Frommer's New World of Travel

I was given an earlier version of this book some 20 years ago and still have it today. It has been a source of valuable ideas over the years - so much so that I decided to buy the up-dated version for my daughter who, in 10 days' time, is setting off to see Europe. We are currently 8 time zones apart so I haven't had an opportunity to see the latest edition. She, however, is delighted with the book and has only one negative comment - It's too big to take with her !!

Has a description of many alternatives to tourist travel: inexpensive language schools, eco tourism, volunteer programs, holistic centers etc. with names, addresses, phone numbers and everything you need to make arrangements. Motivated and influenced by this book I took an "education" vacation to Lucca, Italy in 1998 and took Italian language lessons at a school and stayed with an Italian family; this is my overall favorite vacation due to coming in contact with the native culture, language and making friends at the school to experience a foreign country with others.