Building on the success of National Geographic's Journeys of a Lifetime series, a sumptuously photographed, detailed tour of hundreds of the world's most alluring locations and activities is seasonally organized to profile everything from the cherry-blossom temples of Kyoto to Rockefeller Center's ice-skating rink.

A wise, passionate account of the pleasures of traveling solo In our hectic, hyperconnected lives, many people are uncomfortable with the prospect of solitude. Yet a little time to ourselves can be an opportunity to slow down, savor, and try new things, especially when traveling. Through on-the-ground reporting, insights from social science, and recounting the experiences of artists, writers, and innovators who cherished solitude, Stephanie Rosenbloom considers how traveling alone deepens appreciation for everyday beauty, bringing into sharp relief the sights, sounds, and smells that one isn't necessarily attuned to in the presence of company. Walking through four cities--Paris, Florence, Istanbul, and New York--and four seasons, Alone Time gives us permission to pause, to relish the sensual details of the world rather than hurtling through museums and uploading photos to Instagram. In chapters about dining out, visiting museums, and pursuing knowledge, we begin to see how the moments we have to ourselves--on the road or at home--can be used to enrich our lives. Rosenbloom's engaging and elegant prose makes Alone Time as warmly intimate an account as the details of a trip shared by a beloved friend--and will have its many readers eager to set off on their own solo adventures.

Documents the award-winning writer's experiences of living, working, and raising twin sons in Rome during the year following his receipt of a prestigious Rome Prize stipend, a period during which he attended the vigil of the dying John Paul II, brought his children on a snowy visit to the Pantheon, and befriended numerous locals. Reprint. 35,000 first printing.

The founder of Four Seasons Hotels shares the philosophy and values that have made his legendary brand How did a child of immigrants, starting with no background in the hotel business, create the world's most admired and successful hotel chain? And how has Four Seasons grown dramatically, over nearly a half century, without losing its focus on exceptional quality and unparalleled service? Isadore Sharp answers these questions in his engaging memoir, which doubles as a powerful guide for leaders in any field. He recalls the surprising history of his company, starting with its roots in his father's small construction business, which Sharp joined after getting a degree in architecture. Shifting into hotels wasn't easy, and he learned by trial and error. His breakthrough was a vision for a new kind of hotel, featuring superior design, top-quality amenities, and, above all, a deep commitment to service. Sharp realized that customers would gladly pay extra for a "home away from home" experience. But that would be possible only if everyone-from managers and supervisors to bellmen, servers, and housekeepers-was fully engaged. The front-line staff, who have the most contact with guests, can make or break a five-star reputation. Readers will be fascinated to learn how Four Seasons does it, year after year, in more than thirty countries around the world.

BISAC Subject headings of competing titlesHow to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free1.Retirement. 2. Early RetirementEat Pray LoveTravel. Travelers' writings, American.Paris to the MoonHomes and haunts--France--Paris A Year in ProvenceProvence (France)--social life and customsCareer changesFor Four Seasonshttp://bisg.org/page/BISACEditionTRV009050 TRAVEL / Europe / FranceBUS050040 BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Personal Finance / Retirement PlanningSEL016000 SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / HappinessAmazon HeadingsBooks > Business & Money > Personal Finance > Retirement PlanningBooks > Travel > Travel WritingBooks > Travel > Europe > France > GeneralKey WordsISBN-10: 0-9836970-4-3 Deborah Jacobs quit the job from hell, rented her house and planned to Airbnb her way through France.Alternately humorous and poignant, this inspiring memoir chronicles her misadventures as she and her husband cook in quirky kitchens, struggle to speak French and shop like locals in outdoor markets. With candor and optimism, Jacobs transports readers from the grape harvest in the Loire Valley to an exuberant chile pepper festival in Basque Country and, ultimately, to Paris, where she witnesses history in the making. En route, she does the pintxo bar crawl in San Sebastián, Spain, develops an affinity for sheep's milk cheese and cultivates new friendships.Four Seasons in a Day, an expression used to describe the changeable weather in the Pyrenees, also captures the author's extreme resilience. Her grit and determination in the face of every obstacle give us the courage to chart our own course, carve out a new life and embrace the unexpected.

Charlotte’s vow to replace her devious boyfriend with Mr. Right should be easy for the ambitious restaurant publicist with access to men all over the world. But stir in nefarious colleagues, work romances, and a frenemy, with escapades around the globe, and you’ll get a recipe for disaster. During a downward spiral of calamities in Japan, India, France, Russia, and stateside, the hopeful romantic believes she’ll finally savor the sweet taste of victory—and perhaps Wyatt, the elusive teetotaler environmentalist who always rises to the top like a perfect soufflé, is the man to put out her fires and set the butterflies in her stomach free. Yet something is holding him back as he keeps Charlotte in the friendship zone. Will she mature in time to uncover his secrets, or leave him behind as she falls for a new man every season? Four Seasons at Angelino’s is a modern relationship story about women’s empowerment, timing, communication, prioritizing, undeniable chemistry, and all the other ingredients that comprise a delicious dish called love.