HIDDEN TRAVEL

A veteran traveler recounts his far-flung peregrinations and suggests readers skip typical tourist destinations.

Brock, an international traveler for more than three decades, attributes his love of globe-trotting to an adjusted mindset. His vignettes of his trips through multiple countries alternate with observations about the psychological aspects of travel (“Even the apparent detours or challenging situations can be meaningful”). His first destination was Glamis, Scotland, where he wandered by a historic cemetery and saw a sign for the little-known St. Fergus’ Well, an obscure site that dates back 700 C.E. Next, in the Bavarian town of Wasserburg, Germany, he came across architecture and cuisine reminiscent of Italy. Discoveries included a restored palace in Nanxun, China, a historic town devoid of Westerners, and a restaurant in Playa Negra, Costa Rica, helmed by a chef who had served presidents and celebrities in Los Angeles. He found a treehouse in British Columbia; houseboats in the Cotswolds that meandered hundreds of miles of English canals and rivers; and a church in Cairo, Egypt, carved out of a mountain above the city dump, with a congregation of Christians and Muslims; and even abandoned land mines at visitor sites near Sarajevo. To find such gems, writes Brock, travelers must stretch beyond their comfort zone. That means not being married to top 10 lists in travel books or taking only itinerary-based guided tours. The author, in his debut, urges readers to “dig a bit (into new experiences or old habits), turn over some rocks (or preconceptions), and go to new places (emotionally, as well as geographically).” The recipe is effective, but sometimes Brock tries to do too many things. For example, some chapters jolt readers into travel 101: how to pack, the pros and cons of traveling alone, etc. When it stays true to its mission, the book delivers on its promise.

A lively, inspiring guide to adventurous tourism.