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