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Venezuela, one of the best kept secrets in the
Caribbean, has natural wonders reading like an A to Z of ecosystems,
where travelers can enjoy both heavyweight adventures, or
lighter journeys of discovery.
From the hustle and
bustle of skyscraping Caracas to the hidden corners of this
tropical land, the Traveler's Venezuela Companion leads
you in capable hands through this beguiling nation, at once
Caribbean, Amazonian and Andean.
Dominic Hamilton takes
you from the country's long coastline where there's a beach
to suit every taste and wallet to the world's highest waterfall
-- deep in the heart of the Gran Sabana.
Pamper yourself in one
of the coast's many fiver-star resorts, cruise the acquamarine
waters of its national parks, or live out a Robinson Crusoe
idyll on the beaches of Paria. You'll discover the best places
to snorkel and scuba dive in the Caribbean, you'll hike up
the Andes, horseback ride across the plains, boat along the
Orinoco, or blaze trails through swathes of bird-rich cloudforests.
Traveler's Venezuela
Companion uncovers restored gems of the colonial era,
follows in the footsteps of "El Libertador" Simón
Bolívar, highlights vivid folkloric festivals and steps back
in time to the world of remote indigenous Indians.
Glowing
praise from a rare Amazon.com editorial review 
From the opening pages, as Dominic Hamilton describes skipping
up the rocky path to Venezuela's Angel Falls like an overexcited
schoolboy, you know you're in for something different--and
good--with this travel guide.
Every travel guide series has its niche, and Traveler's
Companion's is adventure and romance. Which is to say, this
book spends most of its pages getting you enthused about the
adventures waiting for you, rather than boring you with dry
information and dull history lessons.
Hamilton, a British journalist who has lived in Venezuela
for almost a decade, has the inside scoop and shares the country's
glories enthusiastically.
Dubbed "Paradise on Earth" by Columbus himself, Venezuela
still lives up to its nickname. Hamilton describes its "top
spots" with a string of superlatives--Venezuela is home to
the world's highest waterfall (Angel Falls), more bird species
than in North America and Europe put together, the longest
and highest cable car in the world, and more Caribbean coast
than any other country in the region.
Once Hamilton has whetted your appetite, it's on to "Your
Choice," a section devoted to describing the myriad activities
available, such as hiking, scuba diving, fishing, mountain
biking, and horseback riding, most of it in 40 national parks
and monuments. There's also adventure tourism in the form
of paragliding, mountaineering, and white-water rafting, family
fun, the arts, and fiestas throughout the year.
The bulk of the book is devoted to descriptions of various
regions of the country, with listings of what to see and where
to stay and eat broken down by price range. The sections
are well designed and clearly marked, which makes for quick
access. While the maps are fairly inadequate, the full-color
photographs bring out all the color and variety of the place,
with its azure waters, golden dunes, craggy mountain ranges,
and festively dressed peoples. And yes, there is a history
section, but it's lively.
Finally, the "Traveler's Tips" section has been relegated
to the back where it belongs. Sure, it's important stuff--transportation,
exchanging money, health concerns, and an excellent guide
to Venezuelan Spanish--but after all, you're traveling for
the adventure, right?
Well, pick up this guide and go. You're in able hands. --Lesley Reed
Order it
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