Kirkus Review
Travel journalists Wooldridge and Bleiberg suggest holidays for all budgets.Did somebody say vacation? National Geographic takes readers down highways and across the friendly skies with 100 ideas for the budget-conscious traveler. Wooldridge and Bleiberg provide a collection of unique trips that will excite all personalities and many wallets. Like to shop? Drive through the world's longest yard sale, which stretches from Michigan to Alabama. Those who enjoy yoga and meditation should head out to Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado. Wooldridge and Bleiberg divide the trips by theme, including sections on vacations that celebrate Americana or feed travelers' "body soul." Try a cowboy poetry reading in Elko, Nev., or a community-service trip to post-Katrina New Orleans. Readers who are expecting a nuts-and-bolts travel guide will be disappointed, as the authors do not delve deeply into their suggestions. The book should be viewed as a flip-through reference that will generate ideas for cash-strapped travelers. Most of the authors' suggestions are in the U.S., although several take travelers to more exotic locations like Belize or Puerto Rico.Rev up the car and hit the road.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Library Journal Review
In this latest travel book from National Geographic, veteran travel writers Wooldridge (2006-07 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year) and Bleiberg (formal travel editor, Coastal Living magazine) focus on affordable travel. What differentiates this book from other budget travel guides is its attention to offbeat and nontraditional ideas for vacations, organized into such topics as "Collect Waterfalls," "Learn To Build a Wooden Boat," and "Follow the Mission Trail." At first glance, one might set this aside as just gimmicky; it's not. For those who seek inexpensive travel adventures, it provides excellent ideas. The authors' interpretation of affordability might be questionable in some instances, but most hotels and activities mentioned are reasonably priced; for example, rooms are generally priced under or significantly below $150 per night. Entries provide activity information with a few lodging suggestions, and the focus is on U.S. destinations with a smattering of trip ideas from countries such as Mexico, Belize, and Canada. Verdict Great for budget travelers and others exploring trip options. Armchair travelers will also enjoy the creative ideas here.-Louise Feldmann, Colorado State Univ. Libs., Fort Collins (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.