I plan to visit the following countries in the near future and need suggestions on which books to buy for the trip. I am hoping to use the guidebook as a reference for historical information, site explanation/background, walking town tour, what to do/where to visit if one has 3 days vs. 7 days.

The book does not need to place emphasis on food or hotel.

Please advise on the following countries:
Athens, Greece. Also, I would like to visit a neighboring island.
Istanbul, Turkey. Also, I would like to visit a neighboring village/town as a day trip.
Petra, Jordan.
Egypt.
Portugal
Spain
Morocco

I love art, architecture, civilization, UNESCO sites, archeology, and culture.

However, I like diversity as well. When I spent one month abroad last summer, my days were mainly filled with pursuing the above, however, my trip would not have been complete if I did not hike in Jungfrau or spending one day in Amalfi Coast's Positano. The same goes for Italy: I love the three must-see cities (Florence, Venice, and Rome), however it is visiting Assisi/Volterra that completed my Italian vacation.

In sum, I appreciate "art.......culture," but at the same time I like to do something "different" once in a while.

Thank you!

Generally Rough guide gives good cover the features you request. I have the Spain, Morocco, portugal, Egypt in fornt of me. Yoiu may not want the Spain one as you could have a local one, ie the Andulacia will be better if you going to just this area.

Can't advise on other, though I would check amazon to see what each is like

For Spain: maribelsguides.com

Check the books listed on the following website;

http://www.ltbtravel.com/html/en/tra...ding-list.html

John Freely and Hilary Sumner Boyd were both my professors at Robert College, in istanbul. What they lack in humor, they more than make up in dedication and knowledge.

I think all of John's books (usually available on amazon) should be required reading for the traveler seriously interested in antiquity and history of Anatolia.

As you said, they contain nothing about hotels, restaurants, etc. so they can never be outdated. They may not contain enough info on more recently excavated sites, but you can discover that elsewhere.

For a day trip out of Istanbul, I strongly advise Iznik (Nicea) I think i posted my Iznik review on an earlier thread.

Here are some photos we took a few months ago:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredi...fUQ&feat=email

I liked Lonely Planet for Portugal. Normally I use Let's Go series for the history they give and budget traveling but it wasn't good for Portugal.

You should also look at the Michelin Green guides for history. They easily highlight significant sights.

For UNESCO sights go to the source - the UNESCO web site. And then search the internet for the particular site for the UNESCO sites you're interested in.

I usually get several different books from my local libraries and then decide which one is best for that country.

Are you doing a tour of Egypt and Jordan? I'm asking since it's on my wish list for next spring and I was considering Grand Circle Travel for this trip.

For accurate historical content, the Blue Guide to Athens:

http://www.blueguides.com/all/?display=book&key=76

I used Lonely Planet for Turkey and it was exemplary.

(The Lonely Planet for Morocco was disappointing, by contrast).

I want to avoid tour groups as much as possible, though I don't mind joining one day tour group as I did when visiting Stonehedge in UK or an evening bike tour in Paris.

That being said, I will definitely solo tour Jordan by myself. My main desire in Jordan is to see Petra and I have been mapping out ways to do so without a tour guide. So, definitely, Jordan will be solo traveling.

As for Egypt, I am still in the early stage of planning that trip. (I don't even have a guide book yet!) These are the sights that I would like to visit in Egypt:
1. Abu Simbel
2. Light show at the Great Pyramids
3. Edfu temple at night
4. Philae temple

To well-traveled Fodorites, would I be able to solo tour to the above Egyptian destination by myself using only public transportation and taxi. I hesitate to use taxi since I am a solo female traveler in a foreign land, but if that is a safe method, I would be willing to use taxis as well. Is it really true that taxis can be hired in Egypt for only $40/day?

Thank you all for your recommendation! It is greatly appreciated!

For GREECE, I would suggest Rough Guide (I think it even has one that is focussed directly on Athens if that is the only place you are visiting in GReece. IT has an excellent historical section. ALSO BLUE GUIDE to Greece; go to Library & photocopy relevant pages only.

If you have 2 more days to spare for Greece I would suggest a trip to Nafplio, as a base to visit Epidaurus and Mycenae. YOu can take the Public bus (11.5 E each way) to Nafplio 2.5 hours
a fabulous place on a peninsula, has been settled since Neolithc times... the Old Town is considered most beautiful town in Greece. . You could rent a car cheaply in Nafplio, 35 and see all three ancient sites Mycenae, Epidaurus and Tiryns (the latter only 4 km outside of town) in one day Here's a slide show of Nafplio highlights, ending with a few fotos of ancient sites http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/551991579dJbWvh

Hi Hobb,

>I want to avoid tour groups as much as possible, ...........These are the sights that I would like to visit in Egypt:
1. Abu Simbel
2. Light show at the Great Pyramids
3. Edfu temple at night
4. Philae temple <

You do realize that this is a typical tour?

Have you considered Fodor's guides?

Even though my desired destination might be visited by typical tour groups, I would still like to visit them but w/o a tour guide/group. That is why I need good guide books so that I can understand what I am seeing but w/o the assistance of a guide, yet possess the freedom to wonder, take as many photos as possible, and imagine to the fullest my mind would permit.

Growing up we mainly joined tour groups when foreign traveling, however, after solo traveling last year, I much prefer the freedom of individual traveling vs. guided tour convenience.

Would I be able to go to those places by myself?

I found 3 Egyptian UNESCO sites (Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae; Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur; Historic Cairo) that I would like to visit. However, are they the same as the above list?

Thank you!

I really like Rick Steves guide for Athens. He has a ton of self guided tours in there that he leads you through plus a section on the island of Hydra that is just a 2 hour ferry from Athens.