Books: Homes away from home

By COLIN MOORE

Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand
By Uli and Brian Newman
Travelwise $19.95

The substance of most accommodation guides is what the newspaper industry calls advertorial.

What you see is what the hosts pay the guide publishers for, to entice you to stay.

That doesn't necessarily undermine the credibility of the message but it does mean that accommodation guides are generally not as comprehensive as a telephone directory.

It also means that what gets published depends on how good the publishers are at marketing the forum, what they charge for an insertion and how the guide is packaged.

When it all comes together for the benefit of both hosts and travelling consumers, you get something like the Newmans' superb B & B guide.

The guide, now in its third edition, is refreshingly easy to follow and, despite its bargain price, all 272 pages are in full colour and on glossy paper.

Each home is illustrated and a portrait of the hosts is usually included so that prospective guests can get some idea of what it might be like to stay.

And while the all-embracing B & B genre may range from cottages to castles, all are homes which offer guests what the Newmans call the real New Zealand - its
people.

The guide categorises hosted accommodation into eight distinct types, each offering a slightly different style, such as "countrystay," which is a homestay in a rural setting.

The different homes are clearly described, as is the way the listings are laid out.

Do they take credit cards? What are the bedroom and bathroom arrangements? And so on.

The guide lists 210 places to stay, from Ahipara to Stewart Island, which demonstrates just how extensive and diverse this type of accommodation is.

The standard tariffs are remarkably reasonable, generally equating with most motels.

Free and independent travellers, whether from overseas or locals, should never travel New Zealand without a copy of this guide - unless you like cooking breakfast.

Stay off the beaten track in England and Wales 2001
Random House, $34.95

This is the 20th edition of this independent guide to moderately priced bed and breakfast accommodation, which gives some indication of its popularity.

It covers cottages, working farms, country houses, guesthouses and inns. Discount vouchers are included for stays of three consecutive nights or more at some places.

While it offers an interesting mix, it is odd that prices are per person sharing a double room at the beginning of the year, in the middle of the northern winter.

Future editions would do well to give a summer rate.

Jordan
By Paul Greenaway and Damien Simonis
Syria
By Andrew Humphreys and Damien Simonis
Lonely Planet $39.95

Israel's neighbours may not be the most comforting places in the world to visit but they are rich in tradition, diversity and tumultuous history.

A good guidebook is absolutely essential - for safety, and to get the most out of a visit to these Arab states.

Nepal
Lonely Planet $35.95

The fourth edition of Lonely Planet's standard guide of the Himalayan kingdom includes detailed chapters on trekking, biking and rafting.

There is also a language section. As important as good trekking shoes.

Breakfast in Melbourne

A novel way to see a bit more of Melbourne is by breakfasting somewhere different every morning.

Breakfast in and around Melbourne reviews more than 100 breakfast spots.

Divided into zones of the city, each section also gives some historical information and indicates great places worthy of a visit.

It also covers morning eateries in the Dandenong Ranges, Goldfields, Bellarine Peninsula and along the Great Ocean Road.

The reviews are given with a golden egg rating system.

Contact: Pick up a copy of Breakfast in and around Melbourne from bookstores in Australia for $A21.95 ($27).