Guides all vary depending on what that company’s target is.
I find that with the Internet, Forums, Word of Mouth, and free local travel magazines, one doesn’t really even need to have a guide anymore. They are great to have for reference or to read when you’re bored and want to learn a bit about your next destination’s history, but they tend to dictate what to do rather than facilitate a way to do it.
There are other options available. A book called European Pilgrimage tackles the very question concerning guides. Search backpacking Europe and things like that and you’ll find it. Be sure to check sponsored links too. There are probably many more out there, so I suggest that if you’re reading this post, then you’re already on the right track. Keep researching, keep reading, stay interested, and go before you lose the desire and have a family…which is another whole story all together.
Cheers
I’ve found that it’s harder to find the book than it used to be. Just go to www.europeanpilgrima… and you’ll find it.
Cheers
Are you the author or seller of this guidebook? Your post makes me wonder. If so, do you know if it’s available at libraries? (ie, if you sell the book, have filled any orders to libraries, or is it a new or still-unknown book so maybe libraries would not have it?)
Hey,
The authors are from my home city and I have read it over a couple of times already. It is new, so I don’t think you can find it many places yet. An interesting read anyway, but I’ve never read or heard of any other book that takes the same approach to backpacking. I’ll keep reading though, that’s how I learn! I have a subscription to a budget travel magazine as well. It isn’t as good as I thought it would be, but it has some good stuff every now and again.
Do you know of anything out there worth reading?
Cheers
I do. I think it’s good to start with the "biggies" and compare to see which seems to fit your style and offers the practical tips you’re looking for. Fodors, Frommers, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Let’s Go, etc.
Fodors guides seem to be aimed at the older more affluent traveler with an eye toward value.
Frommers guides more at budget travellers looking to stay mostly in hotels and book airfare with consolidators.
Rick Steves more the B&B and make your own supermarket picnics style of traveller.
LP more for younger more adventurous travellers on a low budget.
Etc.
All of these are just my opinion based on various books, videos, and (in the case of Fodors) radio program.
Checking some out at your nearest library, you might find a series that really "fits" you, or you might want to pick-and-choose and take an a’la carte approach taking different tips from various sources.
www.fodors.com
www.frommers.com
www.letsgo.com
www.roughguides.com
www.lonelyplanet.com
www.ricksteves.com
Yeah, I’ve traveled with Let’s Go before a couple of times. It told me what I needed to know I guess, but I don’t like the way that people seem to become dependant on their guides while backpacking. I know that they’re useful, but I think that some people seem to only go to eat at the places in their guides, or stay at the top couple of hostels mentioned at the beginning of each new place. It’s almost as if tourists have dictated to them what to do or where to go. That’s why I like to read a lot from as many sources as possible, so I can make up my own mind and do my own thing. And that’s what happens once you’ve been away for a while, people learn how to just talk to other travelers and go by word of mouth.
Know of any good travel novels?
Cheers