Book by R.A. Kurbangaleeva and N.A. Khrustaleva “Stories from the life of St. Petersburg guides / True and not so true” is dedicated to the problems of international tourism. The authors, who have extensive experience working with German-speaking tourists, tell various, including funny, stories from their lives related to their activities. We are talking about the knowledge and skills needed by guides-translators, about the peculiarities of conducting excursions in St. Petersburg, about the mentality of the Germans, Austrians and Swiss. The prospects and possible difficulties of international tourism are considered.