For such a concise and compact little guidebook, Offbeat Journeys by Marie Pordel offers intriguing variety, practical information, deep-seated wonder, and armchair adventure even before one undertakes the journeys described. This is a quirky and wonderful book! Whether one is a seasoned traveler or a traveling wannabe, the oddities detailed in this pocket guide are truly worthy of “offbeat” consideration. For convenience and rapid accessibility based on each reader’s interest, the author handily categorizes these mini-adventures by chapter, including Quirky Festivals Around The Globe, Bizarre Natural Wonders, and The World’s Oddest Museums, to name a few. Within each chapter, the most salient elements are covered.

For instance, regarding those quirky festivals, the author conscientiously identifies the event—its timing and locale—and describes the historical origin and cultural significance, mentions the local traditions associated with the festival, and offers travel tips for attendance—what to wear, when to book, how to best enjoy the event.

It is hard to imagine how the author was able to cram so much pertinent and fascinating information into such a compact treatment, but she did, even managing to include final sections regarding Sustainable Offbeat Travel and a couple of Personal Anecdotes And Travel Stories. The way the book is organized and the descriptive tales are told should ensure readers will be fascinated from start to end. It will most likely also ignite their imagination and enthusiasm for travel, motivating its enraptured audience to undertake some of these offbeat journeys for themselves.