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European guidebooks
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Eyewitness Travel Guides
Dorling-Kindersley publishes these graphically stunning guidebooks, which
are jammed with full-color photos, paintings, cutaway 3D architectural renderings, maps,
and timelines. The publisher bills them as "The guides that show you what others only
tell you," and that's a fair description.
Strengths: Visually rich, loaded with sightseeing and travel
information.
Weaknesses: None, unless the edition you're buying isn't up to
date.
In a nutshell: A close rival to Knopf Guides in the
"beautiful guidebook" category.
Fielding's
The late Temple Fielding, this series' founder and namesake, wrote for an
audience of prosperous, middle-aged Americans who traveled first class when the dollar was
still backed by gold. Today's Fielding Europe guides have crept downscale with the times,
but most are still geared to the tourist who carries a Diner's Club or American Express
Card. (Note: A Budget Europe guide is also available.)
Strengths: Trustworthy, opinionated reviews of hotels,
restaurants, nightclubs, and shops.
Weaknesses: Limited sightseeing information.
In a nutshell: Best for upscale travelers who enjoy dining,
entertainment, and shopping.
Fodor's
The series founded by Eugene Fodor has individual "Gold Guides"
for nearly two dozen European countries, cities, or regions. Most are updated yearly, and
the regional or country guides include listings for smaller towns and resorts. (Fodor's
also publishes a beautifully illustrated "Exploring" series and an excellent
pocket-sized "Citypack" series for popular destinations.)
Strengths: Reliable reviews, a nice balance between
hotel/restaurant listings and sightseeing information.
Weaknesses: In the Gold Guides, breadth takes precedence over
depth.
In a nutshell: Ideal for comfortably middle-class tourists with
mainstream tastes.
Frommer's
I attended a lecture by Arthur Frommer more than 30 years ago, when he
preached the joys of budget travel in Europe on $5 a Day. His company's books
still reflect their founder's enthusiasm, although the prices of the books (and the places
they describe) have gone up considerably over the last three decades.
Strengths: Exhaustive hotel, restaurant, shopping, and
sightseeing information, presented in a lively style.
Weaknesses: Gushy at times, although the reviews have become more
trustworthy over the years.
In a nutshell: Good value for budget and midrange travelers.
Insight Guides
In the 1970s and 1980s, when most travel guides consisted of
black-and-white text with a few maps in the back, Insight revolutionized the industry by
producing glossy, affordable, large-format paperbacks with color photos on nearly every
page. Many of Insight's original guides are out of print, but new editions appear
regularly--and you'll often find earlier editions on remainder tables or in secondhand
bookstores.
Strengths: Great photos, readable articles. A great value for the
price..
Weaknesses: Skimpy practical information; not always up to date.
In a nutshell: If you don't like reading, you can look at the
pictures.
Karen Brown's Guides
A dozen guides are available in this author's "Charming Inns and
Itinaries, "Charming Hotels & Itineraries," and "Charming Bed &
Breakfasts" series. The books are geared to the motorist, with detailed driving
itineraries and descriptions of attractive hotels, inns, or B&Bs along the way.
Strengths: Detailed road directions, plus an attractive selection
of romantic hotels and inns.
Weaknesses: Lacking in depth--but then, these books aren't
intended to be all-encompassing travel guides.
In a nutshell: For motorists who like cozy (but not necessarily
cheap) hotels and inns.
Knopf Guides
These sumptuous guides are translated from the French. They're notable for
the quality of their contemporary and historical photos, artwork, typography, and literate
text. Their practical information is trustworthy, but make sure you're buying a current
edition.
Strengths: Beautiful graphics, excellent text, sturdy flexible
binding.
Weaknesses: Not cheap (but worth the price).
In a nutshell: You'll treasure these books on your trip and after
you get home.
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Durant
& Cheryl
Imboden's
