We are planning a May trip in Spain with these destinations: Madrid (Toledo), Alicante, Valencia (Teruel), Tarragona, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Madrid.

What is a good guidebook for these destinations? We are more interested in advice for ways to get from one place to another and sights not to miss rather than for hotels and restaurants.

HTTY

You might go to You Tube and search these towns and you will come up with many videos.. You can pick and choose places to visit. . Print off what you want and then enjoy. Maribal's Guides and good also for this sort of quest. You don't need a guide book as such unless you really want one. Most guide books are cumbersome with too many places in them so you may want to tear out the places of interest if you go that route. Getting there?? Public trans. is wery good in Spain and reasonable. Cars are anuscience in sities but great for hitting the scenic back roads.. Many options open for your memorable trip!!

Buy your guides from Abebooks.com

I found out about this website by recommendations in Fodors.

Books are not always necessarily new, but the price can't be beat.

You can check Maribel's Guides (see free)!!!

For information about transportation options, I think the Rough Guides are best. For information to help prioritizing sites, I've found the Michelin Green Guides, Fodor's, and Frommer's most helpful.

I have the Fodor's guide. It is not unhelpful.

Maribel's Guides and Michelin Green Guides are my usual guides. I also look online at Frommer's, Fodors, and tourist board information. Lonely Planet and Rough Guides are good if you are using public transportation alot and need to know the various options available. Cadogan's are well written. A visit to the library or a big bookstore could help you decide on which guidefits your type of travel or interest.

Thanks for your suggestions, especially Maribel's Guides (which three of you mentioned) about which I knew nothing.

HTTY

Maribel's Guides need updating.
cuanto antes!

We think Rick Steves has great suggestions for everything from how to travel, what to see, where to see, where to eat, etc. Of course Fodors book are good too.

All guide books go out of date by the time you buy them..Even the sites can need updating by the rime you get to them from the airport so proceed accordingly. IMO the google route is a good one..Print off what you want and leave the rest.

> IMO the google route is a good one

IME, googling only works well if you know what to google. A good guide book can introduce you to things that you didn't previously know existed.

In my humble opinion, the DK Eyewitness Guides are the best.

But my suggestion is (even if buying a book online), first go to your local big box book store (Barnes&Noble, Borders, etc) and check out all the Spain guide books in the Travel section. Find the one that works <i>for you</i>.

Have a great trip!

I have bought guide books to get a feel for where I am going but never carry/take them on my trips.Then I google the places of interest.If there is time I write to the Spanish tourist office and request materials.When I arrive in Spain I head for the tourist office and pick up maps and the calendar of events.
Spain has the best tourist offices and the materials are free!