Travel

A delightful, delicious, and best-selling account of the gustatory pleasures to be found throughout France, from the beloved author of A Year in Provence.

The French celebrate food and drink more than any other people, and Peter Mayle shows us just how contagious their enthusiasm can be. We visit the Foire aux Escargots. We attend a truly French marathon, where the beverage of choice is Château Lafite-Rothschild rather than Gatorade. We search out the most pungent cheese in France, and eavesdrop on a heated debate on the perfect way to prepare an omelet. We even attend a Catholic mass in the village of Richerenches, a sacred event at which thanks are given for the aromatic, mysterious, and breathtakingly expensive black truffle. With Mayle as our charming guide, we come away satisfied (if a little hungry), and with a sudden desire to book a flight to France at once.

A brilliant wit once said that, "to most Americans, even though they have never been there, San Francisco is their favorite town". The existence of that belief is the strongest proof of the glorious vacation experience that awaits the visitor to that "city by the Bay", that "Paris of the West", a "diverse, beautiful and cosmopolitan city" that excites millions of visitors each year. It is truly "the favorite town" of America, and no agrees more than our author. Here is her thoroughly revised 256-page tribute to a massively popular destination.

Inspired by the eye-opening events of 9/11, the Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, more and more people are waking up to the value of service - and realizing that their vacation may be the best place to incorporate it into their hectic lives. Even more profoundly, many travelers are deciding that the best way to recharge may not be lying on a beach, but stepping outside of their normal routine to make a difference in the lives of others. The result is an experience that allows travelers to explore a culture in great depth, make new friends, and come home feeling that they have learned and benefited even more than those they have helped.

The book will provide a diverse range of volunteer vacations, with most trips easily accomplished within a one or two-week vacation. Following the highly successful format of Frommer's 500 Places To Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up, chapters will be organized by subject, providing dozens of unique vacation ideas for any traveler:

Introduction: How you know if a volunteer vacation is right for you, and what to ask

Sharing your knowledge: teaching vacations

Animal welfare: surveying wildlife, animal rescue

Working with children: orphanages, at-risk youth, street kids

Scientific research: archaeology, marine life

Healing the environment: conservation work, trail building, tree planting

Building better communities: construction projects and manual labor

Share the health: AIDS education, working with the disabled, feeding the hungry

Teaching through sport: coaching and training

Bridging cultures: working with indigenous peoples, historical preservation, music

Special events: becoming a festival volunteer

Crossing generations: helping seniors

Getting political: elections, human rights, refugee relief, community organizing

Peace-building: conflict resolution and security

Religious service: retreats and faith-based assistance

Bringing expertise: opportunities for those with specialized skills

Serving your kids: children-friendly trips that will open their eyes to the world

Opinionated write-ups. No bland descriptions and lukewarm recommendations. Our expert writers are passionate about their destinations--tell it like it is in an engaging and helpful way.

Exact prices listed for every establishment and activity--no other guides offer such detailed, candid reviews of hotels and restaurants. We include the very best, but also emphasize moderately priced choices for real people.

All Kids guides offer user-friendly features including star ratings and special icons to point readers to great finds, excellent values, insider tips, special moments, and overrated experiences.

The latest, savviest trip-planning advice--from saving money on airfares to renting a cell phone abroad to the latest advice on sustainable travel-to help readers make the most of their time and money.