Secret Marvels of the World: 360 extraordinary places you never knew existed and where to find them (Lonely Planet)

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Review ------ "With this beautiful coffee-table guide to three hundred and sixty little known places, Lonely Planet does what it does best: gets you off the beaten path."--Foreword (08/01/2017) "These hidden gems still pack an awe-inspiring punch, but with a fraction of the tourists. Luckily, Lonely Planet -- whose trusty guidebooks have informed the journeys of countless travelers for decades -- is shining a light on under-the-radar places with its latest book...Featuring 360 unusual destinations around the world, this book will challenge even the most intrepid travelers, no matter how long they've been on the road."-- (08/01/2017) "It's baffling why cities and countries spend so much effort promoting their features that are, well, nice -- and pleasant and predictable. Far more captivating are the attractions that are bizarre, unexpected, unexplainable and unthinkable. It is the latter group that make up the bulk of Lonely Planet's Secret Marvels of the World (304 pages, $25), a bathroom reader packed with the planet's least likely features, both natural and made by humans. Editors have organized the 360 extraordinary places you never knew existed into individual sites (based on bands of longitude), as well as Top 10 lists -- top ossuaries, top micronations, top unsettling hotels (including Karosta Prison in Liepaja, Latvia, where guests are locked up) -- and a handful of itineraries that cover a group of marvels in a single region. (One unpredictable touch: black-and-white sketches throughout that add whimsy.) Readers learn something new with each page."-- (08/01/2017) "The world is a big place, full of hidden gems and weird wonders. If you're looking for something off the beaten path -- way off the beaten path -- check out Lonely Planet's new book."-- (08/01/2017) "Satisfying for armchair travelers and seasoned explorers alike."--Library Journal (08/01/2017) "This is a good resource for browsing at will, referencing specific locations via the handy index, and letting readers' dream-trip imaginations run wild."--Booklist Starred Review (08/01/2017) From the Inside Flap -------------------- Featuring communist bunkers, burning craters and at least one sponge-rock fluorescent grotto built by Polish monks, this book reveals weird and wonderful s the crowds don't reach. This packed and fascinating title takes its readers on a journey through the world's lesser known marvels. Dive into an underworld of the planet's most surprising, fun, perplexing, kitsch and downright bizarre s - and explore human stories and mysterious happenings that you won't find inside a regular guidebook.