Excellent stories. Would've preferred a few more female authors, though.
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Eddie Lau
Jun 03, 2017 Eddie Lau rated it really liked it
A good read, with short story's that take you to different corners of the world, and often leave you with a sense of wonder at the end of each story!
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Mark Berniker
May 07, 2017 Mark Berniker rated it really liked it
great fun, strong writers, enjoyed the travel vignettes...highly recommend.
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The_blue
Jun 14, 2013 The_blue rated it did not like it
Until the middle of the book (where I dropped it), almost all stories may have been written by one person: a scared and condescending native English speaker who endures travel tragedies such as getting their wallet stolen, missing their flight, meeting new people and so on, in an exotic country. They live to tell- unfortunately for everyone, in a trying-too-hard-to-be-funny manner. An exception was Wangara's Cross by Joshua Clark, which has something worth talking about, great comic timing and an unexpected twist. Apart from it, the lack of openness and generosity surprised and increasingly annoyed me, and made me happy I don't buy the Lonely Planet.

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Benjamin
Oct 19, 2009 Benjamin rated it it was amazing
Recommends it for: EVERYBODY
Shelves: nonfiction, travelogue, favorites
Absolutely the best book I read all year! The writing in this collection of travel stories is superb, and it introduced me to several authors I've been meaning to read for a long time (Time Cahill, Simon Winchester, Pico Iyer), as well as several new authors I plan to keep an eye on. The stories are usually pretty hilarious, although mostly in retrospect (like my own travel stories). And while I giggled most of the way through, some stories were very poignant. Awesome read.
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Ben
Feb 23, 2014 Ben rated it liked it
I would have scored this anthology higher but for a slightly disappointingly high number of the entries having been lifted from Lonely Planet's Tales From Nowhere collection which I read 18 months ago, and I say slightly disappointing as it was, nonetheless, enjoyable rereading some of those passages that I'd read before.

I particularly enjoyed Let's Go by Emily Perkins - she communicated her own personality, circumstances, vulnerability as a 21 year old with an admirable individual style.
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Feisty Harriet
Dec 13, 2013 Feisty Harriet rated it liked it
Shelves: travel
This is a series of essays or short stories from about two dozen Lonely Planet travel writers spanning a wide range of geographic regions, political climates, and experiences. Many were incredibly well written, some could have used a few grammar lessons, but overall I enjoyed this quick read and the tidbits into different experiences and cultures it offered. Also? I have started looking at courses in travel writing, so thank you, Editor Tony Wheeler.
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Katherine Freniere
Jul 21, 2013 Katherine Freniere rated it liked it
Some good stories, some bad. I really enjoyed Danny Wallace's writing style and his story. On the other hand, I absolutely hated Emily Perkins and Karl Taro Greenfield. No idea how either of their stories made it into this book of any book ever.
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John Levon
Dec 21, 2012 John Levon rated it liked it
A mix of different very short travel tales. Diverting enough.
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Michael Grant
Apr 18, 2013 Michael Grant rated it liked it
Shelves: travel
Some good pieces of travel writing. The last one by Simon Winchester is a brilliant end to the book.
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Peze
Jan 24, 2010 Peze rated it really liked it
Really interesting collection of short stories, all travel related.
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Eline
Aug 10, 2016 Eline rated it really liked it
Shelves: non-fiction, travel
Really fun to read, it makes me want to travel and wander around the world. :)
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Shamin
Mar 04, 2013 Shamin rated it did not like it
Such a let down! Expected lonely planet best stories to have atleast a few interesting tales!
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Peter Williamson
Mar 21, 2012 Peter Williamson rated it liked it
Shelves: travel
some better than others...only 2 or so were quiet bland. of course the indian stories were best.
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Samuel
Sep 04, 2012 Samuel rated it it was ok
if these are the best ones, I can't help but wonder how bland the rest is.
Any traveler will feel like they're reading an average day in their life.
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Joey Gan
Aug 26, 2011 Joey Gan rated it liked it
More travel anecdotes that would make your 9-5 a little more hopeful!
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Mohit Chauhan
Feb 12, 2016 Mohit Chauhan rated it liked it
Strongly recommend this book as like wine it gets better as it nears the end ... Refreshing and full of zest, life ...
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Irynababich
Mar 01, 2012 Irynababich rated it liked it
About 25 travel stories, which I would rate from 2 to 5, hence the overall rating)
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Jay Artale
Feb 27, 2014 Jay Artale rated it really liked it
Shelves: travel-writing
Love reading other travel writer's content for inspiration, and this is a collection of some gems. Enjoyed it, but wasn't gripped by it. But know it's a book that I'll dip into again and again.