Dragonology

Dragonology;  The Game
Templar Publishing

I had a great time playing this old-fashioned board game, based on a book called Dr. Ernest Drake's Dragonology;  The Complete Book of Dragons, edited by  Dugald A. Steer.  The game board is a world map with travel paths across land and sea;  each player can travel using tickets for a hot air balloon, train, stagecoach, steamboat, airplane, elephant or camel.  The object of the game is to conquer three dragons, thereby becoming the Master Dragonologist.  There are nine different dragons around the world map, each a tiny detailed, colorful figurine, and the game pieces are characters--figurines of different men and women.  Although it may seem simple at first, Dragonology involves some complex strategy and problem-solving skills.  As you roll the 12-sided die and move your character around the board, you draw from a deck of Bit of Knowledge cards.  A particular card may be a certain dragon (you must collect three of a kind to advance to the lair and conquer the dragon) with details about it's habitat, behavior, and mythology.  Or the card may be a sneaky trick or move you can make to thwart your opponents, like Hypnotise or Snatch.  On your turn you might steal a dragon from your fellow dragon-seekers (you can also trade), or you might do something like make everybody else throw in their cards, shuffle them, and re-deal...that messes up any progress anyone has made!  If you're lucky, you'll draw a Wild dragon card, or a Shield to block any tricks.
There are many opportunities to try out and use strategies in Dragonology.  Playing a board game with friends is definitely a fun way to spend an hour if it's cold or rainy outside, and it's a nice change from being on the computer!  The board, dragon and character pieces, and cards are all beautifully designed and fun to use.  It had been awhile since I'd played a board game and I really enjoyed the social and unpredictable interaction with my opponents.  This game allows anywhere between 2 and 6 players.
It is an exciting game especially if you are a fan of dragons, fantasy games, or geography. 
You also might want to check out the book on which it's based.  In the same series of books you can also read Spyology, Wizardology, and Egyptology.