I have the impression that this book contains an abundance of luxurious hotels and upscale restaurants rather than actual tourist attractions.

One might argue that these can be considered as places, yet I truly don't believe that a stay at a hotel should feature on a list of must-see places before one's demise.

Moreover, it gives the impression of being a guide tailored specifically for the top one percent.

Admittedly, there are some interesting concepts within its pages, but if the word "gastronomic" appears one more time, I'm seriously considering setting the book on fire.

It seems that the author has placed too much emphasis on the lavish and indulgent aspects rather than on the more traditional and culturally significant sites that one would expect to find in a comprehensive travel guide.

Perhaps a more balanced approach would have been more beneficial, highlighting both the high-end establishments and the truly remarkable places that offer a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destination.

Overall, while there are some redeeming qualities, this book falls short of meeting my expectations as a useful and informative travel resource.

I did not finish reading the book as its content is quite thick, and it is due back to the library soon.

Throughout my life, I have not had the chance to travel extensively. Therefore, I really enjoyed this book as it allowed me to continue dreaming about the places I would love to visit.

The book is filled with numerous wonderful write-ups, beautiful pictures, and introduces many places that I have never even heard of before.

It has truly opened my eyes to the vast and diverse world out there. I am certain that I will check this book out again in the future to continue fueling my dreams of travel. :)

I can't wait to explore those unknown destinations in my imagination and perhaps one day, make those dreams a reality.

Did any of you visit Madain Saleh? I truly wish I did!

Old Jeddah? Well, I actually did.

There is a good book about these places. However, I think it should have been more than 1000 pages.

Madain Saleh is a remarkable archaeological site with its ancient tombs and unique architecture. It holds a wealth of history and culture that I long to explore.

Old Jeddah, on the other hand, is a charming and historic city. The narrow streets, traditional buildings, and bustling markets give it a distinct character.

The book about these places provides some interesting insights, but it feels a bit lacking. With so much to discover and learn, a more comprehensive and detailed account would have been ideal.

I hope that one day, I will have the opportunity to visit Madain Saleh and experience its grandeur for myself. And perhaps, I will also find a more in-depth book that does justice to these amazing places.

It took me nearly two years to finish this book.

During this process, it was really interesting to read and count all the places I've been to in this book, which numbered 301.

I read every caption carefully, and that's why it took me such a long time.

Although it was enjoyable, I still felt that the content was very subjective.

It was clearly targeted at people who have a passion for activities like hiking, golfing, skiing, or snorkeling.

I also noticed that very few religious places were mentioned.

Moreover, quite a number of the places that I really loved visiting were not included in the book.

This made me feel a bit disappointed as I was hoping to see more diverse locations and experiences.

However, overall, it was still an interesting read that gave me a new perspective on different places.

A well-intentioned gift from a friend for retirement, it was out of date (even though it was the latest edition) and was full of poorly-obscured advertisements for expensive hotels and restaurants. These advertisements were completely irrelevant to the person who was about to be immersed in the actual locations.

Why would one pay for a hotel that has absolutely no connection with its surroundings, or consume luxurious food that is divorced from the culture that envelops you?

As I endeavored to utilize this book to plan retirement trips, I discovered it to be as useless as the throwaway magazines that were merely hollow reminders of their respective businesses. The book soon became annoying, as I attempted to extract information about what sights to see while simultaneously avoiding the alluring calls of the various businesses. It seemed that the author's focus on promoting commercial establishments had overshadowed the essential purpose of providing useful travel guidance.

In conclusion, this so-called travel guide failed to meet my expectations and left me disappointed. I had hoped for a resource that would assist me in planning memorable retirement adventures, but instead, I was bombarded with advertisements that detracted from the overall experience.

A friend of mine has a copy of the book, and I was really eager to see what kind of places the author recommends. First of all, I don't really care about the hotels or restaurants. As other reviewers have already mentioned, they tend to be very expensive. However, I think this should not have a significant impact on the reading experience. Given the popularity of the book, these are the places you should definitely avoid now.

There is a wide variety of cities and sights to choose from. Europe, for instance, is well covered. Although there are of course many more attractions, this is still a good starting point. You can pick a country and browse through the book for inspiration - that's the way I would use it. Then, you can use other sources to learn more because only the bare minimum is covered here.

Having hand-picked places is indeed a great idea. I wish there would have been more pictures and better maps, but that would make the book even bulkier. An app is probably the best option, although browsing a good old-fashioned book is something I appreciate more and more these days. It gives you a different kind of experience and allows you to really immerse yourself in the content.

As a lover of travel, I can't thank this book enough. It has truly been a great addition to my collection. Definitely, more destinations have been added to my list :)

The guide is comprehensive, even including phone numbers and addresses. However, make sure you have the new edition. The maps and photographs are really good and they take you on a journey far away.

I really loved it... I will come back to it often. It's like having a personal travel companion by my side. It provides detailed information about different places, their cultures, and attractions. Whether you're planning a short weekend getaway or a long vacation, this book has something for everyone. It's a must-have for any travel enthusiast.

Our Earth is a wonderful place. It has brought forth so much. Not only has nature created many things that are simply worth seeing, but humans have also made their contributions.

There are countless beautiful places in this world. A visit is always worthwhile. I agree with the author who mentioned in the preface that "a special opportunity begins when one gets up from the sofa and goes to the airport". But not only to the airport, also when one steps out of the front door and goes for a walk, or drives somewhere by car. There are so many great spots, starting from beautiful forests where one can take a walk, to buildings, parks or natural landscapes.

It is always worth looking at something, not only to expand one's horizons, but also to take in what has been created over centuries or even millennia.

The world is unique and as such should also be seen and treated as such. The book "1000 Places to see before you die" provides a great incentive to get off the couch and look at the world. I must admit that although we travel a lot to see what is beautiful, we have only seen a tiny fraction of what there is to see.

The structure of the book leads us across the continents, to the individual countries, and then to individual cities, places and sites. Many tips (partly also insider tips), tricks and recommendations are given. We start in Europe, go over Africa, the Middle East and Asia to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, the United States and Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda (without getting lost in them :)).

We discover old acquaintances like London, Paris, the Grand Canyon or Cuba, but there are also new discoveries to be made, places that one doesn't know. Thus, a wonderful travel guide around the Earth, the place where we are at home, has been created. "1000 Places to see before you die" awakens the longing for faraway places and the interest in experiencing new things. My edition is the "Anniversary Edition" from 2020. It is really a true gem. And a book that inspires dreams.

Meggie's footnote: What is actually holding us back?

An interesting idea, but of course, it is hugely subjective.

Just as one man's meat (or woman's) is another's poison. I have noticed that there are many things missing in it.

However, the reason I have given it three stars is that it has furnished useful information regarding more obscure places that I might not have visited otherwise.

Moreover, it suggests quirky locations and alternative perspectives on the obvious.

Not everything in it is excellent, but there is a substantial amount of content if you have a penchant for traveling.

It offers a unique approach to exploring different destinations and can inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and discover new and exciting places.

Overall, while it may not be perfect, it still has its merits and can be a valuable resource for those who love to travel and seek out the unusual.

I was a young momma of four when this book was released.

On the rare date nights with my husband, one of my absolute favorite after-dinner pastimes was to head over to Barnes & Noble booksellers. There, I would gather a stack of 10 to 12 books, and then cozy up in a comfortable chair until it was closing time.

On one such night, my husband surprised me by treating me to this very book.

I devoured every single page, reading it multiple times. The dog-eared pages were flipped again and again, with all the faraway places marked that I dreamed of visiting someday.

Back then, before Instagram and travel influencers became so prevalent, this book was like the fuel that ignited the wanderlust in my heart.

Perhaps this book may seem irrelevant now in the age of digital media and instant access to travel information. But for me, it is filled to the brim with precious memories and a sense of nostalgia.

In my humble opinion, a hard copy of this book truly belongs on every traveling dreamer's bookshelf, even in 2024. It serves as a reminder of a time when my dreams of exploration were just beginning to take flight. ♥️

I have been extremely fortunate in my life as I have had the opportunity to travel to numerous places around the world. In fact, I have visited all the continents except Antarctica. Therefore, when I picked up this much-hyped book, I did so with a pen in hand, eager to see if it would inspire me with new travel destinations.

The book presented a plethora of options, but to my disappointment, I found that a significant percentage of the author's "best places" seemed to be little more than advertisements for fancy hotels and restaurants. It is truly beyond my comprehension how one could place Boston's Legal Seafoods or a fancy Parisian eatery in the same category as the majestic Iguazu Falls, the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, or the magnificent Great Wall of China.

Thankfully, I did manage to add a few places to my "wish to travel to" list. However, I cannot help but wish that more natural or human-made wonders, many of which require only the cost of transportation to reach, had been included in the book without the excessive focus on places that are only accessible to the very wealthy. It would have been far more inspiring and inclusive if the author had emphasized the beauty and significance of these remarkable destinations that are within the reach of a wider range of people.

I have had this book in my collection for years and have slowly gone through it. Just recently, I realized that I have never rated it.

That simply won't do.

The book is truly massive. It features hundreds and hundreds of places from all over the world.

The book is beautifully crafted and is very easy on the eyes. I really appreciate how it presents small snippets about various things such as hotels, restaurants, museums, and a bit of history.

I have already visited a significant number of places in Europe that are mentioned in this book, and it's been so much fun to see them.

However, I must say that some of the places recommended in the book are quite pricey. But, there are plenty of places to see that are within anyone's budget if one wishes to explore.

This book is not only a great source of inspiration for travel but also a wonderful keepsake. It has allowed me to relive my past travels and dream about future ones. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a passion for travel and exploration.