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Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences

Despite its clever lists, Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Experiences isn't likely to have any real travel relevance.

Those looking for a little student travel inspiration, a stocking stuffer or simply a good-looking coffee table conversation piece may want to consider picking up a copy of Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences.

Or they may not.

In a style similar to the once overwhelmingly popular 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, Lonely Planet – the now overwhelming popular guidebook producer – has compiled a list of what it believes to be the best excursions and adventures, menus and memorials, road trips and romances. Celebrate one of the Best Obscure Holidays, wine and dine at one of the World’s Most Bizarre Restaurants and Bars, or scout out one of the 10 Best Places to Steal a Kiss, all with the help of this 300-plus-page guidebook.

While it’s a clever idea, 1000 Ultimate Experiences is likely to fall into the aforementioned coffee table category as opposed to being a valuable travel companion. The lists are, as illustrated, arranged by obscure categories that offer little relevance to someone already in one place, unless that place you’re in happens to be one of the World’s Happiest Places or host one of the Best Beaches to Swing a Hammock. I suppose that – if you had a particular travel prerequisite (i.e. I must, must visit one of the World’s Strangest Festivals) –  this book may act as an adequate planning reference, but for all other purposes it seems a bit pointless – likely to be collecting coffee mug rings instead of joining you on your overseas adventure.