pam

I got a pair of teeny binoculars and two of the books recommended on that long thread: If on a Winter's NIght a Traveler by Italo Calvino and In the Garden of Papa Santuzzi. Thank you to the recommenders and to my inlaws who looked at my amazon.com wish list! Hubby got a new dopp kit with hanger...guess what I was thinking about. Happy holidays to you all and a well-traveled new year.

Thyra

Carol, wow I am having that problem too... it's too big for a Hollywood Condo too! I am thinking of putting it on the floor in the corner, kind of in front of my bookshelves next to an easy chair... create kind of a "Parisian themed vinette corner..." ok now I am talking out of my "you know what" Really I have no idea what are you going to do with it?

Tom

My wife gave me "Secrets of the Middle Ages". It is a magnificent little, approximately 150 page coffee table book that covers topics any traveler to Europe would appreciate. <BR> <BR>Topics include the church, knights and chivalry, castles, fall of Rome, invasion of the goths, visigoths, rise of Russia, the Iberian situation, the rise of cities, etc that led to the middle ages...my favorite time in history. <BR> <BR>Wonderfully informative. When I visit my next castle, I'll certainly better undertsand bailey, motte, keep, crinolen walls, etc.

Judi

My daughter gave me Lingo, the ten language talking translator. Wahoo!!! <BR>We travel to Europe twice a year with Spain and Italy coming up in 2001. I think it is important to know at least a few words and phrases of the countries we visit so this will be very useful. I tried to translate a Christmas letter in German that we received from the B&B we stayed in in Linz last April but got bogged down. I did get the spirit of the message though.

gb

I got the book "Without Reservation". Great story.

Gina

GB, is that Alice Steinbach's book about her solo travels? I bought that a few weeks ago and enjoyed it very much. <BR> <BR>FYI on the "Best American Travel Writing" collection--as Rex points out in his original post, Bryson is the editor, not the author. It's a terrific collection, but does not include any of Bryson's own work. I have it here somewhere but can't put my hands on it right now. <BR> <BR>Best travel book I've picked up recently --though it wasn't a gift--is the Salon Wanderlust collection, edited by Don George. A wonderful selection of essays from the tragically-defunct travel section of Salon.com.

Diane

A friend gave me "Cats in the Sun", a coffee table book filled with photos of cats in Greece. I've been eyeing it for years, and was totally thrilled when I opened the package. I also bought myself a 365-day calendar with photos of Italy.

gb

Yes, it is. It's more aobout about relationships and the author, herself, than about actual travel sites. It was a good read.

tcc

Happy Holidays All! <BR> <BR>I received a wall calendar of France. Can't wait to hang it on my wall. <BR> <BR>Right now I'm reading Without Reservation by Alice Steinbach. I like it a lot. I've already read Paris to the Moon. I totally recommend it Elvira. Hey, where can I pick up an Eiffel Tower lamp? I have plans to buy a couple of those French posters and hang them on my bedroom wall, and the lamp would go perfectly. <BR> <BR>tcc

sally

My husband gave me Francis Mayes new book In Tuscany. My brother, who traveled to Italy in Oct. w/ us, gave us a wooden photo album bound with leather that he made that holds 10 of the most gorgeous photos from the 12 rolls of film he shot while we were there. He printed them himself on heavy paper and the effect is stunning! He is a professional photographer and his talent really shines through in his work--the cathedral in Orvieto, monks at St. Francis Basilica, a cobbled street in Cortona--wow, what a great gift and momento from a fabaulous trip!

Dr. Betty

I got the Berlitz day calendar in French and Exploring Scotland by Fodors. As you know, I've been on this Scotland kick, having aspirations to go there but no real plans. Have just gotten into the book Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. The stage is set for 18th Century Scotland. <BR> <BR>P.S. Rex, hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I'm writing this from the library in Georgtown, Colorado having just had lunch at the Prague Cafe. Strange the things we do experience a piece of Europe, even here, in this tiny town in the mountains - authentic cuisine and pictures of the city, and two brothers with think accents doling out the goulash. This is a present to myself. <BR> <BR>Bonne Annee, <BR>Dr. Betty

Kavey

Aaaak! <BR> <BR>This is exactly the kind of ideas I was hoping for when I posted in the Grab bag a couple weeks back. Sadly all I got was a juvenile delinquent on vacation from kindergarten (that was my best US speak <BR> <BR>Didnt get any travel gifts myself, unless we count the African safari my dad has booked for pete and i in June, though this is a birthday, christmas and then some for the next few years kind of present. <BR> <BR>On a sort of related note, having enjoyed Captain Corelli's Mandolin so much when it was first released I finally bought one of Louis Berniere's other stories on the 26th, finished it on the 27th!!! <BR> <BR>Don Vivio and the Coca Lord <BR> <BR>Very good. <BR> <BR>

Carin

I received the 365 Days in Italy calendar from my stepmom, after I had already bought one for myself (the idea being that I would be better at saving money for our trip in April if I saw a picture of Italy every day!) I returned one and bought Fodor's Florence CityPack, an italina phrase book, and a map of Italy. <BR> <BR>We were thinking of cancelling our trip - my stepmom was recently diagnosed with what the doctors say is "highly treatable" lymphoma, but she insisted with a choke in her voice "go while you can" - not sure if we still will.) <BR> <BR>Sorry for that sad note - I wish you all a happy new travelin' year with lots more travel related presents!!

nancy

Carin, <BR>so sorry to hear about your step-mom ! <BR>Hope all goes well and you *all* have a great 2001. <BR>Maybe look into travel insurance, purchase it, go ahead with your plans, and this would give you the flexibilty to go or cancel, at the last minute depending on your s-mom's health. <BR>Again, best wishes.

Thyra

Carin, so sorry to hear about your Stepmom, but thankfully it's described as Highly treatABLE!!! Both of my parents are cancer survivors..Good thoughts to your family, and happy New Year!

Carin

Thank you, Thyra & Nancy.

Katherine Murphy Mistilis

Silver Linings by Martin Fletcher is about Northern Ireland. He's a reporter assigned to Belfast and writes so well. <BR>Order it from Amazin.net uk. <BR> <BR>Katherine Mistilis

nancy

Two other things I just received, from a girlfriend who went to Portugal last month with her family; <BR>A colorful tea towel with a rooster on it and the word Portugal, and a lovely brooch made out of a small tile. <BR>An interesting note on Portugal; they were there on an all expense paid trip for a Comic Convention! <BR>(He does comic books) <BR>Comics are considered to be ART , and as such valued in a whole different way than here in the States. <BR>Interesting <BR>

adrienne

Happy Holidays to all, <BR> <BR>For Christmas I received several travel related gifts...a lovely leather covered travel diary, a French cookbook from La Madeleine bakery, a beautiful Provence cookbook which includes photos of many places I've been to and, best of all, a round trip ticket to Paris!! <BR> <BR>Travel related gifts I gave include calendars I bought in Florence earlier this year and Frances Mayes's new cookbook. <BR> <BR>Adrienne <BR>

Annette

My husband bought me the Eyewitness guide to Seville & Andulusia and the Knopf guide to Seville & Andulusia. Both beautiful books!