More than a billion people travel each year. Hundreds of thousands encounter a problem along the way.

There are no two ways about it: Travel can be daunting. Where should you go? How should you get there? Where should you stay? What should you eat? And if you have a complaint, to whom can you turn? Enter Christopher Elliott, National Geographic Traveler magazine’s editor at large and nationally acclaimed consumer advocate. He has the tips, tricks and strategies to guide you through the intricacies and exasperations of travel. For seasoned travelers or those just starting their adventures, for people on business or vacation trips, Elliott’s book HOW TO BE THE WORLD’S SMARTEST TRAVELER (And Save Time, Money, and Hassle) (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-1273-4; on-sale date: March 4, 2014; $19.95 paperback) is the ultimate guide to your journeys domestically or around the world.

Calling on more than 20 years of experience in the field, real-life case histories and cautionary tales, Elliott steers you through the complexities of travel, including:

·         Making sure you have the correct identification and paperwork for your trip

·         Knowing when to use a travel agent and when to book travel yourself

·         Purchasing the right luggage

·         Deciding when to buy travel insurance and when to skip it

·         Avoiding common car rental scams

·         Finding the lowest airfare

·         Getting through TSA security with your dignity intact

·         Booking the perfect cruise vacation

·         Finding the right hotel

·         Locating the best restaurants while you’re on the road.
 

HOW TO BE THE WORLD’S SMARTEST TRAVELER is full of actionable advice, lists and answers to the most common and most perplexing travel questions. Elliott breaks through the frustration of every imaginable aspect of a trip at each step of the way.

The book shows travelers how to save time and money and prevent hassles as Elliott shares his favorite shortcuts, tips on where bargains can be had (and which offers are too good to be true) and ways to avoid being harassed by such travel irritants as onerous contracts or aggressive timeshare salespeople.

“I’ve spent my career covering an industry that’s perfected the art of separating you from your money. HOW TO BE THE WORLD’S SMARTEST TRAVELER is the antidote to an industry that has lost its way, too often relying on customer-hostile policies and junk fees to eke out an undeserved profit. You deserve better. I’ll help you get it,” writes Elliott in his introduction.

HOW TO BE THE WORLD’S SMARTEST TRAVELER is a must-read before your next departure.

About the Author

Nationally acclaimed consumer advocate Christopher Elliott is National Geographic Traveler magazine’s editor at large, consumer advocate and ombudsman. He writes the magazine’s “Problem Solved” column, which answers readers’ questions about travel. He also pens the weekly “On Travel” column for USA Today and the “Navigator” column for Sunday’s Washington Post travel section. Elliott blogs on his consumer advocacy website, Elliott.org, and is one of LinkedIn’s thought leaders for travel. He has hosted a cable TV show and a nationally syndicated radio show. Elliott co-founded the Consumer Travel Alliance, a Washington-based advocacy group for travelers.

About National Geographic Books & Home Entertainment

National Geographic Books & Home Entertainment creates and distributes books, videos and other print and digital media that inform, engage and entertain diverse audiences about our world. Annually, the group publishes more than 125 new books for adults, families and kids and releases 250+ new DVDs and digital downloads of the Society’s films and TV shows, and these National Geographic titles are available in more than 35 local-language editions. While special photographic and film collections, travel books, nature shows, birding guides and atlases are a core focus of the Society’s products, books and videos on subjects as diverse as animals, the human mind, history, world cultures and the cosmos are also produced. For more information, visit facebook.com/NatGeoBooks and nationalgeographic.com/books

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