Luster Publishing and ACC Art Books regularly release new titles on cities around the world. The concept of these innovative city guides? 500 Hidden Secrets of... feature unusual places and explore off-the-beaten-track attractions. They are written by savvy locals, and only contains independent opinions and advice.

These books truly place readers as local and help visitors find new ways to discover these capitals or countries. You’re no longer a tourist if you have these guides in hand. You’ll be able to discover fantastic bars, restaurants, clubs, parks, shows, and galleries people aren’t usually able to visit or find. You’ll also avoid the busy tourists’ traps. They are regularly updated and reissued too so that information continue to be fresh and accurate.

The 500 Hidden Secrets of Lisbon or Barcelona are some of the best titles of the collection which includes New York, Milan, or Copenhagen. Hidden Iceland, Hidden Scotland and Hidden Brooklyn are also in the series.

Where are the 5 best places to take children in these cities and what are the best weekend activities? Where can you find the nicest salons and barber shops? The five best lodgings for a room with a view? Where will you find the most unique lifts and elevators? The best Lisbon and Barcelona beaches? The books are cleverly arranged to find information quickly and they dive into the local cultures of these cities. For example the Lisbon edition also features on The 5 most inspiring Portuguese fashion designers and the Barcelona one has a section on The 5 novels set in the city or The 5 music videos filmed in Barcelona. The books make you a cool visitor.

The 500 Hidden Secrets reveals quirky, special, and amazing venues across cities. They totally approach tourism differently, often through the lens of personal experiences. The author of the Lisbon guide is born and bred Lisboeta Miguel Júdice, a hospitality entrepreneur and a passionate restaurateur, someone to be trusted to give the best tips about his city. He is also the former president of the Portuguese Hotel Association, a freelance writer, a photographer, an amateur chef and an avid globetrotter. However, Miguel always comes home to Lisbon. Manuel Gomes Da Costa is a Lisbon-based international travel and interior photographer. 

The Barcelona edition is equally useful and authored. Mark Cloostermans (1977) studied English and Dutch literature before becoming a journalist and book critic for Flemish broadsheet De Standaard. In 2008 he visited Barcelona for the first time (falling in love instantly with the city’s vibe and colours), coming back one year later and moving there in 2010. If you’re looking for the best festivals to attend in Barcelona or the 5 exciting new design shops, you’ll find what you need in The 500 Hidden Secrets.

While the basic maps at the beginning of the guides are simply perfect, the format of these books is easy and practical. Lastly, a clear index at the end will help you have a fantastic holiday. These books are absolute must-haves.

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