I have used various guide books in trips to London, Paris, Quebec, and Italy, including Fodors. I have just bought Eyewitness books for Prague and Vienna. I haven't bought one for Budapest yet. Which ones have you found most useful for travel anywhere, not just Budapest?

Marty <BR> <BR>My favourite has always been the Blue Guide particulalrly if you need detailed information. Their edition for Rome is wonderful. <BR> <BR>I have to say though that, like you, I've recently purchased a couple of Eyewitness Guides (Athens and Amsterdam) and have found them to be very good. I think I'm going to be buying more of them! <BR> <BR>Bill <BR>

Hi <BR>there was a recent question like yours, perhaps if you do a Search here on "guidebook" you will find it and the opinions offered. <BR>I like the Eyewitness guides very much myself but find them heavy to carry around, although I often do. For some reason I did not like the Eyewitness guide to Florence and Tuscany, found it hard to follow, not helpfully organized, and its index not helpful, but that seems to be a minority opinion. In my opinion the Fodor's books usually give me complete information. Just enough historical and cultural data while I'm walking from place to place, and pretty good hotel and restaurant recommendations, although not much off the beaten track. However, since they are not "pretty" books like the Eyewitness I have no scruple against tearing out the sections I need for the trip and disposing of what I don't need or have already used. <BR>For restaurant and hotel suggestions I always recommend the "Cheap Eatss' and "Cheap Sleeps" books by Gustafson. <BR>Even if your budget isn't very tight, she makes excellent, reliable suggestions for many places that the other guidebooks don't mention. <BR>The Michelin books are of course very comprehensive, but as I'm actually walking around I sometimes find the material too much to read. Good for pre-trip research thought. <BR> <BR>

Dear Marty, <BR>I have also used Eyewitness Books (for Ireland, London, Greek Islands) in German. I love them, but not their weight. For my this year stay in Britain I've bought the Britain and London books of the Rough Guide Series. A little bit smaller, many words, very few pictures in black and white and much informations. <BR>Petra

I usually use Fodors,including their "Exploring" series, Lonely Planet and Michelin green guides. The Blue guides are very good but dry. and heavy. Lonely Planet has a good balance as does Fodors. They especially have good central and easern european guides. I don't look for a lot of hotels and restaurants in the books as we usually find something. we are more interested in thedriving and walking aspects and we travel independently.