"How would you like to travel around the world? How do you go about planning a trip of this nature?"

You finally decided to take the plunge and travel around the world! How do you plan this awesome undertaking? Where do you start?

Around-the-world experienced travel specialist and industry insider, Edward Hasbrouck, has published his second edition to his comprehensive guide THE PRACTICAL NOMAD HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD; a book that could easily be classified as the bible when it comes to planning around- the-world trips.

As the author mentions in his chapter dealing with how to use the book, "this book is intended to direct you to resources, information and advice that will help you prepare and plan the trip you want to take. It is not a menu, a list of choices, or a guide to specific routes around the world or anywhere else." Having clarified the modus operandi of the book, the author attains his main objectives by constantly elaborating on the various resources that are at our disposal and a reminder not to loose sight of the global picture. In other words as he states in the introduction, "the world is big and you can't see it all in a lifetime." Focus on where you want to travel and study the current affairs, culture and contemporary life of the place you are contemplating visiting.

The guide is divided into eleven sections, preface, introduction, choosing destinations, surface transportation, air transportation, travel documents, safety and health, baggage, practicalities, bottom line, parting advice.

Within these sections there are detailed subsections packed with extensive advice and information. For example, within the chapter dealing with air transportation, the author mentions all of the myths about airline fares and routes and explains why they are in fact myths.

Another interesting feature of the book is the continuous use of summary boxes outlining the principal points of the chapter. This is extremely helpful when you really do not want to read every word in the chapter that may or may not be relevant to your situation.

There is also a wealth of information pertaining to practical matters such as where do I obtain a visa to travel to a particular country, border formalities, health inspections, and rail information, cruise ships. Furthermore, the chapter dealing with air transportation is invaluable as it tells us in plain English the pros and cons of purchasing airline tickets from the different sources such as agents, airlines, internet, etc.

The book is fully indexed making it very easy to look up specific topics applicable to unique travel plans. Another unique element in the structure of the book is the comprehensive and useful URL index found at the end of the book.

All in all, this well researched guide makes an excellent reference for planning long-term travel. It also offers countless tips that will definitely prove to be invaluable.

"Copyright 2002, Bookideas.com. Orginally published at Bookideas.com"

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Courtesy Booideas
Posted May 14, 2002