No, you probably won’t be heading to the French Riviera, the villages of Greece or the tropics any time soon. But that doesn’t mean we can’t dream. Here, find coffee table books that are the second-best thing to an escape, vacating your mind with every flip of the page.
The island of St. Tropez in the French Riviera is known as a picturesque oasis, as well as a stomping ground for actors, esteemed authors and celebrities galore. St. Tropez Soleil, released in April, will guide you through the site’s past and its ongoing present, featuring where to stay, where to party and more. // St. Tropez Soleil, $95; Assouline
Released last fall, this 384-page book is a collection of over 300 United States national park maps, ephemera and brochures spanning over 100 years. Photographer Brian Kelley’s shots portray a visual history of art, printed materials and cartography that will convince you to start planning your next cross-country road trip. // Parks, $55; Parks Project
In this Italy-focused book, released last spring, photographer Gray Malin captures the coasts, landscapes and beaches of the country, taking you on an adventure you won’t want to miss. // ITALY, $27.19; Amazon
Fans of fashion, this one’s for you. Within the pages of Vogue’s year-old book, you’ll observe photography and travel writing conducted over the last century, everywhere from India to Morocco to Bali, as part of the magazine’s fashion shoots. // Vogue on Location: People, Places, Portraits, $46; Vogue
New York City has been hit hard by the coronavirus, causing many Americans to dream of a time when the city of dreams was at its peak. With this book by acclaimed Instagrammer Siobhan Ferguson, you’ll be transferred to the bustling streets of the city through images of luxury brownstones, cute boutique shops and secluded alley ways. // prettycitynewyork: Discovering New York’s Beautiful Places, $26.95; Barnes & Noble
From gardens to villas, Capri is a getaway destination that most people have only dreamed of seeing. In the pages of this book released in late 2019, you’ll witness daily life on the sophisticated island. Plus, the bright orange cover will immediately entice house guests to take a peek inside. // Capri Dolce Vita, $98.52; Amazon
Quite fittingly, this coffee table book by Chris Burkard was released last winter, portraying 145 pages of stunning aerial photos of Iceland’s glacial rivers. In his words, “Iceland’s glacial rivers are nature’s abstract paintings.” So, take a look inside and enjoy the art. // At Glacier’s End, $50; Chris Burkard Shop
Famed photographer Massimo Vitali’s recent release of 2020 is ideal for those missing human connection and interaction right now. The book, documenting Vitali’s images from 2009 to 2018, showcases humans interacting en masse on beaches and within waterways from across the world. // Massimo Vitali: Entering a New World: Photographs 2009-2018, $125; Barnes & Noble
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