Chicago is the City of the Big Shoulders. What started off as a small, fur-trading settlement is today a bustling metropolis. Chicago’s colourful past remains hidden in the nooks and crannies across this wonderful, modern city.

This fully updated edition reveals compelling secrets in places that even native Chicagoans may not know. It invites locals and experienced travellers to explore the Windy City through its people, its history, and its stories.

Adventures await you, from the glamorous to the gritty. Sip cocktails atop an iconic building with sweeping city views, or paddle a kayak down the infamous Bubbly Creek of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle. Snorkel a 32-acre, limestone sheet shoal, one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems in the Midwest. Or purchase a ten-gallon cowboy hat and take a ride on a mechanical pony on your way out of the shop.

Whether you’re an out-of-towner or a diehard Chicago dweller who thinks you’ve seen it all, these 111 hidden places are waiting for you to seek out and enjoy.

New Yorkers love their museums. It’s an obsession. From Gauguin to gangsters, finance to food, New York City has the richest museum culture in the world. Only here, can a former run down tenement, be transformed to one of the most beloved museums in the city. And for New Yorkers, simply finding the best museums is an urban sport itself; a personal quest to seek out the cool, the curious and the uncanny.
Consider this book your little cheat sheet. A treasure guide to the secret corners of the iconic museums, a field guide to the little museums you never dreamed existed. Dive in. Press pause from the world and discover a curated reality. We learn, we grow, we are amused and inspired. And when we leave, we feel a little more connected to the city around us, and to ourselves. And that’s what being a New Yorker is all about.

Women’s history is everywhere in Washington, if curious locals and adventurous tourists know where to look. As the District of Columbia evolved into one of the world’s top tourist destinations, women emerged as pioneers and a town created to house the federal government matured into a gilded city affluent in feminist culture. Historic houses, hidden alleyways, and neighbourhood parks stand as memorials to America’s founding mothers who built the nation’s capital. This book records the legacies of these women and encourages readers to explore their names on headstones, street signs, and buildings, while also discovering where hidden history is unmarked. Rising from a strong foundation, modern DC women have continued to nurture the legacy of their foremothers as chefs, artists, athletes, philanthropists, politicians, and entrepreneurs. Most notable are the stories of collaboration in which these women flout the myth that nothing gets accomplished in Washington.

Feminism in the city is fueled by the creativity, leadership, and fortitude of local women, each with a personal experience that is uniquely special. While no story is the same, the themes of preservation and progress are weaved throughout this book as a reminder; her story is history and it is still being written.

San Diego: it’s a coastal paradise with year-round perfect weather, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and a laid-back vibe that will instantly put a smile on your face. It’s not only sunshine and perfect waves, though. This SoCal spot is rich in history. It is a mecca of delicious food and drink. And its proximity to Mexico makes for a breathtaking border culture that is seen, felt, and tasted everywhere you go. 

From exploring haunted mansions to channeling your inner bookworm at a queer-owned feminist bookshop, going on a guided mezcal adventure to shopping for doll house construction materials, or fraternising with friendly ungulates to wading in mineral-rich hot springs, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in San Diego County. 

So, whether you’re a San Diego native, a visitor, or just considering a sunny vacation, this book will give you 111 ideas for a really good time. Go on, what are you waiting for? 

Our memories define our lives. So we owe it ourselves to create as many wonderful memories as we can. Travel is great at creating memories and travel adventures create the most ‘memorable’ of memories. As they say: ‘travel is the only thing we pay for that makes us richer’. The world is a big and fascinating place and affordable airfares have made it accessible for all of us. But what will you do when you get there? Will you sit on a beach or will you embark on an adventure that will enrich your life? If you prefer the latter then this book is for you. It took more than 20 years to assemble these adventures. They are not the result of online search; they were discovered the old fashioned way: by trial and error and by luck and happenstance. The one thing they all have in common is that the author has personally experienced each adventure so there is a reliable consistency to these 111 adventures as much as there is an exotic variety.

Step away from the traditional highlights of the city of innovators, great benefactors, artists, presidents and hucksters to discover innumerable interesting and unknown sites, artefacts and other treats in Washington, DC. Visit places hiding in plain sight, that may go unnoticed or simply be unknown to long-time residents and visitors alike. Play a round of miniature golf among the cherry trees. Buy original art works out of a vintage cigarette machine. Catch a show at one of the refurbished theatres where Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington used to gig. Commune with the Godfather of Go-Go music in his memorial park. Get away from the tourists and peace out by walking a labyrinth alongside the Potomac River. Try a salad made of indigenous root vegetables at a Native American café.

Beyond the crowded star-paved boulevards of Hollywood and famously posh boutiques of Rodeo Drive, is another Los Angeles; a hidden shopper’s paradise, brimming with hundreds of charming, eclectic, curious, nostalgic, glamorous and quirky neighbourhood stores, restaurants, and bars that are practically unknown to tourists. From Pasadena to the Pacific Coast Highway, discover the secret haunts and favourite local speciality shops of starlets and mere mortals alike. Wear the hottest designers before they get famous; get your knit on at a yarn-filled emporium; satisfy your sweet tooth at the world’s first “cupcake ATM”; indulge your devotion to handmade American craftsmanship with a pair of custom-designed kicks; score some cast-off celebrity bling at a Beverly Hills pawn shop; navigate a two-block alley crammed with 150 discount shops. It’s all yours for the taking in the City of Angels.

If you really want to get to know Washington, DC, you have to go out and get walking. Beyond the bounty of the National Mall and well-known historic sites, DC is a vibrant city full of unusual places, stories, and experiences that both avid and casual urban explorers will want to seek out.

DC insiders and adventurers Paige Muller and Andrea Seiger take you on 22 self-guided walks that blend the city’s rich history and vibrant culture, with some dishy tidbits thrown in for good measure. You’ll discover lesser-known facts behind popular icons and uncover wonderful spots, often hiding in plain sight.

There is a secret royal connection that lurks in an upper Northwest neighbourhood, and a historic building that stands in for the White House in multiple Hollywood movies. See if you can spot the hidden graffiti on a well-known memorial. Discover what inspired Kate Winslet’s famous pose on the Titanic’s bow. And find out all about the Civil War officer whose missing leg is allegedly entombed in a wall.

If you really want to get to know Washington, DC, you have to go out and get walking. Beyond the bounty of the National Mall and well-known historic sites, DC is a vibrant city full of unusual places, stories, and experiences that both avid and casual urban explorers will want to seek out.

DC insiders and adventurers Paige Muller and Andrea Seiger take you on 22 self-guided walks that blend the city’s rich history and vibrant culture, with some dishy tidbits thrown in for good measure. You’ll discover lesser-known facts behind popular icons and uncover wonderful spots, often hiding in plain sight.

There is a secret royal connection that lurks in an upper Northwest neighbourhood, and a historic building that stands in for the White House in multiple Hollywood movies. See if you can spot the hidden graffiti on a well-known memorial. Discover what inspired Kate Winslet’s famous pose on the Titanic’s bow. And find out all about the Civil War officer whose missing leg is allegedly entombed in a wall.

The VW Bus is not just a car. It is sentimental, a part of the family. A way of life on wheels. That’s why most of them have names. And almost everyone has some sort of connection to the VW Bus. This book offers fascinating stories about one of the most popular automobiles of all time and the most successful camper van in the world – a kaleidoscope from the world of VW Buses. In 111 chapters, you will learn interesting, funny, surprising and emotional things about a vehicle that was originally intended as a simple delivery van and then made history as a multifunctional vehicle concept.

Author Christian Schlueter, himself a passionate fan of the car, tells endearing, detailed and exciting stories about these legendary vans. He presents models with their production history and special features, introduces visionaries and gives an insight into the car industry. He reports on world records and adventure trips, as well as freedom and nostalgia. A wonderful compendium with photos about the world’s fascination with the VW Bus – a must for every fan and lover of this cult car.

What came first – the Porsche or the Beetle? Which Porsche racing car set every world record in the very year it was first presented in racing at Monza? And who is “Sascha”?

Immerse yourself in the unique and visionary world of Porsche: in tales of secret prototypes, fascinating photos from the Porsche archives, magic words such as “Carrera” and inside stories that have never yet been told in this way.

Sicilian cuisine is known as curtigghiu – of the courtyard – with recipes passed from door to door and from generation to generation by word of mouth. Influenced by the endless crossing of cultures that is Sicily’s history, its food is as rich in tradition as it is in taste. Here this mingling of Europe, Italy, the Middle East and North Africa is celebrated in 30 recipes chosen by Maite and Marie and photographed – both landscapes and finished dishes – by Mau.

Tuscany is home to Florence, the Renaissance, stunning landscapes, great wines – and food. Simple, slow cooked, made with the finest ingredients, locally sourced. Maite and Marie collect 30 traditional recipes, combined with 40 of Mau’s delicious photographs, and published at an affordable price. Now the best of Tuscan food is within easy reach of any home cook.

Those in the know are aware that Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel has a real-life counterpart in the Swiss Alps: the Waldhaus Sils, which has pleased and puzzled visitors for 111 years and become an icon of Swiss hospitality. Located above the small and pretty village of Sils Maria, near St Moritz, it overlooks a striking landscape of forests, lakes and mountains and offers a combination of belle époque flair and modern comfort. Its distinctive charm comes from the fact that the Waldhaus has been family-owned and operated ever since its grand opening on 15 June 1908. 111 Years of Waldhaus Sils ranges across the hotel’s life and history. Brief essays look at the hotel’s history and the broader context in which it exists. The book also shines a light on colourful members of the owning family and their dreams and work, interspersed with conversations with people who have known them. Beautifully illustrated with newly commissioned and historic photographs and documents, it is a tantalising glimpse into the life of an exceptional hotel in one of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes.

Those in the know are aware that Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel has a real-life counterpart in the Swiss Alps: The Waldhaus Sils, which has pleased and puzzled visitors for 111 years and become an icon of Swiss hospitality. Located above the small and pretty village of Sils Maria, near St. Moritz, it overlooks a striking landscape of forests, lakes and mountains and offers a combination of Belle Epoque flair and modern comfort. Its distinctive charm comes from the fact that the Waldhaus has been family-owned and operated ever since its grand opening on June 15, 1908. 111 Years of Waldhaus Sils ranges across the hotel’s life and history. Brief essays look at the hotel’s history and the broader context in which it exists. The book also shines a light on colourful members of the owning family and their dreams and work, interspersed with conversations with people who have known them. Beautifully illustrated with newly commissioned and historic photographs and documents, it is a tantalising glimpse into the life of an exceptional hotel in one of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes. Text in French.

Pascale Naessens is a bestselling culinary author. With her books, she created a new vibe where people can enjoy food and lose weight at the same time. Her recipes are recommended by doctors and osteopaths and are the proof that tasty food can also be healthy. Natural Food That Makes You Happy presents delightful dishes that are easy to make and packed full of flavour; food that makes you happy, beautiful and energetic. This book is not a diet book, it is a way of living and thinking.

150 Gardens You Need to Visit before You Die profiles a selection of the most beautiful gardens in the world, renowned for their exceptional flora, imaginative designs, and inspiring locations. From Kew Gardens in London to the Singapore Botanical Gardens, and from Monet’s garden at Giverny to the Zen garden of the Ryōan-ji Temple in Kyoto, this handsomely bound book captures in words and images the most notable features of these 150 glorious, not-to-be-missed gardens. An essential bucket list book for garden lovers!

Following 150 Bars, 150 Restaurants, 150 Hotels, 150 Houses and 150 Gardens, 150 Golf Courses You Need to Visit Before You Die is the newest addition to the successful 150 series. Here are the most beautiful golf courses in the world presented in a handy and handsomely illustrated guide. The golf courses bundled in this book are located all over the world and can be found along coastlines, in the mountains, in deserts, and along lakes, and they are all accessible to the public. “When great golf courses meet the world’s most stunning land forms, it makes for the most epic experience in the game.” – GolfPass

Since 150 Bars You Need to Visit Before You Die came out in 2018, more than 17,000 copies have been sold. Time for an updated version, with no less than 50 new bars. Discover which bars you must visit worldwide for their delicious cocktails, unique interiors or authentic atmosphere. Sommelier and spirits connoisseur Jurgen Lijcops once again takes you on a trip/bar crawl around the world and also gives you the best cocktail recipes en cours de route.

After 150 Bars, 150 Restaurants, 150 Hotels, 150 Houses, 150 Gardens and 150 Golf Courses, there is now 150 Vineyards You Need to Visit Before You Die. For wine lovers, both professionals and hobbyists, vineyards are must-see places. They are found in the most scenic regions in the world where you can wander for hours, or unexpectedly, right in the middle of the city. This beautifully illustrated book, the latest in the 150.. series, presents a carefully curated selection of the world’s most exceptional vineyards, from Japan to Argentina and South Africa to France. In this guide you’ll discover tips on how to visit the vineyards, along with interesting stories about each place, and – of course – where to taste wine. The perfect gift for the wine aficionado who dreams of travelling the world.

For the enthusiastic reader and book lover, browsing through a bookshop is an irreplaceable experience. American author Elizabeth Stamp selected the 150 most unique bookstores in the world that are worth making a detour to visit. From Australia to France, and Japan to the United States, the bookstores here range from establishments that have been around for decades, to newly opened shops. Each shop has been selected for an outstanding feature, either an interesting backstory, a unique collection, or a fabulous setting. This handsomely bound book, the latest in the 150 series, has inspiring photographs and a wealth of information on each location.

Jurgen Lijcops, author of the bestseller 150 Bars You Need to Visit Before You Die, selected the 150 wine bars you must visit, from Bordeaux to Cape Town, from Bangkok to Sydney. Some are unique because of their exquisite decor, others for their breathtaking views or their exceptional service. All of them have a unique wine list that will surprise even the most demanding connoisseurs.