As we
work longer hours our
leisure time becomes more
and more valuable and
increasingly it's how we
spend it that gives meaning
and value to our lives. That's not to say that we are
unhappy with our lot but, in
the absence of religion,
personal fulfilment is the new
god and for growing numbers
of people this comes from
new experiences and sights. Holidays are what we live for
- whether it's to se
e
endangered wildlife, ancient
monuments, modern
architecture, art, foreign
cultures, extraordinary
scenery or whatever,
holidays offer us the chance
to grow and expand our
horizons. For many of us
today lying on a beach for
two weeks is just not enough
any more. "Unforgettable - Places to
see Before You Die" is the
first in a new series of
books that will help you
search out some of these
essential places and
experiences. These books
are not travel guides and
they're certainly not
definitive, but they will
introduce you to a host of
spectacular places that can
all be visited in a regular
two-week holiday or less. Compiled by the people who
really know, each book will
be written by an expert
writer and photographer who
will visit each location in
person. In the first title,
international travel writer
and photographer, Steve
Davey, draws on his years
of experience and selects 40
of his personal favourite
destinations that will inspire
you to think beyond your
office walls. Some of the locations are
relatively well-known such
as the Taj Mahal (but we felt
that it just couldn't be left
out) and the Alhambra in
Spain (although by staying in
the Parador in the grounds
of the palace you can
explore in the cool of the
morning before the crowds
arrive), but most are off the
beaten track, such as
Angkor Wat in Cambodia - a
valley strewn with breath-
taking Buddhist temples. Some involve relatively
comfortable journeys, whilst
others involve trekking
across the wilderness to see
the rock-hewn churches at
Lalibela in Ethiopia or
watching the sunrise over
the Himalayas in Nepal.
