A travel guidebook can be a useful resource providing information on a destination. Guidebooks can enlighten travelers to a countries history and culture as well as recommend places to stay, things to do and see and where to eat. But are all guidebooks the same? And how do you know what guidebook is right for you?
There are several guidebooks on the market and they target different audiences. To determine what guidebook would be the most useful you need to define your travel style and what you will be using the guidebook for.
Are you a budget backpacker or do you prefer to stay in five star hotels? Do you want to explore the culture and travel like a local or do you just want to visit the well known tourist sites? Will you be on a packaged tour or traveling independently? How much do you have to spend on your trip? How long will you be traveling for? What do you want the guidebook for? Is it for background information on the history and culture of a destination or do you want a listing of hotels and restaurants? Do you want to read up on what there is to do and see? Do you want detailed itineraries to follow or do you prefer to design your own? By answering these questions you will be able to choose the right guidebook for your travel style.
If you are a budget traveler you might want to buy a Lonely Planet guidebook. Lonely Planet is aimed at the budget backpacker and lists inexpensive accommodations and places to eat. They do have comprehensive sections on history and culture as well as providing useful phrases in foreign languages. But beware some of the hotels they recommend are not suitable for single female travelers and they focus on cost more than atmosphere. Also the Lonely Planet guides can be hit and miss with updates and practical information such as prices.
Other travel guides that cater to “young and budget savvy travelers” include Rough Guides and the Lets Go series. They are similar to the Lonely Planet guides in the types of accommodations and restaurants that they review. Rick Steeves also has a good series of “backdoor” guides that are not only focused on budget travel but also provide valuable information about off the beaten track destinations and activities.
If you are a more mature traveler or a family and are looking for comfort along with value try Frommers or Fodors guides. Marianne Graff, a self professed global traveler, likes the Frommers guides. “The ratings are accurate and the information is up to date” says Graff. She also likes the itineraries. “They are well thought out and you can really do them.” Graff has used several other guidebooks but keeps coming back to Frommers.
The Insight Travel Guides are visual travel guides with hundreds of color photos in each guide book. They focus more on the history of a destination and contain useful itineraries on what to do and see when you get there. They don’t have much on where to stay or eat but will give you a great overview of the destination and the things to see and do there.
Another excellent guide book for history, background information, maps and pictures are the DK Eyewitness guides. Also a good refernce are the Moon Handbooks which are written by knowledgeable guides and Graff considers them “a good secondary source for insider information.” The Ulysses Guidebooks are also popular with more mature travelers who want aren’t as concerned about cost.
Remember guidebooks are usually written and updated one to two years prior to publication. Although they contain current information things change constantly. What was a reasonably priced place to stay a year ago many now be over priced due to its mention in a guide book. Prices are just a guideline as they will fluctuate. Restaurants and hotels can change owners or go out of business. Don’t rely entirely on a guidebook to plan your holiday. Check in with the local tourism bureaus when you arrive at a destination as they will have them most up to date information.
So before you purchase a guide book decide on what type of travel you want to do. If you are an independent budget traveler, check out Lonely Planet, Lets Go or Rough Guides. If you seek more upscale travel advice, try Frommers or Fodors guides. If you are just looking for background information or advice on what to see and do then buy an Insight, DK Eyewitness or Moon guidebook. Don’t rely on just one guidebook exclusively cross reference with other guidebooks for a more complete picture of a destination. And remember guidebooks are just that, a guide to help you get the most out of visit.
