My family [2 adults and 2 teens] would like to go to London and Bath next summer. What is the best guidebook to buy. I like the Rick Steve's series. Does anyone recommend his London guidebook? [PS. I did try to do a search here first but I didn't find anything.} Thanks!

The best guidebook is:<BR>DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: London - Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Incorporated<BR>Great maps, info, neighborhood detail, and easy format.

Although as Josey says the Eyewitness Guides are good for maps and general site info, they are a little dodgy on hotels and restaurants (I was looking at the London guide only yesterday and under the food section, they actually had cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off, as if real people actually eat that stuff. No, we eat curry!)<BR><BR>For events and eating out, I would suggest getting the Time Out Guide, there is also a weekly Time Out magazine.

Laurie -<BR><BR>Go with the TimeOut guides, they're based in London . . .<BR><BR>http://www.timeout.com/london/<BR><BR>They also cover Bath & other cool trips away from The Big Smoke:<BR><BR>http://www.timeout.com/london/esinf/bath.html<BR><BR>Hope this helps! And be sure to pick up TimeOut magazine when you arrive in London, much better than What's On + you can trust their reviews. (I like to get it at Heathrow, then read it on the Tube heading into town)<BR>= )

Kate and Tracy are right regarding current entertainment and food -Time Out is the best. But I still like DK for learning about neighborhoods and sites.

London for Families by the Lains is great.

Although it's no replacement for a general guide book, the book "London Walks" is a great resource if you want to spend a few hours seeing and learning in depth about a particular aspect/area of London. I've visited the city over 20 times, I still enjoy choosing a route from the book and walking it every few years. I learn something new every time...

I vote for "Time Out" too. Great all around guide book, both for hotels, food, and things to do.

Thank you very much to all of you who posted suggestions! I will definately check these out. Laurie

Laurie,<BR>If you live near a Barnes and Noble or Borders bookstore, join the rest of us sitting or standing in front of the travel section. We're thumbing through the dozens of London guidebooks, deciding which one we individually like best. I personally like Timeout but I must have a dozen guidebooks of one type or another about London (daytrips, gardens, walks, etc). Get to the bookstore and enjoy!<BR>

Both my son & I used Rick Steves' London guide book a couple of years ago and swear by it. We just happened to meet up in London and took his dining tour which takes you to different restaurants in different areas and loved it. RS suggests very good itineraries when you need to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time.

regarding the bookstore browsing, I'm all for it.<BR>Pick a London topic or two that interest you, such as the Tower of London, or the British Museum. Look up that same topic in each of several books, and see which book presents the information you are interested in, in a style or with details that appeal to you. I happen to think Fodor's guide to London is pretty darn good.

I have all the above mentioned books found rick steves useless and eyewitness too shiny. the one we actually used was London for Dummies. It gave us great advice and was broken down in a way even me a dummy could use