For the adventurous and ambitious
345467
Cool plans with thorough instructions. Great for those ready & able to commit to a fairly large (and expensive, but way chearper than buying a kit) DIY project.
4772933
This handbook is jam-packed with useful advice, references, trivia, and inspiration.  Evan S. Rice, the author, has accomplished what no one else in the travel genre ever has, or frankly has even attempted: to write the travel guide that's universally applicable.  Clearly, what he has done is to write the book he wished he had as his own guide when he was independently traveling the world over many years.  This wonderful book is your key to anywhere and everywhere, not just somewhere.  More importantly, its advice updates the wonky world of travel into the modern millennium and bridges the gap in being just as practical to the old and weary wanderers out there, as to the youthful new generation of adventurers.  Even the most expert nomads will find this book a constant source of curated reference, while novice wayfarers will find it easily accessible and tremendously valuable in planning and executing their first forays into the world.

Visually engaging and chockfull of well-designed tables, charts, maps and infographics, the book achieves a very approachable format for the traveler on the go. The miscellany allows the reader to approach each nugget of knowledge in a bite-sized manner, rather than forcing the reader to follow a linear progression of advice that the dulls the senses and lacks a solidarity with the short attention spans and desire for instant gratification of the Facebook / Instagram generation (#thewayfarershandbook).

From a practical perspective, the book checks all the right boxes for even the hardiest road warrior: its jacket-less hardcover makes it durable, the manageable size makes it easy to carry around in your pocket or small backpack, and its aesthetic competes with even the most beautifully printed coffee table books in the travel genre.  Additionally, the Kindle option is a great for the tech-savvy traveler.

There simply are not any other books out there that can both provide you with that strong yearning wanderlust and also give you the tools to fully satiate it no matter where your heart desires to take you.
4104431
If you've ever wanted to move beyond the fear and embrace the adventure, this may be the book to motivate you.  Humor, soul-searching and practical advice for teaching in a foreign country are the ingredients for this delicious read.  It's a book for girlfriends and daughters on the lessons of pursuing your goals, but has just as much to offer to the men who love them.  A great and enjoyable read!
1094565
"You Only Live Once" is not a travel book (in spite of being published by Lonely Planet) nor could it be categorized as self-help or even inspirational. Instead, you have a nicely browseable collection of interesting things that you, a citizen of Planet Earth, might want to do. The book is roughly divided into section for the amount of time you may want to devote to exploring an activity - an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year. The actual activities range from the trivial - have an hour, why not enjoy a sunrise - to major undertakings such as running a marathon or taking a year-long sabbatical in an exotic corner of the globe.

The practicality of the various ideas is kind of beside the point - the choices are designed to make you think and perhaps inspire you or spark an idea. Each idea is very short, only a few pages, and heavy on the (beautiful) photos and light on prose. "You Only Live Once" is a coffee table book or something to enjoy browsing before going to bed or over a quick cup of coffee. It is not a deep read. This book would make an ideal gift for high school or college graduates, or anyone who might have a touch of explorer in them.
494557
Makes you want to go all these places and do all these things--what an adventurer he is!
892251
The Adventure Traveler's Handbook is a excellent resource for anyone who wants to be an adventure traveler or has been a thrill-seeker all their life.  As an adventure traveler myself, I can attest that the checklists are spot on, the stories highly relevant and the pictures inspiring.  I recommend this well-written and concise source of information for anyone who wants to hit the open road and experience life's adventures.
557133
Pretty much all of these adventures are for the wealthy who utilize guides and outfitting services. This is not a book of independent adventures. In some cases the traveler sounds like they'd be just along for the ride. Still, there are some spectacular routes, on foot, bike, vehicle and boat. Just know what you're getting...
2973400
Lisa Alpines book "Exotic Life" is a sprawling anthology of 19 travel tales. Alpine is an inspiration to women travelers everywhere. She fearlessly wanders through one obscure destination after the other, leaving her complete trust in the experience. She answers that timeless question  Can solo women travelers really go there?  by doing just that and carrying away some wildly unique stories.

Hers are the type of spontaneous and quirky tales that vagabonders dream of when they muse on the possibilities of the open road. In true vagabonding spirit, her tales portray a woman with a no-frills approach to travel and a heavy investment in experience. Youll find impassioned stories about far-flung destinations that can only come from an extended time on the road.

Alpines stories might not be to everyones tastes. She recounts her experiences with passion, shameless candor, and a huge amount of heart. There is no subject off-limits in her book. If you prefer the safety of clean careful narrative, with strict mindfulness to all Ps and Qs, this collection might be a bit much for you.

In addition to being a collection of travel stories, "Exotic Life" also explores the many trials and joys of Alpines personal life. Readers will not just come away with a host of tales from around the world, but with a vivid sense of the type of woman Alpine is. Her personality leaps from the pages.
460167
For those of us who'd like to be out on the road to adventure but who find ourselves tethered to RESPONSIBILITIES instead, this book provides a welcome chance to enjoy vicariously the experiences of  its several hitch-hiking authors. Manifesting out-side-the-box openness to whatever may present itself, these real-life travelers allow us to share  their exciting, funny, touching, and sometimes scary adventures from the security of our arm chairs. It is a fun read.
3447046
What a fun book!  This book contains so much adventure that we can't even imagine we would get ourselves into.  The Yoga, the travel without much planning, the daring to try things we would never try, and the friendships we could pursue if we just had the "guts" to try, are amazing.  It is very easy to get lost in a book that contains ideas and trials that someone else might do that we would never think to do.  The story actually has quite a plot with a solid marriage and an understanding wife, plus a "guy" friendship that is rare and wonderful.  Jim quits his job to become a Rolfing Expert, which would be a big chance and change for him.  His wife is actually supportive!  The novel contains some sadness with lots of laughter.  Anyone "on the edge" with their job would get some appreciation for the daring of this book.  I would recommend for anyone.

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
4135519
For anyone with a spirit of adventure, curiosity, and an interest in how to construct the life one dreams of, this book is a must read.  Collected and edited by a consummate adventurer and writer, it provides a wonderful glimpse into what drives people to live an extraordinary life.  Whether you take small bites or read it straight through in its entirety,  you will find the diversity of voices and personal stories satisfying and inspiring.  All the individuals profiled in the book had the passion and commitment to turn their dreams into reality.  Well worth the read!
289590
I recommend this with great trepidation and uncertainty. It is a book incredibly vast in its ambitions, and at times challenging to the point of opaqueness. still, it if fascinating.
2781701
Looking for inspiration? This is a great read!
1789081
Veteran hiking author and guide Ron Adkison passed way in 2009.  His son, Ben Adkison is now in the process of updating his guidebooks beginning with this Falcon guide to the Grand Canyon.  This is an ambitious project as, unlike most canyon hiking guides, 'Hiking Grand Canyon' focuses on some of the most difficult routes in this spectacular park. Indeed, the single most common description for hikes in this guide, nearly all of which are backpack trips, is "a rigorous backpack .... for experienced canyon hikers only."  Happily, the book does include day hike options for most of the routes described.

Probably the biggest change in this guidebook over earlier editions is that it is now printed on glossy pages with beautiful photographs.  The book also includes detailed descriptions of the hazards one faces hiking in the Grand Canyon, including not only dehydration but its all too common opposite, water intoxication.  Descriptions of services, explanations of how to get a backpacking permit, and a detailed natural history round out the extended introduction to the third edition of this book.

The bulk of the book continues to be devoted to the trails (a fairly loose term:  many of the hikes in this book are little more than routes) most of which are outside the main corridor of visitors.  On the positive side, users of this book have an excellent chance to experience, if not solitude, substantially fewer crowds than more developed sites.  On the downside, this book is mostly directed to experienced backpackers who are in top physical condition and who have the time (and vehicles; 4wd recommended) to access some of these locations.  Most visitors to the Grand Canyon do not fall into that category.  For these visitors,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Best-Easy-Day-Hikes-Grand-Canyon/dp/0762736585/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Best Easy Day Hikes, Grand Canyon</a>, also by Ron Adkison, is probably a better choice.  There is surprisingly little overlap between these books.  But if you want truly experience the Grand Canyon on an extended and remote trip, the third edition of 'Hiking Grand Canyon' is an excellent choice.
498903
Reading this book will inspire you to get out there and travel, and gives you all the tools and resources you need to plan, research, prepare, stay safe, get good deals on transportation and accommodation, and more. Nicely peppered with personal anecdotes from Matthew's extensive world travel experience, as well as pro-tips from other professional travellers. Nice read!
1879221
This book says "how to become a more accomplished, adventurous cook" but even IF you think you are already pretty much accomplished and you love adventurous food, this book has a lot to offer. I was bowled over immediately by the first page I randomly turned to, tacos with charred corn and zucchini. It turns out, this is one of my favorite things to order at a restaurant in New Mexico (Blue Corn in Santa Fe) and I am just thinking how great it's going to be to fire up the charcoal grill in summer and make these for guests. Then there is a recipe for brussels sprouts with a horseradish-lemon dressing. The bitter of the horseradish works with the bitter of the sprouts, and the lemon makes it balanced--great idea.

In fact, the recipes that appeal to me the most in this book are vegetables. There ARE a lot of meat recipes (spare ribs, lamb roasts, Peruvian-style beef steak) but the vegetable course appeal to me more. And that means that if you are not a big meat eater, you can find something to perk up your repertoire in this book.

The dessert course is equally adventuresome: mango custard pie, dulce de leche-lemon cheese cake and a chai-flavored coffee cake.

I found many, many things to bookmark for entertaining or for even just to make more out of a haul of vegetables from the farm stand. It also looks like a pretty decent gift for friends of mine who are enthusiastic cooks. Highly recommended.
2054757
This is a really lovely coffee table style book loaded with suggestions of unusual suggestions of things you might want to do during your lifetime.  It ranges from buying a pair of cowboy boots to finishing a marathon to becoming a world champion (of something.)

The photography and printing in this book is excellent.  Glancing through the pages, reading here and there, is a wonderful way to spend an rainy afternoon.  It is a wonderful idea for a gift for the truly adventurous or for those who may only go on adventures by way of books.