Sunday June 1st, 2008 Passport to Adventure

To say that this is one of the most dismal Springs EVER, is not an exaggeration - weather-wise I mean. It is wet. It is gloomy. It is cold. It is NOT NICE! At our house, for the first time in years, the May long weekend has come and gone sans flower-planting. My cats still yowl miserably when they are left out for more than ten minutes. And then there are my kids. They keep 'phoning me from Toronto to complain about the heat. Apparently their air conditioner is on the fritz. I send my sincerest regrets.

Enter books, one of the few pleasures unaffected by climate. Strangely enough, my reading choices lately gravitate towards the travel genre - books that transport me to far-away places with strange-sounding names and co-operative weather. And, like any experienced traveler (armchair or otherwise), before I choose my own adventure I need to consult an agent with a good selection of up-to-date, inexpensive guides. Logically then, the first stop on my itinerary is the Thunder Bay Public Library.

VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND: A PERSONAL TOUR OF AN ALMOST PERFECT EDEN BY KATHLEEN &GERALD HILL. SIXTH EDITION. C2008.

This resource is one of the INSIDERS' GUIDE series, travel books that transform mere tourists into informed visitors wherever their destination may be. Here, it offers tips on restaurants, wineries, shopping, annual festivals and events, places to visit and places to stay and, all prices and rates quoted at the time of publication are in Canadian dollars. At this time of year, beautiful Victoria is sure to be balmy and with this guide as your companion, you cannot fail to enjoy yourself.

FROMMER'S LAS VEGAS 2008.

FROMMER'S GUIDES have a way of giving you a real feel for the place. They are amazingly easy to use, portable, complete, detailed and accurate and include information for all price ranges. In this guide to Las Vegas, you are given the lowdown on all major casino games, advice on what's worth your time and what's not,listings of top attractions as well as off-the-beaten path experiences and unexplored gems, and exact prices so you can plan a trip to fit your budget.

FODOR'S ENGLAND 2008: WITH THE BEST OF WALES.

FODOR'S travel publications employ a team of over 700 writers and are revised annually to include new hot spots and to ensure that current listings still maintain a high standard. For these reasons, they have long been the first choice for travelers, both neophyte and seasoned. This guide to England and Wales lists exceptional hotels, restaurants and sights, as well as innumerable activities for every traveler, from hiking, biking and canal-boating, to shopping in local markets and exploring castles and stately homes.

RICK STEVES' VENICE 2008.

Rick Steves spends four months of each year exploring Europe and his candid, humourous advice will steer you to its very best sights and museums. Here, he offers you the most current information on Venice. Using his guide, you'll find budget-friendly hotels and restaurants and you'll be able to navigate the city and experience the culture like a local.

BEIJING & SHANGHAI (DK EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES)C2007.

Eyewitness Travel guides are touted as the guides that show you what the others only tell you. In other words, they are visually beautiful, packed with colourful photographs, maps and illustrations. This guide to Beijing and Shanghai is no exception but it is also filled with practical travel information on when to go, what to take, where to stay, what to eat, visas and passports, customs information, permits, immunization and much, much more.

MICHAEL PALIN: NEW EUROPE [DVD]C2008.

Packed with his trademark insight and wit, Michael Palin's latest adventure sees him venture into once forbidden territory - the new Europe previously shrouded behind the Iron Curtain. His journey takes him through 20 countries, some Central European, some Eastern Europe, some straddling continents, all utterly compelling.


THE COMPLETE TRAVEL DETECTIVE BIBLE BY PETER GREENBERG.C2007.

Peter Greenberg, travel editor for the TODAY show, has explored more than 146 countries. He is an expert at securing the best accommodations, fares, and services at the lowest possible prices and in this book he shares tips on which airline seats are the best and the worst and which overcharge for excess baggage, which countries won't let you in even with a valid passport, how you can avoid hidden fees at your next hotel and everything else you will need to know to have a superlative travel experience.

Whether you decide to venture abroad or enthusiastically explore the wonders of our own Canadian Backyard, let the Library be your first port of call. The rest of your adventure is up to you, limited only by your imagination -- and your budget!

Jill Otto, Library Technician