I don’t know about you, but for my family and me, it’s been yet another whirlwind of a year. As 2023 sings its swan song, we find ourselves reflecting on moments that brought us joy and fulfillment, challenges and lessons learned, and setting goals and intentions for the year to come. With the dawn of 2024 peeking over the horizon, you too may find yourself contemplating aspirations for the year ahead. Perhaps you’re looking to prioritizing wellness, whether that’s physical, spiritual, or financial (we have a book for that!). Maybe you want to learn a new skill (Have you checked out LinkedIn Learning yet?), take up a new hobby (CreativeBug), or travel more. Whatever your New Year goals include, the library has a wealth of resources to aid you on all the adventures that await you.
Speaking of adventures, if your New Year’s resolution includes more wandering, exploring, and/or traveling – get to ready to explore … these travel guides! Your friendly neighborhood library is here to hook you up with some seriously awesome books that’ll have you itching to pack your bags and hit the road. From adrenaline-pumping adventures to chill, off-the-beaten-path spots, these reads are about to light a fire under your wanderlust.
Outdoor Adventures
Where should we camp next? National parks : the best campgrounds and unique outdoor accommodations in and around national parks, seashores, monuments, and more by Stephanie & Jeremy Puglisi
RV vacations : explore national parks, iconic attractions, and 40 memorable destinations by Stephanie Puglisi & Jeremy Puglisi
Jeremy and Stephanie Puglisi, self-proclaimed RV road warriors and hosts of The RV Atlas podcast, share their camping and RV expertise in Where should we camp next? and RV vacations.
Where Should We Camp Next? offers an expert but accessible guide to the best campgrounds and outdoor accommodations in and around over one hundred national parks, lake shores, monuments, and more. With this guide, the authors help you understand the different types of camping accommodations, find hidden gems across the country, and plan your family’s next camping trip.
If the idea of roughing it is intimidating, RV camping can be a great option. What could be better than hitting the road in an RV and seeing the best of what the United States has to offer with your family? Packed with 40 exciting trips you can enjoy from your home on wheels, RV vacations gives you everything you need to plan the perfect RV vacation to great destinations like- The Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, New Orleans, New York City, Rocky Mountain National Park, Walt Disney World, Yosemite National Park, and more. The Puglisis offer their expert recommendations for 120 campgrounds, from rustic to resort, delicious local dining options, insider information on must-see attractions, and suggestions for 1-, 2-, and 3- week itineraries.
Whether it’s RV camping or in a tent, let the Puglisis inspire you to make family memories in America’s great outdoors!
Traveling with companions
The family bucket list : 1000 trips to take and memories to make around the world by Nana Luckham and Kath Stathers.
Authors Luckham and Stathers have tons of ideas for adventures big and small to inspire the family vacation of a lifetime. With stunning photography and carefully researched entries, The family bucket list : 1000 trips to take and memories to make around the world includes something for explorers of all ages. North American suggestions include volunteering as a family at the Sloth Conservation and Wildlife Experience in Quepos, Costa Rica, cliff jumping at Xel-Há Park, a theme park in Tulum, Mexico, exploring Ruby Falls, the tallest and deepest underground waterfall in Chattanooga, TN, reliving the past in Murdo, South Dakota’s authentic reproduction of an 1880s frontier town, and hundreds more. Further from home, consider visiting The Bear Sanctuary in Mramor, Kosovo or enrolling in gladiator school in Rome, Italy. I really enjoyed exploring all the suggestions for unique places to sleep. Some of the more memorable include cliffside sleeping (Urubamba, Peru), a hotel made of salt (Colchani, Bolivia), glamping among eucalyptus (Jervis Bay, Australia), an underwater hotel (Whitsunday Islands, Australia), and sleeping in a glass igloo (Saariselkä, Finland). Whether you dine with a giraffe in Kenya, take a zipline ride through tropical jungles in Costa Rica, visit Santa Claus in Lapland, or learn to surf in Sri Lanka – this ultimate bucket list will inspire you to plan your next adventure, and discover the world with the people you love most.
Fifty places to travel with your dog before you die : dog experts share the world’s greatest destinations by Chris Santella and DC Helmuth ; foreword by Melissa Halliburton.
If the idea of traveling with children induces anxiety, consider a four-legged companion. Chris Santella and award-winning writer DC Helmuth’s Fifty Places to Travel with Your Dog Before You Die provides a bucket list of domestic and international dog-friendly destinations. From the dazzling glaciers of Alaska and the onsens (hot springs) of Japan to the sun-soaked beaches of Portugal, this book explores 50 dog-approved journeys, highlighting where to stay and how to travel with your beloved furry friend.
Enjoy locations such as the ski trails of Mariposa, the gothic architecture of Prague, the chic salons of Paris for a doggy makeover, and the world’s first dog cruise, complete with a three-course canine-friendly meal. See the world as you’ve never seen it before—through the eyes of your pup. You and your fur-ever friend can attend fun-filled festivals, celebrate special dog holidays, and visit luxurious hotels and retreats that have been given the paw print of approval.
Off the Beaten Path
The rough guide to the top LGBTQ+ friendly places in Europe.
Travel, one of life’s greatest pleasures, has been historically more dangerous for certain populations. A book for everyone, The rough guide to the top LGBTQ+ friendly places in Europe showcases 20 exceptional destinations that are renowned for being LGBTQ+-friendly, and for having notable LGBTQ+ connections. Organized by season, travelers will easily find rewarding year-round trip experiences. Every destination entry boasts a pithy overview of what makes it special, with historic LGBTQ+- context, plus information about a renowned LGBTQ+ figure connected to the place. With photography that brings the destinations to life, each entry also includes essential tips on what to see and do, with recommendations for the best places to eat, drink, sleep and shop.
Cruising & cruise ships 2024 / by Douglas Ward, the world’s foremost authority on cruising.
Formerly the Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships is the world’s most authoritative and longest-running guide to cruising and cruise ships. Fully updated post-Covid, this iconic, industry-leading bible for millions of cruise-goers and crew members now features larger font for greater readability, and more images, making for a fresher, more user-friendly experience.
The 2024 edition boasts a new section on the history of cruising, new user-oriented features on the Best of Cruising, and the author’s hugely-anticipated evaluations and scores, with 320 ships reviewed and rated. Douglas Ward – the world’s foremost authority on cruising and cruise ships – share his rundown of Top Ships and the best cruises for all kinds of travelers, from families and romantics, to solo voyagers and cruise-goers with accessibility needs. With options like exploring fjords and enjoying icy expeditions, to embarking on wildlife voyages and idyllic Caribbean cruises, your next cruise awaits!
In Conclusion
Whether it’s the allure of vibrant cities, breathtaking landscapes, or culturally rich experiences that stir your wanderlust, these guides stand as a testament to the diverse wonders awaiting discovery. Embrace the thrill of planning your next expedition, armed with invaluable insights and recommendations, and let the pages of these guides pave the way for unforgettable journeys.
I extend my warmest wishes to each of you for a year filled with moments that make your heart sing, experiences that broaden your horizons, and travels that ignite your soul. Remember, the library is here with all varieties of books, databases, and resources catering to every curiosity and passion.
Cheers to the adventures that await you in 2024.
Categories: Books and More
Tags: Books and More
