Travel

ginnyinWI

(17,276 posts) Thu Jun 26, 2014, 10:45 AM Jun 2014

What travel guide books do you like?

I had a Frommer's for Iceland a few years ago. Lots of detail but no pictures. Just print in black and red.

So for Germany I got "Lonely Planet Discover Germany". Did have color pictures and information about most things, but not very much detail. I would have entirely missed the best art museum had it not been for a friend of my daughter's who recommended it, because Lonely Planet said nothing about it! (The museum was Lenbachaus, in case you are interested in The Blue Rider group in particular.)

So--for the next trip I wonder what guide to use. It may be to Spain or Italy or Scandinavia. I'll go back to Frommer's maybe. I prefer a guide that gives historical information too.

7 replies

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What travel guide books do you like? (Original Post) ginnyinWI Jun 2014 OP

I used lots in putting together family trips, elleng Jun 2014 #1

I've had good luck with Funtreks guidebooks. bluedigger Jun 2014 #2

I always START planning with the Insight Guides Lydia Leftcoast Jun 2014 #3

thankyou ginnyinWI Jun 2014 #4

I worked in a second hand book store. They had an old applegrove Jun 2014 #5

I use the internet and not books. cbayer Jun 2014 #6

I like Wikipedia and google maps Tetris_Iguana Jul 2014 #7

elleng

(136,071 posts)

1. I used lots in putting together family trips,

Reply to ginnyinWI (Original post)

Thu Jun 26, 2014, 10:51 AM

Jun 2014

and very good, for our honeymoon, was Fishers for Italy. Lots of historical info.

bluedigger

(17,148 posts)

2. I've had good luck with Funtreks guidebooks.

Reply to ginnyinWI (Original post)

Thu Jun 26, 2014, 11:10 AM

Jun 2014

http://www.funtreks.com/

They publish a series of 4wd trail guides, etc...

Probably not what you were looking for, but someone here might find them useful.

Lydia Leftcoast

(48,217 posts)

3. I always START planning with the Insight Guides

Reply to ginnyinWI (Original post)

Thu Jun 26, 2014, 06:05 PM

Jun 2014

They're short on practicalities, but wonderful for inspiration.

They begin with essays on the history and culture of the country or city and continue with a sort of illustrated guided tour, as in, "A short train ride takes you to ________, the sight of an old royal palace..." There are photos on every page.

Once the Insight Guide has inspired me and given me ideas about what to see, I turn to the Rick Steves guides (for Europe) and the Rough Guides. These have the most practical information without excessive details.

I'm in Japan now, and even after more than a dozen trips, not to mention living here many years ago, I still use the Rough Guide for practical information.

Tomorrow the Rough Guide will be put to the test when I head for Korea via hydrofoil, my first trip to that country.

ginnyinWI

(17,276 posts)

4. thankyou

Reply to Lydia Leftcoast (Reply #3)

Thu Jun 26, 2014, 06:46 PM

Jun 2014

I had never heard of Rough Guide. Will look into it.

applegrove

(123,130 posts)

5. I worked in a second hand book store. They had an old

Reply to ginnyinWI (Original post)

Thu Jun 26, 2014, 09:21 PM

Jun 2014

bedeckers on Italy. From about 1917. Someone had written comments in it. Everywhere. I so should have bought it and used it for a trip to Italy some day.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)

6. I use the internet and not books.

Reply to ginnyinWI (Original post)

Thu Jun 26, 2014, 09:44 PM

Jun 2014

I use trip advisor a lot for hotels and restaurants.

Airbnb is my go to source for housing these days, both in the US and outside.

And the lonely planet website is great for restaurants, bars and fun places to go end hang out.

Also, there are lots of walking tours available on the web, and these often take you to great neighborhoods, fabulous local food and good nightlife/music.

Have a great time and stay flexible!

Tetris_Iguana

(501 posts)

7. I like Wikipedia and google maps

Reply to ginnyinWI (Original post)

Wed Jul 2, 2014, 10:29 PM

Jul 2014

Just click and go

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