When the Covid-19 lockdown first went into effect in Venice, artist and photographer Gaby Wagner picked up her camera. Though Wagner notes that those initial months of the pandemic were challenging, “it also became a rare opportunity to truly see [this] magical city that I love so much,” she explains in materials about her resulting book of photographs, which will be released in the US by ACC Art Books on December 30. Through images that are both haunting and hopeful, the book offers a rare look at the city—usually overrun with crowds—in solitude, affording readers the chance to really take in its beauty and revel in the details.

BUY NOW: $75

Over three decades ago, renowned designer Meryanne Loum-Martin traveled to Marrakech to find a vacation home for her parents—and ended up falling in love with the city herself, eventually buying and restoring her own properties there and opening up a boutique hotel. Given her experiences and expertise, Loum-Martin is the ideal person to author this Rizzoli release, which tells the story of the city through design—including the contributions of visionaries like Bill Willis and Yves Saint Laurent—and takes readers behind the carved doors and into some beautiful residences and gardens. By peeking into private palaces, restored riads and the homes of people with such surnames as Bulgari, Guinness, Branson and Conran, we are shown how modern Marrakech style is an eclectic mix of the traditional and contemporary, the rustic and the refined.

BUY NOW: $60

Yes, another Marrakech book—but this October release from Assouline blends a history of the city with stories and images of the people and places that have caught generations of travelers under its spell.  Actress and 1970s “It Girl” Marisa Berenson, who now calls Marrakech home, sets the scene in an extended introduction that takes us from the city’s origins to its discovery by artists, fashionistas and bohemians to details on the current culture scene, with stories about some of the city’s most glamorous visitors and notable residents featured along the way. Then it’s on to the vibrant images, which mix archival and general destination photos, society magazine-style party collages and shots that focus on architecture, fashion and design.

BUY NOW: $95

Whether you’re a dedicated golfer or you just like images of spectacular destinations, this August release from Hardie Grant is sure to be a conversation starter. Writer and photographer William Watt takes us on a journey to unique and scenic courses around the world, from Australia and the Arctic Circle to Mongolia, Nepal and Florida. In between the images are engaging essays (by Watt and other writers) on topics such as golf in the movies, controversial courses, the relationship between fishing and golf, and the classic Arnold Palmer drink. There are also travel essays on select destinations and detailed looks at some of the notable courses—the latter including sketches of and tips for playing each hole.

BUY NOW: $35

In this Assouline book, which came out in September, author Alexandra Senes and photographer Oliver Pilcher showcase what makes Paris such an iconic city, beyond the monuments and recognizable sites. There are a few familiar shots in here—the Haussmann mansions, the boats on the Seine—but the majority of the images feel like behind-the-scenes peeks at the people, places and little moments that help make the city so vibrant. From a young family out to brunch, a house party spilling onto a terrace, and a quiet moment of lounging in a stately apartment (and on a stylish couch) to the lovely displays at a neighborhood florist, a Japanese tea shop and a historic perfumer, the visuals capture the colorful tapestry that is life in Paris.

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For 15 years of their over four decades of fieldwork on the African continent, world-renowned photographers Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher have focused on seeking out remote communities to record their sacred ceremonies, creative art forms, rituals and more. In 2018, nearly 20 years after their landmark book, African Ceremonies, the duo released the two-volume, slipcased African Twilight: The Vanishing Cultures and Ceremonies of the African Continent to both chronicle and help preserve these fast-disappearing cultures. In addition to being engaging and inspirational, the books are also important and, sadly, now out of date—as 40 percent of what is featured in their pages has already vanished.

BUY NOW: $150

The islands of Greece may typically get all the tourist attention, but over the last few years, the “insider’s secret” of the Athens Riviera has been getting out, thanks in part to notable hotel openings in the area from brands like Four Seasons. In this Assouline book just released this month, writer Stéphanie Artarit, who splits her time between Athens and the island of Antiparos, takes a look at the revival of this coastal area—once popular with the glitterati of the 1960’s—as well as how it, and Athens itself, are now balancing the old world with new developments in areas like art, design, cuisine and nightlife.

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Travel through time—and to such destinations as Cambodia, Dubai, Istanbul, Paris and the Seychelles—in this 200-page collaboration between Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Rizzoli Publications. Spanning from the opening of Raffles’ flagship Singapore location in 1887 (whose renovation and re-opening we covered last year) to recent openings like Raffles Europejski Warsaw, this book by writer Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni and illustrator Luke Edward Hall tells the story of this venerable brand, with vivid contemporary photographs and archival materials chronicling notable stories, special events, celebrity guests, literary excerpts and more. You’ll also find signature recipes, in case you want to savor a taste of Raffles at home, before your next visit.

BUY NOW: $165

Known for its scenic coastline, vertical landscapes and charming towns—not to mentioned its stellar locally-sourced cuisine—the Amalfi Coast is the ultimate representation of La Dolce Vita, with a vibe that’s been celebrated by such writers as John Steinbeck and Gore Vidal. In this just-launched book, text and photography by Carlos Souza and Charlene Shorto bring to life everything from historic landmarks to the pebbled beaches, the hilltop hikes to the iconic hotels, as well as the groups of family and friends that come here to celebrate the good life.

BUY NOW: $95

Over the last two decades, the Riviera Nyarit peninsula of Punta Mita, set overlooking Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean, has grown from a small fishing village into a renowned residential resort community that offers both visitors and home owners a place to relax, recharge, and enjoy world-class hospitality, golf, and cuisine. For this book, Punta Mita teamed up with the experts at Assouline to bring to life the story of the development, as well as its white-sand beaches, seaside views, notable design elements and more. It’s a lovely reminder of a stay on the peninsula—or a look at what you can expect on a future visit.

BUY NOW: $95

Just released last month, this book looks at the world from high above via spectacular drone footage shot around the globe. Operated by Dirk Dallas—an FAA Part 107 drone pilot, designer, photographer and professor of digital media (and founder of the From Where I Drone blog and Instagram account)—the drones have captured images of everything from the city grids of Tokyo to whales swimming in the Indian Ocean. Organized geographically, the book offers a unique perspective on the planet, and many of the wonders within it.

BUY NOW: $35

Set off the coast of East Africa, surrounded by the waters of the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is a fascinating island that melds influences from Africa, Oman, India, Portugal, Britain and more. It’s also been a long-time vacation favorite for its natural wonders—from great scuba-diving spots to spectacular beaches—and its rich artisan, culinary and historic offerings. In this book, Parisian writer-photographer Aline Coquelle (who holds degrees in art history and anthropology) takes an intimate look at the indigenous and cosmopolitan sides of this island paradise.

BUY NOW: $95

Originally built in 1955, then named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1959 visit to Chicago, the Imperial Suites at the historic Hilton Chicago recently underwent a stylish makeover revealed earlier this year. In addition to an entirely new décor (and touches like glass-enclosed fireplaces and nightcap stations), the two signature suites are now stocked with books that tell the stories of the city and the hotel. Among them is this tome, which pays homage to the city’s famous architectural heritage with text by Patrick F. Cannon and images by photographer James Caulfield. The book starts with 1836’s Clarke House and continues to the modern day, offering a revealing look at everything from private homes envisioned by Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe to noted commercial, governmental and religious structures—some open to the public, others rarely seen.

BUY NOW: $65

Over the course of seven weeks, celebrated artist Ignasi Monreal traveled to eight Four Seasons properties around the world to soak up the essence of the brand, looking at both the standout design and destination elements and the personalities and culture of service that have helped make Four Seasons so iconic. In this resulting book, part of Assouline’s classic collection, Monreal (who’s also known for creating Gucci’s digitally-painted Spring/Summer 2018 campaign) presents 115 paintings showcasing these key elements, including portraits of staff from chefs to concierges.

BUY NOW: $120

As Italy begins to open back up to travel, it’s a perfect time to celebrate the city of Milan, which sits in one of the regions hardest hit by COVID-19. Curated by editor Karl Kolbitz, this TASCHEN tome takes a look at some of the iconic, design-forward entry spaces of the city built between 1920-1970, some by such famous architects as Gio Ponti and Piero Portaluppi. Spanning both “high” and “low” architecture, the book offers an insightful look at some of the modern aesthetics of a city that’s become so synonymous with fashion and design.

BUY NOW: $70

If you’re a hotel junkie, you likely know the work of designer André Fu, whose AFSO studio has created signature interiors for such hospitality groups as Swire, Shangri-La, Capella, Four Seasons and Park Hyatt, as well as for restaurants, galleries and more. With this book, you can flip through 160 illustrations of projects such as the Upper House Hotel in Hong Kong, the Opus Suite at The Berkeley London and the GONG Bar at The Shard (the highest bar in Northern Europe) to get a feel for how the architect-designer uses proportion, light and high-end materials to craft these luxurious spaces.

BUY NOW: $165

Photo : Courtesy Assouline

Reference: https://bit.ly/380pDcX