One for the Road: First-Time Africa

Planning a first visit to Africa should not be a scary thing. But, as Jens Finke says in his introduction to First-Time Africa, a first trip to the continent can indeed be “a daunting prospect.”

This new book seems like a smart first step for travelers embarking on an inaugural visit. In August, Rough Guides published this first edition guide, written and researched by Jens Finke, who biked across the Sahara when he was 18 (and also penned the Rough Guides to Tanzania and Zanzibar.) The book begins with a short chapter on each country, from Algeria to Zimbabwe — weather stats, main attractions and festivals. The second half then dives into the details: when to go, what to take, culture shock, responsible tourism and staying healthy.

It can serve as an excellent resource for anyone considering a first trip to any part of Africa. And if you’re having trouble deciding on which countries you want to visit, a flip through this one can probably help you narrow things down to the best possible destinations that match your travel goals.

Rough Guide to Blogging

The thing I like about Rough Guides is they’ve got a guides related to various travel destinations, but a slew of other guides to help you sort out some issues you may be having in figuring out what the best Punk music is to listen to or something like blogging. The cover art is what grabs me most from this new Rough Guide to Blogging title. Getting your own travel blog up and running for all your friends to come scope out while you’re on the road can sometimes prove challenging. Doesn’t the Eskimo with his laptop seem so lost? This 200-page guide will help you understand how RSS and newsreaders work, how to develop your online voice and explore video blogging and podcasting among other blogging related issues.

Looks as though the book would be a good buy for the experienced blogger and the newbie bloggers. ($12.99 at Rough Guides)