Which is your favorite guide book?

haji · Jul 4th, 2008, 17:59

Maps are the best reward for LP readers, but if you want to learn something else about art and architecture, LP isn't enough.
LP writers travel by private cab and stay in excelent hotel and give us informations (false) about the cost of 10rs for a ciclorickshaw from railway station to hotel, instead of a better descrition of a momument or a fort.

federica · Jul 5th, 2008, 03:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

<cross-posted with Ed> That reminds me Federica, there used to be a great German series called Anders Reisen ("travel differently"). It's gone defunct though I believe. A decidedly alternative and leftist series, offered great info on local social history and so on, or at least the titles I've seen, including for my own town. That guide was very accurate. Plus just decent information of the kind any tourist would need. No idea if they had an India title.

I think they were published by Rowohlt. If I'm not mistaken (and I may well be with another publisher), this was the series that for their Thai guide at some point reportedly announced that look, we've now covered the basic islands, now it's up to you to discover the rest, we won't send you to inundate ever more obscure places.

There is an Indian edition of "Anders Reisen" from rororo:
found it here second hand:http://www.amazon.de/Anders-reisen-I.../dp/3499190826
It's from 1995, but as it is more a background info than a normal guide book, it can be still interesting.

Kanehanahou · Nov 14th, 2008, 03:06

I enjoy LP guides for their readability and addt'l info beyond suggestions of where to stay, eat, etc. But as was said several times above, they are "guides" - a more proper way is to use several sources for information.

Sites like IndiaMike (for India and the surrounds) and LP's forums are good sources for more current and important info.

Choo Choo · Apr 24th, 2009, 21:36

Has anyone used both Lonely Planet and Rough Guide's most recent publications at all?

I've been reading reviews upon reviews trying to make up my mind!! The majority for both are really good but the bad reviews for Lonely Planet are REALLY bad!

I'm kinda thinking there is not much difference really, but that Rough Guide is not so popular and therefore not such a beatten path... Am I right or wrong?!

p.s. I know its not a bible

Thanks for this thread!

anonymouse · May 1st, 2009, 23:20

I used the Rough Guide to India for my recent trip (the edition published about October 2008 I think?). For Delhi, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, it was pretty good. For Shimla, it seemed a bit out of date and gave very limited information on things to do. Overall though I would recommend it. I would say that this site also proved very useful!

The majority of travellers I met also used the Rough Guide, which surprised me a little as I assumed LP was more popular. I guess RG users are more likely to stay in hotels and visit places recommended in the RG. :-)

I've used Rough Guides quite a lot over the years to visit lots of places. I find them generally good and I like the extensive historical and cultural sections. They also seem better aimed at budget travellers than LP.

I once met a writer for a popular range of guide books travelling around New Zealand. He explained some of the practicalities to me. Most guide books are written by a small number of people (RG to India credits four writers, I think). They don't necessarily stay any longer in places than you and I do. They certainly don't stay in all the hotels they list, or eat in all the restaurants - a lot of what they write is based on information they get from talking to other travellers, or gleaned from tourist information offices, etc. They have to cover huge areas very quickly and on limited budgets. In many ways, the Forums on this site provide more comprehensive and up to date information than any guide book could possible achieve. I guess this backs up what many people have said already - guide books provide a good starting point for planning a trip, and useful practical information as you travel around. But they are not a bible, and anyway it's important to break free and work things out for yourself! :-)

shahronakm · May 4th, 2009, 03:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymouse

I once met a writer for a popular range of guide books travelling around New Zealand. He explained some of the practicalities to me. Most guide books are written by a small number of people (RG to India credits four writers, I think). They don't necessarily stay any longer in places than you and I do. They certainly don't stay in all the hotels they list, or eat in all the restaurants - a lot of what they write is based on information they get from talking to other travellers, or gleaned from tourist information offices, etc. They have to cover huge areas very quickly and on limited budgets. In many ways, the Forums on this site provide more comprehensive and up to date information than any guide book could possible achieve. I guess this backs up what many people have said already - guide books provide a good starting point for planning a trip, and useful practical information as you travel around. But they are not a bible, and anyway it's important to break free and work things out for yourself! :-)

An important point. Thanks.

Ronak.

Hal · May 4th, 2009, 04:40

I used the Rough Guide to Spain a couple of years ago and swore never again. It was about 4 years out of date.

Aako Weterrings · Nov 8th, 2009, 17:16

We used LP in India and southeast Asia and found it was useful in directing us in general directions and providing tips on how to go in those directions. However, in contrast to early posters who lamented the lack of info exchange among travelers, we got lots of information that way. Just have to ask!

View Poll Results: Which is your favorite guide book?
Lonely Planet	137	57.56%
Lets Go	6	2.52%
Rough Guide	40	16.81%
FootPrint	27	11.34%
Fodors	3	1.26%
Dont Use One	25	10.50%
Voters: 238. You may not vote on this poll

Jul 4th, 2008, 17:59	#61
haji Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: italy Posts: 45	LP, but not only LP Maps are the best reward for LP readers, but if you want to learn something else about art and architecture, LP isn't enough. LP writers travel by private cab and stay in excelent hotel and give us informations (false) about the cost of 10rs for a ciclorickshaw from railway station to hotel, instead of a better descrition of a momument or a fort. __________________

Nov 14th, 2008, 03:06	#63
Kanehanahou Miscreant AND 10-year visa holder Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 101	I enjoy LP guides for their readability and addt'l info beyond suggestions of where to stay, eat, etc. But as was said several times above, they are "guides" - a more proper way is to use several sources for information. Sites like IndiaMike (for India and the surrounds) and LP's forums are good sources for more current and important info. __________________ << Back to India - 2 Feb '09 >>

Nov 8th, 2009, 17:16	#68
Aako Weterrings Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Harwichport, USA Posts: 6	Lp We used LP in India and southeast Asia and found it was useful in directing us in general directions and providing tips on how to go in those directions. However, in contrast to early posters who lamented the lack of info exchange among travelers, we got lots of information that way. Just have to ask!

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Apr 24th, 2009, 21:36	#64
Choo Choo Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK Posts: 38	Has anyone used both Lonely Planet and Rough Guide's most recent publications at all? I've been reading reviews upon reviews trying to make up my mind!! The majority for both are really good but the bad reviews for Lonely Planet are REALLY bad! I'm kinda thinking there is not much difference really, but that Rough Guide is not so popular and therefore not such a beatten path... Am I right or wrong?! p.s. I know its not a bible Thanks for this thread!

May 1st, 2009, 23:20	#65
anonymouse Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London Posts: 23	I used the Rough Guide to India for my recent trip (the edition published about October 2008 I think?). For Delhi, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, it was pretty good. For Shimla, it seemed a bit out of date and gave very limited information on things to do. Overall though I would recommend it. I would say that this site also proved very useful! The majority of travellers I met also used the Rough Guide, which surprised me a little as I assumed LP was more popular. I guess RG users are more likely to stay in hotels and visit places recommended in the RG. :-) I've used Rough Guides quite a lot over the years to visit lots of places. I find them generally good and I like the extensive historical and cultural sections. They also seem better aimed at budget travellers than LP. I once met a writer for a popular range of guide books travelling around New Zealand. He explained some of the practicalities to me. Most guide books are written by a small number of people (RG to India credits four writers, I think). They don't necessarily stay any longer in places than you and I do. They certainly don't stay in all the hotels they list, or eat in all the restaurants - a lot of what they write is based on information they get from talking to other travellers, or gleaned from tourist information offices, etc. They have to cover huge areas very quickly and on limited budgets. In many ways, the Forums on this site provide more comprehensive and up to date information than any guide book could possible achieve. I guess this backs up what many people have said already - guide books provide a good starting point for planning a trip, and useful practical information as you travel around. But they are not a bible, and anyway it's important to break free and work things out for yourself! :-)

May 4th, 2009, 04:40	#67
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	I used the Rough Guide to Spain a couple of years ago and swore never again. It was about 4 years out of date.

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