Books by Russell Maddicks
Colombia
by Sarah Woods, Russell Maddicks
This new, fourth edition of Bradt’s Colombia has been thoroughly updated to include the most recent developments in this emerging South American destination and to bring to the fore the country’s fast-developing ecotourism offering. After decades of trouble, Colombia now offers one of South America’s most exciting new travel experiences: following the 2016 peace accord, tourism is rapidly reviving as a key economic driver. Moreover, with direct flights from the US to several Colombian cities, including the Caribbean hotspot of Cartagena, accessibility is straightforward.
Ranked the world’s third most beautiful country by Forbes Magazine, the country has nature at its heart. By some estimates, Colombia houses a staggering 10% of the planet’s animal and plant species: pink river dolphins swim in the Amazon near Leticia, ocelots slip between the trees in vine-tangled rainforest and birdwatchers marvel at avian riches in the vast savannah of Los Llanos and various mountain ranges.
In historic Bogotá, the capital, you can gaze in awe at the shimmering pre-Columbian treasures in the Museo de Oro that eluded the gold-greedy conquistadors, enjoy fine dining at one of the Americas’ best restaurants, and tour the city’s street art. Elsewhere, discover Mompós, a colonial backwater undergoing a renaissance with its traditional silver jewellery shops and international jazz festival, and explore the UNESCO Seaflower Biosphere Reserve in the San Andrés Archipelago, plus Providencia, the least developed and visited island in the entire Caribbean.
Alternatively, why not go stargazing amid lunar landscapes in the Tatacoa Desert, cruise the Magdalena River from Cartagena to Barranquilla, watch humpback whales along the Pacific Coast, learn to wrangle cattle during the Coleo festival in Villavicencio, visit ancient rock paintings in unexplored Guaviare, try the traditional fermented tipple of the original Muisca people, admire the rainbow river of Caño Cristales or explore the untouched jungles of Chiribiquete National Park.
New elements of this edition – updated by Latin American specialists who have worked on dozens of guidebooks – include coverage of Yopal, San José del Guaviare, Caqueta, Vichada, Guainia and Palomino. Whatever floats your boat, Bradt’s Colombia has you covered.
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Cuba - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Culture Smart, Russell Maddicks
Cuba is a land of contradictions that is easy to enjoy but difficult for first-time visitors to decipher. The largest island in the Caribbean, it is a tropical paradise that Christopher Columbus called “the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen.” It is famous for the romantic charm of its crumbling colonial cities, the beauty of its white sand beaches, and its irresistible Afro-Cuban dance beats. But it is also a land of shortages and tight government control, which has been in a sixty-year political standoff with its superpower neighbor, the USA. The homegrown version of single-party socialism created by Fidel Castro has kept Cuba in a Cold War time warp that only now is beginning to change. As travel restrictions are relaxed US tourists can once again visit the island. Greater flexibility toward private enterprise is opening it up to boutique hotels and high-quality home-based restaurants. There is a boom in special-interest tourism for cyclists, hikers, birdwatchers, and scuba divers, while foreign entrepreneurs are eagerly exploring investment opportunities. Culture Smart! Cuba will take you beyond the usual descriptions of Havana nightlife, vintage cars, and hand-rolled cigars and give you an insider’s view of an island that is teetering on the brink of historic change. It offers insights into Cuba's fascinating history, national icons, unique food, vibrant cultural scene, and world-renowned music. Practical tips help business travelers gain an edge on the competition. But most of all, this book aims to show you how best to break the ice and get a better understanding of the infinitely resourceful Cuban people, who despite severe hardships and shortages over many years remain optimistic and fiercely proud of their heritage and culture.
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Guatemala - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
by Russell Maddicks, Lisa Vaughn
The largest and most populous Central American country, Guatemala is a land of contrasts and contradictions. It offers great physical beauty alongside ancient Mayan ruins and is unique in Central America in that more than half its population is of indigenous origin. Today the country reflects a combination of its ancient Mayan heritage, Spanish colonialism, and modern Western influence. Culture Smart! Guatemala introduces you to the complexities of Guatemalan society and shows how history has shaped the values and attitudes that you will encounter. It describes different aspects of Guatemalan life, from festivals and cuisine to socializing and doing business. This new and updated edition provides key insights into the minds and hearts of Guatemalans today and offers practical advice on how to make the most of your visit while being an informed and considerate guest.
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