The evolution of using guidebooks

I would still buy one of Rick’s guidebooks if I was going to a country for the first time. Otherwise, I rarely use one now. I’m planning two trips to Italy this year and will mostly use the guidebook for Rome - mainly as a means to reduce the plethora of internet info down to what my daughter will like for her first experience in Italy. But to be fair, most of the cities I have chosen for my solo trip are not in his Italy book.

On the other hand, I will have her read some of the important basics of traveling that Rick provides in his books - those things that first-time European travelers aren’t aware to even ask.

Except for Appalachian Trail maps and guidebooks from the ATC, I've never bought a travel guidebook.

My personal attitude is why limit myself to one person's curated secendary source book when I can have the whole primary source library at my finger tips. I work outside in a non-digital world so I don't feel a need to otherwise unplug.

And im writing this post on my phone between races at a go-kart racetrack in the London Docklands 🤘🙂. I wonder if it's in any print guidebook?

If one wants to really get into the issue of guidebooks , go back to the mid nineteenth century in The British Isles . Armed with a series of Bradshaw's Guidebooks , the ex British MP , Michael Portillo , travels the country by rail from place to place. While the focus is how railways changed Britain , and the world , there is a vast amount of history in these progams , and you can get hooked on them very easily . There are thirteen series of this available ( some are posted on youtube ) but I'm addicted to them , and have purchased all of them . Just about to watch a few more with a second coffee this morning . If you do decide to buy any , be aware that you will need a region free , code free DVD player to see them ( they are region 2 PAL encoded ) Worth every penny , they are the next best thing to a visit . Here is a sample to get you hooked https://youtu.be/31Ks1xEWnNg NOTE these are available from Amazon USA

What’s more, a print guidebook offers a chance to unplug, allowing
travelers to put down their phones, Steves noted. With a screen close
at hand, it’s too easy to let your attention drift away from that chic
Parisian bistro and into drearily quotidian scrolling."

I read the article on the weekend and this quote struck me as old fashioned. How is sticking your nose in a guidebook any less of an unplug than a phone? I find a Parisian bistro WITH wifi a perfect place to relax after a long day of site-seeing. I can scroll through the photos I've taken, plan my next route, or even text or email home if I want to. All while carrying something much less cumbersome than a book. I still travel with a guidebook, but it stays in the hotel room.

I use both - I still like perusing the pages of a book but I tend to get them at the library and review them before buying. I've found that print books are good for helping with broad itineraries. However, for most of my research, I go online. Sometimes I borrow or buy e-book versions of Lonely Planet or Rick Steves guidebooks. Those are helpful for linking me to websites, Google maps and so on. But I also rely a lot on Instagram, TikTok and online blogs for my information, and of course, places like this forum.

I like guidebooks as a jumping off point and I particularly like how the RS ones give little tips and tricks here and there. I also feel like travel blogs start all running together for me. That said, all of these are just one perspective--the RS Italy book skips over the entire Emilia Romagna region, for example. I generally get the broad strokes down through a guidebook and then start refining the details through specific web searches and visiting places like this. I never carry the guidebook around with me on a trip but I do quite enjoy seeing them on my bookshelf as a reminder of travels!

Most libraries have guidebooks to review if you need. The internet is by far the most convenient, quicker and least expensive to plan a trip. Buying a guidebook isn't necessary, but some still enjoy them. The trouble with guidebooks is they are outdated quickly. Also, as someone said, it is the writer's personal view. I like the ability to read reviews, especially if I find a restaurant as I am out and about that are current.

I am sure RS and others are seeing a drop in guidebook sales even before Covid. Times, they are a changing...daily.

Europe on $5 A Day…..

But in began in 1953 with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck riding a Vespa in Roman Holiday.

I am sure RS and others are seeing a drop in guidebook sales even before Covid. Times, they are a changing...daily.

from the WP article:

It seems to be working out, because Steves’s 2019 royalty checks were the highest of his career. Despite apocalyptic warnings, in fact, guidebooks are generally doing okay. After the rocky industry news of 2013, travel book sales stabilized, then stayed roughly even until the pandemic hit.

It's hard to understand. People spend thousands on a trip to Europe and refuse to spend $25 on a travel guide that will help them get the most out of their trip. They'd rather get advice from Bubba from the internet, who went to Europe once years ago, rather than carefully researched travel guide prepared by a pro.

On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog

On print vs, electronic/digital: We are all different. I use a variety of sources when traveling but still like a guidebook. I can get queasy & headaches from scrolling. I often prefer to read print materials. Also, I spend 9 hours a day typing and staring at a screen for work, so it’s the last thing I want to do on vacation. I guess I’m saying I can understand Rick’s point.

Andrea, yes, I will be traveling to several cities in the Emilia Romagna region and Umbria - nothing in his guidebook for any of my planned cities.

==>"It's hard to understand. People spend thousands on a trip to Europe and refuse to spend $25 on a travel guide that will help them get the most out of their trip. They'd rather get advice from Bubba from the internet, who went to Europe once years ago, rather than carefully researched travel guide prepared by a pro."<==

First, personally I view Rick and other travel writers as just another Bubba. Second, why am I only presented the false choice of "Bubba from the internet" vs a "carefully researched guide prepared by a pro"? I've already said this, but the issue I have with any guide book, is that they're a curated secondary source; and what one is provided is strictly what the writer believes to be interesting or necessary based on their on bias.

From the article --
==>"Twenty years ago, however, I would have said guidebooks contributed to an informational monoculture I found aggravating. I noticed that people using the same brand of travel guides seemed to follow each other, slightly abashed, from place to place."<==

With the digital world I have the unfiltered primary sources right at hand, plus the opinions of everyone whether professional, amateur or novice. I get to be the one that filters, discriminates and use the information at hand to fit my own travel interests and values without the need to insert someone else's preferences.

So I am at a loss to understand why I need to "spend $25 on a travel guide that will help them get the most out of their trip."

In the end we all have our preferences -- it's not a right or wrong. You do you and I'll do me and we all get to select the tools and formats that works for us individually.

Jean, Bradt has a good book on northern Italy/emilia-romagna.

Interesting timing of this post; I was just debating if I should buy RS France book (I'm using the library copy now). We will be in France for 5.5 weeks and only 1 week of that is a repeat location (Paris). I've done lots of internet research, boiling things down a bit, and create a document of notes that I will take along with me. But there are many things that the time and effort spent boiling down isn't going to give me enough info as compared to what is in the RS book. So I'll probably buy the book and rip it apart as Rick suggests. I like to have both print and electronic resources in hand when I'm out and about. Sure, there's a lot of personal opinion in his books (and everywhere else!) but there's also lots of factual info that is quite helpful. I'm a mix of "fly by the seat of your pants" traveler along with "be prepared". This mix works well for us and eliminates some of the stress that can easily creep into one's journey.

It's become a ritual for several years now that my wife and I head to our local Tim Horton's (coffee franchise) every Sunday morning for our weekly trip planning. We bring our laptops, phones and a small stack of guidebooks. When we started doing this about 5 years ago it was strictly guidebooks and it was a functional purpose to actually plan our next trip. Now, the guidebooks are more for entertainment and big picture hopes and dreams, while any functional planning is done on phones and laptops.

By the way, if anyone finds themselves in Calgary on a Sunday, you're invited to our 'meeting.'

I find the maps in the RS guides are invaluable with extra notations and descriptions when orienting myself. After my initial horror, I now routinely rip the books apart, clip chapters and swap them in and out of the handy binding. A “chapter” book usually fits into my purse to use as I traverse the city.

I take my MacBook to Barnes and Noble or rent them out from my local library we also have e books for rent.

Bought RS "Florence and Tuscany" and "Pocket Florence" yesterday. Just sayin'.

Thank you, Carrie! I was able to read several pages of the North Italy: Emilia-Romagna guidebook by Bradt - lots of history & good info. I went ahead and ordered it on Amazon.

"Curate" seems to be the new buzzword for guide book writers. The Lonely Planet people used it in the article, too.

I still like a good guide book, but I tend to use them as a starting point, as others have mentioned. With the RS Croatia and Slovenia book, I came up with a rushed 14-day trip through Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia (with a day trip to Montenegro). Thanks to Bubba and his friends, the trip was refined into a 25-day journey through western Slovenia that was amazing and permitted a focused exploration of the Slovenian mind and world -- it was a far richer experience than the RS-generated trip would have been. So, thanks to all the Bubbas out there for posting their own curations.

...and speaking of backdoors... doesn't inclusion in a RS guide automatically make something a front door? Don't you kind of have to rely on Bubbas now for back doors... like Lukomir... in this Bubba family's video with only 216 views... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WUHSUukauM

Dave, I have purchased numerous RS guidebooks and found them very useful especially for first trips to a country. But I agree with your comment of “front doors”. By definition of being in a guidebook, the city is much less of a “back door”. I’ve purposely picked some cities during each itinerary that are not listed in his books and found them equally enjoyable and sometimes more authentic.

It's hard to understand. People spend thousands on a trip to Europe and refuse to spend $25 on a travel guide that will help them get the most out of their trip. They'd rather get advice from Bubba from the internet, who went to Europe once years ago, rather than carefully researched travel guide prepared by a pro.

I am not sure how this is hard to understand. First of all, it is a personal choice. Just like driving in Europe instead of using trains, buying a Eurail pass, staying in a hotel owned by a corporation or heaven forbid, check a bag. The absolute best travel style is the one you decide to do.

Some will spend $25 on a guidebook, others will spend it on wine, food, souvenirs or maybe an extra museum visit.

I did find the comment about Bubbas pretty funny because we are all Bubbas. We leave reviews on hotels, restaurants, etc. and when people post here to get help for traveling, we answer. That makes us all Bubbas. We opine on everything and we all enjoy helping and learning ourselves.

We shouldn't criticize people who buy guidebooks or don't. Maybe, just maybe, there is an alternative way to travel other than what one guidebook writer or another tells you.

I actually enjoy when a new poster comes to this forum having done his or her research with other Bubbas and asks how to tweak an itinerary or has a puzzling question about trains, museums, etc.. It sure beats a first time poster who comes here and says, "I want to go to France, where should I go, what should I see, where should I eat or sleep?"

The one thing about travel is, you can make a mistake and learn, but your style isn't right or wrong.

Bubba

When I travel, I use multiple sources to plan. Guidebooks, internet sites, travel forums (like this one.) But I don't consider any one of these a "Bible" or the "Ten Commandments" that must be obeyed. They are just information along with opinion. In many cases, it is the author's interests that are front and center. And my interests may be different.

Some people follow guidebooks as if they are the word of law. They won't go anywhere the guidebook doesn't recommend, they won't stay anywhere the guidebook doesn't recommend, they won't eat anywhere the guidebook doesn't recommend. If that's what makes you happy......fine.

I will peruse a guidebook to get general ideas of what I want to see and do. From there I head to those site's webpages for more detailed information. I then might enquire on a travel forum.

Prior to Covid, I switched from paper guidebooks to electronic ones. While not as easy to peruse, I always have them with me while traveling and they don't add any extra weight.

Asking RS, or the Lonely Planet folks, or Pauline Frommer if people should use guidebooks is like asking McDonalds if people should eat hamburgers.

"When I travel, I use multiple sources to plan. Guidebooks, internet sites, travel forums (like this one.) But I don't consider any one of these a "Bible" or the "Ten Commandments" that must be obeyed."
Amen, Frank II.

Also, THIS:
"Some people follow guidebooks as if they are the word of law. They won't go anywhere the guidebook doesn't recommend, they won't stay anywhere the guidebook doesn't recommend, they won't eat anywhere the guidebook doesn't recommend. If that's what makes you happy......fine."

It's as though they are seeking permission to go to a certain place, and if it can be found in "the Guidebook" then they can do it.
I find that to be......just nuts. But I met some American tourists in England who were just that way.

I enjoy reading guidebooks, just for fun, but research on the internet mainly.
My travel is based on historical sights I am wanting to see.
I tend to get interested in certain periods of history, and build my travel itinerary around that.

After my initial horror, I now routinely rip the books apart, clip chapters and swap them in and out of the handy binding.

I want to do this, Rick even tells us to do this...but so far I just can't.

I've discovered that both my library and Kindle Unlimited have travel guide ebooks you can check out. (I think you can do trial or month to month subscriptions for Kindle Unlimited- and it works on any tablet or phone. It's a great way to take many books along.)

I read several during the first pandemic lockdown and it made for a nice distraction- (so did videos on Netflix and Amazon Prime.) It's also nice if you're just trying to narrow down a destination. (Do I want to go to Spain or am I feeling more like Norway or Cambodia?) They're also good for a fast introductory history lesson-which you don't really get in influencer videos.

I mainly consult and read The Rough Guide.

Also, I rely as another source, ie, a personal one, talking with the locals and picking up tips from them, eg, fellow passengers on trains, at breakfast in small hotels and Pensionen, hotel staff, wait staff in restaurants,....all part of striking up conversations with these locals. I have seen numerous esoteric historical sites (museums, churches, monuments, battlefield memorials, military cemeteries, etc), thanks to such information given to me in Germany, France and Austria by these helpful people.

I started traveling and living overseas in 1981 and used guidebooks extensively over the years, especially before the internet.

My favorite was Fielding's Guide. Also, Frommer's Guide. I still use guidebooks, including Rick Steves. I don't use them for finding hotels or restaurants, but for tips on sightseeing.

However, guidebooks are not the cornerstone of my travel planning like it once was. Back in the 80s and 90s you didn't book going to the Sistine Chapel or St. Paul's Cathedral, you just went there. Now way more people are traveling these days and you must book key sites in advance. Also, I usually find day tours on the internet.

For Europe, the guidebooks are still a great source, even 10 years later, since the historical and cultural places don't change.

This might sound corny but I love travel guidebooks!!! I still use them a lot in planning trips. I do use travel forums and research on the internet, but I still prefer travel guidebooks and will bring my favorite 1 or 2 on the trip to refer to. My favorites are Fodors, Lonely Planet, and Michelin Green Guide, along with Rick Steves. But what I have noticed about Rick is that he doesn't cover some lovely, wonderful places. For example, he has only one page on Malaga, and treats Malaga mainly as a transportation hub. Malaga is so much more than that. There is a lot to see and do in Malaga, and I think it's an under-rated city. And he doesn't cover Zadar in his Croatia book.

I like guidebooks because you have all the information you need in one place.