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Travel Feature
Travel Guides
In general, travel books all adequately cover a given destination: local history, culture, major attractions, hotels, restaurants, etc. but there is no single guide that covers everything a traveler might want to know. The differences come largely in the size of the guide (is it easily portable or not) and/or emphasis: type of trip, personal travel preferences, & the like. It is a good idea to read first for general information, then try to find the book(s) that are the most specific to your trip. And, when you arrive at your destination, try the local tourist information center & find out what they have to offer that would be of help as city, subway, bus & maps, information on local attractions & the like. Most guides are published 3 months or more after they are written & may not have the most current information.
When choosing a travel guide there are some things to look for. Pick a guide that applies to your wants & needs. Go for more specific information---the greater the area covered by the book, the more superficial the coverage. Don't choose anything more than a year old if you have a choice. If possible, choose the 3rd or 4th edition because the author will have had more time in & a greater range of or more in depth experiences in the place. Look at the author & see if you have something in common. If so, he/she/they will likely have covered what you are interested in.