Immersion Travel USA: The Best and Most Meaningful Volunteering, Living, and Learning Excursions

Immersion Travel USA: The Best and Most Meaningful Volunteering, Living, and Learning Excursions is no ordinary travel guide. Immersion travel is about connecting with the people and places you visit through opportunities to volunteer, learn, work, care, and play in your chosen destination. From volunteering to tutor children or with the Wounded Warrior Project to working as a wrangler or ranch cook, learning to build your own cob house or the art of falconry, contributing to research and the study of diamondback terrapins and other marine life, participating in a bat watch, helping to protect the habitats of unique species, or finding a wide variety of seasonal positions in national parks, there are opportunities for everyone. Also included are trades, internships (for all ages), and short- and longer-term job opportunities: work on a cruise ship, study organic farming, or captain a historic wooden boat. There are activities for photographers, painters, cooks, golfers, surfers, storytellers and poets, would-be race car drivers and astronauts. In addition to the hundreds of detailed listings are informative and inspirational stories from people who have immersed themselves in these programs and activities, helped others, and enriched their own lives. Suggestions for off-the-beaten-path side trips, festivals, and restaurants; tips on getting the most out of your adventure; and invaluable resources that will help you plan your own exciting immersion excursion make this book a travel essential.

Sometimes a regular, traditional vacation just does not fit the bill. If you are looking for more emotional or intellectual depth from your next trip, check out Immersion Travel USA. Immersion trips are for everyone (young and old, rich and not). In fact, immersion travel can encompass a period of less than a day, even in your own hometown. A portion of Kayne's definition of immersion travel is "taking an active part in where you visit." The book is primarily divided into five chapters: Helping, Learning, Working, Caring, and Playing. The book has over 400 pages, so each chapter has dozens of listings. Each listing has contact information, rates, and an explanation. Many entries have accompanying personal stories; they add real weight, as we are mot just reading a travel writer's list of activities. Many entries are well-known, such as working for the National Park Service, caretaking properties, sports camps, houseboat rentals, and route 66 tours. There are also cooking schools and history, science, and archaeological opportunities. Needless to say, there is something for everyone. A sample of fascinating entries include astronaut camp for adults, coral reef checking, humpback whale counting, and cowboy poetry gatherings. Some entries include suggestions for nearby lodging and dining--but that is not the main purpose. The purpose is to list meaningful trips and it does very well. I imagine there will be international editions published in the future. I look forward to them. Reviewed January 2009 by Charles McCool at LowerAirfares.com

I am so glad I found IMMERSION TRAVEL USA by Sheryl Kayne. It's turned out to be such a great book with very unusual trip ideas, I've decided to give it to all of our friends for the holidays! I particularly enjoyed reading the firsthand experiences from other travelers and the excitement seemed to jump right out of the pages. I've already spoken with my wife about taking these ideas and planning our next vacation.

Sheryl Kayne has truly written a one-of-a-kind book, filled with fun stories and an endless list of authentic "immersion excursions." I look forward to reading more of what Sheryl has to offer in the future as she will be one of the country's great travel writers.

I love to travel and do interesting things. I just picked up Immersion Travel USA--what a well written, well-researched book. There is something for everyone--and every trip and activity suggested is more different and unique than the next. Experience an archaeological dig, volunteer at a national park, or play at the NY Yankees fantasy camp--If you love to travel, whether you are just getting started, or have traveled extensively, you will surely enjoy this book as much as I do.