New book from Arthur Frommer packed with tips

New book from Arthur Frommer packed with tips

HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) — Travel guru Arthur Frommer is out with a new book: "Ask Arthur Frommer & Travel Better, Cheaper, Smarter."

The book is nearly 500 pages long and is packed with tips and advice on everything from how to find the best airfares online to what's good and bad about cruising.

Frommer makes many enthusiastic recommendations throughout the book, from individual Web sites like http://www.go-today.com as a source for cheap, quick trips to China from Western U.S. cities, to vacation options such as arts and crafts instruction at North Carolina's Penland School.

But he also offers lessons he's learned from years of traveling, saying that he now brings a half-empty suitcase, with as few clothes as possible; he tries to eat but one meal a day, a picnic-style feast with cheeses, meats and other specialty food purchased at local delicatessens and grocery stores; and he always buys travel insurance.

Frommer lists some of his favorite places around the world, with recommendations on what to see and do from Bali to the Baltics to Boston; and he even suggests a simple remedy for seasickness with no side effects — ginger. Accommodation recommendations from the book include monasteries and convents in Europe; hostels, even in New York City; apartment rentals; and other alternative lodging.

You can cherrypick the book for information on individual topics; it's well-organized with a good index. But you can also just sit down and read it, cover to cover. It's written in Frommer's straightforward, easy-to-digest style, opinionated but wise and thoroughly enjoyable.

Frommer's original "Europe on 5 Dollars A Day," which started the Frommer series of budget travel guidebooks, was first published in 1957. Frommer's daughter Pauline has her own line of guidebooks.

"Ask Arthur Frommer," from New Jersey-based Wiley Publishing, is $20.

• Email Story
• IM Story
• Printable View
• Yahoo! Buzz

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Recommend It:

Not at All Somewhat Moderately Highly Very Highly

Average (Not Rated)

» Recommended Stories