Which guide books do you find most valuable and why?

I've outgrown the Frommer's Guides, as I can find most of the information provided online and through other websites. I don't think I'm grown up for the Knopf Guides, but I do buy them, but I find them stuffy. I prefer the Insight and Lonely Planet guides because they are more for the average educated tourist. Insight guides also have excellent photographs. I like walking guides quite a bit, as they give you a good path to follow if you don't want to take an organized tour, and they are also a good supplement to organized tours. I browse in the bookstore and look for recommendations, but I use them all as one guide book may have better information regarding one city over another. And, I usually buy more than one guide book for a particular city. Sometimes I will buy one guide book for a city and another guide book for the whole country. It depends on the situation and what I am doing.<BR><BR>Best of all I like the information I find here at Fodors because it is frequently more timely. Guidebooks are written at least a year in advance of publication and some of the information may become dated -- like restaurant recommendations, and pricing for both hotels and restaurants.

Rick Steves - I like his philosophy, wit and easy to read guides. Very basic and not bulky to carry. I think his maps are the best, very simple. His books and this board are a great combo.

Recently asked, and recipient of ten good answers at<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1347750<BR><BR>"Best European guide book"<BR><BR>which I will bring up to the top for you now...<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

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