In the spirit of top-selling Journeys of a Lifetime series and National Geographic Traveler's acclaimed "Places of a Lifetime,"

This lavish, evocative travel gift book spans the globe to offer entrées to the world's most transformative places, from Thailand's Chiang Mai to Australia's Uluru monolith to California's Channel Islands.

Chosen by National Geographic's family of globe-trotting contributors, the lavish Best of the World offers in-depth site descriptions; dozens of fun, themed "Best of the World" lists; locator maps; illuminating sidebars, several by travel and literary luminaries; and hundreds of dazzling, oversized, full-color images to bring to life 500 awe-inspiring locations in a wide variety of categories--from entire countries to mountaintop villages to pristine lakes to ancient wonders.

This broad, general interest travel title will appeal to active travelers looking for the next great trip as well as to the many readers who simply love dreaming of visiting far-flung, idyllic destinations, and for those who love to be "in the know" of the next travel trend.

Five years after Journeys of a Lifetime hit the stores, fans are eager for the next great set of can't-miss travel hits revealed in this beautiful 2012 gift book.