Summer time is coming, and this is the best time to visit England, Ireland and Scotland.  Here is a list of new books that can help you plan every aspect of a trip to the region - from travelling with kids, to shopping, to woodland strolls.

The Rough Guide to Walks in London & Southeast England by Judith Bamber and Helena Smith (Rough Guides) outlines green places to stroll in England's capital city (parks, gardens and along canals, rivers and railway tracks) as well as day trips using public transportation. Destinations include the Eden Valley, the Saxon Shore, Cambridge and Stonehenge. Each walk includes a map, route details, history and recommended dining spots. The book bills itself as the perfect guide if "you're looking to get your boots muddy but don't ever want to be too far from a pub."

Take the Kids: Ireland by Amy Corzine (Cadogan Guides) can help you find child-friendly accommodations and eateries while planning a trip that everyone in the family will enjoy. Attractions include tours of Dublin in vintage Second World War amphibious vehicles known as Ducks that drop into the Grand Canal Basin after a land tour; the Clara-Lara Fun Park in County Wicklow; the Dunmore Cave in Kilkenny; and the Galway Children's Theatre in Salthill. "A story to tell" is provided on every page, relating Irish folklore and fairytales about various sites.

The London Shopping Companion by Nicki Pendleton Wood (Cumberland House) lists the best locations and prices for your shopping trips, along with maps, where to stay and eat, listings for one-of-a-kind collectibles, and tips on local transportation and payment options. The book lists not just clothing stores but everything from the London Dolls House Company to Spink, a 350-year-old purveyor of stamps, coins and medals, to James Smith and Sons, an emporium for walking sticks and umbrellas.

The Edinburgh Visitor Guide is packed with colourful photographs (by Colin Baxter), history and practical information you'll need in planning a trip to Scotland's capital city. The book includes listings for pubs, restaurants, museums, shops and historic sites like Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrodhouse, as well as nearby attractions outside the city like Linlithgow Palace and the Scottish Seabird Centre.

England by Guy Macdonald is a comprehensive manual that offers themed itineraries, maps, a list of the country's top 60 attractions, and recommendations for hundreds of places to stay and eat. Listings offer both history and practical information, from Thomas Hardy's birthplace cottage in Thorncombe Wood to the picturesque Lake District to the sites of royal London.

April, 2004

Hansen´s Travelogue

Legacies of the American Farm

New York subway for tourist

Raffles Hotel

The Flying Visits Series

To the Kwai - And Back