Advantages: Comprehensive, yet very easy to read
Disadvantages: Quite hefty, therefore not ideal pocket book guides

...I have recently borrowed a couple of Rough Guide Travel books to prepare me for visiting Japan and Hong Kong later on this year. I have found both guides to be comprehensive and extremely easy and enjoyable to read. There are Rough Guides available for over 14,000 destinations and all have a similar format, so you can pick one up and navigate your way round very quickly. The guides begin with an introduction to the authors of the book with general information about the destination. Part One of the guides is titled BASICS, and I have found this to be the most interesting and useful section of the book. Some of the topics covered here include Getting There, Visas and Red Tape, Insurance, Health, Info and Maps, Costs, Money and Banks, Getting Around, Accommodation, Eating and Drinking, Shopping etc. This section of the book... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Detail, Pictures & Diagrams
Disadvantages: Friends kept stealing it

...reading about places I didn't get to see. ""**North of Delhi**"" This section is only a few pages long and includes information on various towns and cities to the North and a River Tour along the Ganges. Whilst I read this brief section and found it interesting, I didn't need it for any practical purpose as I didn't travel to this area. ""**Agra and area**"" Whilst the most famous tourist attraction in the area is the Taj Mahal and this is covered in a six-page spread including a cut-away diagram and information about the decorative elements used such as the inlaid marble, the guide also has good information about other sites such as Agra Fort, Jami Masjid and outer sights including a couple of tours - I'm sure the driving one would be an experience and a half! Due to a lack of hotel rooms and various security constraints... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very Comprehensive
Disadvantages: Quite heavy to carry all day

...student days but I still tend to opt for those aimed at the budget traveller as a source of information. The Lonely Planet range of books falls happily into this segment of he market and along with the Rough Guide series is up they’re as one of the market leaders. This year will see us making two trips to Italy so it is the 6th edition of the Lonely Planet guide to Italy that I have most recently purchased. Contents The guide is very comprehensive indeed running to a total of 868 pages. The opening chapters provide useful background to the destination including sections on the history and culture of the country, the environment and also information on the food and drink. For those planning to explore the whole country there are some useful itineraries that are set out as well as some options if you have a particular interest... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Compact and full of useful information!
Disadvantages: None that I could find!

...I feel so lost if I go somewhere without my travel guides! They are a MUST! My favourites are the DK Eyewitness