Best Guidebooks to Southern Europe

Posted by Barbara Rogers Mar 8, 2008

Guidebooks, even in the internet era, are still important tools in planning and getting the most out of a trip. But finding the one that’s just right for you can be puzzling.

Each of the major series has its own personality and its own following, from the 20-something on a weekend getaway to the family on a driving tour or the retired couple on a cruise. Here are my favorites – those I carry myself:

• Lonely Planet – Country guides and smaller city/region books are aimed for the younger independent traveler, but their exhaustive and reliable detail makes them useful for anyone, especially those traveling by train or bus.
• Cadogan – Among the best and most detailed books, these guides really shine in Spain and Italy, written in an engaging narrative style, but easy to use while traveling. Especially good for those who enjoy discovering places most tourists don’t find, and who like some historical and cultural background.
• Thomas Cook Drive Around Guides – Excellent for those touring by car, with driving itineraries and details on sights, lodging and dining en route, and color photography throughout. Of course we would be partial to these, since we write the guides to Northern Italy and Portugal in this series.
• Time Out – Exhaustive city guides written for a hip young market, but good for any traveler who wants cultural, artistic and historical detail on each sight. Nightlife and shopping are important elements, but serious sightseeing is paramount. They include a little information on places around each city, as well.