Looking for a suitably romantic tale to take on honeymoon, or practical guide for planning? Here are ten of the best honeymoon reads
A selection of maps, guides and tales to while away the hours:
Hedberg Maps; £8.95
The Map of Love traces a world of romance and love from the dawn of time to the cyber era, surveying the rituals of romance across the globe. The landscape of romance is mapped, illustrating a story that begins with birth itself and featuring focussed text on aphrodisiacs, biology, chocolate, flowers, gods and goddesses, knights in shining armour, movie stars, poetry, wine and St Valentine. An overview map of the world sits on one side of the map, illustrating romantic customs, symbols and history across the globe, while the reverse looks at the language of love and how we have said those magic words across the ages.
Eland; £16.99
Using extracts from fiction and from real-life diaries and letters, Honeymoons takes you on a rollercoaster of an emotional journey into the heart of human longing, to examine what it is we are seeking, and what we expect, when we embark on marriage. There are real journeys to Pisa and Rome, through Switzerland and India and to the dales and moors of Yorkshire. We hear about the consummations of royal weddings; and about the dire consequences of marriages of convenience and those entered into with calculation. We journey in time from the very public wedding night of a 17th century couple, to the honeymoon of Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic in Sri Lanka.
Gallic Books; £7.99
Hector and the Secrets of Love is a new fable filled with thoughtful insights into the very human desire to find and keep love. One of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies has employed Hector to track down their brilliant scientist, Professor Cormorant, who has disappeared abroad with the secret of a modern-day love potion. Leaving behind his troubled relationship with girlfriend Clara, Hector's adventure takes him to the Far East and into the arms of beautiful Vayla, forcing our hero to think deeply about what love really is/means.
Time Warner; £6.99
The Food of Love by Anthony Capella is a romantic novel centred on the joy of food and in the backstreets of Rome. Laura Patterson is studying history in the Italian capital; she's decided that from now on she will only date men who can cook. Tommaso Massi is a good looking charmer; he tells Laura that he's a chef at one of the country's best restaurants where, in fact, he is a lowly waiter. Bruno is Tommaso's best friend; he is in fact a chef - a pretty brilliant one at that - and Tommaso calls upon him to help out… but not to fall for Laura…
Bloomsbury; £9.99
The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif tells the tale of Lady Anna Winterbourne who travels to Egypt in 1900 where she falls in love with Sharif, an Egyptian Nationalist utterly committed to his country's cause. 100 years later, Isabel Parkman, an American divorcee and a descendant of Anna and Sharif, goes to Egypt, taking with her an old family trunk, inside which are found notebooks and journals which reveal Anna and Sharif's secret.
To get your show on the road:
Globe Pequot Press; £12.99
Detailed descriptions of 100 resorts, hotels and inns around the world from beach resorts to cosy inns. Each one is chosen for its ambience, scenic locations, spectacular and romantic location and first class amenities. While some are the former playgrounds of millionaires, others are more modest - but no less special - family hotels, prices vary accordingly. The 100 Best Romantic Resorts of the World guide covers North America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Pacific Rim, and Africa. So you should have no trouble finding the perfect place for your honeymoon, as long as you are not interested in South America - apparently the author couldn't find anything there which was worthy of inclusion!
TimeOut; £9.99
1000 Great Holiday Ideas is Time Out's inspirational guide exploring holiday possibilities to attractions across the world. The guide provides a wide array of ideas, including the natural wonders of the world, language holidays, budget trips, honeymoons, adventure trips and cultural escapes. There are also ideas from Time Out experts, including holiday suggestions for single parents, gap year trips, destinations for disable travellers, exciting short breaks and great walks in the UK. Each listing has basic details of a recommended hotel or attraction.
Lonely Planet; £14.99
Lonely Planet's The Big Trip is the
perfect guide to those who are preparing for an adventure to take
them to parts of the world they've never dreamed of
experiencing.
The book is full of ideas, such as swimming with dolphins off the
coast of New Zealand; learning Spanish in Guatemala; hiking your
own pioneer route through Canada; get a soaking at Thailand's
Songkran water festival.
Billed as the ultimate guide to gap years
and overseas adventures, the book is sumptuously illustrated with
full colour photographs and packed with useful information, with
essential pre-trip planning for health, safety, costs and much
more. There is also a look at volunteering and working abroad, from
fruit-picking to teaching, yacht crewing and au pairing.
Rough Guides; £12.99
First Time Around the Worldis a comprehensive guide to planning your first Round The World trip from the Rough Guides stable. Rough Guide's detailed guidebooks are specifically designed for independent travellers and allows readers to experience a detailed and personal takes on each destination. First Time Around the World is perfect if you're planning an extended, off-the-beaten-track or an adventurous multi-stop honeymoon.
TeNeues; £12.50
The Cool Hotels series from TeNeues is aimed squarely at those looking for luxury and escape in its purest, and most likely expensive forms. Unique ambiences, exclusive locations, and soothing silences are all in these large format, gorgeously photographed books. As well as the full-colour photography bursting from every page, there are telephone numbers, websites and addresses should any of them take your fancy.
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