When Tess Downey was a little girl, she was allowed to take one suitcase on family vacations. Her mother packed all of her daughter's clothes and toiletries, but Downey was allowed to take anything she liked in her small blue case.

"I look at that suitcase today," she says, "and it's not even as big as a laptop case, but I managed to cram it with toys and books -- things I thought were too essential to leave at home. I learned to pack almost before I learned to walk!"

Born into a family of travelers, Downey's adventures did indeed start young. "It was great," she says. "I was taught not to be afraid to try things or to meet new people. My folks weren't the kind of Americans abroad who tried to make themselves understood by just speaking English louder."

Downey writes about travel as the ultimate educational experience. Her books offer her readers more than just packing trips and booking advice. "To really get the most out of going some place new, you need to learn before you go, learn while you are there, and learn when you get back."

"One of my favorite travel writers is Tim Cahill," Downey says. "His book 'Pecked to Death by Ducks' is just classic. He goes out to these dismal, remote, exotic places, sees amazing things, and then laughs at all the outrageous stuff that happens. That's the attitude we all should take on the road with us! Laugh it off and just get into the experience."

Good-humored, practical,and insightful, Downey's travel books offer useful information in an easily accessible format. "I want readers to come away from one of my books thinking about where they want to go next and actually planning how to get there," Downey says. "It's great to dream about travel, but it's even better when you make it happen!"