Product Description

This inspirational book showcases 500 of the world's most powerful and spiritual places–and guides modern-day travelers who wish to visit them.

With eloquent text, hundreds of gorgeous full-color images, and practical visitor information, Sacred Places of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Most Peaceful and Powerful Destinations highlights fascinating icons of many religions around the world and offers an intriguing window into the cultures that created them. From prehistoric burial chambers to modern monuments and sanctuaries, each site’s history, lore, and appeal is evocatively detailed.

Nearly 300 locator maps point out pilgrimage routes, temples, mountains, churches, and holy places, including Mont St.-Michel Abbey in France, founded after a reported vision of the Archangel Michael; the White Horse Temple in China, site of the country’s first Buddhist temple, dating from the first century A.D.; Machu Picchu in Peru, whose origins lie in obscurity; and Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, said by many to be the holiest city in the world. A follow-up to the bestselling Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips, this beautiful book answers the call of the spiritual traveler while also appealing to the many readers interested in sites of unique cultural heritage.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7169 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-21
• Released on: 2008-10-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Customer Reviews

Interesting and Educational!
"Sacred Places of a Lifetime" provides easy visits to the most powerful, evocative, and magical sites on the planet - sacred places where humans have reached out over the millenia to find their gods.

The book is divided into ten sections, each with a brief introduction. Each of the featured sites includes an attractive photo, background and highlight information (eg. the best time to go), and associated websites for more information.

A few of the photos are disappointing - eg. Notre-Dame Cathedral is depicted by a close-up of two gargoyles, rather than the entire edifice. Regardless, the book will definitely motivate readers to make their own pilgrimages.

Places I'd Love to Visit
I love Nat Geo photography books, and recently purchased this one for some travel ideas, even if only in my dreams. The photographs were up to their usual excellent standards, so I wasn't disappointed. There were some amazing pics of Easter Island and Tibet, and many other of the most beautiful places on earth and I really enjoyed them. There are limited descriptions of each place photographed, but they let the photos tell most of the story. There is a helpful planning section that describes various festivals and the best time to visit each area. Great purchase!

Great!
For christmas this year, i saw this book and knew i had to buy it for my dad. I recieved the book and once i picked it up, i couldn't put it down! The colorful graphics are breath-taking and along the side there are explanations of all the places. Sometimes we forget about all the beauty in this world. There are some places and temples i've never even heard of. I want to go to every single place in this book. This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone who appreciates travel and culture.