A Travel Series for the Rest of Us! For Dummies Teams Up with Frommer's to Launch a New Travel Series With Down-to-Earth Advice for Every Traveler.

Business Editors & Travel Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2000

The best-selling For Dummies(R) books have teamed up with Frommer's(R) to publish a new For Dummies travel series from IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDGB). Eight titles are now available at bookstores nationwide, including Walt Disney World For Dummies ($15.99, ISBN: 0-7645-6164-2), New York City For Dummies ($15.99, ISBN: 0-7645-6160-X), Cruise Vacations For Dummies ($19.99, ISBN: 0-7645-6174-X), Caribbean For Dummies ($19.99, ISBN: 0-7645-6197-9), San Francisco For Dummies ($15.99, ISBN: 0-7645-6161-8), Europe For Dummies ($19.99, ISBN: 0-7645-6190-1), California For Dummies ($16.99, ISBN: 0-7645-6158-8) and London For Dummies (15.99, ISBN: 0-7645-6194-4). A total of 15 titles will be available by the end of 2000 and 27 titles by the end of 2001.

The For Dummies guides are a new concept in travel guides, combing the fun, accessible look and feel of the popular For Dummies books with the travel expertise of Frommer's. Written in a candid, conversational tone, the guides are also interactive, with worksheets to help readers work out their budgets and itineraries.

The new For Dummies series offers readers concise, selective recommendations, including the best hotels and restaurants for every kind of traveler, as well as dozens of detailed maps. All guides will be updated on the Internet at www.dummies.com to ensure that readers have the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Featuring the appealing design of the For Dummies series, each guide is complete with easy-to-scan icons that direct readers to tips, warnings, kid-friendly information, bargains, handy worksheets and checklists. A two-sided tear out "Cheat Sheet" with full-color maps and quick reference pointers provides travelers with easy access to tips on the go. Each guide is written by an expert who knows the destination firsthand and helps visitors find the trip that's right for them and make the most of their time and money. Whether the reader is an inexperienced traveler looking for guidance or an experienced traveler without a lot of time to devote to trip planning, For Dummies travel guides provide opinionated advice so travelers can have the vacation of their lives.

Other For Dummies Titles to be Available by the end of 2000: -------------------------------------------------------------

New Orleans For Dummies Bahamas For Dummies Las Vegas For Dummies Italy For Dummies Ireland For Dummies Arizona & New Mexico For Dummies Hawaii For Dummies

The first title in the For Dummies series, Dos For Dummies, was published in 1991. Since then the series has focused on helping people enrich their lives while making learning accessible and fun. The For Dummies series now has over 400 titles and more than 90 million books in print, plus translations in 39 languages. The series is helping people conquer the "how to's" of topics ranging from computers, cooking and careers to personal finance, public speaking and perennials.

About IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.

IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDGB) headquartered in Foster City, CA, is a leading global knowledge company with a diverse portfolio of technology, business, consumer and how-to brands, computer-based learning tools, Web sites and Internet e-services. IDGB's best-selling brands include For Dummies(R), Betty Crocker(R), Bible, CliffsNotes(tm), Frommer's(R), the Unofficial Guide(R), Visual(tm), Weight Watchers(R) and Webster's New World(tm). IDGB is also the publisher of AOL Press(tm), Hewlett-Packard Press(tm), Netscape Press(tm) and Novell Press(tm). IDGB has more than 4,000 active titles in 39 languages. IDGB has publishing partnerships in more than 53 countries. IDGB owns the Web sites www.cliffsnotes.com, www.dummies.com, and www.frommers.com. More information about IDGB is available on the company's SEC filing or by visiting their Web site at www.idgbooks.com. IDGB is a subsidiary of International Data Group, Inc., the world's leading global provider of information media, research, conferences and expositions.

Note to Editors: For Dummies is a trademark or registered trademark of IDG Books Worldwide. Frommer's is a registered trademark of Arthur Frommer in the United States and other countries used under exclusive license by IDG Books Worldwide. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.