The Perfect Day: Lonely Planet Insider Secrets to 100 Cities    by Lonely Planet Order:  USA  Can Lonely Planet, 2006 (2006) Softcover     Reviewed by Belle Dessler How would you like to have your very own tour guide strolling beside you, a day at a time, as you visit a hundred of the world's most interesting cities? And what if you didn't have to pay an exorbitant sum to have someone who 'knows the place like a local' guide you through majestic streets, winding roads and into sprawling plazas? With its colorful format and engaging essays, The Perfect Day provides friendly expert guidance at your fingertips. This pocket-sized book may look small, but don't let its size fool you. Covering cities ranging from Abu Dhabi to Washington, DC, it gives wonderfully detailed glimpses into the hearts of popular travel destinations. And the contributing authors sure know their stuff! Reading each mini-essay feels like chatting with a friend over coffee and hearing about her hometown. Who else but a local would be able to tell you that a camello is 'one of Havana's infamous giant buses that often cram in up to 350 people'? Or that in Munich, the Viktualienmarkt's 'bonanza of gourmet foods, though pricey, never fails to impress'? But perhaps you're interested in something more culturally enlightening. How about a visit to Mexico City's 'Art-Nouveau Palacio de Bellas Artes to catch an exhibition'? Or a trip to the Dubai Museum for 'a step back in history'? The last pages of the book describe the authors as 'a diverse bunch of freelancers united by a passion for travel, questioning minds and the chutzpah to find the answers.' As they draw us into their world with magical descriptions of people, places and events many of us may never experience, their love of each city's quirks and nuances comes through clearly. With its straightforward style and engaging color photographs, The Perfect Day is sure to please readers craving a brief but satisfying peek into the hidden secrets of a hundred fascinating cities. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Travel books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews