Tips for the Savvy Traveler [Paperback]

Deborah Burns (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 1997

Written by an experienced world traveler, this updated and revised edition offers advice on health, security, customs, packing, jet lag, the travel industry, and more, enabling a traveler to minimize frustration and maximize enjoyment and discovery. Also includes individual chapters for the adventurer, disabled travelers, families, and seniors.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Travel is a sensitive business, one where your decisions do make a difference, from the little details on up. Your choice of destination, obviously, will influence your experience, but so will the shoes you choose to walk in, how much luggage you opt to bring, where you stay, what inoculations you get before you go, and with whom you decide to travel.

Travel is often associated with spontaneity and freedom, but there's usually some preparation and forethought necessary to get you to that carefree time. That's where Deborah Burns comes in. An accomplished, savvy traveler herself, she writes sensibly and lucidly on those little things (itineraries, visas, foreign languages, transportation, children, and budgets) that make the difference between a holiday to dream about and a nightmare vacation experience. The more preparation the better. Some visas take months to procure. The best travel deals are often available far in advance of departure. And as for those shoes, to bring comfortable, well-broken-in footwear, you can't go shopping for them a week before you leave. Covering health, business, souvenirs, safety, dining, and what to pack, Burns's most important lesson is that you don't need to learn everything the hard way. --Stephanie Gold

From Library Journal

Most of these tips from Burns will help the novice and inform seasoned travelers about, for example, international driving permits and foreign pay phone cards. None of this replaces a good travel agent, who might urge cancellation insurance (which Burns never takes out). Some hints are odd, like adding salt to local (boiled/bottled) water that tastes bad. Burns concentrates on overseas travel by air, boat, auto, and rail. Unwisely, details of escorted bus tours, a delightful way to view Ireland, Italy, Portugal, etc., are omitted. Good advice on packing, foreign exchange, bargaining, beggars, tipping, and more is read mellifluously by Suzanne Toren. A welcome addition to the travel section of popular libraries.AGordon Blackwell, Eastchester, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; Rev Upd Su edition (January 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882669710
• ISBN-13: 978-0882669717
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,115,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > Travel > Reference & Tips > Tips

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and full of useful information., December 15, 2006

By 

James C. Samans "Author, Spontaneous Tourism:... (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tips for the Savvy Traveler (Paperback)

Deborah Burns writes with an easily readable style and provides thorough coverage of topics many authors leave out, such as hitchhiking, freighter travel, and dealing with beggars. She also gives special attention to concerns common among female travelers, like safety in social situations overseas. Helpful checklists for planning and packing are included, and the index is very well done.

This book was published in 1997 and is a little dated now (which is the only reason it gets four rather than five stars). Most of what it covers hasn't changed, though, and readers interested in travel will still find it extremely useful as a supplement to other books.

13 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative, June 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tips for the Savvy Traveler (Paperback)

Well organized, comprehensive and easy to read travel guide that covers all types of travel whether it's for business or pleasure. Includes a lot of safety tips that everyone should consider before they leave home.

7 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Inspiration, May 23, 2002

By 

Leona of New York "L.H." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tips for the Savvy Traveler (Paperback)

I love to travel. I have seen a lot of America but have never left the country, however, I want to desperately. I am not at an age yet that I can travel alone or make my own travel plans but I dream of the day that I can. This book gave me lots of ideas. I just couldn't stop thinking of the trips I would take one day. This is a great book for any person who loves to travel, is planing a trip, or, like me, is waiting for the day they can hop on a plane and fly to Europe.