Many posters have mentioned writing ahead to tourist offices in towns or districts in Europe for maps, brochures, accommodation information, and the like. I am in the early stages of planning a trip, and I would love more information on a few places that aren't covered extensively in the guidebooks I've consulted so far. <BR> <BR>How do you request information from local tourist offices in foreign countries -- not the big offices here in the US, but the smaller, regional ones? Can the letters be written in English? Do you send international repy coupons for postage? And how do you phrase your requests?

Claudia, <BR>One of the most effective means of securing regional and local information (for me at least) has been to contact the national tourist offices specifying the areas and regions of interest. That invariably provides me with a starting point for contacting local offices. As an example I contacted the Austrian National Tourist Office requesting information about the Tyrol. Among the material I received is a large foldout map of the Tyrol on the back side of which is a listing of over 300 Tyrolean cities, towns and villages with telephone numbers, fax numbers, Email addresses and websites. Information for Austrian locales seems readily available by going to <BR>www.tiscover.com/xxxx with xxxx being the name of the town. <BR> <BR>I've had similar success, particularly with the German, Netherlands and Belgian tourist offices as well. I've contacted regional and local offices by Email or fax, always in English and always received information via mail in anywhere from one to three weeks time. <BR>Other than the National Tourist Offices which frequently request "contributions" to defray the cost of printing and mailing, I've never been requested to pay for any materials from regional or local offices. <BR> <BR>Some years ago I planned a trip to Bavaria. Wrote first to the German National Tourist office, got info leading to the Munich and Bavarian tourist offices; contacted them and got info leading to regions, towns and villages. Wrote to a village tourist office in Hohenfurch, a farming village with a then population of 650 and received brochures including a hand written rate list for one of the most charming inns I've over stayed in. <BR> <BR>Drop me an Email with the areas of your interest; I may well have a listing of websites that meet your needs. <BR>

I've had fantastic responses whenever I've contacted tourist offices, especially regional ones. I write in English (I figure they can find somebody to translate, even if it's their teenage son, just like I would if I got a letter in German, etc.) and try to be as specific as possible, rather than "send me info on your region". Including something about why you're attracted to the area is always a plus, or how you heard about the area. <BR> <BR>For our long stay in the Dordogne Valley 2 years ago, I wrote to tourist offices for Bordeaux and Perigord, and got wonderful maps, brochures on obscure caves, historic sites and castles not found in the guidebooks. We got discount coupons for Bordeaux restaurants, free admission to a museum, etc. A veritable gold mine... <BR> <BR>Include your full address, email address and phone numbers in your correspondence; use nice stationery or notecards with interesting pictures (since I would love to get a note with a picture of the Australian outback or the Spanish tomato fight, I figure somebody in Italy would like a picture of the OK Corral); be sure to address the envelope clearly and correctly. <BR> <BR>I've never been asked for postage from any of the regional offices.

Claudia, <BR>I've had great success contacting local tourist offices throughout Switzerland and in the Champagne region of France. I usually get to the city's website (via a search engine or typing various versions of the name plus ".ch" or ".fr" or whatever) and then click on the "contact us" or "email us." There's usually such a link. Anyway, I have always written in English and have never had to send postage. I'm sure you'll get good results! <BR> <BR>s

Hi Claudia: <BR>I jave also used a search engine for touist offices and will email but I have also had good luck with phone calls. Some of the tourist boards will have a US number. <BR>I recently did while researching my upcoming trip to Amsterdam, The NTB had al ocal number in NY. I called and spoke to perfectly delightful Dutch gentleman who was as happy as I was that I planning a visit to the Netherlands. I got some great stuff and about every 4 0r 5 weeks I receive another package of updated information. <BR>Good luck!

Oh, and tear off the postage stamps from the incoming envelopes to add to your scrapbook/photo album/whatever.

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful, helpful replies. To me, the planning is always a big part of enjoying any trip, and this new aspect of research promises to be very rewarding. Thanks again! <BR> <BR>Claudia

I missed your last post while composing mine, Elvira, and I have to marvel: you think of everything, don't you? Thanks for another great suggestion.

A little different twist to this thread. When I was about to depart on the planning trip for the tour we took to Budapest and Macedonia with our students last summer I emailed the Hungarian Tourist Office in Budapest asking if they could have a certain number of maps, brochures ready etc,,, Got back a very nice email and when I went to their office [off Deak Ter] they were expecting me. THey were generous and kind, although my Hungarian is rather at the level of "point and grunt" -- and they even gave me a sturdy plastic sack with handles that had their logo on it! <BR> <BR>Even some small towns have an official website with an email address.