Are you sitting down? Because I have some sad news to tell you. Lonely Planet and I broke up. Now, now. Don't worry. I'm going to be fine...in time. It was for the best, really. We'll be happier now. I'm ready to play the field again, see what's out there.
What happened? Well, we got in a bit of a row while I was in Thailand. You see, LP mentioned in passing that we might experience "high winds" in Koh Samui in November. I live in San Francisco! High winds are nothing! I laugh in the face of high winds.
When LP says "high winds," apparently he means "monsoon season." My husband and I arrived for a dreamy beach honeymoon in the middle of a torrential downpour--and it didn't stop the entire week. Surely, this was an anomaly, I thought. I asked the locals, "Is this unusual weather?" They laughed and laughed. "Oh no. It's always like this in November." (Okay, fine. We should have checked with other sources to confirm the weather situation. But I was planning a wedding! I was busy!)
Recently I was planning a trip to London and I wasn't sure where to turn for reliable information, now that I had broken up with LP. We're in an age when travel deals are super-easy to find but sifting through the embarrassment of guidebook riches is nearly impossible.
And so, after reading tons of Amazon reviews, I bought Time Out London and I'm here to say, my heart will go on. If you haven't tried these guidebooks yet, you must. I felt like I was traveling with a very savvy friend who knew all the best pubs, lounges, and restaurants--and who wasn't afraid to give me his real opinion on them.
But the problem is, I don't think I want this type of guide for, say, my upcoming trip to Peru. In hip, modern capitals, Time Out is awesome but they don't even publish a Time Out Peru or a Time Out Lima.
Do you have a brand of guidebooks you swear by? I'm all ears! Maybe I should use different brands for different kinds of trips?
Comments
Jun 26, 2009
Good article.
Reliable information about your next trip location is very important. Choosing a good and not pricey hotel is important too.
Accor Hotels offering now up to 60 discount in various locations in Asia. Try it: http//pea.to/amp12
Jun 26, 2009
LP and I also broke up after Scott and I used the Central America guide last October, and the writer used the word "rape" (not to mention "lynched" and "machete") FOUR times in one chapter. He had us so paranoid about traveling through Guatemala that we almost changed our plans! In the end, we went against the grain and rented a car, drove all through the country and never felt safer. Take that, Lonely Planet!
Now, I exclusively use Rough Guides or Frommer's, depending on what I need. I've heard Fodor's is good, too, though I've never personally used one. Time Out is good for city guides, but do they even do country guides?
Jun 26, 2009
I also ditched LP, after my Colombia trip, and am in the market for a new flame.
So far, I've only used Time Out in Rio, but it was great! I do wish they had more titles.
I actually just bought two Bradt guides for an upcoming Europe trip, and I haven't been able to put them down--I'll let you know if they're as accurate as they are interesting when I get back!
Jun 26, 2009
LP is located across the Bay and rumor has it that they are pay for play which is super sucky. I'm a fan of Rough Guides and I LOVED Hidden but I don't think they're around anymore, I haven't seen one on shelves in a long time.
Jun 26, 2009
You laugh in the face of high winds. I laugh in the face of guidebooks! Real travelers don't need guidebooks; they fly by the seat of their pants!
Ok, that was my attempt to act tougher than I am. I do use guidebooks...combined with local advice, user-generated reviews and good ole common sense.
I think your on to something, though. The guidebook you use should depend on where you're going. May I suggest your next post? "Where and What Book"
Jul 01, 2009
Too funny! After a trip to Peru, I also divorced LP and sent all my LP books from the past to the used book store. One quaint hotel I stayed at in El Valle de Anton, said that LP just calls them for info to publish and NEVER ONCE HAS VISITED! Yet, LP makes it sound like first hand experience.
There is no perfect guide...Funny story... While in Madrid just last week I was browsing a bookstore and found myself in the travel section. For fun, I looked at Midwest travel guide in Spanish to see what was said about Indianapolis where I live. They recommended 5 restaurants. 3 I had never heard of, 1 had closed many years ago, and only 1 have I been to and would recommend.
I think the perfect guide is the constantly updated and candid blog sites. People love giving their opinions. Of course, any advise should be taken with a grain of salt... Multiple sources are always the best route.
Thanks for the article! I'm glad you have moved on and your heart is guarded! :-)