Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/3/84; site aluxe.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!aluxe!2141smh From: 2141smh@aluxe.UUCP (henning) Newsgroups: net.travel Subject: Re: General travel tip Message-ID: <598@aluxe.UUCP> Date: Sat, 5-Jan-85 11:49:47 EST Article-I.D.: aluxe.598 Posted: Sat Jan 5 11:49:47 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 6-Jan-85 01:10:23 EST References: <99@decwrl.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Allentown, PA Lines: 39 **** **** From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA aluxe!2141smh > Though it may be worth getting the material provided by the country > tourist bureaus, one should remember that this is sales brochure > type material. I would never decide where to go based on this material. > Also, the lists of accommodations are always very incomplete, and the > maps are laughably useless for serious motoring. When contacting tourist bureaus ask for complete listings of lodgings with prices and detailed maps. Usually the complete listings are free and some- times the maps cost a small amount but are worth it. Also if you are into camping, ask for a complete listing of campgrounds with fees. These are available for most countries in Western Europe and Canada, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, and numerous other countries. Also if you are an AAA member, check on the Passport agreement which provides you with services in many foreign countries comparable to those in the US. If you just ask for general information they will send you the junky tourist literature that they hope will convince you to buy a tour. If you are travel- ing on your own you have to tell them that and give dates and ask for specific information. My experience has been that going through an American travel agent for foreign accommodations and tours just about doubles the cost of doing it yourself when you get there or going through their US representative before you leave. An example is the Japan Travel Bureau in San Francisco. They are great. Regarding books and bookstores, 1) They are designed to make money for the author and publisher. 2) They are designed to appeal to a specific audience (budget, luxury, etc) 3) They contain material that is at least 1 year old and not guaranteed. 4) They can only comment on those places which they have time to visit. 5) They miss many if not all small but nice places. In some places like Northern Europe, I have never found a place that was not clean. The only choice is price and convenience. P.S. That junky literature about tour routes is great in planning your own route and gives you an idea as to what one should look for.