The Rough Guide to First-Time Asia, Edition 4 (Rough Guide

The Rough Guide First-Time Asia is the perfect comprehensive planning guide for anyone thinking about heading to Asia for the first time. It includes general information on what tickets to buy, where to stay, what to eat and how to stay healthy. There are 21 individual country profiles highlighting the best places to visit with country specific websites and necessary budget information. It is designed to answer the ''soft'' issues not addressed by country-specific guides, for example, how to lessen the culture shock of your very first night in Asia; what to think about if you''re considering travelling on your own; how to be a responsible traveller and what to do when you return home. This guide is designed for the weeks/months before you get on the plane.

Lesley Reader and Lucy Ridout have together, nearly thirty years'' worth of experience writing about Asia. Lucy Ridout is the co-author of Rough Guides to Thailand, Thailand''s Beaches & Islands and Bangkok. They are also co-authors of the Rough Guide to Bali and Lombok.

PREPARING FOR THE BIG ADVENTURE We’ve both made plenty of mistakes and faux pas during our fifteen years of travels in Asia, and this book is a distillation of what we’ve learnt. First-Time Asia is full of the advice we give to friends heading out to Asia for the first time, and it’s the book we both could have done with before setting off on our own first trips. Since then we’ve returned again and again, backpacking across India, China and Southeast Asia; living and working in the Himalayas, Thailand and Japan; and researching and writing guidebooks to Indonesia, Thailand and Tibet. And we still choose to go back to Asia for our holidays, attracted by the chaos and drama of daily lives that still seem extraordinary to us, by the food, the landscapes and the climate, by the generosity and friendship of the people and by the sheer buzz we get from hanging out in cultures that are so different from our own.

This book is intended to prepare you for your big adventure, whether it’s a fortnight in Malaysia or twelve months across the continent. It is not a guidebook: it’s a book to read before you go, a planning handbook to help you make decisions about what type of trip you’d like to make. And, because we can’t pretend to have explored every single corner of Asia ourselves, we’ve also included tips, advice and stories from lots of other travellers.

The first questions you’ll need to address are which parts of Asia to visit and, much more difficult, which places to leave out. The opening section of the book, Where To Go, looks at your options. We focus on the twenty most accessible and most visited countries of Asia, giving you an opinionated taste of what these destinations have in store for first-timers. Each country profile includes a round-up of the major highlights and tourist activities as well as a selection of personal recommendations and lesser-known gems, plus contact details for tourist offices and embassies. The most remote parts of the continent, north and west of Pakistan, rarely feature on first-timers’ itineraries, so we haven’t included them in this book. Burma (Myanmar) is also omitted in the hope that travellers will uphold the boycott on tourism requested by Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratically elected leader of the country.

The middle section of First-Time Asia, The Big Adventure, deals with the nuts and bolts. This is where you’ll find chapters on how to choose the right ticket and which guidebooks and websites to consult, plus advice on how long you can afford to stay away and what gear to pack. The second half of this section looks at life on the road in Asia, advising you on how to stay safe and healthy while you’re away, grounding you in local cultural do’s and don’ts, and giving you an idea of what to expect in terms of hotels and bus services. And finally, the Basics section at the back of the book is stuffed full of useful addresses, websites and phone numbers for further information on everything from discount flight agents and backpackers’ homepages to mosquito-net suppliers and conservation projects.

Even after you’ve digested First Time Asia, we can’t guarantee that you’ll avoid every problem on the road, but hopefully you’ll at least feel well prepared – and excited. When you come back from your trip, be sure to send in your own anecdotes for inclusion in the next edition. We can promise you’ll have plenty of great stories to tell.

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Rough Guide to First Time Asia
By Charles M. Kennedy
Seems to have a wide range of useful information for first-timers to numerous countries in a region that is striking for its diversity from one country to another. The book is geared more for independent, personal travelers and not so much for business travelers (which I was).

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The Rough Guide to First-Time Africa

The Rough Guide First-Time Africa tells you everything you need to know before you go to Africa, from visas and vaccinations to budgets and packing. It will help you plan the best possible trip, with advice on when to go and what not to miss, and how to avoid trouble on the road. You'll find insightful information on what tickets to buy, where to stay, what to eat and how to stay healthy and save money in Africa. The Rough Guide First-Time Africa includes insightful overviews of each African country highlighting the best places to visit with country-specific websites, clear maps, suggested reading and budget information. Be inspired by the 'things not to miss' section whilst useful contact details will help you plan your route. All kinds of advice and anecdotes from travellers who've been there and done it will make travelling stress-free. The Rough Guide First-Time Africa has everything you need to get your journey underway.

Detailed and opinionated, it offers just the kind of practical advice an independent first-time traveler to Africa needs to avoid falling victim to that heart of darkness that often afflicts the unequipped in faraway places. --Chicago Tribune - The Resourceful Traveler

Jens Finke is author of Rough Guides to Tanzania and Zanzibar

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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful.
Nothing you couldn't find out there on your own, but entertaining
By Christopher Culver
Rough Guide's "First-Time" series give a basic overview of a given part of the world meant to orientate people who have a vague plan of going there and a little uncertainty about independent travel. Indeed, each installment contains much the same information about basics like how to pack, how to get air tickets, and what to wear. A large portion of the book is made up of two-page summaries about each African country, excepting those currently dangerous to travel in (CAR, Buruni, Republic of Congo, Somalia). These summaries sketch the major places to see and the daily budget you'll need. There's also general coverage of African culinary traditions, health matters, and how to stay safe. I found the boxed texts with travel anecdotes fun, where travelers write in to talk about zany or touching situations they found themselves in.

There is nothing here that you couldn't pick together from disparate Internet sources. And certainly, this is more valuable as something to get psyched up with than to plan your trip in any detail. However, if your budget allows, this is an entertaining all-in-one resource to get you started on going to Africa.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
Great overview for the armchair and first timer traveler to Africa
By Deborah V
Another reviewer mentioned that there was nothing in this book that you couldn't find on the Internet with your own searches. This may be true, but having been to Kenya, I was interested in going to other countries and picked this book in order to get a feel for my next African visit.

The book profiles each country and gives you summary information such as population, currency, temperatures, and minimum amount needed daily to travel in the country. The body or text of the country's profile lets you know the main attractions, festivals, books and online websites.

There is a section on additional books/websites to visit, what to take, culture and culture shock, getting around, and more.

Yes, the book is basic and yes you can find most of this on the Internet, but I didn't want to take the time to "visit" each country via the Internet. I was able to narrow down my next African visit to five countries and with the aid of this guide I was directed to some books and Internet sites to start my journey.

This isn't an in depth book--it is a jump off point for additional refining for your next safari into Africa or your first time visit!

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Good place to start
By Cynthia
We were looking for an overview of travel in Africa, and The Rough Guide to First-Time Africa was exactly what we were looking for. We downloaded the kindle version. Each country represented has an entry providing a snapshot of the place, with additional links to attractions, red tape, and other information. We're planning a year-long travel sabbatical, and this guide has helped us begin building the framework of where we want to go and how long we might want to stay there. With this basic framework established using the Rough Guide, it has become easier to research more in-depth. The book also helped me feel more at ease that Africa is accessible, and not necessarily by signing up with a packaged tour.

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The Rough Guide to First-Time Latin America, Edition 2 (Rough

Packed with essential information in a clear, concise format and delivered in an engaging manner, the second edition of First-Time Latin America helps prepare readers planning their trip. It includes information on what tickets to buy, where to stay, what to eat and how to stay healthy. There are insightful overviews of each Latin America country highlighting thes best places to visit with country specific websites and necessary budget information. It is designed to answer the ''soft'' issues not addressed by country-specific guides, for example, how to lessen the culture shock of your very first night in Latin America; what to think about if you''re considering travelling on your own and what to do when you return home. This edition includes an expanded chapter on working and studying in Latin America. This guide is designed for the weeks/months before you get on the plane.

Polly Rodger Brown was a contributor on the sixth edition of The Rough Guide to Mexico and has travelled widely in Latin America. James Read is an experienced travel writer and has both worked and travelled in the region. He currently works for the BBC World Service as a writer and researcher.

This book is intended to prepare you for your trip, whether it’s a couple of weeks on the beach in Cancún or a twelve-month journey from Mexico down to Tierra del Fuego. It’s a book to read before you go rather than an on-the-road guide, a planning handbook to help you decide on the kind of trip you’d like to make and prepare you for your journey. The first thing you’ll need to decide is which countries and regions in Latin America you want to visit and which places to skip: the possibilities are outlined in Where To Go, the opening section of the book. The book focuses on the twenty countries of Central and South America plus Mexico, and thus includes several countries – Belize, Guyana, Suriname – that are not strictly speaking part of Latin America, and excludes others – namely Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico – that are. We’ve chosen to do this because travellers visiting several countries on the mainland may well include non-Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries on their itinerary, while most people visiting the Caribbean island nations tend to do so without visiting the mainland. If you’re intending to visit one of the Latin American Caribbean islands mentioned above, however, you’ll find much of the general information and advice we give is also relevant there. For each country covered, you’ll find a profile outlining what the destination offers first-timers, including a roundup of the main highlights and suggested itineraries, as well as a selection of personal recommendations and more out-of-the-way attractions.

The middle section of First-Time Latin America, The Big Adventure, deals with the practical details of travel in the region. This is where you’ll find chapters on how to choose the right ticket and which guidebook to use, advice on how long you can afford to stay away and what you need to take with you when you go, and a selection of books and films to inspire your travels, along with lists of useful websites to consult. This section also looks at life on the road in Latin America, giving you an idea of what to expect in terms of transport and accommodation, advice on how to stay safe and healthy while you’re away, and tips on how to avoid the potential hassles and hazards that await the unwary traveller. Finally, the Basics section at the back of the book is packed with useful addresses, websites and phone numbers for further information on everything from discount flight agents and specialist tour operators to jungle equipment suppliers and volunteer work opportunities. Even after you’ve read through this book, we can’t guarantee that you’ll avoid every potential pitfall on the road, but hopefully you’ll feel well prepared for what awaits you and excited at the prospect of travelling in Latin America. When you return home, be sure to send in your own anecdotes and travellers’ tales for inclusion in the next edition.

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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful.
Great book for travelers planning their first trip to the region.
By Sarah
I bought this book when I first began planning my trip to Latin America. I hadn't ever been to the region and wanted to know as much about it as possible. When I bought the book, my prior travels included the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and I knew that Latin America would be a bit different! It's a great book for travelers planning a first trip to Central or South America, and also a great guide for first-time travelers in general. I think people of any age would find this book helpful, too--it's information that any traveler will find useful.

There is a chapter on each country in the region with highlights to consider visiting, plus practical information on what to take, how to get around, routes to consider, visas, health, safety, and lots more. It's not a book you will probably take with you when you leave, but one you'll want to read in the beginning or mid-stages of planning your adventure. It'll answer a lot of your questions and concerns and help you have a better idea of what to expect.

I'm definitely glad I bought and read this book as it prepared me well for my three month adventure in Central America and addressed many of my concerns and questions. Recommended for everyone considering or planning a trip to Latin America.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful.
Buy this first!
By J. L. DeBiase
A great book to start with. We bought First-Time Asia before we took off to Asia for 6 months and it was extremely useful to help with all the planning and decide where we wanted to go. This time we know we want to go to Latin America but have no idea how south we will go or what so this book is great for the rampant changing of minds that occurs while we plan trips bc the information is so broad and covers everything. But it's just the basics. You will need a guide for each country you go to to take with you (we usually buy them used and trade them in when we arrive). Leave this one at home.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Good book but....
By sarah
This book is a really enjoyable and rather helpful. However, defs not a travel guide for south america. Buy the lonely planet shoestring. Really, more of a pleasure read for background information than anything. Still, a really fun read! However, not entirely essential. Word to the wise about south america, keep your wits about you, but it's really not as scary as lonely planet makes it seem. Also, learn some spanish if you haven't already, your language skills are the number one most helpful thing you can bring with you.

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The Rough Guide First-Time Europe 8 (Rough Guide to First-Time

"The Rough Guide First-Time Europe" tells you everything you need to know before you go to Europe, from visas and vaccinations to budgets and packing. It will help you plan the best possible trip, with advice on when to go and what not to miss, and how to avoid trouble on the road. You'll find insightful information on what tickets to buy, where to stay, what to eat and how to stay healthy and save money in Europe. "The Rough Guide First-Time Europe" includes insightful overviews of each European country highlighting the best places to visit with country-specific websites, clear maps, suggested reading and budget information. Be inspired by the full-colour 'things not to miss' section whilst useful contact details will help you plan your route. All kinds of advice and anecdotes from travellers who've been there and done it will make travelling stress-free. "The Rough Guide First-Time Europe" has everything you need to get your journey underway.

"...especially useful for anyone veering from the standard itinerary." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Written by the same author as the best-selling Rough Guide First Time Around the World

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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent place to start planning
By drumlinds
Although this book is aimed at backpackers planning to spend 1-3+ months in Europe, it applies to low-budget backpackers on shorter trips as well. The book is divided into two main sections: the first section (about 2/3 of the book) is the information you'd use for planning, the second is a snapshot of 20-30 individual European countries with highlights and facts for each. There aren't more than a few pages per country, so plan to buy country- or region-specific guide books in addition.

I am planning a 10-day trip to Italy and I found the packing, transportation, and pricing information most helpful. The book has comparison charts of the costs of hotels and food in each country, which help you figure out where (in what countries) your money will go the furthest and help you calculate a realistic budget. It also has a whole chapter devoted to packing, with suggestions on what to take (and what to leave behind!) and a sample packing list.

This isn't a book you would take on your trip, but I think it is an invaluable resource before/while planning a trip. I'm just planning my flight and figuring out the rest of my agenda on my own, and this really helped give me an idea of what to expect.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful.
An invaluable armchair resource, and the author freely admits it is not a guidebook
By Jessica Lux
When my college-age sister declared she wanted to backpack Europe but, "it just seems so big," this is the first place I turned. In the introduction, the author tells you that this book is based on his personal experience, that it is aimed towards budget traveling, and that it was never intended to be a comprehensive guidebook. Use this to get a rough game plan and supplement it with other more detailed Rough Guides on specific personal areas of interest. The full-color, glossy "20 Reasons to Visit Europe" in the Introduction will give anyone more than enough ideas for exploring the continent.

The guide open with invaluable advice about prioritizing your itinerary, the importantance of flexibility in your itinerary, and a reality-check on how long it takes to visit and travel to the hot spots. His budget chapter is not to be missed, along with the finance info scattered throughout the book. Unlike many other authors, the author doesn't use the cop out of saying "prices change and I'd hate to quote you wrong, so I'm going to be intentionally vague." He doesn't quote prices for specific locations, but he lets you know that an insanely cheap hostel is $6, while the most expensive he's seen is $28. This gives the novice travel a reference point to do a reality check on any price a vendor quotes them. He provides realistic, economic, and rock-bottom overall itemized trip budgets up front, so the reader can decide how to scale their travels and expectations.

Other topics covered include a detailed packing list (don't wear brand new shoes!), transportation info to Europe and once inside, accommodations, communications, medical information, safety information, and references to tourist bureaus, airlines, insurance providers, and online resources. The text is supplemented by CasaBianca's own personal narratives and examples of tourists who made mistakes.

One of my favorite sections reads as follows [p. 39]: "You WILL go to and eat at a McDonald's when you are in Europe. If you are an American, yes, I know that you wouldn't be caught dead in one in the States. Yes, I know that you are going to Europe to experience authentic foreign culture, not transplanted American food. Why [will you go]? The bathrooms will be the initial lure. Semi-clean, free, convenient bathrooms with guaranteed toilet paper will be few and far between in some cities. Once you have crossed the threshold...the battle is all but lost...Smells pretty good, and I can get something familiar, in a hurry, and it's not too expensive....' The Golden Arches will triumph in the end."

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful.
Fine Primer for Long-Term Visitors
By blahblahblah
This book is aimed very much at budget travelers looking to spend a long time wandering around Europe (i.e., students on summer vacation, people who can take 6-12 months off work). It is fine as a general primer, although much of the specific advice you can pick up through country-specific guidebooks or google searches. If you are thinking about heading to Europe next summer (for the whole summer), and want a book to help you to start thinking early about the process, then this is a good starter, especially if you're thinking about trying to find a way to pay for your vacation while you're actually in the middle of it (lots of suggestions on how to find work). There is a modicum of surprising and fresh advice in the book - it strongly discourages traveling with others; it tends to find that the disadvantages of being tied to someone else outweigh the advantages - and the best advice in the book for budget travelers I think is that it stresses that bargain-hunting shouldn't be the raison d'etre for your vacation - so don't let penny-pinching quash your fun. On the other hand, if you are looking to travel to Europe for just two weeks (because, despite the book's fantasizing, your boss actually wants you to come back when you've used up your vacation days if you want to avoid being fired), you want to know more specific info about sights, or if you don't think staying in a 2 or 3-star hotel is the height of luxury travel, then maybe stick with the guidebooks for your specific countries (or a Europe guidebook more focused on countries, not basic logistics). This book really only features a few pages truly useful for the latter class of traveler, and you can probably get all of it from country/regional guidebooks, the internet, and conversations with friends.

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