Traveler's Tool Kit, 3rd (Paperback)

by Rob Sangster (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Traveler's Tool Kit opens the door of international travel to millions who have been stumped by language problems, tight budgets or fear of the unknown." -- Bob Sehlinger, creator of the Unofficial Guide Series

Traveler’s Tool Kit, which I will keep in my travel library, contains useful travel Web addresses and phone numbers and other sorts of listings. -- Philadelphia Inquirer, December 24, 2000

Product Description
Traveler's Tool Kit offers road-tested advice on every aspect of travel, showing how to fill your life with adventure.

In this updated third edition, learn how to create ideal itineraries, find the best deals, choose the right luggage, select the best travel agent or tour operator, overcome language barriers, travel safely, shop wisely, meet friendly folks and much more. Traveler's Tool Kit shows how to save money and have even more memorable journeys.

Rather than listing touristy hotels and restaurants, Traveler's Tool Kit provides the tools you need to take your travel destiny into your own hands - to travel with confidence anywhere on the planet.

Fascinating travel anecdotes and vivid descriptions of far-away places motivate you to hit the road. As Rob Sangster says in his travel column on Gorp.com: "The world is waiting. See it for yourself!"

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Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Menasha Ridge Press; 3rd edition (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897323416
• ISBN-13: 978-0897323413
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #487,709 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with wisdom and an extremely great value, December 20, 2004

By	Terry Smith "http://terrysmith.net -- http:/... (Little Rock, AR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Traveler's Tool Kit by Rob Sangster is an all-encompassing volume of how-to travel knowledge from a reliable source. The author has traveled extensively all over the world for many years and also for very extended periods per trip. The first half of the book is split between two sections, Part One: Planning Your Trip and Part Two: Getting Ready. The remaining half of the book focuses on actual "On the road" wisdom.

While the early chapters cover topics like "choosing a guidebook" and "choosing luggage" are very long-winded, especially for those with even the most basic travel experience, they are perfect for scared-stiff first-time travelers. Those not scared stiff and sweating with travel fever certainly will after reading Chapter 8, Keeping Healthy, as the author covers all the various fungal infections and parasites that you may join you during your adventure. Even though the author is very verbose, all of the text is filled with travel gems of knowledge like this one from the scary Keeping Healthy chapter:

"If your feet will be constantly wet, as they might be during an extended trek in Amazonia, coat them with Vaseline to ward off jungle rot. Sounds messy but it works."

There are more "uplifting" gems as well, like this one from "Traveling By Bus":

"Some trips combine spectacular scenery with luxury. The air-conditioned Scania superbus that cruises 1,200 miles from Santiago to Arica, Chile, has a bar, a bathroom, three movie screens, and a smiling hostess. As the sleek bus hums across the moonscape of the Atacama Desert, you spy huge boulders balanced on barren mountainsides... As heat waves shimmer outside the window, cool air breezes across your face and the hostess set an ice-cold beer at your elbow. At night, your seat reclines to nearly horizontal, a leg rest pops out, and you're in bed. All that for about $40."

Other travel gems provide advice for avoiding travel rip-offs and scams. The Traveler's Took Kit is an EXTREMLEY great value packed with sage travel advice.

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with Great Info, October 2, 2003

By	Tim Leffel "author, The World's Cheapest Dest... (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

The author says it all with the quote, "Too many vacations consist of lying down, dressing up, and paying someone else a lot of money." As anyone who has traveled for months or years on end will tell you, traveling can be downright cheap (and quite fulfilling and eye-opening) if you do it right. This book will tell you how to do it right, from choosing destinations to preparations, to packing. He even completes the circle with a section on the process of returning home. Some may find this book overkill; if you're the type who thinks uncertainty is half the adventure, pick up Vagabonding instead. But if you like to have your bases covered before departing, this will answer hundreds of questions--even the ones you hadn't thought to ask!
- Tim Leffel, author, The World's Cheapest Destinations: 21 Countries Where Your Dollars are Worth a Fortune

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dreaming of traveling? This book is for you., January 6, 2003

By	mhnstr (Christchurch, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

I first ran across this book a few years ago when I had just been bitten by the travel bug, but did not know how to plan or to pack. This book was a wonderful introduction to traveling; full of stories advice by the author from his extensive travels through the world. Those who are still unsure about traveling will find themselves steadied by the introductory chapters which suggest reasons for traveling. What is even better is that the author makes very good suggestions as to how to pack and what essentials to bring. Things that you may not have thought of bringing that you will find useful. Plus for someone just beginning to travel, such a well though out list is a great help. Although I have now lived on three different continents and traveled extensively, I still find myself referring to the lists of things to pack or the suggestions for how to find inexpensive fares. So, even seasoned travelers will still find this book a good resource.

If you are just thinking of traveling in the world or have already been bitten by the bug, I highly recommend this great resource as an aid for your travel plans.