GuidebooksGeneral CommentsThere are two kinds of guidebooks. One is best for planning and getting a general overview before you travel. The other is great to carry with you at your destination.We've reviewed travel guides from the major companies. (Scroll down for a list.) We'll discuss which are best for families and those best suited to travelers on a tight budget. We'll point out which are for those who like walking tours and which will appeal to those who like to tour in a car. We'll also point out which are good for quick visits to a place. These can be helpful for travelers wanting a weekend getaway or for those on business who only have a short time and want to experience some of the highlights. The large, comprehensive guidebooks are often very general and may be good for planning and overviews, but may not delve deeply into art, history or culture. They might have lists of hotels and restaurants, but may contain outdated prices, phone numbers and hours of operation. Nearly all the major travel books have maps in them. Some are beautifully colored. Most have lots of black and white maps. Unfortunately, many B&W maps are so lacking in detail and so general that they don't provide much help at all. We'll also point you to some of the best maps you can carry with you as you travel. The large guidebooks may cover so much territory that they only give short lists of attractions, hotels and restaurants in each place. The smaller, easier-to-carry travel guides may also skimp on detail and lack information about specific neighborhoods or districts you want to see. Some of the city guides may cover the inner part of a city well, but not have enough detailed information about venturing away from the city into outlying areas. Bottom line? There is no one perfect travel guide. You'll most likely have to consult several different books or other references, depending on what you want to do, where you want to go, and what experiences you'd like to have. Check our list below for more information:
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