| By Linda Polansky | | | | promos like a breakfast-in-bed or lunch |
| | | | buffet and spas or massages. 2. Some travel |
| When you are in a whole new unfamiliar place, | | | | manuals also have basic language booklets or |
| a travel guide is your only source of | | | | bits of the important words you will need to |
| survival, save for the local tourist guide. | | | | know to communicate with the locals. They |
| Obviously, a travel guide is not a mere | | | | usually have simple words and phrases like |
| brochure that you can browse on to make you | | | | "what", "where", "how much", "I'll take |
| excited to go to a new country. It has to | | | | this", "please" and "thank you". 3. If your |
| state the whereabouts in the area that you | | | | travel guide contains important telephone |
| want to go. If your travel guide does not | | | | numbers like embassies, airport, major |
| give sufficient information, then you should | | | | airlines, the local police and tourist info |
| find yourself lost in no time. Here is a list | | | | center then good for you. It will surely come |
| of information that a travel guide has to | | | | in handy when you find yourself in trouble |
| have. 1. After a whole day of walking around | | | | big time. 4. Needless to say, travel guides |
| cobblestone sidewalks and tourist spots, you | | | | should have a list of tourist attractions of |
| will want to rest your weary feet. In an | | | | a certain place. These will help you budget |
| overnight tour or even longer, a good hotel | | | | your time in order for you to visit all the |
| or inn will be your last destination. You | | | | beautiful places and make your trip a |
| will long for the comfort that your bed and | | | | memorable one. If you are lucky enough, you |
| sheets back home gives you, so a good place | | | | could get a travel guide does not only have a |
| to sleep at is important. Make sure it is | | | | list of the tourist spots, but also of the |
| equipped with all the necessary stuff, like | | | | places that are frequented by the locals. |
| sofas for chilling out, a coffee table, | | | | This way, you will absolutely savor the place |
| enough cabinets and drawers and most | | | | and feel like a local yourself. 5. And for |
| importantly, your very own toilet and bath. | | | | the times when you want to sample the local |
| Another thing to consider is the price. | | | | delicacies, look for dining facilities which |
| Well-known hotels obviously are more | | | | should be found in your travel guide. |
| expensive, complete with a kitchen, luxurious | | | | |
| bath tubs and even a terrace that offers a | | | | Linda Polansky writes about Isango! |
| breathtaking view. Plus, they have a lot more | | | | |