New York, January 28, 2010 – Already acclaimed in Italy, the intriguing whaiwhai series of interactive Game Tour books are now on sale through Select Italy and its Website, SelectItaly.com. Whaiwhai presents a captivating full-immersion touring experience unlike any other: Using the whaiwhai book and the texting feature (SMS) of a cell phone, users receive clues and send answers that propel them across the city – Venice, Florence, Verona and Rome – from location to location, tracing and uncovering its most secret history.

Four whaiwhai are currently available: The Ruyi Venice tells of an ancient magical scepter lost with the tomb of Marco Polo; The Ruyi Rome finds signs of the passage of the same rod in the Eternal City. Florence 2054 reveals mysterious connections between noble beauties of the Renaissance and Verona Amor explores the romantic secrets of the city. Users can tailor whaiwhai to their own speed, interrupting and resuming it at will. They can play by day or at night (it’s available 24/7). It’s also possible to split into two or more teams, each with its own book, for an extra measure of game challenge.

Select Italy President Andrea Sertoli discovered whaiwhai – already critically praised by the likes of Time and National Geographic Traveler – at a trade fair in Venice. “After only one morning of playing, I had learned a tremendous amount about Venice…anecdotes, legends, untold stories... all rigorously documented and complementing the historical information acquired during more formal tours. I've found that not only is the information valuable, but it is delivered in a flawless and enjoyable way.”

All you need to play is the whaiwhai tour book (or if you want to play in separate teams, one book per team), a cell phone (any cell phone that can send and receive text messages) and a good city map to help you reach the specific places that the whaiwhai tour book will indicate thanks to the codes received by SMS. “Whaiwhai's versatility is as innovative as its content: you are never locked into any schedule but your own,” Sertoli says. “So, I made it a point to insure that Select Italy would be the first to bring whaiwhai to its customers and share the experience.”

The whaiwhai tour books are priced at just $33.95 each. “As for the cost of the book, it really is one of the most affordable experiences you can have,” Sertoli adds, “and one that makes everybody happy: there's no gender or age limitation.” Through March 31st, 2010, for every 30 whaiwhai books sold on www.selectitaly.com there will be a drawing among those 30 customers for one free book (the winner will be credited the cost of the book). So, discover whaiwhai but be careful: coursing through the core of Italy’s most beautiful cities with a stellar digital guide at your side could be as habit-forming as authentic Italian cappuccino – maybe more!

Press contact:
Anthony Grant
Tel. (646) 379-0767
tony@selectitaly.com

About Select Italy

Based in Chicago and New York City with representatives in Italy, Select Italy has been a trusted ambassador of Italian travel expertise since its establishment in 1997 by Italian-born company President, Andrea Sertoli. The ultimate source for travel to Italy, Select Italy offers a wide array of superior Italian products and services, including customized itineraries, state-of-the-art tours and packages, wedding/honeymoon trips, unique culinary classes, a complete pre-departure ticketing service for museums and musical events, private guided services, yacht charters, transportation, hotel reservations, villa bookings and more. Select Italy is committed to creating the perfect vacation and maximizing enjoyment in Italy for its clients by adhering to the highest standards of professionalism. For more information call (800) 877-1755 or visit www.selectitaly.com.