If you are interested in classics, or looking at ruins, or understanding the basics of ancient Greek culture, read as many of these books as possible. Some of them may be a little dense, but are full of wonderful stories and great anecdotes. Iliad and Odyssey, by Homer (many people enjoy the Fagles translation, which is very poetic and in very good English. Try to find translations by Fitzgerald and Lattimore, who tend to stay closer to the original Greek) Religion in the Ancient Greek City by Zaidman (a wonderful guide to the major religious festivals and sites written from a classical scholar's point of view. Fascinating.). The Complete World of Greek Mythology by Buxton (rather pricey, so you may want to get it from a library. Wonderful photographs of archaeological sites accompany excellent analysis and presentation of the most important Greek myths). For children the D'Aullaire's Greek Mythology is very well written, with beautiful illustrations. If you're interested in the first travel guide ever written, it happens to be written about Greece. Penguin Classics has published Pausanias' "Guide to Greece" in a few volumes. Volume I includes Athens. This book's title has been translated differently, so it may be easier to look for it under the author's name than anything else. And of course, one can't go wrong with some tragedy! Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus are all very talented. Menander and Aristophanes are the great comedians; however, be aware before reading their comedy that the Greeks were much more accepting of sexual humor than modern Americans are. Be prepared for lots of off color jokes. They are hilarious, though, so definitely worth the read.
Travel Pictorial - Country or Natural Wonder
Always browse any or all Travel Pictorial books about a country, region or a natural wonder of the world . You will find excellent photography to view at leisure. Check out any bookstore or library ( lending or reference ).
Travel Guide(s) - Country, Region or City
Always glance through any Travel Guide for the region you are planning to visit. You will always find some nuggat of useful information. The layout and content will always vary with the publisher. Every traveller should make it a priority to browse one or all of the guides listed below. It will be a great education to browse the layout and view the excellent photography. You decide which of the travel guide(s) you like the best.
- DK Eyewitness Travel Guide(s)
- Insight / Discovery Channel Travel Guide(s)
- Lonely Planet Guide(s)
- AA Explorer, AA Key or AA Spiral Guide(s)
- Note: You will find about thirteen ( 13+ ) other publishing companies travel guides in bookstores.
Travel Books - Children
Browse the children's or junior section of your local library for travel and geography guides. You will find a variety of guides to countries, regions or natural wonders of the world. The majority of these guides will be less than fifty pages in length. They will contain an excellent overview of a country etc. They are an excellent introduction to travel for a novice traveller.
Travel DVD or Video Viewing
- These are a few ideas for finding Travel DVD's in your local area.
- Local Video Rental Store
- Local Library - Travel Video or DVD
- Any large music store will have a range of travel DVD's or Video's on sale.
- Travel Video Store has an excellent internet site.
- BBC Video series website section
- Pilot Travel Guide series
- National Geographic Travel DVD or Video Series
- Escorted Tour Companies DVD or Video's e.g. Rick Steves'
- National Tourist Bureaus MAY have a introduction Video or DVD on offer or Photo Gallery on their Internet site
