All you need to know about R.I.

Traveling, like charity, begins at home — which is one reason for picking up a copy of Rhode Island: An Explorer’s Guide, by Phyllis Meras and Katherine Imbrie. Meras is a former Journal travel editor, now retired, and Imbrie has been a Journal feature writer for a couple of decades. The guide is the completely updated fifth edition of our state’s entry in the Explorer’s Guide series by Countryman Press.

It’s a big book for a small state — 318 pages, loaded with photographs, maps and all the essential information a visitor needs and most natives don’t know. It’s $21.95 at a bookstore near you.

Reasons to stay in the U.S.A.

With everything from euros to air fares rising along with the heat, many travel-industry experts are proclaiming this the year to stay home. Travel + Leisure magazine is weighing in with a list of its own: “50 reasons to love the U.S.A. now” in the July issue and online at www.travelandleisure.com/articles/50-reasons-to-love-the-usa-now.

The guide, described by the magazine as “highly opinionated,” is divided into four geographic regions (Northeast & Mid-Atlantic, West & Southwest, South & Southeast and Midwest) with listings for every state.

Gas prices rerouting people’s plans

Of course, even staying home is costly, given the price of gasoline. During Rand McNally’s recent Great American Road Trip Survey, conducted April 29-May 1, 66 percent of respondents said they’ve changed travel plans because of rising gas prices; 57 percent said they’ll travel but will drive fewer miles. Overall, 75 percent said they’ll probably take a road trip of about five days this summer.

A bright idea from Vermont

But if you can make it up to Vermont, you may get a break. The state is giving away $100 gas cards each week in hopes of encouraging people to visit.

The summer promotion, dubbed “Vermont Fuels Your Vacation,” runs through Sept. 30. The cards are redeemable at participating gas stations. You can register at www.VermontVacation.com/fuel.

Established in 2006, the promotion drew an average of 240 entries per week last summer. Several Vermont inns and lodging properties are also offering fuel-saving packages and gas card promotions in hopes of drumming up summer business.