National Geographic Traveler
3 total works
In this title, colour photography and specially commissioned cutaway illustrations of important buildings combine with in-depth descriptions of major cultural, architectural and historical sites. There are extensive introductions to each destination together with a personal tour of the area and a list of walks and drives, complete with maps. Places of interest are organized regionally and geographically, all highlighted on the map for convenience. A directory includes hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment listings, with practical information on opening times and telephone numbers.
A small-scale country on the surface, Panama is a Central American giant and gem just awakening to its vast potential. Esteemed travel writer Christopher Baker takes the reader on a journey of this fascinating place in his fully updated edition. Beginning in the cosmopolitan, steamy capital of Panama City, you move on to the Canal Zone and the central Caribbean, with world-class birding and rafting; Kuna Yala, administrated anonomously by indigenous Kuna people; the Darien, a biological Eden; and Central Panama, blessed with fine beaches, mountains, pre-Columbia sites, and important colonial architecture. Among the guide's special features are mapped walking and driving tours--including a walk around Panama City's Casco Antiguo and a drive across the Continental Divide; and special two-page entries on topics such as the Panama Canal and parrots and macaws. National Geographic and local experts provide insider tips on favorite or little known sites and events, and dozens of sidebars highlight experiences that show you how to truly get the most from your trip, including how to assist archaeologists uncover ancient artifacts at Panama Viejo and white-water rafting in the Highlands. This comprehensive guide includes essential background information and the author's pick of hotels and restaurants.
Intrepid traveler and Dominican Republic expert Christopher J. Baker takes a fascinating tour of this up-and-coming eco-destination. Beginning in the bustling, historic capital city of Santo Domingo, Baker moves on to the southwest, land of the Taino people, the old sugar-processing town of Barahona, wildlife-rich Lago Enriquillo, and magnificent beaches. Then it's on to the southeast, known for the resort zones of Punta Cana and Bavaro, remote beaches, and sugar plantations; the spectacular, underdeveloped Semana Peninsula, famous for its whale-watching; and the north coast, with seemingly unending beaches and "what a great life" atmosphere.Christopher Columbus' first sight of the New World was upon these shores. The visit ends with explorations of the Valle el Cibao and the central cordillera in the Dominican Republic's mountainous interior, complete with nightlife-bustling Santiago, farmlands that produce some of the world's best cigars, and endless rain forest laced with hiking trails.