Brock, a writer and photographer who has published in National Geographic, encourages experienced and potential globetrotters to focus on the journey rather than the destination. This guide delights with its stunning chronicles of Brock’s visits to extraordinary sites, delicious samples of his travel photography, and his invaluable tips and tricks for turning a vacation into a search for “more.” More means more excitement, more adventure, and more meaning. Brock tutors travel aficionados on balancing scheduling and spontaneity, the mental and literal practices of packing light, and narrowing a trip’s focus for the most fulfilling experience. What makes this guide and travelogue a true gem, though, is its usefulness not just for transcontinental vacations but also to daily living.

This guide packs a punch when it comes to applying its advice to areas outside of travel: “Few things are more hidden and less helpful on a trip (or in life) than expectations. Leave yours behind to discover more.” Brock urges his audience to take life moment-by-moment, elongate their perception of time, and experience day-to-day sights, sounds, and smells with an enhanced sense of gratitude. Some of Brock’s advice (for example, returning to the same place night after night, or deciding to extend certain legs of a trip) will be difficult to follow for travelers who don’t enjoy the luxury of being able to choose like-minded companions for their trips. At times he overlooks the more mundane and practical challenges of touring-- specifically, that family and friends may vary in their bucket-list travel interests.

Between the specific trip guidance (such as speaking to locals about their favorite spots) and the dazzling photography, Hidden Travel will inspire wanderlust not just for grand excursions but also the everyday. Brock offers an exercise in appreciation, preserving the moment, and articulating what it is that you want, making this an inviting read for explorers, adventurers, or those just seeking a more purposeful way of living.

Takeaway: This travel book offers meaningful advice and stunning photographs for those planning a trip or just looking for more from life.

Great for fans of: Great for fans of Alain de Botton’s The Art of Travel, Rolf Potts’s Vagabonding.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A