Generation gap

The advice in the July 19 “On the Spot” column [“The Best Kick-Start”] to two 19-year-olds by way of one of their mothers about travel to South Africa included counsel from travel experts Arthur Frommer and Times staff writers Susan Spano and Christopher Reynolds.

There was nothing wrong with the advice, but none of it seem grounded in the fact that they are young people.

There are several sources of travel advice out there that are more youth focused. My daughter has always used the Lonely Planet guides, and there is one for South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Besides identifying youth-orientated locations, these guides include more budget-minded options for lodgings and food.

Lonely Planet also has an excellent website (www.lonely planet.com), which includes an active travel forum of readers.

Peter Smith

Long Beach