Shopping, romance, bucket lists, inspiration and information: All of these things and more can be found in books for travelers that are out this season in time for the holidays. In addition to being gift-worthy, some of the titles make a nice addition to your own coffee-table collection; others are useful for trip planning or may serve as fodder for travel dreams.
“111 Shops in New York That You Must Not Miss: Unique Finds and Local Treasures” by Susan Lusk and Mark Gabor (Emons Publishers, $20) is a fun guide to retailers around the city, from well-known emporiums like Eataly and ABC Carpet & Home, to unusual specialty shops selling books, vintage jewelry, skateboards, hats, lingerie and more.
“Places for Passion: The 75 Most Romantic Destinations in the World” by Pepper Schwartz and Janet Lever (Frommer’s, $23) offers inspiration for couples’ getaways from sophisticated cities and exotic destinations to beaches, resorts and outdoor adventures around the world. Schwartz, a “love and relationship expert” for AARP, is also one of the experts on A&E Networks’ FYI channel’s reality series “Married at First Sight.”
“World’s Best Cities: Celebrating 220 Great Destinations” (National Geographic, $40) is a gorgeously illustrated hardcover book that offers an inviting glance at cities around the world from New York to Abu Dhabi, along with curated lists of best cities in categories like eco-smart, oceanfront, high-altitude and all-American.