TASCHEN Books: The Hotel Book. Great Escapes Europe. A luxurious pictorial of the most enchanting interiors and spectacular getaways in Europe. Hardcover. 9.4 x 11.9 in. 400 pages.

Featuring a selection of the most unique hotels and guesthouses from Sweden to Turkey - all places where you can melt away from the problems of the 'real world' - the book mixes gorgeous color photographs with directions, pricing, and contact information. Since reading is a requisite part of your relaxing escape, we also suggest books for you to take along to each destination. From a lighthouse in Wales to a former monastery in Spain, these are the sorts of hotels that will open up your senses and just might change your whole perspective on life.

About the editor: Angelika Taschen studied art history and German literature in Heidelberg, gaining her doctorate in 1986. Working for TASCHEN since 1987, she has published numerous titles on architecture, photography, design, contemporary art, interiors, and travel.

About the author: Shelley-Maree Cassidy is a writer and marketing specialist who has written two books on hotels around the world and has contributed travel articles to magazines and journals. Her particular interest in hotels stems from her family background, as her great-grandparents owned several of the first hotels in New Zealand, where she lives.