Culture Smart! Cuba and Australia

I was given the opportunity by Kuperard Publishing to read and review the newest editions of Culture Smart! Cuba, The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture, written by Mandy MacDonald and Russell Maddicks and Culture Smart! Australia, The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture, written by Barry Penney and Gina Teague, both published by Kuperard for the Travel Pass website. I personally picked the Cuba & Australia issues out, not just because they are two places I absolutely would love to visit in the near future and learn more about, but because I know our Travel Pass readers would as well. That’s why Travel Pass has partnered with Culture Smart! to provide our readers with a chance to win the Culture Smart! Cuba & Australia issues. Click here to enter the giveaway.

As a traveler, these books are the best to take with you while on the go; many people prefer digital book issues anymore, but it’s nice to have that old school paperback book in hand every once in awhile. However, these issues are also available for Kindle users and on audio CD. Culture Smart! books are perfect to slip into your checked luggage, carry-on bag, or purse, and if you’re needing something to do while waiting for your travel transportation, then take out one of these smooth & glossy paperbacks for a quick and easy read (only 168 pages each), that will keep you craving more with each turning page.

I found both the Cuba and Australia books to be very informative and helpful guides to each country; especially, if you have never been to either one before. These issues give a great well-rounded introduction of each country's traditions, history, local customs, daily lives and more. Whether your stay will be long or short, having these books will be very beneficial for you. As I mentioned above I will be a first timer in both of these countries when I visit, and after reading both issues I feel 100% prepared and appreciate the well-written and clear information that was provided.

Culture Smart! Cuba Fun Fact: Cubans have a kind of offline Internet called “el paquete semanal” (the weekly package) that consists of portable hard drives- passed from one person to another- and contains downloads of the latest Hollywood movies, music, US TV series, documentaries, Latin American soaps, magazines, computer games, software, and mobile apps.

Culture Smart! Australia Fun Fact: In Australia you’re allowed to bring your own wine into some restaurants. Just make sure the restaurant states that you’re allowed to bring your own wine in their window, on the menu, or in their advertisements.

I love that these books are highly educational, yet entertaining and fun to read as well. I feel that both authors captured the true essence of each country, its people, and painted an amazing picture of what to expect once you arrive. I know I will re-read both books again before I take-off to explore these amazingly unique countries.

For more information, visit www.culturesmart.co.uk.

Kuperard is distributed in the USA and Canada by Independent Publishers Group (IPG). To see the full range, visit IPG’s website at www.ipgbook.com.

Sponsored by Kuperard Publishing

Elisabeth is the Founder, Publisher, & Editor-In-Chief of Travel Pass Magazine. A native Kansan who has had a love for travel ever since her first trip to Disney World at four years old, and is an adrenaline junkie who will try almost anything once. She's a full-time adventurer living out all of her life passions. Check out more of her writing and photography at www.elisabethacaraballo.com.