Where To Go When Eyewitness Travel Guides. Most travel guides tell you what to see, but not when. Knowing the important cultural events of a country or region makes a trip memorable. Equally significant to me as a photographer are the weather and seasonal conditions. Rainy seasons, extreme heat, days of overcast need to be considered when I travel. I especially like to know when flowers are blooming. The notes in the margin make a quick study of learning the basic facts regarding getting there, getting around, accommodations, eating, and prices for two people. The excellent photographs are well-chosen. Just when I think I don't need another travel book, this one is published. It's a beautiful and useful book and would make a great gift for someone who enjoys travel.
It's a very pretty book with gorgeous pictures, that's what caught my attention to begin with. But it didn't live up to its title for `where to go when'. I think it would be more useful if it's `where to go when and why'. People go places for different reasons, some for the good weather, some for the festivals and special events, and some for the budget. Disregard those considerations, the book became useless for planning a trip. Kauai for example, is listed under October, but was given no reasons why. Anyone who lived in Hawaii knows you can visit Hawaii just about all year around for its good weather. Although winter can be wet, but it offers the biggest waves for surfing. Best whale watching time is February and March. Camping and kayaking to Kalalau beach is only safe or possible in July and August (I can be sure the beautiful Kalalau valley and beach picture wasn't taken in October), in fact September and October is typhoon season. So why October? When weather is mild in most part of the world, it's obviously not suitable for family travel since schools have started, cheaper plane tickets? The book didn't say anything! I looked up places I have visited before and don't think I'd visit them for the time being recommended in the book either. 7 stars for a coffee table book, 1 star for travel planning book.
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