The Obsessive Traveller: Or Why I Don't Steal Towels from Great Hotels Anymore

by David Dale, Matthew Martin (Illustrator)

From the Danieli, Fifth Avenue and Arab street markets to Nicolai's Roof Restaurant and the Pere Lachaise cemetery, from dealing with Egyptian taxi-drivers and Parisian doorman to travelling companions and Cornish landladies, this book is a eulogy on the delights and discoveries of travel. David Dale is the author of "An Australian in America" and "The Official Liar's Handbook".

Genres: Travel

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Maria (Ri) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this well traveled travel book! Like azuki, it is refreshing to read a travel perspective from an Australian. I loved reading about all the delicious foods and now have a foodie trip to Italy planned (at least in my mind - not sure when it will really happen!). It is a little dated in places as this was written in the pre9/11 traveling world, but it is still chock full of great little bits on traveling. I like too that the format is different than most travelogues.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still reading my old arm chair traveller books! I loved this one although it is very outdated (first published 1991!) Sad that Dale's choice of best restaurant in the world (in Bologna of course!) is, according to Google maps, no more!

This book is not so much about the geographical places, as it is about customs, travel guides, hotels, train travel and restaurants. Even though I haven't experienced the specific places to which Dale refers, I really enjoyed this book. . . but then I'm not surprised as I just love the concept of travel. ****

[Goldenwattle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, amusing read, read while travelling myself, in Norway.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I can’t travel, so just read this little book and pretend travelling. It’s indeed a lot of fun and humorous trips.

[Stephen Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike so many books on travel, this is a book on the joys and challenges of travel and, above all the opportunities the experience of travelling affords. In it, he covers faux travel, touring graveyards, so-called international cuisine, various national cuisines, shopping, great streets, travel books, that great food isn’t always found in “great” restaurants, the joys of dining cars on trains, small and unusual museums such as those dedicated to pasta, potatoes, vibrators, turkey hunters, Lizzy Bordon and cheese, searching for a white Christmas (hint, avoid England), experiences with waiters, the joys of public transport, regional cuisine, his judgement of the best restaurant in the world, the joys and trials of travelling with another person and the thieving of items such as letterheads, towels and ashtrays bearing the insignia of the hotel. Although 30 years old when this book fell into my hands, I found it as enjoyable a read as I would have had I encountered it when published. Except that a few of the experiences will different today, his focus on his approach to travel and how to experience it are a welcome contrast to the oh so repetitive "in this locality, stay here, see these and eat here" format travel guides.

[Matthew Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A easy and enjoyable book for all those (like me) who love to travel, explore and steal as many things as possible from hotels!

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars = Okay. I liked the book. It was worth reading.