Amazon Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal Category:  Travel Publisher: Book Surge Publishing ISBN-10:  9781419629440 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 212 Copyright: Jan 2006 Europe For The Senses ~ A Photographic Journal is a collection of photography and creative writing meant to transport the reader to each respective destination with stimulating sensory imagery. Experience the sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and touch that make Europe a remarkable compilation of uniquely beautiful countries. Whether a novice or a seasoned traveler, EFTS hopes to invoke a craving for Europe – not only for the major attractions that attract so many but the small, much overlooked details awaiting to be discovered. Sample chapter: Attracting droves of tourists every year, Europe promises the ancient, the diverse, and the completely fascinating. Most travelers scurry past the major sites and cram in as much as possible in order to get through a list of ‘must sees’. Unfortunately, much is overlooked due to lack of time and money while the infinite unique treasures sometimes hidden for the resourceful traveler remain undiscovered and unappreciated. Not that visits to the key attractions should be dissuaded! On the contrary, I’m simply inviting the European travelers to dig a little deeper into their destination country and find the gems that will make them smile as they recall them even decades later. Remember and celebrate the taste of a fresh German pretzel, the sweet smell of the air in a Tuscan vineyard, or the baby soft petals in a colorful field of Dutch tulips. Savor an entire spectrum of sensory bliss as you skip from one country to the next, searching for that tiny unique detail that you will fondly relish for the rest of your life.

by Ellen Tanner Marsh, NY Times Best Selling Author
The majority of photography books devoted to foreign lands and travel tend to be packed with large, glossy images that are admittedly attractive and professionally created, yet often seem a bit sterile, as if they were oversized postcards with minimal captions. These so-called “coffee table books,” while visually stunning, typically don't give the reader an idea of what it would feel like to be a part of the photographs. Few works convey a sense of experiencing, for instance, the sounds of a polka band performing beside Lac de Genève, the earthy fragrance of pictured meadows, or the piquant flavor of a fine cheese served at a sidewalk café in Paris.

Vicki Landes's new book, Europe for the Senses: A Photographic Journal, takes a different approach. Rather than offering readers just gorgeous photographs, she provides a personal narrative of what it would be like for someone viewing the particular scene on the basis of words that, when taken together with her stunning imagery, are more than the sum of that imagery alone.

The author focuses the bulk of her attention on two of the most popular European countries for tourists: Germany and Italy. The sections covering the former country are replete with color photos of medieval castles, botanical gardens, statues, greenhouses, water fountains, churches, chapels, courtyards, and bridges. Yet the beauty she captures does not only bear the hand of humankind, as she includes some absolutely delightful shots of waterfalls and flowers, as well as the Bavarian Alps.

Landes’ section on Italy incorporates photos of monasteries, shops, and artwork, in addition to some well-known structures and remains in Pisa, Pompeii, and Rome, including the Vatican. Following this are shorter sections devoted to Switzerland, Vienna, the Netherlands, London, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Prague, Budapest, Romania, and other Eastern European countries whose pre-Soviet cultures are flourishing under their new-found freedom.

The author makes clear that she intends for this book to evoke all of the reader's senses in order to appreciate the locales featured. Her efforts succeed admirably as she weaves together firsthand descriptions of the sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and textures of these European countries, their major cities, and some of their most notable attractions. Also to be appreciated by the reader is her inclusion of often-neglected sites, which provide balance to a book that should please anyone interested in savoring the endless beauty of Europe.

by John Burroughs, Reviewer for the Midwest Book Review
"Europe For The Senses: A Photographic Journal" by author, traveler, and photographer Vicki Landes is a breathtaking collection of full-color photographs from around Europe. Images range from wildflowers to the Leaning Tower of Pisa juxtaposed against an aerial view of flying to Pisa, to Luxembourg's American Military Cemetery, and much more. Most photographs have a brief commentary in the form of text, printed in a handwriting-style font and reminiscing fond memories as well as recounting historical facts about the images that portray classic locations. A joy to page through, and the perfect giftbook for Europhiles.

by Irene Watson, Managing Editor and Reviewer for ReaderViews
World traveler, Vicki Landes, portrays Europe in the most delightful way one can imagine. She captures, through her precise eye, sights of delight, wonderment, and beauty in her enchanting coffee table book.

Enchanting it is as Landes takes the reader through various areas of Europe, evoking not only sight through pictures, but through the other senses. Although one would think that her photos would only induce appreciation through site, Landes’ photos are so defined that they look real. I found myself touching the pictures, expecting to feel the bright green ferns. I imagined the smell of the water blooms, and almost heard the pipe organ in the Fraumunster Church.

The other thing I found delightful was to see photographs of places I’ve been to: Linderhof Fountain, Temple of Venus, city view from a castle in Heidelberg, Cologne Cathedral, and of course the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Going through Landes book was like revisiting Europe.

“Europe for the Senses” is more than a picture book. Landes also explains some of the architecture as well. An example is, “Pisa a collection of clay-colored roofs being interrupted by a pallid square of marble structures. Contain a smirk when you ponder Pisa’s only claim to fame is an engineering failure; imagine the perplexing mixture of pride and embarrassment for its creator, knowing the world remembers you for this crooked tower too unstable to ring its own bells.”

Landes adds a wonderful section on Austria. To me, Austria is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been to. The photos of garden urns and fountains are magical. I love the statues in the gardens and have tried to recreate the same atmosphere in our own courtyard. She also adds photos of the various frescoes in the St. Charles Cathedral.

Secondly, I love the Netherlands, and of course Landes added a wonderful section. She explains “Rows of colorful tulips as far as the eye can see…it’s tulip time in the Netherlands. As each flower greedily reaches for the sun, countless visitors at the Keukenhof Gardens snap pictures and purchase bulbs and seedlings.” It is obvious that Landes was one of those snapping pictures. The rainbow of colors that are portrayed in the photos of “Europe for the Senses” is spectacular and the hyacinths are so true to form that I feel like putting my nose into the picture. In fact, I’m sure I can even smell the flowers!