100 Countries, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

by National Geographic Society

In this fully revised and updated edition of the best-selling 100 Countries, 5,000 Ideas, find where to go, what to do, when to visit, and more for the top destinations around the world. Filled with new content, 11 new countries, and brand-new photography from National Geographic, you’ll find everything you need to plan your next globetrotting adventure. Travel to Vietnam where you can paddle Ha Long Bay and temple hop on a tuk tuk city tour. In France, visit well-known Parisian spots, then make your way to the off-the-beaten Dinan (France’s only walled city) and the Loire Valley. In South Africa, find yourself in an urban oasis in Cape Town before heading on a safari adventure. Go to the ends of the Earth in Chile before hopping a boat to cruise a glacier-filled bay. And history buffs will be fascinated by a three-country WWII tour. Whatever your pleasure, this rich guidebook has the trip--and country--for you. Complete with essential tips like when to go and what to bring, you’ll be packing your bags and crossing off bucket list destinations in no time.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2011

About the author

The National Geographic Society (NGS), headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world.
Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The National Geographic Society's logo is a yellow portrait frame—rectangular in shape—which appears on the margins surrounding the front covers of its magazines and as its television channel logo. Through National Geographic Partners (a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company), the Society operates the magazine, TV channels, a website, worldwide events, and other media operations.

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: 100 Countries, 5,000 Ideas 2nd Edition: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do
AUTHOR: National Geographic
PUB DATE: 02.08.2022 Now Available

I loved flipping through 100 Countries, 5,000 Ideas and daydreaming my next travel destination. I simply got lost imagining my next adventures, and added a few countries in my bucket list.

This second edition of 100 Countries, 5,000 Ideas is fully revised with updated photos, that gives ideas on top destinations, with recommendations on what to do and when the perfect time to visit is. I enjoy the destinations and planning the must do activities that include off-the-beaten path adventures.

This is definitely a must have for planning your next adventure.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully written book is not meant to be read cover to cover. It contains 100 countries, like the title suggestions, and within those are activities that can be done, cities and sights that should be visited. I especially was fascinated and interested in the information about the safety in each country. There were many countries that I thought weren't' safe but apparently are. This book definitely gave me some wanderlust!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you travel?

I have never left North America! Mexico and Canada are the only other countries that I have visited. I would really like to travel to more locations that I have read about around the world. A book like 100 Counties, 5000 Ideas gives me a lot of great ideas on where to travel, and to enjoy thinking about traveling from the comfort of my home. I have a lot of places I would like to visit on my bucket list.

100 Counties, 5000 Ideas is a large soft covered book. It starts with a map of the world with countries labeled and then goes through countries alphabetically from A to Z. Countries are from six of the seven continents, only Antarctica excluded. Each country has beautiful pictures to show what you can see in that country and a description of highlights in the country that may include landscapes, cities, cultural heritage, cruises, monuments, nature and wildlife, festivals and traditions depending on the country. Each country has a sidebar list of “What to see and Do,” “When to go” to different parts of the country through the year, “Travel Advice” including pros, cons, and safety. There is also a “Traveler’s notebook” which includes the main contacts, travel documents for US citizens, time zone, language & currency, population, capital, religion, celebrations, and shopping.

I thought it was interesting to read about countries I’m already familiar with, but also to learn more about countries I’m not as familiar about. We have a large, diverse, and beautiful world to explore. A few items on my bucket list are: seeing the Machu Picchu in Peru, visiting the islands of Portugal, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia. What are some places you’d like to visit on your bucket list?

I had fun also seeing how the United States was represented. My current state, Wisconsin, was not represented, but my birth state of Michigan was. It did a good job highlighting the various areas of the United States from Washington DC to Yellowstone National Park.

Overall, 100 Countries, 5000 Ideas is a great book to plan travel or to learn about all of the countries around the world.

Book Source: A Review Copy from Hachette Book Group as part of the TLC Book Tour. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was first reviewed on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2022...

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was bought for me while I was spending some time away in hospital. I am so glad this was given to me, as it kept me entertained for hours.

The book is broken down into different countries in alphabetical order. On each page there is a map of the county, some facts and pros and cons. There is also info on the weather for the best time to visit for different activities.

I cannot actually do this book justice when writing a review as it is so fantastic you have to see for yourself. It has unusual destinations in here, which prompt inspiration and makes you think about these as new places to visit.

I particularly enjoyed reading about the travel guide, such as any medical you need, how long it takes to get there, time difference etc. This is also available on every page for each county. Some countries with greater interest have more than one page dedicated to them, such as China.

The photography in the book is excellent and captures unusual parts of the countries at times, this something from National Geographic you would come to expect.

This is a brilliant 'starting point' book, if you are looking for in depth amounts on each country then this may not be for you. However if you want a snapshot and an idea to give you inspiration, this book certainly will give you that. It makes an excellent addition to any travel library.

I would recommend this book to others, especially those keen on travelling and are perhaps thinking about making a journey that is less touristy. I will definitely be looking into others in the series of the National Geographic as I enjoyed this book so much. I personally shouldn't be allowed near these travel books, as it encourages me to think about my next trip... lets pay for the trip currently booked for first eh?

[Digna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went on a virtual trip all around the world while physical travel is very limited. Inspiring!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌎💡100 Countries 5000 Ideas💡🌎
Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

Who’s got the travel bug? Me! 🙋🏻‍♀️ It’s one of my very favorite things to do. Whether traversing the globe on a shoestring with my backpack, as I did post-college/pre-career & marriage, or doing a specific, planned trip to a foreign land with my husband and kids, I love to visit unfamiliar places. I’ll be honest, though, after staying home due to Covid for a few years, I feel like I’ve lost my mojo a bit when it comes to how to plan a trip and where to go.

Enter National Geographic’s 100 Countries 5000 Ideas. This is the definitive guide to plan your next globe-trotting adventure, and I’m thrilled to say it’s the amazing National Geographic quality they always deliver:

1. Hundreds of gorgeous, colorful photos of people, animals, places and food the world over
2. alphabetical organization with easy-to-follow subject headings, charts, lists, and captions
3. a clear overview of each country and its regions, pros and cons, best time to visit, top sites, travel needs

What’s especially great about this comprehensive edition, though, is that the content is helpful no matter what type of trip you want. Whether you are a veteran traveler or a novice, a plan way-in-advance type or a more last-minute scheduler, your needs will be met. Commentary on safety will assuage the fears of a less-experienced trip taker, while specifics on travel trends will assure seasoned globetrotters there are still new adventures to uncover. The whimsical photos would whet anyone’s appetite but the packing lists, visa requirements, transportation recommendations and other nuts-and-bolts features for each country will help you actually make the journey happen. I can’t wait to unleash my travel fever again! The more I’ve seen of the world, the larger it becomes and the longer my bucket list grows.

[Rachelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

100 countries... brief mentions of popular countries, even shorter asides for lesser traveled to locations. This is more of an inspiration providing book, where you flip to countries you are interested in learning more about, then you'd find another travel book that dives into detail about that location. This offers a top ten style of places to visit within each country, a google search in book form. Expected more detail.

[Ophelia]

on Bulgaria's safety-

"Visitors traveling in their own vehicle should be aware of potholes."

[Ronda Canary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the concept of this book. Unfortunately the details were a bit light to be helpful to me…

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t give me any inspirations

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good ideas to skim over in one glance

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably shouldn't be allowed to read books like this because it gives me such insatiable wanderlust... not the right thing for an unemployed person to have! The format of the book is very helpful with the eponymous 100 countries listed in alphabetical order. Each section highlights basic facts and tips about the featured destination, and a sidebar column also provides info on the Pros/Cons and Safety Tips for different regions within the country.

I was able to brush up on some geography and add more places to the bucket list. Like all National Geographic publications, it features jaw-dropping photographs and detailed maps. As with any print media, there are political and cultural disputes that arise that change some of these destinations (even with the 2011 release date) and their attractions. The safety notices are the most affected with the recent revolutions and political shifts in the Middle East (Egypt, Tunisia) and the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Not common to read reference books like this cover-to-cover, but I did and found it quite enjoyable.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the information presented in the book, especially the boxes of pertinent information such as embassy locations or pros, cons, and tips. However, I did wish that some countries had more information than just a page and a half. For example, Hungary had only one and a half pages, but India had multiple pages. I understand that the size and popularity of the country plays a factor in how much they put into the book--it can't be 2,000 pages long!--but a bit more of a balance would have been nice.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely done. It's not heavy in specifics about particular sites, but it does give a good overview of the countries and is a fun way to make wish lists about future vacations. I particularly liked the entries about safety and cost of travel in each country, although the cost information could have been presented in a more consistent format.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

not sure much of this was digestible. it certainly doesn't work to pull out on your vacations. and they skipped some pretty great countries too. i mean, lovely idea. can't do 4900 of these. won't visit half these countries. it's fine. just changed it from 2 to 3 stars...

[Gary Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been our bible for the last few years. We received it as a present and it's given up inspiration on places to go, best seasons, pros and cons and 'off the beaten track' ideas. We're parting with it in the hopes that it might inspire other families to do the same!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the format for this book and actually read it from front to back. I like how it outlines important information and is consistent with it's format throughout.

[Helga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is fabulous to read and filled with different vacation destinations. It's the kind of book that a person can keep referencing to get more information about desired vacation spots.