Since the development of photography in the mid-nineteenth century, the camera has been used as a tool of both discovery and preservation. Photographs bring alive our picture of the past and can open a floodgate of memories and nostalgia or inspire

curiosity and a sense of history. Collected in this intriguing visual history are over two hundred

photographs which bring to life the rich and diverse history of Bayonne, New Jersey, from 1860 to 1940. Bayonne has made a number of significant contributions to American culture: from the country's first "rock band" and its first independent movie studio, to its first air-mail delivery and fast-food restaurants. This visual history brings these little-known contributions to light while also focusing on the everyday lives of the people of Bayonne. In this fascinating journey into the past, we move from disasters such as the Standard Oil fire of 1900 to celebrations such as the

arrival of a Wild West Show at the 8th Street station. Views of the lighthouses and the old New York Bay shore document the continued importance of the city's two shores, even as it transformed itself from being the "Newport on the Hudson" to the "Peninsula of Industry."

A thoroughly detailed guide to this region of France, with full information on where to stay, how to get around, the history & culture, sights to see, and what to do. Following are a few excerpts from the guide.

Some of Europe's most beautiful cities, stunning beaches and serene, vineyard-dotted countryside are in the Aquitaine region, yet it remains underrated and undiscovered by most tourists. Bordeaux, an epicenter for wonderful wine, is an amazingly vast and entertaining city that is constantly abuzz. To the south lies the enchanting Basque Country, a region crossing into Spain whose borders are not official, but whose people are vehemently (and sometimes violently) proud and independent. Much of the Aquitaine region is a national park. Along the Pyrenees and the Spanish border are several quaint mountain and seaside villages, such as St-Jean-Pied-au-Port and Oloron-Sainte-Marie. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, practically kissing the Spanish border, is one of the prettiest small cities in all of France.

The Aquitaine is a place to indulge, be it in wine, fabulous food, relaxing spa therapies, ocean breezes or incredible shopping. The outdoor adventures here are one of the main attractions. The Basque Country attracts visitors from around the globe for its year-round surfing. The national park, spanning a massive stretch of Atlantic coast, beckons those interested in watersports. The Pyrenees to the south of the region offer splendid hiking and skeeng opportunities.

Tip: To see Aquitaine arts and crafts in the creation stage, and to buy great locally-made wares, make stops along the Route des Métiers d'Arts (contact the Association pour la Promotion des Métiers d'Art d'Aquitaine, tel. 33-05-57-22-57-36, 353 Boulevard du Président Wilson in Bordeaux, www.route-­metiers-d-art-aquitaine.com). They have maps and a book on various artists in the region

Popular in France since the 1960s, thalassotherapy means sea-water cure. It was discovered by a Tour de France cyclist healed from his injuries by seawater in his Brittany home. Today, there are numerous thalassotherapy treatment centers in the Aquitaine.

Treatments are catered to each visitor, and can be used to address any number of ailments. Or just go for the sake of relaxation, a noble cause indeed. A new trend has been combining spa treatments with vinotherapy, or wine treatments. What could possibly be more indulgent, or uniquely French? Additionally, many of these treatment centers have their own upscale accommodations and gourmet restaurants (although most allow for booking of just therapies without overnight stays).

The main thalassotherapy treatment centers are:

Atlanthal (tel. 33-05-59-52-75-75, 153 Boulevard des Plages in Anglet-Biarritz, thalasso.atlanthal@wanadoo.fr, www.atlanthal.com) has a huge pool of warm sea water, a variety of sea therapies and an on-site nursery, all inside an upscale hotel.

Helianthal (tel. 33-05-59-51-51-10, Place Maurice Ravel in Saint Jean de Luz, helianthal@helianthal.fr, www.helianthal.fr) provides a mix of water treatments, including jet showers and hydromassage, with varying therapeutic benefits including relaxing the body or strengthening muscles.

Complexe de Thalassothérapie (tel. 33-05-59-51-35-35, 125 Boulevard de la Mer in Hendaye, thalassosb@aol.com, www.thalassoblanco.com) has treatments aimed at weight loss, curing headaches and various ailments, relaxation, and physical rehabilitation.

Bordeaux is an absolute paradise for shopaholics and wine aficionados. Easily one of France's most beautiful and interesting cities, Bordeaux's pedestrian shopping zone is constantly filled with tourists and locals alike. As a hub of the Bordeaux wine-producing region, there are numerous shops selling high-quality wines at low prices. There are many tours to the area's grandiose wine châteaux for tastings in stunning settings.

The city's shopping options are vast, ranging from small malls to tiny locally-owned boutiques.