Synopsis: Following up on the enormous success of the Journeys of a Lifetime series of travel gift books, National Geographic bring you 100 Countries, 5000 Ideas, a large-format, lavishly illustrated, softcover travel planner. This essential travel companion to one hundred of the world's most fascinating countries is packed with more than 250 big, colourful images, 110 original, detailed maps, and evocative text to inspire your next great trip. Divided into two sections, this book helps you choose destination that suits your interests, how to get there, and what to do.

The first part presents a series of charts that helps you pick the best places to visit according to your needs and desires, including the best seasons to go to each country - whether you're interested in a three-week vacation or a long weekend or something in between - as well as a chapter including which destinations are best for children, adventure seekers, history lovers, and the like. In addition to vacation ideas, you'll be given airfare costs, approximate cost of a trip, health precautions, and other important tips.

The book's second section surveys the one hundred countries - from Argentina to Zimbabwe, and everything in between - describing each one's unique highlights and ideas on what to do while visiting, as well as offering a wealth of practical information to help plan a memorable trip. A special sidebar outlines the pros and cons of each destination.

100 Countries, 5000 Ideas is an irresistible blend of practical travel information and inspiring ideas - adorned with stunning imagery - to help fuel your wanderlust, and make your dream trip possible.

• Following on the enormous success of the Journeys of a Lifetime series and 10 Best of Everything, this lavishly illustrated, paperback travel-planner focusses on the top 100 most fascinating places to visit around the world.
• A series of informative charts helps you pick the best places to visit according to your needs and desires, including the best seasons to go to each country – where to go if you're interested in a three-week vacation or a long weekend or something in between.
• A chapter on which destinations are best for children, adventure seekers, history lovers etc.
• An A-Z of 100 countries, complete with pros-and-cons for each destination and all the practical information you need to plan a trip.
• Each country is thoroughly reported on and vetted - from Brazil, Belgium, and Bulgaria to Thailand, Turkey, and Tanzania – describing each country's highlights and ideas on what to do there.
• Expertly combines hard practical information for trip planning with stunning imagery of far-flung places.
• 250 images, 100s of original, detailed maps, and evocative text to inspire your next trip.

100 Countries, 5000 Ideas is published by National Geographic
on 1 April 2011

http://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Countries-000-Ideas-Geographic/dp/1426207581

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
The introduction provides a very accurate description of this book, ‘It is an entertaining stroll through the top hits of 100 countries with a side of helpful information on climate, travel resources and handy maps that let you know the relative distance between say, Rome and Venice, or Naples. It is a terrific starting point that a traveler may use to go the next step’

In a handy size this book gives an overview of the highlights of 100 countries, we particularly liked the Traveler’s Notebook, which gives useful information about each country. Travel is very much a personal choice and if you have visited or live in any of the countries, you will understand the challenges of what to suggest for places to see, and what to omit. 100 Countries, 5000 Ideas, is an impressive collection of travel ideas which, when coupled with the quality of photographs that National Geographic is famous for, makes this a perfect start to any travel plans.
Highly recommended!