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#11
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What's your favorite Travel Guides?
I don't suppose many here have the time or resources or committment, but
here's what I do: I read a general history of the place to which I am heading. I then look in the back at bibliography and see if there are any travelogues in reprint from long ago. Then I read them. That gives me a description of historical and religious sights to see. THEN I hit LP or Footprints to see what the scene is there today.. Examples: Travels in the Mogul Empire- Francois Bernier's marvelous description of North India from the 1600's. Ibn Battuta (don't have a copy of him here, so I can't cite the name of his book) The guy was EVERYWHERE a thousand years ago- India, China, and pts in between. If you just want beaches and whores, I guess this method soesn't help, but if you want to find GREAT places to visit, without another westerner for miles. . . well, it's worked for me for many trips. Enjoy BiJ "Ben" wrote in message ... Honduras: Honduras handbook + Elmer travel guides (definitely in dutch, dunno about english versions) Ecuador/peru: le routier (french, LP) Kenia: Rough guide New Zealand: friends & LP "tramping in NZ" India: my wife;-), the LP, Rough Guide & Footprint (LP is organized better, better maps but generally they're all lacking) Canada: friends & LP Basically, i only use the books for the maps and to find out what places NOT to go to. I'm always amused by those silly warnings about dangers & annoyances but if you're completely unprepared it's better to have that than nothing.. However, don't put your common sense in second place to what's written in those books.. observe the people and talk to them to find out things (esp. in south america). Speaking the language (however little it may be) is probably the biggest step to get there. HTH, Ben (belgium) "King" wrote in message ink.net... Hi, Thanks everyone for your opinion. I know everyone has their favorite guides. They're probably all good in their own way. How would you rate, Fodor's Frommers Rough Guide Lonley Planet other? |
#12
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What's your favorite Travel Guides?
In article et, Brian
K writes O&A Out and About is a good Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Transgendered travel guide. They cover just about everything from lodging, air, cruises, car rental to points of interest for GLBT folk. However in some markets, they tend to focus on the expensive places to stay and eat. With a little investigation of the destination the intreped GLBT traveler can find places that are just as good for less money. You really want to buy my book, Brian :-) -- JohnM Author of Brazil: Life, Blood, Soul http://www.scroll.demon.co.uk/spaver.htm |
#13
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What's your favorite Travel Guides?
On 10/03/2003 9:42 AM Richard while directing tourists to the Zazu Pits,
was inclined to say: "Brian K" wrote in message ink.net... O&A Out and About is a good Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Transgendered travel guide. They cover just about everything from lodging, air, cruises, car rental to points of interest for GLBT folk. However in some markets, they tend to focus on the expensive places to stay and eat. With a little investigation of the destination the intreped GLBT traveler can find places that are just as good for less money. Okay, this may be OT, it may even start a flame war, and if it does, I apologise in advance but I'm curious. I can see how places of interest, especially in the realm of night life, could be different between the GLBT folk and those who aren't in that category. Even lodging, at times. But how does advice on air travel or car rental change based on the sexual tendacies of the person asking for the advice? Richard Second Driver - Some Car Rental Companies are now recognizing same sex partners as equivalent to "spouse drives at no extra cost", whereas others still charge for second driver. Most major air carriers recognize diverse groups of people, but some still are in need of sensitivity training. Likewise most major hotels are accepting of same sex partners but some may be outright discriminatory. O&A publishes annual "report cards" on all major air carriers, cruise lines, hotel and car rentals. Tour operators are now providing gay friendly or gay/lesbian specific tours. Some like guesthouses, and restaurants are gay owned and run. These get reviewed too. Rather than me just telling you about the resource, you can look at a sample issue at http://www.outandabout.com -- ________ To email me, Edit "xt" from my email address. Brian M. Kochera "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!" View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951 |
#14
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What's your favorite Travel Guides?
In general I favor Lonely Planet and Frommer's, but of course they
vary from place to place and everyone's interests are different. I've found extremely valuable tips in just about every guidebook series at least once. Lonely Planet is the best for independent travel logistics, and for low-budget travel. I love the way they're organized. They do list mid- and upper-price restaurants, but their heart really isn't in that. LP is also the most fun to read. And it has the best maps. Moon Publications ("the ___ Handbook") is similar to LP. Depending on the freshness of the guide and the particular authors involved, sometimes it's better. But I prefer LP's format and writing. The Rough Guides and Let's Go also emphasize budget travel. I'd rate Rough Guides 3rd in this market and Let's Go an amateurish 4th. But again, I've had trips greatly enhanced by info I've found in each of these. Frommer's is best for mid-range hotels and restaurants. For major cities you can also get their listings on the web. Fodor's is similar, but not as reliable or comprehensive. Access Guides is great for wandering in cities (e.g., Paris). Insight Guides can be fun for photos and background, and may help you choose areas you want to visit. And of course there are special-purpose guides for one or a few destinations (e.g., Guide Michelin, Time Out). These days I always seek out a book on visiting the destination with kids, which is invariably not part of a series. Finally: Consider Guide Routard, a French-language series that all French backpackers seem to carry. It's like LP but more biting and with way better taste in food (of course). They have books on all regions of France and lots of countries frequented by French tourists. If you can read a little French, give them a try. You can order them on the web. Bruce Burger Seattle, WA, USA |
#15
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What's your favorite Travel Guides?
(Bruce Burger) wrote in message . com...
I agree with much of the message quoted below. In addition, I would say the Footprint Guides are great for Central and South America. In the USA, Sasquatch and Menasha Ridge Press offer some great local guides (Moon, Lonely Planet, Fodor's and others are also good). In Africa, Australia and Asia Lonely Planet are excellent compared to others (Moon also has excellent Asian guides). The quality of Guide books for Europe is the highest of any location and Eyewitness, Michelin, Rick Steves along with Lonely Planet, Frommer's, Knopf etc.. In addition, there are many special guide series and individual guides that are excellent such as the Blue Guide series which is great for a more academic look at historical locations, art and architecture. Rough Guides are great for many adventerous travelers and Falcon has great hiking guides. Curious Cat Travel Books http://www.curiouscat.com/travel In general I favor Lonely Planet and Frommer's, but of course they vary from place to place and everyone's interests are different. I've found extremely valuable tips in just about every guidebook series at least once. Lonely Planet is the best for independent travel logistics, and for low-budget travel. I love the way they're organized. They do list mid- and upper-price restaurants, but their heart really isn't in that. LP is also the most fun to read. And it has the best maps. Moon Publications ("the ___ Handbook") is similar to LP. Depending on the freshness of the guide and the particular authors involved, sometimes it's better. But I prefer LP's format and writing. Frommer's is best for mid-range hotels and restaurants. For major cities you can also get their listings on the web. Fodor's is similar, but not as reliable or comprehensive. Bruce Burger Seattle, WA, USA |
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