After flipping through “Great Escapes” I felt like I wanted to plan to go on all 76 trips. This is a beautiful, beautiful coffee table book. The construction is high quality, printed on thick, glossy paper with sturdy binding. The photos are absolutely inspiring.

Lonely Planet categorizes “Great Escapes” under: Culture, Luxe, Food and Drink, Romance, City, Chill-Out, Shoestring, Family, Wild, and Party. Each trip is about four pages with wonderful photos and conveniently set-out boxes that you can devour in a glance. “Essential Experiences” contains three “must do” activities. The footer on the first page of each trip contains: Location, Best Time of the Year, Ideal Time Commitment, Essential Tip, Budget and Pack. “Deckchair” contains suggested books and movies for background on the location.

“Great Escapes” is useful for seasoned travelers, as well as the less experienced. I have been on many trips, including remote locations (Antarctica, Madagascar, Midway Island), and have never visited most of the places as described in this book. For example, I have been to Paris many times, but would not have classified it under “Party.” The “Great Escape” view of Paris is relatively unfamiliar to me. Although I have been to Chicago and taken an architectural tour, I have never dined with a live blues act in a downtown club. In short, “Great Escapes” selects noteworthy sites and adds a novel twist to each.

“Great Escapes” is fun, even if you never go to any of the locations. Although I have seen or read some of each “Deckchair” suggestions, many are new and enticing. “Great Escapes” is a good book to give as a present or to leave out on the coffee table to spark discussion and entertain your guests. ( )