At the bookstore, faced with tightly packed rows upon rows of travel guides, where do you begin? There are 12 books on your destination alone, how can you choose? I've collected my impressions on some of the major titles, and I hope that they'll help you to navigate the racks. If you've used other guides that aren't mentioned here, let me know your thoughts!
Eyewitness Guides: While they might not be the most practical guides, Eyewitness books are excellent for getting excited about your trip. They are packed with pictures and illustrations that are a great point of reference when you're planning on going to a packed city and want to pick out a particular building. The books really tend to cater to finer tastes, which seems to explain the absence of titles for more obscure, developing countries. While the quality of the books makes them fun to look through, the heavy paper and size is less appealing when you have to tote around a heavy booktheir larger country guides are backbreakers. I love these books as a pre-departure study aid, and it's nice to see that they're continually expanding into non-European destinations.
Fodors: This company has had a place as one of the major travel guide producers for quite a while, and that means that it's satisfying customers. Fodors guides are ideal for those who want to see the major sites, find a hotel with good creature comforts and enjoy a good meal (with or without linen tablecloths). They're not going to get you to the remote locations on unpaved roads, though. Just the opposite of more rough-and-tumble books, Fodors hotel and restaurant listings go from most to least expensive, and there are generally a lot more upper-end and midrange listings than budget choices.
Footprint: Something of an elder statesman in the market, considering that the company's first book came out in 1924. That's a lot of time to accumulate good chops, and Footprint is worth a look for its excellent writing, thorough research and stated mission of respect for local cultures and environments. There is good advice on the major sites as well as more adventuresome locales, and it covers a good range of options in the practical matters like hotels and restaurants. One quibble is that some of the larger guides have the mixed blessing of a hard coverincreased durability but added weightand, perhaps to make up for the weight of the cover, the pages are like onionskin, so thin you can read what's on the other side, which doesn't help matters of legibility. Not all editions have those problems; titles that are less densely packed with information have thicker, more legible pages.
Frommers: As a budget traveler, it warms my heart to see that this company puts out a guide to New York City called Free and Dirt Cheap. They also still offer some titles under their $X-a-Day format (like San Francisco from $70 a Day), but the majority of their guides have gone in a less budget conscious direction. That's not to say that Frommer's isn't a good option for those of us who like to travel on the cheap; they still offer solid options that offer good value and they provide candid descriptions. These books are also slightly better suited to those who want to see the major sites in a given destination, but there is some coverage of less-well-known spots as well.
Insight: Thick, heavy and packed with photos, Insight Guides are another great trip prep book. The practical information is relegated to the far back of the book, and it's not what you'd call exhaustive. What it lacks on that count, it makes up for in two-page bleeds of gorgeous photos and some interesting writing about things to see, a destination's history and other topics like flora, fauna and handicrafts. These books really are honkers, though; if you bring one along, make someone else carry or leave it at the hotel for nighttime perusal.
Knopf: The bigger Knopf guides are another entry in the high-gloss, high-quality, photo heavy division. In that category, there a good choice, and even for those who don't necessarily have expansive budgets, they're fun to look at and a good resource for sightseeing ideas. Also of interest are Knopf's slimline MapGuide titles, which are colorful, well designed and quite practical for exploring a single city. They're divided up by neighborhoods, and for each section, a map unfolds of that particular slice of the city, pointing out shops, sights and places to grab a bite to eat. Very helpful for getting to know a place bit by bit. The books are largely on European destinations with a growing handful of exceptions.
Let's Go: Energetic and young, as is indicated by its bright, chaotic, but still attractive cover designsand the fact that it's written and researched by Harvard undergrads. Paper quality might seem a trivial bone to pick, but I think it's a legitimate issue with Let's Go; they use flimsy, sparse paper doesn't take ink too well, and while it probably indicates recycled paper (hooray!), the grey color just makes everything, particularly maps, hard to read. I feel like a tired, old codger shaking my cane at the kids on the lawn when I look at Let's Go, but they'd probably serve student and backpacker-types extremely well, and by extension, they're friendly to tight budgets. In any case, I'd rather have a Let's Go guide than one that was going to steer me toward the Ritz as a hotel option.
Lonely Planet: LP has always had a backpacker's heart, but it's certainly expanded to cater to more tastes and budgets. The company guarantees that its writer do not take free accommodations, excursions or any other goodies from the businesses which they include in their books, and the objectivity implied by that comes across in their reviews. LP writers tell it like it is, and if you are OK with a hotel that's less than pristineif it means you can get it for the equivalent of $3 per nightthey'll give you options that are at least safe, if not sparkling. They also know posh when they see it, and will point you to the best of the best in each destination. Their new Encounter city guides seem to be a solid option for single-city, short-term trips.
Moon Guides: Moon's fanbase has been steadily growing over the years, thanks to their knowledgeable writers and balanced approach to covering the major sites and off-the-track treats. One notable difference with Moon Guides is their mapsinstead of having a key that lists hotels and attractions by numbers which you have to find on the map, Moon just puts each name right on the map, which makes it easy to glance at the map and know where you're going, rather than having to scour it. The downside it that not as much information fits on the map, but you might just like the change. The books typically have engaging writing and a good sense of value when it comes to hotels and restaurants.
Rick Steves: He's got a cult following on PBS that helps him move a lot of what really are good guidebooks about Europe. Steves' books could certainly be used by younger travelers, but their laid-back style is particularly good for families and older travelers who aren't looking for the singles scene, but who also want good value for their money. One point of frustration is the maps, which are cartoonish and drawn with loose, heavy lines and which seem totally impractical. If you get Steves' charmquirky, art-obsessed and a little dorky, but ultimately educated, helpful and eager to point out the hidden gemsyou might like his books, too.
Rough Guide: Eminently readable, which is a good thing, because they are text-heavy books. The practical information is blocked out well, and the maps are exceptionally clear and readable because they are black text printed on a soft tan field. Has developed a bit of a reputation for having good information (and more of it, compared to other guides) on places that are off the beaten track. Hotel and restaurant prices aren't specific in Rough Guidesthey assign numbers to indicate price ranges (1 being the least expensive, and on up). It's friendly to high budget travelers, giving them the options they'd seek, but it's probably most likely to satisfy adventurous travelers for whom a mint on the pillow isn't necessary.
Wallpaper: Slim, easy to conceal and carry, and very stylish. These are ideal for people who want to blend in with the chic populations of the coolest cities. As a bargain hunter who loves design, I'm compelled and repulsed by these little candy-colored volumes. Compelled because they're tiny, light and lovely and they have lovely things in them (museums, shopping, restaurants). Repulsed because almost none of the information is going to be practical to someone who wants to know where to find unpretentious restaurants and a mom-and-pop pension. Perhaps best used as a supplement to a more in-depth, wider-reaching guide. (Their asterisk, not mine.)
Best Ways To Attract Women And Art Of Seduction Key To
www.stumptownconfidential.comHi. Welcome to www.stumptownconfidential.com Best Ways To Attract Women And Art Of Seduction. Please come back and visit this page regularly for...
Cheap Travel Money TravelMoneyMax.com Compare to get the best ...
travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/holiday-moneyThis compares the best available online rates for changing your foreign cash back into pounds. Currency: ...
The 100 Best Jobs Best Jobs US News Careers
money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobsAll jobs aren't created equal. In fact, some are simply better than the rest. U.S. News 100 Best Jobs of 2013 are the occupations that offer a mosaic of employment ...
Top 5 Firearms You Need To Get Your Hands On NOW! The
www.theprepperjournal.com/2013/03/22/top-5-firearms-you-need-to...Information you need to be prepared for anything. ... To the individual who is either interested in Prepping or already knee deep into preparing for any number of ...
XanEdu
www.xanedu.comDigital and traditional custom publishing solutions for higher ed: iPad App, multimedia, course packs, textbooks, copyright services, and business cases.
The Best Traffic Of Your Life: The best free web traffic ...
thebesttrafficofyourllife.comThe best free web traffic generating software you have ever seen. You are 15 seconds from getting your hands on the best free web traffic generating software.
Book reviews: Find the best new books
www.bookbrowse.comOnline book review magazine: Guides you to the best new and current books, includes reviews, excerpts, reading lists, find a book tool, info for book clubs & more.
Transitions Abroad - Guide to Work, Study, Travel and Living Abroad
www.transitionsabroad.comTransitions Abroad is the guide to paid and volunteer work abroad, living abroad, study abroad and cultural immersion travel overseas.
Online Poker Guide & Toplists - $100+ Million in Bonuses Claimed
www.pokerlistings.comPokerListings makes online poker easy for you! We review and list all the top poker sites, free bonuses & tournaments, plus tips & guides for new poker players.
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) - IMDb
www.imdb.com/title/tt0365830This is the story of a friendship that changes the course of rock history forever, of the fateful collision of minds between JB and KG that led to the creation of the ...
Rick Steves Europe: Tours, Trip Planning, Travel Guides &
www.ricksteves.comTours Travel Store Plan Your Trip Helpline Graffiti WallRick Steves is America's leading authority on European travel. Whether you plan your own trip or take one of Rick's value-packed tours, everything you need is here.
Dallas Best Restaurants, Dallas Food, Dallas Dining, Dallas Chefs ...
sidedish.dmagazine.comSideDish is a food blog about Dallas food, Dallas best restaurants and the Dallas dining scene everything from good meals, restaurant news and Dallas chefs ...
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - telegram.com
www.telegram.comHomeTeam Jobs CourtrecordsTelegram.com is the number one news and information site in Central Massachusetts. Find out what is going on in 70 Worcester County communities - community affairs ...
David Gaughran Let's Get Digital
davidgaughran.wordpress.comJul 08, 2013 Let's Get Digital ... Anyone familiar with Joanna Penns blog The Creative Penn will know what an excellent resource it is for writers ...
The Hangover Part II (2011) - IMDb
www.imdb.com/title/tt1411697Stu is getting married. Along with Doug, Phil, and his soon-to-be brother-in-law Teddy, he regretfully invites Alan to Thailand for the wedding. After a quiet night ...
Black Iron Pan Split-Grilled Hot Dogs recipe by the BBQ Pit Boys ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsYf-yxp_r8Got your Barbecue Shoes? Then check out these butter poached split-grilled hotdogs, BBQ Pit Boys style. Rated FP -this Hard Core food recipe is not ...
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Click to see the code!
To insert emoticon you must added at least one space before the code.