The real-life inspiration for modern-day mystery writer Elizabeth Peters's "Amelia Peabody" novels, celebrated Victorian adventuress Amelia Edwards enjoyed unexpected notoriety, for a woman, as a journalist, political activist, and world traveler. In 1872, she a female companion set off on a "ramble" through the nearly impassable Italian Dolomites, where food and shelter were chancy propositions but the scenery was gorgeous and the people friendly and welcoming. Edwards approached the expedition with humor and enthusiasm, as she regales us with the tale of the journey with the generous, vivacious spirit that made her one of her era's most daring women. - Back cover.

The gateway to Nicaragua's eastern and southern regions lies in Boaco and Chontales, ranching departments that adhere to a traditional lifestyle and a slower pace that's easy to adapt to. Known for theiracheeseaindustry, these departments receive few visitors.aBoaco, capital of the department of the same name, andaJuigalpa, capital of Chontales department, are small-scale commercial centers that hum with low-key activity as the area's ranchers come to take care of business. Juigalpa is home to several of the region's main sights, including a nationally-recognizedazooaand aamuseumathat displays some of the country's most importantapre-Columbian artifacts. A few days in Boaco and Chontales gives visitors a chance to experience the pleasure of rural life in Nicaragua. Aguas Claras Hot Springs, tel. 244-2916. Just a few miles west of the Empalme de Boaco, the hot springs of Aguas Claras (entry $1.75) are the area's main draw, with good reason. The complex includes five geothermally-heated pools, a good restaurant ($$-$$$), ranchos with hammocks, and the area's best hotel ($$), which has 20 rooms situated in a main building and in cabins. Juigalpa is perhaps best known in Nicaragua for its zoo. The town also boasts Nicaragua's best museum of pre-Columbian artifacts, as well as some of the nation's liveliest fiestas patronales. Perhaps most importantly, Juigalpa allows you to experience life in a typical friendly ranching town. In Juigalpa, Museo Arqueolgico Gregorio Aguilar Barea is famous for its Chontal statues, dating back more than a thousand years; the museum has some of the best pre-Columbian pieces in the country. As for R o San Juan, this secluded region, located in the southernmost section of Nicaragua and largely covered by dense jungle, offers some of Nicaragua's most interesting adventures. The Solentiname Archipelago, located in Lago de Nicaragua and accessible by boat from San Carlos, has a fascinating lifestyle and a beautiful natural environment. Solentiname's secluded location and infrequent public transportation renders it a challenge to visitors, but the lucky few who make it here are rewarded with beautiful views, a unique artistic culture, and possibly the friendliest people in all of Nicaragua. Solentiname is most famous for its unique Primitivist-style painting, and over 50 painters and artisans to live and work on the islands. In addition to its artistic tradition, Solentiname is also a nature lover's paradise, with abundant bird life, white-tailed deer, iguanas, caimans, howler monkeys, and, less commonly seen, boa constrictors. The beauty of the islands is at its peak when the end of the rainy season brings lush foliage, but the archipelago is pleasant to visit year-round. Another draw of the archipelago is the petroglyphs and carvings that remain undisturbed in their natural setting; locals can offer directions. This guide contains all the information you need, from where to stay and where to eat to how to get around, what to see and what to do. Color photos and maps throughout."

A guidebook to 25 multi-day treks in the Dolomites of north-east Italy. The routes range from moderate to challenging in difficulty, with varying degrees of mountain traverses, scrambles and exposure so a good head for heights is needed. The treks range from 11 to 41km (7–25 miles) with daily distances of between 5 and 15km (3–9 miles). Each trek is designed to be hut-to-hut and last 2–4 days. The routes explore the major mountain groups of the UNESCO World Heritage site including Sella and Marmolada. 1:100,000 maps are included for each walk Treks feature notes on access, difficulty and recommended maps for navigation on the ground Public transport and accommodation options are detailed

A popular guidebook to short walks in the Dolomites of north east Italy. The guide describes 50 walks, graded from easy to strenuous, and varying in length from 3 mile strolls to full-day expeditions. The Dolomites are suitable for summer walking, and the mountains are easily accessible, just across the border from Austria and easily reached from Verona, Treviso, Venice and Innsbruck airports. The Dolomites are blessed with vast forests, high-altitude rocky landscapes and seas of beautiful wildflowers and the range is now a designated Unesco World Heritage Site encompassing a national park - Parco Nazionale Dolomiti Bellunesi - and several other protected areas. Highlights include the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Civetta, the Piz Bo circuit on the Sella massif and the Sentiero delle Odle. This guide offers something for every walking ability and preference, and includes all the background and planning information you need to plan a trip, including an Italian-German-English glossary and a list of accommodation providers and websites and details of all rifugios on or near the routes.

Because of the love of Prince Pazzo of the Dolomites for Princess Lucia of the Moon, the black peaks of the Dolomite mountains are changed to glimmering white, blue, pink, and yellow.