Where to Go When: an inside look
Where to Go When is the ultimate vacation planner, showcasing the most amazing places in the world and the best time of year to see them.
Combining a detailed narrative with sumptuous photography Where to Go When brings over 100 destinations across the globe to life – discover when and where to explore Costa Rica’s rainforests, journey into the clouds in Nepal, sail between Croatia’s cypress-clad islands, or gaze at the saw-toothed crags of Canada’s Rocky Mountains. So whether you’re looking for rest and relaxation or active adventures, Where to Go When makes finding special spots around the globe easier than ever.
Project Editor Lucy Richards shares the process involved in producing Where to Go When, her favorite spreads, and her thoughts about what readers will enjoy most:
Q: How would you describe the process for putting together Where to Go When?
It was a rewarding labor of love. The core team comprised of two editors and two designers, and together we spent an intense three months reading, researching, designing, reworking, commissioning, editing, re-reading, re-designing. All four of us are avid travelers, all with different styles and preferences when it comes to travel, and I think this variety and passion translates into the book.
We wanted Where to Go When to be fresh, contemporary and inspirational – the kind of book that you’d flick through on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee, dreaming of adventures on faraway shores.
Our talented designers sniffed out the most evocative photos, all importantly showing places at that particular time of year. Editorial meanwhile sought to find the real nub of why specifically that place, in that month, is so magical. We added ‘When Else to Go’ recommendations for each entry too, giving readers some alternative timings.
We also wanted to make sure Where to Go When made sustainable recommendations. For example, since Machu Picchu's Inca Trail has been experiencing overtourism in recent years, so instead we chose to feature the Salkantay Trek.
Q: What is your favorite spread and why?
A: Oof that’s a hard question for an editor! I have a clutch of favorites (San Pedro de Atacama, Lalibela, Barsana, Berlin – to name but a few) but again and again I’m drawn to April’s Amalfi Coast spread. This was written by a brilliant travel writer called Olivia Rawes. I admit Italy is my weak spot (the scenery, the food, the language – take me there, quick!) and when Olivia’s copy landed in my inbox I was immediately transported to Italy’s southwest coast; I could smell the citrus blossom hanging in the air, hear the seagulls crying overhead. And her delicious copy is set off by that stunning image, which makes me think of Audrey Hepburn every time I see it. Bellisima!
Q: Who do you think will enjoy this book the most?
A: I genuinely think Where to Go When will appeal to all bookworms and travelers. It’s a beautiful book, and the copy really sings, meaning armchair travelers can get a taste of Holy Week in Antigua or Pembrokeshire’s enchanting coastline from the comfort of their living room. But similarly this is an invaluable resource for travelers who want to embark on a journey in the most opportune month. We’ve all been disappointed by a trip, when the time of year let us down. I did India’s Golden Triangle in May, for example, when the temperature averaged 116°F and locals thought me mad as I sweatily set off to visit the Taj Mahal. If only I’d had Where to Go When to advise when I should have gone (February, in case you’re curious).
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