Madcap journeys: Europe

Applebaum, Anne, Between east and west: across the borderlands of Europe. Pantheon Books, 1994. 947 APP

An extraordinary journey into the past and present of the lands east of Poland and west of Russia - an area defined throughout its history by colliding empires, and only now emerging from the clamp of Soviet rule.

Ash, John, A Byzantine journey. Random House, 1995. 949.5 ASH

This is much more than a travelogue: it is a richly detailed portrayal of the cultural history of the Byzantine Empire. Ash starts in Istanbul and crosses the Sea of Marmara to travel through Anatolia, the region of Asiatic Turkey that was the source of the wealth and manpower.

Balasoglov, John, Travels with my family. David Ling, 1994. 947 BAL

A remarkable travel story with a difference. Born in Romania, a stateless refugee, John arrived in New Zealand aged two in 1951. Here he recounts his New Zealand childhood and his recent overland journey behind the opened Iron Curtain in search of extended family and identity.

Bentley, James, A guide to Eastern Germany. Viking, 1993. 943.1 BEN

Renowned travel writer takes a grand tour of the eastern section of Germany and describes the mountains, lakes, villages and towns of the region plus the cities of Berlin, Dresden and Leipzig.

Chamberlain, Lesley, Volga, Volga: a voyage down the great river. Picador, 1995. 947.8 CHA

A personal, cultural journey along one of the great waterways of the world through Russia which brings to life the vast potential and tragic waste of the Volga and its surrounding countryside.

Cooper, Bill, Watersteps through France : to the Camargue by canal. Methuen, 1991. 944 COO

Bill and Laurel Cooper have lived on boats for more than fifteen years and on one occasion decided to spend the winter in the South of France. With Hosanna, a half finished barge, they entered the French canals via the river Somme, looking for a warmer climate and adventure.

Dalrymple, William, From the holy mountain : a journey in the shadow of Byzantium, Harper Collins, 1997. 956 DAL

In 587 AD two monks crossed the Byzantine Empire staying in caves, monasteries and remote hermitages. Dalymple follows their footsteps and finds that a surprising number of monasteries and churches still survive, albeit surrounded by hostile populations. A blend of history, spirituality, adventure and politics laced with black humour.

Danziger, Nick, Danziger's Britain: a journey to the edge, Harper Collins, 1996. 941 DAN

The hair raising account of an award winning photographer's journey among the 'other British', living among the homeless and unemployed in the ruined manufacturing and so-called `no go' areas of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Fallowell, Duncan, One hot summer in St Petersburg. Cape, 1994. 947.45 FAL

Set against the hallucinatory background of contemporary St. Petersburg, this is the story of a young man's experiences among mysteries, powerful emotions and remarkable characters.

Farson, Daniel, A dry ship to the mountains : down the Volga and across the Caucasus - in my father's footsteps. Michael Joseph, 1994. 947.8 FAR

At 64, Daniel Farson realised a life-long yearning to complete his father's 1929 attempt to cross the Klukhar Pass in Caucasus on horseback. The journey which Farson contrasts with his father's was as enriching as it was unpredictable.

Fields, Kenneth, A journey through Lancashire. Sigma Leisure, 1994. 942.76 FIE

Lancashire is England in miniature: a place of enchanting diversity. Take to the road with Kenneth Fields on an exploration of the countryside, history and curiosities of the Red Rose county.

Hitt, Jack, Off the road: a modern-day walk down the Pilgrim's route into Spain. Auram Press, 1994. 946.1 HIT

In this irreverent and ruminative adventure, Jack Hitt sets out to walk the 500 miles along the pilgrim's route from France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Following in the footsteps of millions of medieval pilgrims, this is an unforgettable tour of the sites that people believe God once touched.

Keneally, Thomas, Now and in time to be: Ireland and the Irish. Flamingo, 1993. 941.5 KEN

An unforgettable journey rich in observation and insight, an exposition of the author's own personal view of Ireland today; an attempt to unpack his "baggage" of myths picked up from ancestors and others and match them against the ambiguous late 20th century reality.

Levi, Peter, A bottle in the shade: a journey in the Western Peloponnese. Sinclair-Stevenson, 1996. 949.52 LEV

This book which describes the author's return to south-western Greece, draws on both the ancient and recent past, as well as the present to give a portrait of the Peloponnese and of himself.

McFadden, David, An innocent in Ireland: curious ramble and singular encounters. McClelland & Stewart, 1995. 941.5 MCF

Using as a guide "In search of Ireland" by H.V. Marton published in 1930, David McFadden sets out on a tour of Ireland and follows the same route to determine how things have changed and yet how many have remained the same.

McKnight, Hugh, Slow boat through Germany. Adlard Coles, 1993 386.0943 MCK

In this travelogue, inland cruising expert Hugh McKnight demonstrates that the German network is a fascinating web of watery highways waiting to be discovered.

Neillands, Robin, Walking through Scotland: from the border to Cape Wrath. Little Brown, 1995. 941.1 NEI

This is the story of a summertime journey, on foot through Scotland, from the English border to the far North shore. Pack on back, and tongue in cheek, Robin Neillands, a returning Scot, wanders north to rediscover his homeland.

Nooteboom, Cees, Roads to Santiago, Harvill, 1997. 946 NOO

A passionately and beautifully written chronicle of Spain - architecture, art, history, landscapes, villages and people. Travelling from side road to side road he discovers a mysterious country not found in standard tourist guides.

Rosenblum, Mort, The secret life of the Seine. Addington-Wesley, 1994. 944.34 ROS

Rosenblum is our guide to life along the river Seine and to the many pleasures unique to this main artery of the heart of France. From Paris we are taken to the river's source near Dijon, through the provinces of Burgundy and Champagne and onto Normandy where the river empties into the sea at Le Havre. Best appreciated having Eyewitness travel guide France (944 FRA) and Paris (944.36 TIL) at hand to consult along the way.

Scott-Stokes, Natascha, The amber trail : a journey of discovery by bicycle, from the Baltic Sea to the Aegean. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1993. 947 SCO

Following an ancient trade route into the heart of the most contemporary and turbulent issues facing us today, Natascha travelled the whole gamut of contradictory experiences which make up Eastern Europe.

Selby, Bettina, A pilgrim's road : a journey to Santiago de Compostela. Little Brown, 1994. 944 SEL

An account of the author's bicycle journey when aged almost 58 on the pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostela, which has been a pilgrimage site for hundreds of years and still attracts thousands each year.

Storace, Patricia, Dinner with Persephone, Pantheon, 1996. 949.5 STO

Written by an American poet with the eye and ear of a gifted writer. As much a journey into the Greek psyche, mythology and history as into its landscape. Her story unfolds a Greece of a strange and rich culture.

Talbot-ponsonby, Spud, Two feet, four paws: a girl who walked her dog 4,500 miles, Summersdale, 1996. 941 TAL

Spud and her dog Tess spent ten months walking around Britain's coastline to raise funds for the charity Animal Shelter. She brings Britain to life in a refreshing way. Her story illustrates that you don't have to travel the world to find diversity and richness in country and culture.

Taylor, Arthur R., Spring on the Somme: a river journey. Constable, 1995. 944.26 TAY

The Somme conjures up a sombre image in the imagination, yet today it is a tranquil waterland of astonishing beauty. This account of Arthur Taylor's 130 mile journey by fisherman's punt from the source to where the Somme meets the sea reveals the history and true beauty of the river.

Terzani, Tiziano, Goodnight Mister Lenin : a journey through the end of the Soviet Empire. Picador, 1993. 958 TER

An interesting account of a remarkable journey along the Amur river which runs between Russia and China to the geographical and historical end of the Russian Empire.

Wilson, David A, Ireland: a bicycle and a tin whistle. Blackstaff Press, 1995. 941.5 WIL

Pedalling and whistling his way around Ireland in search of authentic traditional music, returned exile David Wilson roams from town to town, village to village and importantly, from pub to pub. Everywhere he discovers the spontaneity, devilment and irreverence of the Irish.

Wright, Lindsay, Red sails, no sunset : a kiwi yachtie's arctic adventures. Cape Catley, 1993. 910.45 WRI

An engaging account of how Lindsay and his wife Sarah sailed to the icy Svalbard Islands north of Norway. It covers how they set about it, what they learned and the fascinating scenery and people they came across en route.