Lonely Planet Food Trails

Starred review from November 28, 2016
Instead of diving deeply into a particular country or city, the writers and editors of Lonely Planet instead chose to highlight the best of the best destinations to give travelers options for every week of the year. Alphabetical listings give readers a quick rundown of which areas of a particular country each entry will be highlighted. Then the editors make recommendations for restaurants, hotels, and a few sights to see in between meals. It’s a terrific way to organize this dense and incredibly informative collection. Meals for all times of the day are provided, enabling readers to start their day with the best pastries in Paris, savor a “more refined” poutine in Quebec City, and dig into the definitive versions of borscht and beef stroganoff in St. Petersburg. Readers will also learn how and where to attend a traditional Bedouin coffee ceremony in Jordan, where to find a museum dedicated to cured meat in Catalonia, and how to take lessons at a school for Cajun and Creole cooking in New Orleans. Each entry includes tips on the best time to visit as well as a list of small, usually boutique, hotels that are close to the action. The authors don’t include prices for lodging or dining, but they do provide contact and website information for all their suggestions. Fans of Lonely Planet are sure to eat this up, and so will those who enjoy getting off the beaten path when traveling. This thoughtfully curated and artfully presented guide is a treasure.