Travel Guides

It's already been established that I love books so it's only natural that when I'm planning a trip I turn to travel guides. I generally go to our local library to check out if there are any guides for where I am going but sadly - with local funding cuts- our libraries seem to have fewer and fewer such books and any they have are quite old editions. They can still be useful though.

I also enjoy a good old mooch around a book shop - and if it's got a coffee shop attached then all the better. Near where I live there is a book shop called Linghams that also has a coffee shop attached. It's a fantastic local resource and frequently has guest authors, a book club, story time for kids and it sells the tickets for the local amateur dramatic productions. Check it out www.linghams.co.uk

Back to travel guides....

As can be seen from my bookshelf I have quite a collection of travel books.

I thought I had a preference for Rough Guides but actually the collection is split 50/50 between Rough Guides and Lonely Planet books. The books are useful not only for planning a trip but also while you are there. We were in Paris once and I had the Rough Guide to France with me. I read in it about the Catacombs, the underground store of human bones and we decided to visit - fabulous (if macabre) afternoon out. I had never heard of it before and it was thanks to the guide that I found it that visit. http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/

 I also like AA City Packs for the following reason. Years ago hubby and I went on a weekend city break to Madrid - it was our first city break and we didn't plan it at all really - just hopped on the plane, found our hotel and then wandered the streets. When we got back people were asking me "did you see, visit, try etc etc?" and I was quite disappointed that we had seen hardly anything. Next time we did a city break it was to Barcelona and I bought the AA City Pack and took it with us - soooo much better. Using their recommended Top 10 we decided what we wanted to see as a priority and what we'd see if we could fit it in. Worked out brilliantly. We never go on a city break without one now and the books get passed around friends and family so are well used.

I know with all our portable technology it is easy to google a destination and check out what's around but I like the fact that with the books I only need some light (and sadly these days my glasses!) and I have instant access to the information without worrying about battery life, signal, roaming charges etc etc.

Jo x