which book to buy

When I travel, I purchase a few guide books: Frommers; Steves; DK; and Lonely Planet. They give me a different perspective on the same location.

dana, I'd buy both. As Rick says, a $30 investment on a trip costing thousands, is very cheap.

Dana, purchase neither of them or any other book. Check them out from the library. You can photocopy the pages that you need and then throw the pages out as you go to make room for souvenirs along your trip.

Call it fast food travel, but it works for me.

I suggest that you go to a major bookstore and browse the 2008 edition of The Best of Europe and whatever RS editions you find for Germany & Austria, Venice, and Switzerland. If The Best of Europe isn't detailed enough for your purposes, then consider buying city and/or country books. While you're at it, browse through the appropriate Lonely Planet books, too.

The ETTBD book is a great refference with all the philosophies of rick - may not need a new one each year - but the front half is great info - and the back half small bits on all of europe to help you decide where to dive into more detail. Id get one regardless to add to your travel skills. Of course get the specific book from Rick on your destination - but I always add a Lonely Planet or Rough Guide to it (which ever of the latter are newest) and they have places or recommendations rick may not have (and for hotels - ricks may all be sold out - as some mentioned on popular destinations!) Amazon has discounts - or Borders gives you discounts if you sign up for their free club - 20% etc.

If you know where you are going, buy the best books for the destinations and pull the chapters on those places to take with you. Also take some information that covers your route. I went through Modena once with extra time and no idea what to do because I hadn't brought information. I was driving so didn't even know where to find tourist information. I was disappointed later that I missed the Ferrari museum.