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
news:blglij$c6rqb$1@ID-119941.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Honduras: Honduras handbook + Elmer travel guides (definitely in dutch,
> dunno about english versions)
> Ecuador/peru: le routier (french, LP)
> Kenia: Rough guide
> New Zealand: friends & LP "tramping in NZ"
> India: my wife;-), the LP, Rough Guide & Footprint (LP is organized
better,
> better maps but generally they're all lacking)
> Canada: friends & LP
>
> Basically, i only use the books for the maps and to find out what places
NOT
> to go to. I'm always amused by those silly warnings about dangers &
> annoyances but if you're completely unprepared it's better to have that
than
> nothing.. However, don't put your common sense in second place to what's
> written in those books.. observe the people and talk to them to find out
> things (esp. in south america). Speaking the language (however little it
may
> be) is probably the biggest step to get there.
>
> HTH,
>
> Ben (belgium)
>
> "King" wrote in message
> news:6J7db.5831$NX3.4442@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.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?
> >
> >
>
>
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