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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Brandy Rymer

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming (Hidden Gems)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a great read in that it made it feel like you were on a tour of England without actually leaving the comfort of your own home. The photographs are stunning and showcase the beauty of England extremely well. The author does a wonderful job listing detailed descriptions of some of the best places to visit when on a vacation in England, including places that are not well known but that offer a wonderful visit filled with opportunities to build a memorable trip. I love that she breaks each chapter into sections like means of transportation, places to visit, etc. so that the reader can enjoy the entire book or jump ahead to the sections that are most inciteful for them.
@Brandy Rymer
04/2024

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Christie Mitchum

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This guidebook is another winner in The Hidden Gems Series!!!

This book is about exploring England and all that it has to offer. It is set up very similarly to the other books except this one explores the beauty of England. My favorite part was the chapter on history and myth, but I have always been fascinated by the history of England. However, I did learn some new things. The myths always fascinate me.

I enjoyed learning more about the hidden gems that were away from all the tourists. Her hints on photography were fantastic as well. She offers advice you may not think about.

Her love of travel and England permeates the pages! I have had the privilege of traveling to England, and the week I spent there was wonderful. It was just too short. I wish I had this handy little guidebook to explore more hidden gems. The beautiful gardens and history make me want to return.

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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas-Review by Christie Mitchum

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series)Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great little guide to Scotland and all the treasure she beholds!!!

I’m not much of a travel guide reader, but this one is different than the ones I have seen in the past. Nicholas includes so many things to help travelers. She discusses the food, drinks, music, people, tricks to save money, and hidden gems that aren’t full of tourists. What I enjoyed the most were her chapters on history and myths that make Scotland the special place that it is!!! I learned some things about Scotland that I didn’t know about. A bonus was her chapter on photography…how to take pictures and even ideas, such as cottages, stones, and flowers, that you wouldn’t necessarily think about.

She made the book very interesting to read, and I could truly tell she has such a love of Scotland. It’s a book I could go back and learn something new, and the photos are beautiful. It’s also great that she includes websites for every bit of information she shares with her readers. If you haven’t visited Scotland, you will definitely want to after reading this book.

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Scotland : Stunning, Strange, and Secret : A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Gabrielle

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden ScotlandScotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is full of bite size nuggets of information of places and history of Scotland. The history is an easy and interesting read and the list of places to see and visit will have you eager to start your journey. The author talks to you in a comfortable and friendly tone. It would be nice to see more pictures included though. There is a little something for everyone in the list of places to visit. The appendix and website resources were a nice addition. The author shows us that there is so much to do and see in and around Scotland. This is a book you should add to your list if you are planning a trip to Scotland.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Gabrielle

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A quick and easy read that highlights ways to travel to and in England and then many of the spots that you may want to visit. It is written so that it is easy to understand and helpful. It is a book that should be added to your list if you are planning a trip to England for the first time. Although I don’t think there were a lot of hidden gems in the list of places to visit, I do think it was a good list where just about everyone can find something that they enjoy. It would have been nice to have included a few more photographs. The author does a nice job of giving you an idea of some of the things that you can find to explore in England.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Christie Mitchum

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series)Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great little guide to Scotland and all the treasure she beholds!!!

I’m not much of a travel guide reader, but this one is different than the ones I have seen in the past. Nicholas includes so many things to help travelers. She discusses the food, drinks, music, people, tricks to save money, and hidden gems that aren’t full of tourists. What I enjoyed the most were her chapters on history and myths that make Scotland the special place that it is!!! I learned some things about Scotland that I didn’t know about. A bonus was her chapter on photography…how to take pictures and even ideas, such as cottages, stones, and flowers, that you wouldn’t necessarily think about.

She made the book very interesting to read, and I could truly tell she has such a love of Scotland. It’s a book I could go back and learn something new, and the photos are beautiful. It’s also great that she includes websites for every bit of information she shares with her readers. If you haven’t visited Scotland, you will definitely want to after reading this book.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Melissa Fink

https://www.amazon.com/review/R8S5JV0OFEGLN/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

England is part of The Hidden Gem series. The world building and characters was well thought of. The detailing was good. My only complaint is I felt at times the story got repetitive. I still recommend the book and I enjoyed it.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Shannen Kern

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book gave me a severe case of wanderlust! Although Scotland and Ireland are top on my travel bucket list, England is close behind them. I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover only to find even more stunning pictures inside! The author has such a way of putting this together that it feels like you’re transported to the country itself. I absolutely loved the chapter on superstitions and beliefs as I love to learn about all cultures. There is also a lovely chapter on planning your trip to England and all of the questions you may not think about! They review how Bed & Breakfasts are delightful to stay at and not at all priced like the United States. There are also great tips on budgeting and how to find good deals. Whether you are looking to plan your trip to England or just learn more about the country, this is a great book to pick up!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Shannen Kern

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden ScotlandScotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Scotland is one place at the top of my bucket list, so when I saw this book, I knew I had to pick it up. I was completely immersed once I opened the first page! The photographs are absolutely gorgeous and make me want to visit even more now. I truly enjoyed the author sharing less touristy spots because those are some of the best gems anywhere in the world you go. The chapter on superstitions and beliefs was incredibly interesting, and I hadn’t heard of many of them. There is also a great chapter that will assist in planning your trip to wonderful Scotland. If you travel often then some of these tips are probably already in your repertoire, but for someone like me who doesn’t have the opportunity to journey often, that chapter is SO appreciated! I highly recommend picking this up if you’re planning travel, or if you just want to know more about Scotland!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Jennifer Gordon

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series)Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting and informative guide to ‘Hidden Scotland’ which I found to be an enjoyable read. I enjoyed discovering about a country bursting with history and beauty, the ‘land of whisky and tartans’. The author is an obvious seasoned traveler who not only knows about Scotland’s legendary landscapes but is also knowledgeable about the many stories and myths surrounding it. I particularly enjoyed the information on Scotland’s geographic phenomena and the many historical sites to visit. This was a fascinating guide with a difference, and it definitely gave me greater knowledge about both the hidden places, and the more well known ones. The guide also includes practical information including budgeting advice and detailed plans of places to visit, and how to explore whilst avoiding the crowds. The narrative is written in a knowledgeable, friendly, conversational style which is easy to read, understand and navigate. I would have liked a few more maps to have been included as I feel these would have been helpful when planning itinerary’s. This really is an invaluable resource for anyone visiting Scotland and those just interested in learning more about this magical place.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Jennifer Gordon

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting and informative guide to ‘Hidden England’ which I read from cover to cover. As I live in England I as was pleased to see some of my favourite places mentioned in the book, but I also liked discovering new ones which really are off the ‘well-trodden’ paths. The author obviously knows England well and has done her research as this comes across in the quality of the information included. I love how the author has included English history, local myths, superstitions, as well as information on everything from Gods and Saints to what the best food and drinks to try are. The ‘Plans and Mechanics’ chapter is particularly useful for those travelling to/around England as its full of practicalities including tips and budgeting advice. I particularly found the write ups on geographical marvels and historical sites fascinating and it definitely gave me greater knowledge on places that were both known and not known to me. The narrative is written in a knowledgeable but lighthearted, friendly and easy to read style, and I found the resource section at the end very helpful. I would have found an index at the end helpful in order to refer back to specific places more easily, and although I enjoyed the pictures that were included I felt that more photos would have added to the over all look of the book. Overall this is a guide with a difference and it really does let you discover the hidden gems of the English realm.

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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden ScotlandScotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland is Book Two in The Hidden Gems Series. It is your definitive guide to all that Scotland has to offer written by a well traveled author. The author has expertly used her love of travel to discuss in-depth the hidden gems that Scotland offers for exploration that go beyond the usual tourist destinations. She describes both popular and little-known places as well as their history. I know at the top of my list of places to not miss out on would be the numerous haunted castles. The author discusses the history of Scotland, its myths, gods, beliefs, and superstitions which offer invaluable insight into its rich and varied culture. One of the myths that intrigued me was Bean-Nighe, AKA the “washer woman” in Scottish Gaelic who is seen as the omen of death. It is said that she can be seen near streams and pools washing the clothes of those that are doomed to death, turning the river red with their blood. Another one that I found interesting was about Brahan Seer, whose name was Coinneach Odhar, who was thought to be a prophet or seer with second sight. It was said that his visions were thought to come true. The author briefly discusses the origins of music beyond the well-known bagpipes that also started in Scotland. Artists and bands that originated from Scotland such as Annie Lennox, The Bay City Rollers, Sheena Easton, Simple Minds, and many members of the band AC/DC were born in Scotland. The author discusses how to plan your trip, the best time to go, travel expenses, extra costs that may be associated with the trip, travel insurance, passports and visas, travelers’ checks, places to visit, accommodations, transportation, and food. The book contains stunning photographs throughout that were taken by the author during her various trips to Scotland and she gives advice on how to get the best photos during your visit. She gives advice on camera and equipment, as well as things to consider such as scale, weather, perspective, lines, the rule of thirds, and lighting. I could go on and on about all the information this book contains because it truly covers ever aspect one could possibly think of from start to finish and is the only guide one would need when planning a trip to Scotland. I will be going back and reading the author’s book on England next because many of my ancestors originate from there.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England is Book Three in the Hidden Gems Series. It is your definitive guide to all that England has to offer written by a well traveled author with twenty-five years of experience traveling to England. The author has expertly used her love of travel to discuss in-depth the hidden gems that England offers for exploration that go beyond the usual tourist locales. She discusses the history of England, its myths, legends, beliefs, and superstitions which offer invaluable insight into its rich and varied culture. I was fascinated by the belief of the existence in fairies in Elva Hills situated on the bank of Bassenthwaite Lake and how the hill is supposed to hide a gateway to the Otherworld, which only opens at certain times of the year. This would be at the top of my places to explore, along with the numerous haunted locations. The author briefly discusses famous authors who were born in England such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, and J.K. Rowling. Famous artists and bands such as Ed Sheeran, Cat Stevens, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Elton John, Queen, The Eurythmics, and The Who also originated from England. The author discusses how to plan your trip, the best time to go, travel expenses, extra costs that may be associated with the trip, travel insurance, passports and visas, travelers’ checks, places to visit, accommodations, transportation, and food. The book contains stunning photographs throughout that were taken by the author during her various trips to England and she gives advice on how to get the best photos during your visit. She gives advice on camera and equipment, as well as things to consider such as scale, weather, perspective, lines, the rule of thirds, and lighting. I could go on and on about all the information this book contains because it truly covers ever aspect one could possibly think of from start to finish and is the only guide one would need when planning a trip to England. I will be going back and reading the author’s book on Ireland next as it is my dream destination.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Kayla Octaviano

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

That was actually really interesting! I’ve never read a book like this, but I’ve always wanted to travel. It was fun to read a book that contained some of England’s history, most traveled spots, and places people don’t travel there that are beautiful and must-see. The author tied it in with stories, and it made the book more than just a travel guide.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Katie Turner

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England, by Christy Nicholas, is a very interesting travel guide of England packed full of a vast amount of topics for anyone wanting to learn more and explore the land and culture. Not only does this book cover places to see, but also lots of bits of history, legends, people and more! If you have a desire to learn more about this fascinating land, or plan to take a visit, you may find this book helpful for ideas on places to see. I’ve always wanted to visit England, and this book only made me want to go even more. This book is a quick, easy read but l felt there was a lot to learn from it.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Kerry Carr

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really informative book to read. Even though I have lived in England all my life there was even things in this book that I wasn’t aware of. The author does an incredible job of researching everything to do with England and I loved all the historical facts and myths. The author does a great job of showing people hidden gems and not just the normal tourist attractions.
For someone who is planning a visit to England this would be an amazing book to have if you want to visit and soak up some of the amazing places and heritage.

It was a interesting and informative read with an author who has taken the time to really research and produce something that is a good read for people visiting and also people who have lived here all their life

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Katie Matthews

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve read many books by this author but this is the first of this kind I’ve read by her so I wanted to give it a go – also being British and living in England I was interested to see what she would include in her guide book.
It was a good read, of course I knew many of the things she wrote about however I may have learnt a couple of things. There were some great facts about English history and the stories behind some of the popular historical places to visit.
I can imagine even if you weren’t planning a journey to visit England this might be a good read just to find out more about the country and some of it history and places of interest.

@katiem
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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Amanda Swindle

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden ScotlandScotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret is part of a three book guide set that aims to educate potential tourists on the ins and outs of the country. Where should you go? What should you see? Suggestions on local cuisine? You will find all of that and more! You will also get some tidbits of history, culture, and lore in this all in one travel guide. The format and layout of the book was a little off to me, as it seems out of order or thrown together in some areas. I do not know the accuracy of the lore or history, but I did find that to be engaging and entertaining for a guide book. This book does hold potential and gives the untraveled tourist a glimpse into what Scotland has to offer. I think this book would be useful if I were to ever head over and would still recommend it for travel purposes.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Amanda Swindle

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming is your all in one travel guide for tourists, complete with well known attractions and hidden gems. The book focuses partially on the culture and history of England, and doubles as a source for where to go, what to see, and the best ways to do it. As someone that has never been to the UK, I really enjoyed that suggested cuisine was also part of the information provided. I was not a fan of how the information was laid out, without a table of contents to find exactly what I wanted. I did appreciate that it feels aimed at American tourists and is conversational in nature. Overall, If I were to plan to go to England, this would be a nice book to have handy.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden ScotlandScotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book by Christy Nicholas, “Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland,” is an enchanting journey through the lesser-known treasures of Scotland. With a focus on uncovering the magic and mystery beyond the typical tourist spots, readers are invited to immerse themselves in the rich history, legends, and myths that have shaped the heart of this captivating country. The inclusion of practical information on trip planning, budgeting, and locating hidden gems adds a valuable dimension to the exploration, making it both informative and engaging. For those seeking a deeper understanding and appreciation of Scotland’s secrets, this guide is a great companion for a memorable and magical holiday experience.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Julie Johnson

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have had a desire to travel abroad for many years. The likelihood of actually travelling abroad for me is pretty unrealistic, however if anyone wouldn’t mind tucking me into your suitcase, I’ll gladly go!

When I came across this book, I was excited to see that it is a true hidden gem. I feel like I’ve travelled to England through the pages of this book! The author has compiled an extremely thorough book of everything you need to know if you were planning a trip to England. She covers various legends and myths, hidden gem locations, the best places to eat and times to go, places to stay, how to manage converting money, best times to travel, best ways to travel and so much more! Terminology used there that might not be familiar is also defined.

Great resource and I’ll refer to it again if I ever do get the opportunity to actually travel there. In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through the pages of this book!

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Toni Sellers

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming. This book ended up being exactly what I needed. Not only have I always wanted to go to England, but we are planning a trip next year, so perfect timing to have found this book. It really is full of everything you will need to plan your trip, and what to do while your there. With some great ways to keep your trip budget friendly. The author added some fantastic historical information as well as myths and legends. If you’re planning a trip or have always wanted to go to England than I definitely say grab this book to help, make your travel experience even better,

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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gem Series) by Christy Nicholas -Review by Amber Howard

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden ScotlandScotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The photos in the book are stunning. I wish there were more. The myths and history that I learned was quite interesting. Scotland wasn’t on my list of countries places to visit but now it is. The superstitions and hidden gems was the best part. If you plan on visiting this is a great book to read before your trip.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Amber Howard

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve always wanted to visit Europe. It was fun learning about the history and folklore. There’s a list of authors, movies, photographers, music, etc. it was like getting a sneak peek to all that Europe has to offer.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Anantha Rusum

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is more like a travel guide to England. If you are planning your trip to England, read this in advance. It has a lot of historic information and some hidden gems, which as a regular tourist guide, you might not know about. It is backed up with a lot of historic details, myths and legends. It’s more a guide to the off beat travelers who want to explore “the lesser known places”. The book has a lot of detailed information , few of them perhaps is obsolete, but nevertheless a very good guiding book.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming is part of The Hidden Gems Series of travel books. I have enjoyed some of the author’s fiction books so was intrigued to read something a bit different that she’d written.

This book is for you if you’re thinking of visiting England and want some ideas of what to see or do. It’s particularly geared towards US American readers. I’d recommend reading this book early on, when you’re thinking about planning your trip, to get some inspiration and tips!

I did find the structuring of this book wasn’t quite to my taste. At times it gets repetitive, with the same information presented in multiple chapters, but this could help readers who are dipping in and out rather than reading the whole thing. Reflecting the author’s interests, the book begins with a whistlestop tour of “History and Myth”, “Superstitions and Beliefs” and “Gods and Saints”. While this is interesting, I would have liked to have this section more connected with the rest of the book, perhaps with an indication of where later in the book readers could learn more about places connected with the stories told.

It’s also worth being aware that this book is not comprehensive, and that some information may be out of date. The author notes that at least one of the restaurants she reviews is now closed, and talks about the cost of a trip in 2008. I was surprised that the extensive section on renting a car and driving in England had no mention of ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), which is important to be aware of when planning transport. So while this book is great for getting ideas and inspiration, I would look for a more comprehensive travel guide or up-to-date information online as well.

This book gets four stars from me! Reading it feels like asking a friend who has been to England a lot to give you some advice before a trip and sitting back to soak in all their stories, tips and photographs.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Alison Risher

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful nonfiction read! I learned so much about England. I’m now determined to travel to England one day. There are so many things to see and do that I certainly never would have thought of on my own. You should read this book, if you want to be inspired to follow your travel dreams!

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Maisie Dickinson

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This travel guide explores the history and mythology or folklore of England, religion and photography, and food and sight-seeing. I’ve learnt about places and things such as Barter Books, the Banksy Street Art Tour, and the Wing Maze in Rutland. I’ve also learnt about booking flights, booking accommodation, and taking medication abroad. The book could be a bit repetitive at times but overall it was really interesting and insightful. I recommend this book because I learnt a lot about the country I was born and brought up in. I’ve added a lot of places to my bucket list and gathered some useful information for if I ever want to feature England in my own writing. ‘There are many times I’ve looked back on my photos and remembered a scene I had forgotten, relived a memory I had lost.’

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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland – Review by Kerry Baker

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden ScotlandScotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having read the book this author had written about England, and having just booked a family trip to Scotland, I knew I had to read this book too. As with the other book, I found this one to be detailed and descriptive. The view point offered had such a refreshing feel to it and it felt like I was looking at Scotland from a locals eyes. I learnt about so many places from this book and it has really made me want to visit it.
This author really has found their niche in terms of their writing style. For this book, I found it so easy to imagine the places being described and it has made me excited to visit some of them this summer. This was a great travel guide that I am sure I will revisit in the future.

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Kerry Baker

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have lived in England all my life and I am always looking for new ways to discover more about it. This book offered the perfect opportunity to do that. It felt like a refreshing and unique perspective, all told by an author whose writing style I have really come to appreciate. The way places were described was detailed and descriptive and I could easily imagine what the author was trying to portray.
This is the first non-fiction book that I have read by this author and I know it will definitely be one that I will revisit often. It have already marked out the places I want to visit based on this authors recommendations. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone that wants a different view of how to travel round the country.

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