New Armchair Travel Series by San Diego author, Pauline Hager, Heralds National Tourism Week May 4-12 (Presented By Penchant for Penning)

SAN DIEGO, CA, April 13, 2013 (Press-News.org) With travel and tourism on the rise again, San Diego author, world traveler, and octogenarian, Pauline Hager, shares some of her global adventures just in time to welcome National Travel Tourism Week (May 4-12, 2013), with four new travelogue ebooks "Armchair Travel Series around the Globe with Pauline" (http://amzn.to/YqhIOG):

... Cruise the Panama Canal, Russia, and the Danube River ($5.99, http://amzn.to/ZpxgNh)

... USA-Durango, Colorado; Grand Canyon, Arizona; Chama, New Mexico; Kansas City, Kansas by Rail ($2.99, http://amzn.to/ZLeIOK)

... China by Land and Cruise; England by Land ($5.99, http://amzn.to/12PzVDZ)

... Japan and Thailand by Auto ($2.99, http://amzn.to/ZcacFV)

2012 stats from the World Tourism Organization (http://bit.ly/11088Al) portend a travel upswing in 2013. "By region, Asia and the Pacific (+7%) was the best performer, while by sub-region South-East Asia, North Africa (both at 9%) and Central and Eastern Europe (+8%) topped the ranking." Ms. Hager's adventures follow the trend in Asia and the Pacific, and Russia - her favorite, for its fascinating cathedrals, museums, and palaces.

From a sister's birthday trip through the Panama Canal, to a colorful vacation in Russia, to a son and grandson's railroad ride through the Southwest US and more, Ms. Hager's comfortable narrations of their excursions hit the highlights with numerous stunning photos.

Writing the travelogues was a way to relive her most enjoyable trips and help others live vicariously through her experiences, or use them to make decisions for their next journey. "As octogenarians, my husband and I don't travel as often as we have in the past. Now, I relax with my Kindle, sitting in my armchair and reminisce."

Some first time travelers may not want to explore a new city or country without a few recommendations from those who have gone before. Ms. Hager shares many personal moments, whether for memories or mistakes and mishaps, hoping the reader will learn not only the features but the foibles of traveling to these areas.

On their cruise down the Danube, "... Bulgaria is noted for its exceptional roses, producing 85% of the world's rose oil, due to its unique climate and soil conditions in the Rose Valley, just south of the Balkan Mountains. ... We stopped at a small gift shop where for sale were bottles of the famous rose oil and large gift boxes of aromatic soaps made from the seeds of the various plants in the region." She cautions however, "I bought a gift box consisting of twelve bars of soap, not realizing how heavy it would weight down my suitcase."

Ms. Hager lived in Japan* for two years in the mid-1990s with her husband, Randy; she hopes that those adventures along with new ones, will help other seniors gauge the level of enjoyment and hassle involved when traveling.

Ms. Hager's Armchair Travel Series is quick, easy reading for travel preparation or even in the moment, as the plane lands, the ship docks, or the train chugs into one of her featured regions.

Pauline Hager lives in La Jolla, California, when not gallivanting around the globe. Her Armchair Travel Series is on sale now at Amazon. In addition to the new travelogues, Ms. Hager's books include *"Memoirs of an American Housewife in Japan" (http://amzn.to/XFHizC), print-$14.95, ebook-$7.99; and "Giorgi's Greek Tragedy" (http://amzn.to/12PAQEk), print-$17.95, ebook-$6.95. She can be reached through her website, http://www.BooksByPaulineHager.com.

Penchant for Penning is a PR consulting and book editing service for independent authors. Owner LinDee Rochelle is also an author often found with her laptop on a SoCal beach. See website, http://www.PenchantForPenning.com, for more info or call 858.292.5288.