"Great Escapes" unearths 500 of the worlds most inspiring holidays, offering great ways to get off the beaten track and enjoy a more authentic kind of travel. You can discover a wealth of new adventures from sleeping in houseboats in Kerala and witnessing the zebra migration in Botswana to taking the train-hotel from Paris to Madrid. Whether you fancy living like a local in a tipi with Native American Indians, riding with cowboys in Venezuela or staying in a bunkhouse barn in the Brecon Beacons, this guide is packed with the how, where and when to plan your next extraordinary trip. Authors Richard Hammond, former "Green Travel" correspondent for "The Guardian", and Jeremy Smith, former Editor of "The Ecologist Magazine", have hand picked the best hotels, resorts, and tours run by people who are passionate about what they do, assuring a spectacular choice of inspirational travel ideas without compromising on the quality of your holiday. Whether you wish to stay in an eco-chic hotel, experience a closer connection with local culture, or simply want to see the world in a new light; make your next trip a Great Escape.