Guest Author - Eve Carr

What makes a great travel book? For me, it’s one that is enjoyable to read, giving you the flavor of a destination, one where an author will give details of his or her trip, as well as the factual details to help you make the most of your trip.

Britain on Your Own, a Guide for Single Mature Travelers, by Dorothy Maroncelli, is the type of book that you’d enjoy reading even if you weren’t planning to go to Britain. It’s filled with a finely woven tapestry of words that describes the special nuances of the English countryside. Here are a couple of random passages to give you the poetic flavor of the book:

“Amid the green rolling hills that range along the coast of Somerset is the centuries-old village of Dunster. Here in one of England’s best preserved medieval villages the unobtrustive new quietly mingles with the old.”

It’s also filled with personal anecdotes that, unlike many other travel books, are interesting and not intrusive.

“On the deep windowsill next to my table was a row of old books and as I ate I began to study them. The bartender, still at the next table said ‘Those are all old cookbooks; pick out one you’d like and you can have it.’ As tempting as the offer of an old book was, I didn’t think I should take a possibly rare book. …..You never know when you’ll have an enjoyable hour like this—it is always unexpected and spontaneous.”

Yet, at the same time, this book provides travelers with a suitcase overflowing with practical travel tips. From where to stay to places to dine and shop, you’ll have plenty of suggestions here.

Dorothy Maroncelli also shares my philosophy of travel and of life. Everything isn’t going to be perfect, so don’t expect it to be. Just make the best of it. For example, she says “Is every day going to be a perfect and exciting day while you’re in Britain? Maybe not. Is every day at home perfect and exciting? Much of your enjoyment will depend on you. If you’re friendly at home, you’ll be friendly to those you meet in Britain. If you’re shy at home, you’ll have to make an effort to be interested in the people you meet on your trip.”

We also share a philosophy that the most popular sites are not necessarily the best sites to see.

“I haven’t seen Britain’s Crown Jewels; perhaps I will someday,” she says. “To me the jewels of Britain are in the countryside, in the centuries-old towns and villages, and in those who live in then.” Right on, Dorothy!

Britain on Your Own has just received a bronze award in the 2001 National Mature Media Awards program for overall excellence in the travel category.

If you’re looking for glitz and glamour, check out a different book, but if you want to capture the flavor of the countryside of Great Britain, this is definitely the book for you.

Rarely does one find a book where the only two complaints that are so minor: that if the author had used more commas, it would make it easier to read and, most of all, it’s a shame that that the title limits this book to “single mature travelers.” Everyone who wants to learn more about the British countryside and/or travel there will benefit from reading this classic book.

This book, published by West Wind Books of Minot, ND, is available in major bookstores, as well as directly from the publisher for $15.95, plus $3 shipping and handling. For more information, call 800-663-4430 or e-mail westwind@minot.com