How to Find the Best Travel Guide Books – use the tips outlined below.

There are many travel guide books available on the market today however not all of them are suitable for your vacation.

Your task is to find the best books to suit you and your particular style of travel. These will be your primary references for planning your dream trip.

This does not mean that you should not read other guide books about your destination however. These too may have some useful information or insights to offer that you did not find in your primary references.

Geographic areas are often the focus of guide books. These include:

• Continents

• Individual Countries

• Specific Regions

• Individual cities

• Activities

• Other


In general, guide books provide following information on your destination:

• Sights

• Lodging

• Food

• Transportation

• Culture

• History

• Health

• Language/phrases

• Etc.


Types of Travel Books

Here are some of the more popular guides (this list is no by no means all-inclusive):

• Backpacking focused – Lonely Planet

• Independent Travel focused – Rough Guides, Let’s Go

• Budget Travel focused – Rick Steves Guides, Frommer’s Guides

• Mature Travel focused – Fodor’s Guides

• Other focuses





Advantages of Guide Books

• There is usually a travel guide to suit all types of travel.

• Out-of-date books are often a good buy and usually have most of the information you require.

• Guide books often provide detailed maps of your destination.


Disadvantages of Guide Books

• Prices quoted in the book may become out-of-date very quickly.

• Some sights, lodging, restaurants etc. may no longer be available in out-of-date books.


Tips for Finding the Right Guide Book

• Determine your travel style.

• Determine your destination.

• Check out one of the websites below for guide book ideas.

• Check out your local library and bookstore to review these books.

• Amazon.com is a good source for used books.

• Only bring the sections of the book that you actually require when you are traveling.

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