation consists of various ethnic groups, each with its own individual cultures and subcultures, but which are unified by the common values of hospitality, honor, and respect for elders. Pakistani society has extremes of wealth and poverty, and daily life for most people is full of difficulties, yet everyone knows how to cope with crises. Creative and adaptable, Pakistanis are among the most self-reliant people in the world, bouncing back after major catastrophes.
Culture Smart! Pakistan takes you behind the headlines and introduces you to many of the country’s little-known traditions. It describes the vitally important cultural and historical background, shows you how modern Pakistanis live today, and offers crucial advice on what to expect and how to behave in different circumstances. This is an extraordinary country of enterprising, tough, and passionate people. Earn their trust and you will be rewarded many times over.
This complex nation consists of various ethnic groups, each with its own individual cultures and subcultures, but which are unified by the common values of hospitality, honor, and respect for elders. Pakistani society has extremes of wealth and poverty, and daily life for most people is full of difficulties, yet everyone knows how to cope with crises. Creative and adaptable, Pakistanis are among the most self-reliant people in the world, bouncing back after major catastrophes.
Culture Smart! Pakistan takes you behind the headlines and introduces you to many of the country’s little-known traditions. It describes the vitally important cultural and historical background, shows you how modern Pakistanis live today, and offers crucial advice on what to expect and how to behave in different circumstances. This is an extraordinary country of enterprising, tough, and passionate people. Earn their trust and you will be rewarded many times over.
My review
If you are intending to travel to Pakistan, and have never been there and/or have no further connection to Pakistan, I would say this book is almost an essential reading, and this applies to the tourist, the business person and someone visiting family there. But not only for the traveller, but also if you are interested in different cultures this makes a very interesting read.
Understandably maybe, Pakistan has a very bad press and is not associated with a country to go on holiday to, which is a shame really as it has so much to offer. The book is keeping neutral whilst getting the right balance in introducing us to this amazing country, really waiting to be discovered. But, at the same time, it is important to know about cultural differences (not necessarily to do with religion) and also simple security measures.
Living in a European country, Pakistan couldn't be further different from my current surroundings. I have a Pakistani husband who left his home country many years ago and even he found many interesting facts he didn't know. I have been to Pakistan before I read the book and often thought 'Yes, exactly' but also still found facts where I'd wish I'd known it on my previous journeys.
Short enough, this is the ideal book to download on your E-reader and browse before you travel and re-read on the plane.
One of the issues with travel guides like this is that the situation in the country can change quickly, so one of my concerns was also to find the most current travel book on Pakistan, and this one from 2013 is the newest one I could find.
The book covers following: land and people; values and attitudes; customs and traditions; making friends; private and family life; time out; travel, health and safety; business briefing; communicating.
I am very much looking forward to my next trip to Pakistan.
About the author (from Amazon)
SAFIA HALEEM was born and grew up in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, and graduated from Peshawar University with an M.A. in English Literature. She worked as a teacher trainer in all the main cities of Pakistan before winning a British Council scholarship to study in Scotland. After gaining a post-graduate degree in Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh, she returned to Pakistan and co-authored the book "Visuals for Language Teachers." In 1987 she moved to London and joined the BBC. Her work as a journalist has taken her to India, Iran, China, Afghanistan, and all over Pakistan. In 2004, she was project director for the BBC World Service Trust in Afghanistan. She is currently developing educational material for the Afghan Medical Association, whose work benefits people on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan border. Safia is an established writer in Pashto, her first language, and has published several novels and short stories in the language.
5 May 2014
Title
|
Lanzarote
|
Author
| Sven Weniger |
Publisher
| Marco Polo Travel Publishing Ltd, Basingstoke |
Publication Date
|
2012
|
Pages
| 132 |
Genre
| Travel Guide |
---
From Amazon:
Travel with Insider Tips to Lanzarote, the easternmost of the splendid Canary Islands that blend Spanish flair with African climate – this is one of Europe’s warmest destinations.
This guide will make getting around easy as you travel and explore using the best maps and insider tips for Lanzarote and discover all about its amazing history and help you spot the hundreds of different plants that make this island so unique.
Including lots of inside local knowledge for all the top attractions, museums and restaurants such as Hacha Grande, Cave of los Verdes, Playa Blanca and Timanfaya National Park.
- Top Highlights at a glance include Castillo De San José, La Geria, El Golfo and Salinas De Janubio
- 15 Marco Polo Insider Tips with detailed background information including where to get the truest island fashion, where to party by the sea and where you may sample a mirage like scene!
- Over 300 web links lead you directly to the Insider Tip websites
- Offline maps of Lanzarote with street index
- Google Map links aid speedy route planning
- Public transport maps with links to timetables
- 'The Perfect Day' and 'The Perfect Route' is the best way to get to know a destination intimately for those with limited time. Includes practical tips on how to beat queues, get the best view and much more from hitting the beach to climbing Mirador del Rio.
- The chapter 'Links, Blogs, Apps & More' provides easy access to even more information, videos and networks
Have fun from the moment you arrive in Lanzarote and make the most of those precious days off. Enjoy a hassle free trip, full of new experiences and adventures ranging from total relaxation to extreme activities. Having fun is what it’s all about - whether it is diving, taking a camel trip or visiting the museum of contemporary art.
Experience the sights and discover exceptional Lanzarote hotels, restaurants, trendy places, festivals, concerts, sports and activities.
Create your own personal Lanzarote itinerary by bookmarking the text and adding your own notes and browse the eBook in seconds with the handy full-text search facility!
This guide will make getting around easy as you travel and explore using the best maps and insider tips for Lanzarote and discover all about its amazing history and help you spot the hundreds of different plants that make this island so unique.
Including lots of inside local knowledge for all the top attractions, museums and restaurants such as Hacha Grande, Cave of los Verdes, Playa Blanca and Timanfaya National Park.
- Top Highlights at a glance include Castillo De San José, La Geria, El Golfo and Salinas De Janubio
- 15 Marco Polo Insider Tips with detailed background information including where to get the truest island fashion, where to party by the sea and where you may sample a mirage like scene!
- Over 300 web links lead you directly to the Insider Tip websites
- Offline maps of Lanzarote with street index
- Google Map links aid speedy route planning
- Public transport maps with links to timetables
- 'The Perfect Day' and 'The Perfect Route' is the best way to get to know a destination intimately for those with limited time. Includes practical tips on how to beat queues, get the best view and much more from hitting the beach to climbing Mirador del Rio.
- The chapter 'Links, Blogs, Apps & More' provides easy access to even more information, videos and networks
Have fun from the moment you arrive in Lanzarote and make the most of those precious days off. Enjoy a hassle free trip, full of new experiences and adventures ranging from total relaxation to extreme activities. Having fun is what it’s all about - whether it is diving, taking a camel trip or visiting the museum of contemporary art.
Experience the sights and discover exceptional Lanzarote hotels, restaurants, trendy places, festivals, concerts, sports and activities.
Create your own personal Lanzarote itinerary by bookmarking the text and adding your own notes and browse the eBook in seconds with the handy full-text search facility!
My review:
Whenever I go on vacation, I always try to read up on my holiday destination beforehand - history, geography, culture etc. I know that a lot of this information is available online these days, so I've made a little ritual of reading a travel guide in the plane on the way there. Writing this review as I've returned from my holiday, I can tell you that the book is sitting here on my desk and still has the sand from the beach in the pages - so it definitely did get used out there!
The book I bought is the paperback - not the Kindle version.
What made me decide to buy the book was the fact that it had a map neatly tucked in the back page. The map is very good quality, and the plastic pouch strong so it won't break off after getting the map out a few times. Another positive is the size - smaller than A5 and not too big to carry around in your hand bag.
As the book covers all of the island, there is naturally limited information and each individual resort, but there are a few recommendations in regards to where to stay, where to eat, what to see. Some of the information about our resort was out of date (the latest night clubs), but this is inevitable and what is in / out can change within a matter of weeks.
All in all, a good buy which will get you into the right mood for your vacation. If you are planning to rent a car or hike, the map is excellent and good value for money.
23 January 2014
The next holiday can't come quick enough!
I usually try to travel to a different destination every time, simply because there are so many place to see. But I just love Mallorca. From the UK, it's only 2 hours on the plane, and the Island has something for everyone.
But this isn't a travel review, so….
Title
|
Mallorca
|
Author
| Marco Polo UK |
Publisher
| MAIRDUMONT GmbH & Co. KG |
Publication Date
|
09.04.2012
|
Pages
| 156 |
Genre
| travel guide |
I bought this little handy guidebook prior to my first trip to Mallorca and found it very useful. It's small enough to fit in your handbag and has everything I would want to have from a holiday guide.
It starts off with an introduction to Mallorca's history and cultural heritage - well worth reading. And I'm not talking about a dry essay on Spanish history, but a few pages which I found very informative. As with all Marco Polo guides, there is a brief section to introduce food /drink (i.e. local specialities) and shopping guide (again, local souvenirs you can look out for). The main section contains guides to all main areas of Mallorca and the main resorts, but as the whole island is covered, every resort, town, area etc can realistically only get a smallish mentioning. So I think it will still be necessary to research the actual resort / town you are going to (maybe online), as this guide can only give basics on each resort, for example 1 or 2 restaurants and attractions may be mentioned, but of course there will be more and detailed insider information of course can't be given an every resort.
In the back section, there are trips and tours, advice on sports and activities, travelling with kids, festivals and events, links etc, travel tips (money, weather, public transport), useful phrases.
The guide has an excellent full pull-out map tucked neatly in the back contained in a plastic wallet, which will be essential if you intend to rent a car.
My recommendation is to read this handy little in the plane on your trip there. I found it excellent value for what you get.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)