“Great Fishing Lodges of North America: Fly Fishing’s Finest Destinations”

Rizzoli/Orvis Co., $50

In “A River Runs through It,” author Norman Maclean considered fly fishing almost as a religion. It’s not for everyone, but those who do practice the method are passionate about it. In this book, Paul Fersen offers portraits of nearly 50 fly-fishing lodges that have been endorsed by Orvis, the sporting-goods mail-order and retail firm that began in the 1850s as a fly-fishing company. Organized into six broad geographical regions, Fersen chooses lodges that are unique in character and ambiance. He begins in Alaska and ends in New Brunswick. Each entry is accompanied by a map and the species of fish in the area. Some of the lodges, such as the Essex in Vermont, double as culinary resorts and spas while others, such as Weatherby’s in Maine, are a bit more rustic. The area of Montana that Maclean wrote about, the Blackfoot River, also is represented here. The color photography often is magnificent, much like the landscapes themselves: Spectacular photographs of the Madison River Valley in Montana or the Grand Tetons in Wyoming are breathtaking in their beauty.

“Art + Travel Europe: A Curated Guide to Your Obsessions”

Museyon Guides, $17.95

This richly illustrated guidebook discusses five artists and their cities: Van Gogh and Arles, France; Vermeer and Delft, Netherlands; Goya and Madrid; Caravaggio and Rome; and Munch and Oslo. Each section offers a biographical portrait of the artist, features a timeline and comments on the significance of place on the work. In addition, sidebars examine the artist’s imprint on pop culture and literature: how Van Gogh, for example, is depicted in movies (“Lust for Life,” “Vincent & Theo”) and documentaries. It also includes suggested Web sites and books, a calendar of events in each city and surrounding area, maps, walking tours and suggestions on where to eat and sleep. Each chapter concludes with thumbnail reproductions of the artist’s masterpieces accompanied by a brief commentary. Art enthusiasts will adore this book.

” Hawaii Day by Day”

Frommer’s/Wiley, $27.99

Although there is a lot to mull over here, the essential message is clear: Relax. That means, resist the urge to try to see everything. Instead, author Jeanette Foster suggests that visitors just revel in the experience. Foster offers best-of itineraries. There are chapters on historic Waikiki, wartime Honolulu, Oahu beaches and much more. It also is full of fun sidebars such as tips on getting married in Hawaii and special sections on surfing, volcanoes, the outrigger canoe, the lei and a brief history of Hawaii’s plantations. Each island has information on the best beaches, best hiking and camping, best golf courses, best restaurants, best nightlife and entertainment, best things to do with kids, best shopping and best hotels. The guide concludes with an informative chapter on Hawaiian history, a historic timeline, Hawaiian flora and fauna, Hawaii in high and popular culture, local culinary specialties and a brief glossary of useful Hawaiian language terms. It also includes a full-size foldout map in a plastic envelope.

“How to Retire Overseas: Everything You Need to Know to Live Well (for Less) Abroad”

Hudson Street Press, $25.95

Kathleen Peddicord has moved from Baltimore to Waterford, Ireland; Waterford to Paris; Paris to Panama. Along the way she has learned important lessons. Among the biggest challenges to starting over in another country, especially for retirees, she says, is to “make sure you’re moving for your own reasons.” Above all, she says, you have to be honest with yourself and your significant other. The reasons for making such a move are many, as are the rewards and the challenges. She lists 10 steps everyone must consider. They include knowing yourself: Ask yourself how important are such crucial issues as cost of living and housing, climate, health care, infrastructure, accessibility to the United States, language, culture and safety? She discusses the countries where retirees can live cheaply (Ecuador, Thailand, Nicaragua) or even enjoy luxury living on a budget (Paris, Buenos Aires, Kuala Lumpur) as well as the countries with the best health care (France, Panama, Malaysia). For anyone considering retiring overseas, this book is a must.

“100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go”

Travelers’ Tales, $5.99

Nowadays travel books come in all formats. James O’Reilly, publisher of the California-based Travelers’ Tales, recently announced the release of the company’s first iPhone apps, making available Susan Van Allen’s 2009 travel guide, “100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go,” for $5.99 as an iPhone app. Van Allen’s book was chosen, O’Reilly said, as one of the company’s first iPhone apps because it is “uniquely suited for mobile use.” Of course, it is also available in the old-fashioned print version too. For more information, see travelerstales.com.