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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer

@onlyinguides.bsky.social
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City guidebooks for independent cultural travellers. Written by Duncan JD Smith and published by The Urban Explorer. www.onlyinguides.com linktr.ee/onlyinguides

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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
It is a curious journey tracing the 'lost' River Tyburn beneath the streets of London. Strange gurglings beneath manhole covers, easy-to-miss inscriptions on pavements, and telltale curving streets all bear witness to the now-culverted river. Read all about it in my guidebook "Only in London".
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Thanks to my UK distributor Cordee Ltd for promoting the latest edition of my "Only in Hamburg" guidebook at the recent Gardners' trade book fair. I am in good company looking at the other new titles on display.
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I re-visited the Imperial Treasury (Schatzkammer) in Vienna recently. The craftsmanship of the objects on display is quite remarkable despite the fact that they are really rather useless in today's world. #onlyinvienna #vienna #austria #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Relaxing whilst my forthcoming "Only in Athens" guidebook is being proofread. The book is available to pre-order now from bookshops and online. More details at www.onlyinguides.com. #onlyinathens #onlyinguides #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer #athens #athensgreece
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
My forthcoming guidebook "Only in Athens" is available to pre-order now for publication in November 2026. Ruined temples and reused factories, ancient bronzes and modern street art, historic cafés and traditional tavernas. More details at www.onlyinguides.com. #athens #greece #onlyinathens
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Casemate IPM @casemateipm.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Explore the treasures of old London and the delights of the new with "Only in London", a guidebook to the capital’s oddities and hidden gems! @onlyinguides.bsky.social 💻️: tinyurl.com/3a5ktpfs #London #onlyinlondon #onlyinguides #theurbanexplorer #duncanjdsmith
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
A mystery reader has sent me this lovely Penguin Books-inspired mug to match my "Only in Vienna" book. Thank you whoever you are. It's wonderful!
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
A brief visit to the Argo-Saronic island of Poros during research for my forthcoming guidebook "Only in Athens". #athens #greece #onlyinathens #onlyinguides #poros #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Revised 3rd edition of "Only in Hamburg" available now! Prehistoric stones and wartime bunkers, hidden cellars and unexpected sanctuaries, storied waterways and lonely lighthouses. More details at www.onlyinguides.com. #hamburg #onlyinhamburg #onlyinguides #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Classical ruins, Byzantine mosaics, and modern street art. A taster of my forthcoming guidebook "Only in Athens". Available to pre-order here: duncanjdsmith.com/only_in_guid... #athens #greece #onlyinathens #onlyinguides #theurbanexplorer #duncanjdsmith
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Casemate IPM @casemateipm.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Explore the treasures of old London and the delights of the new with "Only in London", a guidebook to the capital’s oddities and hidden gems! @onlyinguides.bsky.social 💻️: tinyurl.com/3a5ktpfs #London #onlyinlondon #onlyinguides #theurbanexplorer #duncanjdsmith
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
A beautiful evening here in Athens, where I'm taking photos for my next 'Only In' guidebook.
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Some lovely decorative wall tiles spotted recently in Lisbon. The city has a long history of ceramics stretching back to the time of the Moors and the Phoenicians. #lisbon #portugal #ceramics #walltiles #azulejos
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Thanks to this reader for sharing photos of their trip to Trieste with my guidebook. There is nothing more satisfying to an author than knowing all the hard work is worthwhile! #trieste #onlyintrieste #onlyinguides #theurbanexplorer #duncanjdsmith
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
The way portraits used to be taken in the old days, with a pull down screen of one's choice. I liked this nautical scene! At the Atelier Vicente's studio on Madeira, opened in 1865 and now a museum. See less
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
The Urban Explorer/Only In Guides Newsletter - May 2026 - mailchi.mp/fc787dc453c0... Tangier Reviewed; Lisbon Ceramics; Cinemas Reused; Exploring Marseille; Only in Dubrovnik; Travellers' Tales. Newsletter sign-up at www.duncanjdsmith.com
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Travellers' Tales at 87 Wimpole Street, Marylebone, London is a bespoke travel agent, bookshop and gift shop rolled into one. The tiny but welcoming premises offer inspiration galore for trips far and wide. #travellerstales #travelbookshop #london
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Camara de Lobos, a fishing village outside Funchal on Madeira, where Winston Churchill came to paint in 1950. #madeira #winstonchurchill #portugal
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Thanks to Cherifa Coffee in Tangier for sharing this photo of my "Only in Tangier" guidebook in action!
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Heading south again...
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Very happy to see my "Only in Vienna" guide on prominent display in the shop at Vienna's MAK (Museum of Applied Arts). I'm in good company there as the book selection is very well curated. More details at lnkd.in/d3kfZhGN and www.mak.at/en
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Some classic cinemas in Vienna. Wonderful survivors from the past. I discuss cinema in Vienna in my guidebook "Only in Vienna" available from local booksellers and online. www.onlyinguides.com
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Photos from a recent trip to Oxford and its famous "dreaming spires". Here is Christ Church College founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII. It is uniquely a joint foundation of the university and the cathedral of the Oxford diocese, Christ Church Cathedral, which also serves as the college chapel.
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
A great pleasure to present my "Only in Vienna" guide to Vienna's American Women's Association. A very enthusiastic and supportive group of ladies, with a few men thrown in for good measure! Thank you one and all.
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Thank you teaintangier.com for reviewing my "Only in Tangier" guide: "If you are planning a trip to Tangier, pick up the latest in the ‘Only In’ Guides’ series. It’s worth it's weight in gold to make sure you see the sights and discover the soul of the city." #tangier #onlyintangier #onlyinguides
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Today I spotted this wonderful gable-end mural of the artist Gustav Klimt on Wiedner Hauptstrasse, Vienna. #vienna #klimt #streetart #graffiti
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
During a recent visit to Oxford I visited Blackwells Bookshop on Broad Street. In the basement is the Norrington Room, one of the world's largest book rooms. I'm delighted to say that my 'Only In Guides' are on the shelves. #onlyinguides #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer #blackwells #oxford
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Thank you to my friends Nigel and Angela for using my "Only in Seville" guidebook on their recent trip to Andalucia. Nice to see it being enjoyed with a good glass of dry Spanish sherry. #seville #spain #onlyinseville #onlyinguides #theurbanexplorer #duncanjdsmith
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
It was an honour to present my book "Only in Tangier" recently to the British Moroccan Society at London's National Liberal Club. Thanks to all who attended and bought books afterwards. It was great to meet you all. #tangier #onlyintangier #onlyinguides #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Available now! My new guidebook "Only in Tangier". Containing 55 thematic chapters, lots of colour photos, and 2 fold-out maps, I hope it will help independent cultural travellers get under the skin of this fabled Moroccan port city. Available from booksellers and online. Visit www.onlyinguides.com
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Just a few of Vienna's historic interiors. Discover these and more in my guidebook "Only in Vienna" available from booksellers and online. More details at www.onlyinguides.com
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Images from my February 2026 Urban Explorer/Only In Guides Newsletter. Sign-up at www.duncanjdsmith.com.
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
In Vienna's Maria Am Gestade church there is a Baroque painting of the Crucifixion, mourners to the left, instigators to the right, the latter including a man wearing a jewelled headband. He is Vlad Tepes (the Impaler), a Wallachian king whose battlefield exploits inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula.
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Heading to Tangier? Here are some books well worth reading. Admittedly one is my own recently-published "Only in Tangier" but taken together they offer an inspiring overview of this enthralling Moroccan city. #tangier #morocco #onlyinmorocco #onlyinguides #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Thanks to Interzone in Tangier for stocking my new "Only in Tangier" guidebook. Located at 43 Rue Ahmed Ben Ajiba, this unique store sells Tangier-related books, films, music & clothes. #tangier #onlyintangier #onlyinguides #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer #interzone
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
"Infinity of Light" is a temporary monumental light sculpture on the towers of Vienna's neo-Gothic Votive Church. The work of Viennese artist Billi Thanner, it takes the form of the symbol of infinity. #vienna #votivkirche #billithanner
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
I'm happy to say that my "Only in Marseille" guidebook is now stocked at the city's wonderful Librairie Jean Laffitte: www.les-arcenaulx.com/la-librairie/ #marseille #onlyinmarseille #onlyinguides #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
New writing and new adventures for 2026. Stay updated with my monthly newsletter. Sign-up at www.duncanjdsmith. Happy Exploring!
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Discover the Only In Guides in 2026! Nineteen titles that take readers off the beaten track and under the skin of some fascinating cities. Designed for independent cultural travellers. Set off on your own expedition with Only In Guides! Click here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjWY...
youtube.com
Only in Guides - City Guides for Independent Cultural Travellers
YouTube video by Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
The rooftops of Tangier at dusk. Read all about this fascinating Moroccan port city in my new guidebook "Only in Tangier" available from booksellers and online.
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Kicking off 2026 with a piece for the Mediterranean Garden Society about my visit to the Donabo Botanical Garden outside Tangier. A glorious spot on the Atlantic coast bursting with blossoms, bees and the scent of Moroccan mint: www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/122-eden.html
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
I recently took a tour of Vienna's Burgtheater. A highlight (literally) is the painted ceilings by Gustav Klimt and others. Klimt's sketches were discovered in the theatre cellars in the 1990s & are also on display. #vienna #onlyinvienna #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer #burgtheater #gustavklimt
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Edinburgh's old police boxes are a unique part of the city's landscape. Erected during the 1930s, many now serve as coffee shops and fast food outlets. They are discussed in my book "Only in Edinburgh" available from local bookshops and online. www.onlyinguides.com
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Edinburgh boasts some beautiful and historic stained glass. Much of it is included in the 3rd revised edition of my guidebook "Only in Edinburgh" available from local bookshops and online. #edinburgh #scotland #onlyinedinburgh #onlyinguides #theurbanexpolorer #duncanjdsmith
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
'Only In Guides' make great seasonal gifts for independent city travellers. Nineteen titles currently available. Discover them all at www.onlyinguides.com. #onlyinguides #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer #cityguide
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
An honour to have my book "Only in Tangier" in the window of the city's legendary Librairie des Colonnes. Opened in 1949, the bookshop has welcomed authors Paul Bowles, Truman Capote and Samuel Beckett. Current proprietor Moncef Bouali, seen here, was charming when I visited. #librairiedescolonnes
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Austrians celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th. Traced back to the 4th century Bishop of Myra in Turkey, he rewards good children with gifts, whilst his opposite number, the devilish Krampus, deals with the naughty ones! Both appear in chocolate form in Vienna's sweet shops.
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Thank you Wanderlust Travel Magazine and Stanfords Travel for namechecking my 'Only In Guides' alongside other indie travel publishers Bradt Guides and Wild Things Publishing. More details at www.onlyinguides.com. #tangier #morocco #onlyintangier #onlyinguides #theurbanexplorer #duncanjdsmith
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Just published! My brand new guidebook "Only in Tangier". Containing fifty-five thematic chapters, lots of colour photos, and two fold-out maps, I hope it will help independent cultural travellers get under the skin of this fabled Moroccan port city. #tangier #morocco #onlyintangier #onlyinguides
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Only In Guides/The Urban Explorer @onlyinguides.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Spot the 'Only In Guides'! It is always a pleasure (and an honour) to find my guidebooks on the shelves at the wonderful @dauntbooks.bsky.social in Marylebone, London. #onlyinguides #duncanjdsmith #theurbanexplorer
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