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South Africa Magic Land: Text by Elaine Hurford and photos by many South African photographers This beautiful coffee-table sized book is filled with scores of brilliant photographs and excellent, interesting text. Divided into chapters by sections of the maps of South Africa shown in the book, the text describes and defines each area of South Africa, making the reader feel he or she has traveled through this powerful country along with the photographers. This is the perfect souvenir for anyone who has been there and making everyone who peruses this book eager to visit this wondrous country. This is a wonderful travel book. Click Here To Order

26 Gorgeous Hikes on the Western Cote d'Azur by Florence Chatzigianis details wonderful half-day experiences along the Mediterranean Sea coast of France. With excellent maps of each hike and beautiful color photographs of the places to hike, the book includes Islands of Hyeres, St. Tropez, Frejus and Saint-Raphael and the Esterel Mountains and the Maures Mountains, from Hyeres to Cannes. Chatzigianis gives instructions of what to wear, best times to go, and alluring descriptions of what you will experience. She also tells for each hike the distance, time required, elevation, and difficulty, as well as restaurants, tourism offices, and sports stores nearby. The book is certainly one to plan your trip to this beautiful area. Click Here To Order

LIVE YOUR ROAD TRIP DREAM BY PHIL AND CAROL WHITE has been updated in the new edition, which is the encyclopedia of planning an extended road trip, whether in the United States or other countries. The authors, who had long dreamed of getting away from it all and exploring the US, made their dream happen after retirement in their mid-fifties. In this well-written book they document their trip, partially as a travel log, but more helpfully, as a record of their extensive planning, budgeting, leaving home and relatives, purchases for the travels, itinerary planning and flexibility, and handling bot foreseen and unforseen events for a year on the road. They give charts showing their planned and actual expenditures and suggestions for making a tighter budget work. They tell problems and solutions for leaving aging parents, young grandchildren, and grown children for this extended period. They have several suggestions for modes of travel and the pros and cons of each. They opted for an over-sized van outfitted as a very small RV for camping about four nights a week and choosing budget motels for the other nights. They have suggestions for time and energy management while on the extended vacation, with the reality that the body cannot take constant over-stimulation, no matter how much fun it is. Having experienced many of the joys and problems the authors share in this book because of our extensive RV travels, we highly recommend this book for anyone planning a long trip of several months or more. The authors have made the informative chapters applicable to any type of long and adventurous trip which takes people away from home for several months or more. Their tips will save you many dollars and many tears of frustration along the way. A terrific investment in your vacation! Click Here To Order

Drive I-95 by Stan Posner and Sandra Phillips-Posner has been released in updated 4th Edition. It is a very comprehensive guidebook for any drive along the North-South route of the United States most Eastward coastal highway. This edition now includes Florida. With maps, radar traps, radio stations, 24 hour gas info, good eats and sleeps, where pets are welcomed, unususal shopping opportunities, fun places to visit, and fascinating historical facts along the route, you cannot leave home for that highway without this book! You'll miss so much! The excellent book, with exit by exit itemized information, has won the Book of the Year Seal, Best Books Award, and Benjamin Franklin Award. It is compact and sturdy enough to tuck into your car door pocket. EXCELLENT!!! Click Here To Order

Happy Camper: Half Price Camping Guide is a not-to-miss GREAT guide to have, which is by membership to the Happy Camper Club. This guide gives you half price stays at over 1,200 RV parks across the USA. The nominal membership will pay for itself in your first few nights staying at one of the member parks. The name says it all....join and order the book today and be prepared for your savings this summer. Order today here or call 866 677 6453

Smiling At The World by Joyce Major who rented her houseboat, sold her car, left her successful real estate career and took off to volunteer around the world - ALONE!

“Joyce Major, the quintessential traveler, epitomizes responsible tourism at its very best. In Smiling at the World, Major takes us into the hearts and minds of the world in which she has become so fully engaged.” Bob Fischer, travel journalist, www.travelosophy.ca

“As a conscientious traveler, Joyce Major shares a riveting first hand account of how voluntourism transformed her life and offers insights on how this `responsible travel' movement can transform yours.” Brian Mullis, Sustainable Travel International

“A story about love in its many forms - for humanity, the earth and wildlife - and how a smile connects them all. Major's insights honor the realms of the mind, the spirit and the heart.” Pauline Bernard

You'll want to pack your bags as Major fires up your own desire to travel, to learn and to give back to the world. Click Here To Order

THE MILEPOST 2008, 60th Editon, by Kris Valencia: If you are planning a trip to the North Country: Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, you simply cannot go without this amazing guide. The new edition, updated each year, is now available. It lists the food, gas, lodging, camping, fishing, road conditions, bridges, and ferries... all the way from major access routes in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. In the remote, sparsely populated Northwest, Milepost is famous as the quintessential guide, the Bible of how to get there and how to handle any problems along the way.This edition contains Ferry information and a pull-out Plan-A-Trip map. Experienced travelers since 1949 have known You gotta have this one! It is as valuable as the early settler's compass! Click Here To Order

HOME EXCHANGE GUIDE: HOW TO FIND YOUR FREE HOME AWAY FROM HOME! by M.T. Simon and T.T. Baker. The authors have compiled an extensive guidebook, the first of its kind, telling readers all they need to know about how to find a wonderful, free place to stay almost anywhere in the world, by offering their own home in a holiday exchange. The book details how to go about finding the homes in the place you desire to go, what questions to ask, how to make all the arrangements and set up your own home for the safe exchange. You'll learn about perks you can offer or expect, such as car exchange, etc. Authors also cover how to handle disappointments, what to do in emergencies, and how to leave the home as you hope they will leave yours. Such a home exchange frees up your money to be spent on nice extras instead of lodging, for a super vacation almost anywhere you dream of. Although the book does not list the homes for exchange, you will find a great listing of websites and places to find the homes listed and to list your own. For travelers who find the idea of a home exchange appealing, this book is an indispensable guide which covers almost any aspect you could think of. The book retails for $19.95 from Poyeen Publishing. To order Click Here or The Home Exchange Guide is now available in E-book format. It's available at the resources website www.FreeHomeAwayfromHome.com and on the publisher’s site only www.Poyeen.com

Flying for Peanuts by Marty Thompson is a clever and humorous little book that provides the traveler with the ABC's of Flying Southwest Airlines. One of the most profitable airlines, Southwest treats its customers with fun and comedy, while cutting out the frills. If you have never flown Southwest, you'll find this book fun to read in preparation for your first flight with that carrier. If you are already a loyal Southwest customer, you'll find the book fun and familiar and you'll learn about the little lady named Irma who was the first commercial airline stewardess in 1922 and who helped form the customer service policy that works so well for the airline. This book is a manual telling any business owner how to establish successful customer service that allows the customer to choose his/her level of service and helps the workers and customers both find fun in the workplace. The book is a tribute to all Irma's astute observations taught the industry, making each trip on Southwest Airlines a fun and memorable laugh-in.

Discovering Denali by Dow Scroggins is a "Complete Reference Guide to Denali National Park and Mount McKinley, Alaska," and the subtitle says it all. This book is a must for anyone going to Denali National Park area or to attempt climbing Mount McKinley (Denali). Scroggins details the beauties, necessities, delights, and dangers of this Wilderness adventure. He is specific in telling what equipment to bring and what to expect on many different trails. He covers all seasons individually. You'll also find an excellent guide to animals and plants found in this special area of the United States. He has included an interesting history of Denali National Park, driving and transportation information, as well as lodging and restaurants, activities, maps, and calendar of events. This is the best guide we have seen of what you need to know before you go to this vast and beautiful wilderness, whether you are a one day sight-seer, a camper, a back-pack hiker, or an expert mountain climber. (ISBN 0-595-29737-4) .

Dangerous De-Liaisons, What's Really Behind the War Between France and the US by Jean-Marie Colombani and Walter Wells is very pertinent to read during this pre-election period in the United States. This book was written by two of the world's leading newspaper editors. Colombani is editor of Le Monde, the major French newspaper, and Wells is an American who is editor in chief of The International Herald Tribune. The book has the format of a friendly but very well informed conversation between the two editors. The reader learns much of the history of the two nations and the conflict over the US war in Iraq. These men focus on the reasons behind the deteriorated relationship between France and the US, the new world in which terrorism has become a chief concern worldwide, and the rapidly developing economic impact of the growing European Union. If you are remotely interested in the way the world views the US and the international concept of the US since the end of the Cold War, this book is vital to read. You will gain insights into why relationships have deteriorated and what is behind the scenes that the general public does not know. It is a fascinating read to learn and explore "the chilling question: Can our two nations once again unite to make the world a better place - or has our war only just begun?" Click here to order.

Footprint South American Handbook 2004, 80th edition, is largely the achievement of experienced Editor and writer Ben Box, who has a doctorate in Spanish and Portuguese studies from London University and many years of extensive travel in South America. This handbook is far more than a travel guidebook. This book is like having a personal guide who goes ahead of you and tells you what wonderful things to expect, how to plan for them, and how to avoid the pitfalls and dangers involved in whatever place in South America you wish to go, no matter how populous or how remote your destination or mode of travel. With some full color photos and maps and many detailed maps and descriptions of small areas, this is a book to pour over as you plan any trip to South America. The handbook details points of interest, details about transportation, eating, sleeping, emergency information, climate, festivals and shopping in each place, as well as some historical information in a far more comprehensive way and more thoroughly than any other travel guide we have seen. All the contact information for each place is there for phone, address, email, and fax. Footprint Handbooks are a MUST for almost any destination you could choose. Footprint South American Handbook should be your first purchase before making any plans to go to South America. With this book your trip can be planned by you or your travel agent to suit your every need, including your budget, so that you will not have any unpleasant surprises as you travel in the earth's most exciting continent. Click here to order.

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Check out Time Out's new titles and revised editions

to some of the world's hot spots:

Time Out New York (TONY) , which is updated annually, is a MUST for anyone visiting the city. The first chapter is a concise and fascinating history of New York, outlining important events throughout its vast history. Proceeding through this indespensible guidebook, you'll find detailed information about where to stay, eat, and drink, and the places and events not to miss in each neighborhood of the vibrant city. Because the guide is written by locals, the recommendations and warnings are pertinent and current from people "in the know," who astutely guide residents and visitors through the maze that would be overwhelming without this terrific guide. Each place listed also has address, phone, and often websited listed, as well as prices and review. The maps in the back of the book are easy to read and the book is well organized and indexed. Click here to order.

Time Out Athens, 1st Edition-NEW TITLE!

For too long Athens was considered a jumping-off point for trips to

the Greek Islands rather than a

destination in its own right. But as the country modernizes, Olympic

preparations kick in and the new Metro system revolutionizes

city-center transport, the smog is literally lifting. The great

Ancient sites of the Parthenon and the Agora are as mesmerizing as

ever, with improved visitor facilities, and around them Athens

combines the pleasures of picturesque taverna-lined old towns with

buzzing contemporary restaurant and club scenes. The Time Out guide

reveals all this fascinating city has to offer, including full

coverage of Athens 2004 Olympic Games with stadium descriptions and

the pick of the events.

Time Out Mallorca & Menorca, 1st Edition-NEW TITLE!

They may be among Europe's most popular holiday hotspots, but

Mallorca, and its smaller neighbor Menorca, remain two of the most

compelling and rewarding destinations in the Mediterranean. Often

unfairly maligned as overdeveloped package tour playgrounds, the

first edition of the Time Out Mallorca & Menorca guide seeks to

redress the balance. It reveals the astonishing variety to be found

on these two small islands-from high-octane party meccas to laidback

family resorts around sandy coves, from rural villas in stunning

mountain scenery to stylish hotels in chic city streets.

Time Out London, 12 Edition

London is inspiring and frustrating in equal measures. It's

uncompromisingly urban, but a it's series of villages; it's awesome

and regal, yet rough and gritty; its luxury hotels, soaring

architecture, five-star restaurants and glamorous shops are the envy

of the world, but real London is terraced streets, grimy

cobblestones, pie and mash and raucous street markets. Visitors would

be mystified if it weren't for the Time Out team of locally based

researchers and writers, who know how to get the measure of the most

exciting city in the world. The fully updated Time Out London guide

leads visitors through the capital in its many guises.

Time Out Paris, 12th Edition

There's no mystery about how Paris remains, to anyone with a pulse,

the most arresting treasure dome in the world: vivacity and attitude

infuse its every aspect, from the brilliance of its buildings to the

glories of its gastronomy and the provocative insouciance of its

sexuality. Paris is one big

come-hither wink. The Time Out Paris guide offers numerous and

diverse cultural opportunities, from fine art to slam poetry, cabaret

to contemporary dance. The guide organizes everything that's relevant

to Paris-both practically and culturally-into a synthesis of

information that travelers will find utterly enjoyable, readable and

indispensable.

Time Out Istanbul, 2nd Edition

Capital of two major empires-the Byzantine and Ottoman-Istanbul is

rich with monuments, from the earliest of Christian cathedrals to the

most decadent of oriental palaces. The city's bazaars offer shopping

at its rawest-a glittery array of one million and one merchants, no

departments, no signs, no loyalty cards. It boasts a cuisine

descended from the courts of the sultans, and only starts to party

once the UK has gone to bed. Surrounded by sea, built on seven hills

and with a panoramic profile of spiky minarets and cascading domes,

from almost any angle it's breathtakingly gorgeous. The new edition

of the Time Out Istanbul guide gets beyond the obvious tourist draws

and clichéd subjects, and paints a picture of life in the city in all

its multi-faceted glory.

Time Out Amsterdam, 8th Edition

Famous and infamous in roughly equal measure, Amsterdam continues to

draw a mix of tourists. On the one hand, the culture vultures, who

come for art at the Van Gogh Museum and music at the Concertgebouw.

On the other, the backpackers and bachelor partiers, drawn inexorably

and inevitably to the coffeeshops and red-lit windows. The twain

rarely meets, but is at least bridged a little by visitors fascinated

in equal measure by both extremes in this magnificently

uncategorizable city. The Time Out Amsterdam guide provides travelers

with both sides of the coin, plus everything in between. The end

result is the definitive guide to Amsterdam.

Time Out Havana & the best of Cuba, 2nd Edition

So near, yet so far... the Caribbean outpost of communism that is

Cuba exerts a strange fascination on the free world, redolent of

glamour and gamblers, musicians, writers and mafiosi and recently

used as a James Bond location in Die Another Day. Havana's vibrancy,

cultural richness and architectural beauty are known the world over,

but so are the problems of its daily life. The Time Out Havana & the

best of Cuba guide cues travelers into the former while helping them

navigate the latter, with the help of local writers and full

background briefings.

For Education or Entertainment on Trips or at Home

BOOK REVIEWS

By Bonnie and Bill Neely

Review by Bill Neely

Elegant Small Hotels:

A Connoisser's Guide

by Pamela Lanier

For those travelers who desire the intimate attention to detail and service in a hotel, Pamela Lanier's book Elegant Small Hotels is a must. The book encompasses a large number of hotels in the United States as well as numerous lodgings in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and even Turkey and Thailand. Each of the hotels shown met Ms. Lanier's criteria of having fewer than 200 rooms (I found that most were from 20 to 60 rooms), a high staff-to-guest ratio, the feeling being in a fine residence, little touches not usually experienced in a normal hotel, and overall attention to details. The author also took into consideration the hotel's appeal in the area of meeting the various needs of today's experienced traveler, such as: services for business travelers needing Internet access, secretarial service on call, and teleconferencing; physical fitness facilities as well as privileges for the guests to other sports clubs in the area; and last but surely not least, fine cuisine and the particular dining atmosphere.

On each of the 238 pages of the book is the overall information of a particular hotel. These listings are categorized by country and state, beginning with a hotel in Alaska and ending with one in Istanbul, Turkey. With each listing, the reader will find about a 250 to 300 word description of the hotel and surrounding area, a picture, and an index that tells the reader such things as: address and phone numbers, room and suite rates, number of rooms and suites, attractions in area, restrictions, services and amenities, business facilities, sports facilities, and in hotel dining. I found that the room rates ran from as low as $65 to $600. The photos give the traveler a good idea of the type of hotel being listed and the descriptive summaries give good detail as to the essential ambiance the author encountered.

Pamela Lanier has also written Golf Resorts: A Complete Guide, which focuses on over 1,000 nationwide, giving good evidence to her having a great deal of experience in this area of the travel field.

Order here:

Lanier Publishing International, Ltd. Drawer D

Petaluma, CA 94953

707-763-0271

707-763-5762

Email: Elegant@TravelGuideS.com

CANADIAN SUBSIDY DIRECTORY YEAR 2004 EDITION

Legal Deposit-National Library of Canada

ISBN 2-922870-05-7

The new revised edition of the Canadian Subsidy Directory 2004 is now

available.

The new edition is the most complete and affordable reference for anyone

looking for financial support.

It is deemed to be the perfect tool for new or existing businesses,

individual ventures, foundations and associations.

This Publication contains more than 2600 direct and indirect financial

subsidies, grants and loans offered by government departments and

agencies, foundations, associations and organisations. In this new 2004

edition

all programs are well described.

The Canadian Subsidy Directory is the most comprehensive tool to start up

a business, improve existent activities, set up a business plan, or obtain

assistance from experts in fields such as: Industry, transport,

agriculture, communications, municipal infrastructure, education,

import-export, labor, construction and renovation, the service sector,

hi-tech industries, research and development, joint ventures, arts,

cinema, theatre, music and recording industry, the self employed,

contests, and new talents.

Assistance from and for foundations and associations, guidance to prepare

a business plan, market surveys, computers, and much more!

The Canadian Subsidy Directory is sold $ 69.95, to obtain a copy please

call:

Canada Books...............(450) 224-9275

The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2004 is the handiest, most easy to use facts guide we have ever discovered. It is much faster than surfing the Internet for the facts you need. For years this Almanac has been a best seller and includes a photo scrapbook of the most important news events of the past year. You'll find current zip and area codes, maps & flags of the world, mileage and metric calculations, business & association guides. Demographics are at a glance about almost anywhere you can name. You'll even find accurate tax information and presidential election information, anti-terrorism preparation, and college info...even crossword puzzle helps and movie facts! Trivia buffs will be fascinated to read it from cover to cover, and everyone needs it for quick reference or homework help. Paperback is a convenient desk size and still only $11.95, a perfect gift for anyone, any occasion, or for yourself! Order from Amazon by clicking on the logo on right.

"The Traveler's Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Independent Travel and

Adventure" is available online. Click here.

If you have never experienced reading an E-book, this is a great one to start with. Thomas Carroll is an experienced traveler and a very wise writer who lives in Lima, Peru . The traveler's advice he has amalgomated in this book is vast, but the timeless wisdom from the sages of history are the quotes he interjects to make you realize that you travel is not just to a specific destination but on your jourey through life. He tells how to make it fun and memorable and above all meaningful. Be sure to take a minute to sign up and then enjoy the book on line. It is one you'll be glad to apply to your life and you'll think often of its wise words and collections of sayings.

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The Shoes of Kilimanjaro & Other Oddventure Travel Stories by Cameron Burns. The best way to review this book is to give you some exerpts from the great reviews it is receiving: Burns' attitude seems to be "I travel, therefore I am." Keenly aware of the messes he gets into, you know that at times this guy is just asking for trouble. And while he's very good at finding it, what makes Burns a great storyteller is that he's very good at making you feel like you're walking in his tattered mud-coated shoes."-Kisha Ferguson, Outpost magazine (Canada)

"Colorado-based journalist Cameron Burns would make the ideal travel partner. He's adventurous, open-minded, and most importantly, has a great sense of humor." -Leah Pence, Blue magazine

"If your taste is on the bizarre side, if your interest lies in the picaresque, the offbeat and the downright weird, I think we may have found you a little beauty here. Lovers of tourism by proxy are in for a treat. Any chap who can make me chuckle while covering such diverse subjects as the footwear favoured by Kilimanjaro porters, Welsh place names and kicking a football across America is fine by me. The last book to actually make me laugh was Puckoon back in 1971. I warm to Mr. Burns. In fact I warm to anyone who can a) take the piss out of the mountaineering fraternity so mercilessly and b) spend most of a holiday in Mexico feeding stray dogs and cats."-John Horscroft, Climber magazine (UK)

"The attraction of the collection has as much to do with the unique stories found in each of the narratives as it does with the cartoonish sketches (also by Burns), the embarrassing honesty and the authentic fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants attitude that powers Burns's taste for travel Š He brings us to a setting that is unique, beautiful, and desired by many of his readers and then makes a connection with them, usually reflecting the simple, common things that happen on every trip-outrageous bugs, insufficient footwear, the obvious parallels of human lives throughout the world and the even more obvious differences between them. He intertwines these stories with fantastic humor and an accessibility that every traveler, even those who just dream of adventure, will understand."-Aimee B. White, Aspen Daily News

"Cameron Burns goes on the Out There circuit (Patagonia, Yucatan, Africa, China) and comes back with tales of footwear, bathtubs and driving habits. These are woven into a narrative that's thankfully short on trailhead directions and long on cultural observations, like evaluating cultures on their treatment of domestic animals. Fans of public television can imagine Rick Steves on acid unleashed with a good Google connection."-Curtis Robinson, Mountain Gazette magazine

Order the book here.-

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A TRAVEL GUIDE TO HEAVEN by Anthony DeStefano Although this book has gotten rave reviews in many sectors, I found it a bit unreal and too materialistic. DeStefano's idea of heaven is like a rich person's ideal sight-seeing tour, and he takes you on a real tour of all the places and experiences you will have if you live right and die good. According to other reviews this is ideal for Christians who take the promises of gold paved streets and pearly gates literally, and it is of great comfort to dying patients and their families. I guess the book serves as a bright, fanciful tourist guide for people who need that kind of belief, but I prefer to think of Heaven as a place of deep mystery and no need of materialism, a place where God IS, and that will be all that matters to us then.

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