Travel guidebook recommendations
Apr 23rd, 2013, 04:51 PM
#1
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Travel guidebook recommendations
Hi,
My boyfriend and I are traveling in June for 4 weeks to:
Rome (5 nights)
Florence (3 nights)
Venice (2 nights)
Nice (4 nights)
Amsterdam (4 nights)
Paris (7 nights)
It is the first time out of North America for both of us, and we are both 23.
I am wondering which guidebooks you would recommend for our itinerary. I've been looking on Rick Steve's site and am not sure which ones I should choose! We already have hotels booked and we're not too interested in expensive dining. We plan on doing a lot of walking and metro/bussing. Total budget for travel guides would be around $60. I'm also concerned too many books will weigh down our luggage.
Thanks in advance!!
My boyfriend and I are traveling in June for 4 weeks to:
Rome (5 nights)
Florence (3 nights)
Venice (2 nights)
Nice (4 nights)
Amsterdam (4 nights)
Paris (7 nights)
It is the first time out of North America for both of us, and we are both 23.
I am wondering which guidebooks you would recommend for our itinerary. I've been looking on Rick Steve's site and am not sure which ones I should choose! We already have hotels booked and we're not too interested in expensive dining. We plan on doing a lot of walking and metro/bussing. Total budget for travel guides would be around $60. I'm also concerned too many books will weigh down our luggage.
Thanks in advance!!
Apr 23rd, 2013, 05:20 PM
#2
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You can read the destination guides right here, since Fodor's guides make it possible for our no-cost exchange of tips and opinions. See, right up there on the top left: Click.
Ditto Frommer's, Lonely Planet and no doubt others. From the on-line samples you can get an idea of how suitable a bound book, or maybe a download, will be for your interests.
Ditto Frommer's, Lonely Planet and no doubt others. From the on-line samples you can get an idea of how suitable a bound book, or maybe a download, will be for your interests.
Apr 23rd, 2013, 05:24 PM
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Whatever books you decide on you can always rip out the sections you need, staple them together and bring just those. I do this for every trip. If I already have hotels booked, why bring the hotel sections.
I personally like Rick Steves for very basic information about a place (a lot of people here do not like him so please do not jump on me). He has basic maps and info that lets you feel comfortable with a place before you arrive there.
He gives info on how to get around in a city, lower priced dining and accommodations, where laundromats and groceries are etc. Many people do not need to know some of these things, but I did on my first trip. It was three months, on a strict budget, and we were staying in apts so that kind of info was helpful to me.
I also like the DK Eyewitness books. They have great pics in them. I have dozens of guidebooks, some intact, some not.
I personally like Rick Steves for very basic information about a place (a lot of people here do not like him so please do not jump on me). He has basic maps and info that lets you feel comfortable with a place before you arrive there.
He gives info on how to get around in a city, lower priced dining and accommodations, where laundromats and groceries are etc. Many people do not need to know some of these things, but I did on my first trip. It was three months, on a strict budget, and we were staying in apts so that kind of info was helpful to me.
I also like the DK Eyewitness books. They have great pics in them. I have dozens of guidebooks, some intact, some not.
Apr 23rd, 2013, 05:39 PM
#4
You don't need a lot of guidebooks for the places you're going. You can find a lot of info to print or download from websites like Rick Steves, Frommer's, lonelyplanet.com, tripadvisor.com, and obviously here on Fodor's.
At the top of this screen page, look for the word "Destinations" in the orange stripe and search the cities on your itinerary. At "Mobile Apps" in the same orange stripe, you'll find free city guides for Rome and Paris.
I suggest you buy just one guidebook that covers all of western Europe. Hopefully, you have a bookstore nearby where you can look through several guides to find the one that you think would be the most helpful to have with you. My nieces and nephews who took trips to Europe at about your age used Lonely Planet. Although Rick Steves' guides are very helpful for info on public transportation, museum touring, inexpensive dining, etc., IMO the maps in his books aren't very good.
At the top of this screen page, look for the word "Destinations" in the orange stripe and search the cities on your itinerary. At "Mobile Apps" in the same orange stripe, you'll find free city guides for Rome and Paris.
I suggest you buy just one guidebook that covers all of western Europe. Hopefully, you have a bookstore nearby where you can look through several guides to find the one that you think would be the most helpful to have with you. My nieces and nephews who took trips to Europe at about your age used Lonely Planet. Although Rick Steves' guides are very helpful for info on public transportation, museum touring, inexpensive dining, etc., IMO the maps in his books aren't very good.
Apr 23rd, 2013, 08:06 PM
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The DK Eyewitness books have great photos but they weigh a ton! Check them out from the library and read them ahead of time, but don't pack them. If you're bringing an iPod, there are a lot of free podcasts you can download ahead of time from sources such as Rick Steves.
Apr 23rd, 2013, 08:24 PM
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For good coverage of the core sites, with some indications of likely priorities, either Fodor's or Frommer's (or both)
For more comprehensive coverage, including good coverage of public transportation options, but with less information about how to prioritize the options, the Rough Guide and/or Lonely Planet and/or (if available) the Moon Guide. I strongly prefer the way the Rough Guide lays out its maps and info to the way the Lonely Planet does. The Lonely Planet covers more adventure sports/activities (if those are of interest to you).
For lots of high quality pictures to get you inspired, the Eyewitness Guides and/or National Geographic Traveler. Don't take these with you -- too heavy!!!
For good information about what to see, particularly if driving (but also for walking tours of cities, etc.), the Michelin Green Guides
With any guide book, try to confirm information about hotels, restaurants, and opening hours.
BTW, I strongly encourage you to buy at least one, if not several, good guide books: The general travel sections will provide information you never even thought to question!
For more comprehensive coverage, including good coverage of public transportation options, but with less information about how to prioritize the options, the Rough Guide and/or Lonely Planet and/or (if available) the Moon Guide. I strongly prefer the way the Rough Guide lays out its maps and info to the way the Lonely Planet does. The Lonely Planet covers more adventure sports/activities (if those are of interest to you).
For lots of high quality pictures to get you inspired, the Eyewitness Guides and/or National Geographic Traveler. Don't take these with you -- too heavy!!!
For good information about what to see, particularly if driving (but also for walking tours of cities, etc.), the Michelin Green Guides
With any guide book, try to confirm information about hotels, restaurants, and opening hours.
BTW, I strongly encourage you to buy at least one, if not several, good guide books: The general travel sections will provide information you never even thought to question!
Apr 23rd, 2013, 08:26 PM
#9
Rick Steves' guide books are excellent for walking tours in the various cities and villages, the best out there. I find that I use other guide books for planning but use Rick Steves when I'm actually traveling.
Apr 23rd, 2013, 11:27 PM
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Go to the library and check out a selection of guides and decide which ones are best for you. You can make photocopies of some of the pages to take with you and then throw them out when you leave the city. Or check out some guides and take them with you if you're careful. You can also make notes from some guides before you leave for your trip.
Sometimes libraries sell their older guide books which are good for descriptions of sights but not up to date on prices and opening times. You can get this from the web. I bought a newish Fodor's Barcelona guide from a local library for 50 cents.
If you're a budget travelers I recommend Let's Go books. Other good guides are Lonely Planet and Rough Guide and as others have said you can download the Fodor's information.
Be careful about Rick Steves guides as he omits lots of sights that may be of interest to you. His guides are good for some things but for sightseeing you need more comprehensive guide books.
I completely agree with the above comment about the introductory sections of guide books (especially Let's Go). These provide valuable information that many people never seem to read, especially for first-time travelers.
Have a great trip!
Sometimes libraries sell their older guide books which are good for descriptions of sights but not up to date on prices and opening times. You can get this from the web. I bought a newish Fodor's Barcelona guide from a local library for 50 cents.
If you're a budget travelers I recommend Let's Go books. Other good guides are Lonely Planet and Rough Guide and as others have said you can download the Fodor's information.
Be careful about Rick Steves guides as he omits lots of sights that may be of interest to you. His guides are good for some things but for sightseeing you need more comprehensive guide books.
I completely agree with the above comment about the introductory sections of guide books (especially Let's Go). These provide valuable information that many people never seem to read, especially for first-time travelers.
Have a great trip!
