Guidebooks
“DK Eyewitness Travel: Brazil,” DK, $30; ISBN: 978-0-7566-2820-8
Brazil is larger than the continental United States and is home to diverse landscapes, although, of course, it is the Amazon rain forest that is its most distinguishing feature — and covers more than 40 percent of the country. But there are also vast areas of swampland, wide expanses of tropical grassland and even desert. And then there are the vibrant and complicated cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Brazil is one of the most ethnically diverse countries on the planet, a country of mestizos (white and indigenous Brazilian), cafuzos (an Afro-Brazilian mix) and mulattoes (born of black and white parentage). The music, too, reflects the diversity of the country: the rhythms of Africa but also the harmonies and melodies of Europe. All of these and much more (including regional specialties and the gaucho culture of southern Brazil) are discussed and visually brought to life.
“Panama,” Lonely Planet, $21.99; ISBN: 978-1-74104-552-9; and “Panama,” Fodor’s, $21.95; ISBN: 978-1-4000-1926-7
Despite its tiny size, the narrow isthmus of Panama spans two continents as well as two ways of looking at the world: one traditional, the other aggressively modern. And yet nearly a third of the population lives in poverty. The Lonely Planet guide discusses, often in depth, the country’s regional food, the environment, surfing (including the top 10 surfing spots) and the many highlights of both Panama City and Panama Province. There are also sidebars on the “legacy” of the notorious English captain Henry Morgan (of Captain Morgan rum fame who makes the “Pirates of the Caribbean’s” Jack Sparrow seem like a saint), Columbus (“what did Columbus actually discover?”) and the folklore surrounding El Dorado, the legendary city of gold.
The Fodor’s guide emphasizes the country’s wildlife, its idyllic islands, its night life (especially in Panama City) and the folk culture of its indigenous peoples as well as admiring the engineering feat of the Panama Canal itself. It also lists various adventure and learning vacations.
“Guatemala,” Fodor’s, $19; ISBN: 978-1-4000-1925-0
Everything is relative, of course, and what one person hears differs from what another person hears, but Guatemalans boast that because of their precise pronunciation and lack of accent they speak the purest Spanish in Latin America. Weather-wise, too, Guatemala seems hard to beat: its near-perfect climate lasts year-round. The Mayan ruins in Tikal also attract countless visitors as do the country’s many historic churches, including, most famously, the 18th Century Basilica of Esquipulas in the Atlantic Lowlands region, considered an important pilgrimage site. There is also the great outdoors (bird watching, biking, hiking, climbing, rafting, fishing, boating, exploring caves) and Guatemalan markets (every town holds its own market day, usually one or two days a week). And there are visits to the country’s colorful cemeteries (the colors of the tombs indicate the role the deceased played in the family) — not as morbid as it sounds since entire families visit their deceased relatives on Sundays, often with a bottle of alcohol in hand. But if that’s too somber an experience, visitors can always dance the punta, a Guatemalan music that combines elements of reggae, salsa and hip-hop.
“Munich & Bavaria Plus Salzburg,” Fodor’s, $16.95; ISBN: 978-1-4000-1923-6
Markets and beer come to mind when Munich, Germany, is mentioned (not necessarily in that order). Oktoberfest notwithstanding (and, on average, approximately 1,183,000 gallons of beer are consumed during that autumnal beer fest), Munich and Bavarian culture are known for their historic architecture (walled medieval towns, castles and palaces) and especially for their music. The Wagner Festival, for example, takes place each summer in Bayreuth, while Salzburg, Austria, (Mozart’s hometown) hosts a two-month festival each year; various composers are also honored with their special days (such as Richard Strauss in Garmisch-Partenkirchen).
“Zagat New Orleans 2008,” Zagat, $12.95; ISBN: 978-1-57006-907-7
With every passing year since Katrina wreaked its havoc, New Orleans’ restaurant life is slowly coming back to pre-Katrina levels as the old reliables reopen and some new ones emerge. Among the restaurants and hotels starting anew again are Gautreau’s in the Uptown neighborhood and the Ritz-Carlton on Canal. But the city also has three new Brazilian restaurants. Also on the horizon is the reopening of Stanley in Jackson Square (its sister restaurant, is in the French Quarter and is called, appropriately enough, Stella!) and the Uptown branch of Laurentino’s Barcelona Tapas, which will offer up to 50 varieties of small plates daily. As far as other classic New Orleans restaurants, Commander’s Palace in the Garden District reopened after a $6 million post-Katrina makeover (“beautifully redecorated and more sumptuous than ever”); 84-year-old owner Leah Chase is offering takeout only at Dooky Chase, her famous soul food eatery, since the building is not quite up to pre-Katrina standards (best to call before you go); finally, dinner is once again being served at the historic Napoleon House. All told, nearly 40 new restaurants have opened since the last edition.
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