Weekends Away Without Leaving Home is based on a simple assumption: With a tiny bit of ingenuity and effort, anyone can create a wonderful weekend at home that brings almost as much pleasure as an actual vacation away-without the hassle of flights, foreign currency exchange, or large credit card bills. Compiled by the editors of Conari Press, this entertaining and instructive book features guides to experiencing all the excitement of Brazil, Mexico, Scotland, Ireland, Paris, Tuscany, Greece, Morocco, Africa, St. Petersburg, India, China, Thailand, Japan, and Australia--all without ever leaving the comfort of your home.

Each chapter offers suggestions on setting the scene, books, videos, and music for your weekend, and it ends with a complete meal suggestion with recipes. Readers can create a romantic, cozy téte a téte for two, or plan on inviting a whole gang of friends--"either for the entire time, á la pajama party, or perhaps for an afternoon or evening. And while each chapter is structured around a weekend, the book can easily be used to create a theme for a dinner party. Part historical and cultural guidebook, part cookbook, and part party planner, Weekends Away Without Leaving Home provides an unprecedented approach to armchair traveling.