This timely publication devoted to alternative tourism is assembled into four principal areas of interest: ecological, educational, cultural and volunteer service vacations.

Apart from an in depth analysis of the above subject matters, the author also provides the reader with very interesting field reports written by journalists, book authors, travel and magazine editors. The objective of these reports is to provide the reader with on the scene observations or insider glimpses of a particular experience that as the author states, "no amount of guidebook description can capture." These reports are invaluable in evaluating a particular area where the traveler may want to explore.

Another excellent feature of the book are the short boxes of pack filled information that appear throughout the various chapters. For example, the possibility of claiming a tax deduction, world heritage sites, International Ecotourism Society, Ontario's Bruce Trail and many more fascinating tips.

There are also scattered throughout the book beautiful colour photographs that only want to make us hop on the first plane and travel to one of the many destinations described in the book.

Throughout the book the author makes it a point when describing any tour or site to include phone numbers, postal addresses, email addresses, web sites, who might be your fellow travelers, destination, comfort zone and cost. In other words the author tries to be as comprehensive as possible. This alone is invaluable to anyone wishing to find out more about these interesting trips.

For example, if we refer to the Tongariro Trek tour the author indicates that eighty percent of the walkers on this tour would be over the age of fifty, with sixty percent overall being women and forty percent singles. We are further informed where the tour is located, Tongariro National Park, North Island, New Zealand. As for the comfort zone, the author states that four nights are in a premium room, the walks can be physically challenging, with some difficult terrain, steep climbs and descents. Finally, the cost is about NZ$1000. This descriptive format is used throughout the book and as you can see the author has done her homework and is very talented.

Both the index and table of contents of the book are very complete and this element contributes to the ease at which a reader can locate his or her topics of interest without losing valuable time.

There is no doubt that this comprehensive and informative handbook is a must-have for anyone contemplating the kind of travel envisaged in Gardner's book.

"Copyright 2002, Bookideas.com. Originally published at Bookideas.com"