What is the best guidebook series, in your opinion? Fodor's, Michelin, Moon,

Frommer's, other?

They often lead you to places you might not otherwise go and are great for finding inexpensive local lodging and food.

:hi:

jaunt somewhere but life has a way of changing things.

As to the books, I assume you are targeting a particular area.

Through the years my husband and I traveled to Europe, planning our trips based on a compilation of information from Frommer's, Fodor's, Lonely Planet and Rick Steves. We traveled simply, one and two star hotels, B&B's, Zimmers, local foods and either rented a car or walked everywhere. The cities do not require car so we waited until after seeing the city of our arrival, then took the car to do the rest of our trip.

All of the books target a different approach to travel. Fodor's,for us, was too stuffy. Frommer's had good information but we(seniors) traveled in a manner more like Rick Steves with a little Lonely Planet thrown in. Fodor's "talk" section of their web site is great, RS's site has good info but the search function is horrible. Frommer's will give you info. Not up to Lonely Planet's web info.

As you look for books, I suggest a look at the web sites and a quick trip to the library to review and make sure the books you buy are based on the way you want to travel.

I buy my travel books on e-bay or other internet sites. A 2000 year old castle is still there and if I can get a 1 or 2 year old book for a few dollars, that is more saved for the trip. Just adjust for rise in prices and exchange rate. Not hard to do, just guess.

We also traveled on 2 meals a day. Hearty breakfast and hearty dinner. Maybe a rest and a glass of wine at 2PM in some local cafe.

I hope you are able to take a trip this year, I am told there are some great deals out there.

The Let's Go series are aimed at young people with not a lot to spend. The Lonely Planet guides seem to be most aligned with what I like in general, especially for the more unusual sights. Michelin is good for art museums, not so much for other sights, but has good city center maps. Fodor's and Frommer's seem to me to spend too much space on nightlife and shopping, but if that's what you want, I suppose they're good. I like the pictures in the Insight guides. Rick Steve's I find very American-centric, and geared to the first time traveler (and I find his writing style offputting)

When going to a new place, I check out several guidebooks, ask people who've been there for their recommendations. I usually travel with the Michelin guide because it packs the easiest.

BEAUTIFUL pics in Insight.

Coincidentally, their guidebooks are 30% off right now.

http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog&parent_id=10

I borrow Frommer's, Lonely Planet, etc. from my library, and there's plenty of great information in them. But for some reason, it's the Rick Steves books that I prefer to actually purchase. Maybe because it's so budget-oriented.

as well as Frommer's and Fodor's.

Wish more went on, even if it was just chat about where you've been or would like to go.

I have been to Europe several times. My husband and I would do combined research using Frommer's and Rick Steve's books. Fodors is too stuffy and $$$$ for me. Lonely Planet series is(I think) for people younger than we were.

Michelin is just too complicated and too detailed for me.

We found it best to combine itineraries from Frommer's and RS. Also used the internet to get specifics.

Almost all European countries have a tourist office in New York. I have called and received great info from them for England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Italy.

We never got to Italy, sadly my husband died before we could go.

We traveled light and inexpensively. Charged whatever we could and paid it off during the months after our return. Always rented a car because with some of the deals I found, it was cheaper than the train and you can leave the beaten path. No waiting for the next train either.

Except for England, the driving is great. The other side of the road takes some getting used to.

I have been following your travel posts for years. One of these days, I hope you can go. It is the best feeling. People are great, food great, sights even better.

I'm not that adventuresome yet, but maybe one day I will be.

I've been thinking a lot about Italy myself. Mainly because I'd like to see Pompeii. :-)

nt