Pristine's Current Recommendation (updated July 8, 2005)

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Pristine's Picks for Travel Guides

I have picked out several publications that I have looked to when traveling. I decided to put this here because I wrote is as a peace-offering for not having paid enough attention to updating and migrating my travel logs. If you would like to have a look at some of the completed ones, click here to go to my travel page.

	Everywhere I travel, natives and fellow travelers often remark at this nifty map I tote along. It is small enough to fit in the pocket, but big enough to notice when it is missing. It is waterproof, clearly printed, and updated. I understand that the point where the map ends and continues on the other side is a major hassle when you are on the run. Of all the maps I have tried, this one is stiff enough and of a convenient size that you can flip back and forth with ease and speed.
	We live in a visual culture. If anything will whet your appetite in visiting a location, pictures would most likely do it. DK series has lots of illustrations, maps, and photographs that will bring the kid out in you. And to me, the essence of traveling is discovery. So when I say "bring the kid out in you" I mean that in a good way. After all, discovery is all about nurturing the innocence of learning in seeing the world through renewed eyes. And no one can do that better than a child. Many of us tend to forget this joy in our adulthood.
	Lonely Planet was one of the guides I always carry along. Again, it's because it's built tough, small, and handy. But remember to check up on review and write-ups of each individual guide, because some cities are documented better than others. Lonely Planet has the additional feature of supplementing their guides with updates online. Definitely geared towards frugal travelers and adventurous souls, LP ranks as the guide that is most likely to tell you like it is. If there is a dangerous spot in town, they will let you know. If folks at Istanbul are rumored to spike your bottled water with syringes before presenting it to you as a treat, a guide such as Lonely Planet will give it to you straight. Just keep in mind that they take more caution than less. And sometimes, you may end up getting carried away with fear, especially if you are going at it alone. Well, don't. Because a big part of traveling is conquering your fear of the unknown.
	Insight guides, brought to you by Discovery Channel, is a good balance between the illustration-filled DK guides and the text-intensive Blue Guides. I have brought this on trips where I felt I might miss details from the other travel books.
	Blue Guides tend to be more academic and research-intensive. If you are visiting historical countries and cities, Blue Guides are good to have as an educational source. The reading is often dry and there's not much on local scenes and hot spots. For that, you need to look to Time Out (look below). Still, it's good to have a balance of both, unless you are planning to party non-stop!
	Time Out, publisher of those hip magazines of the same name give you the most current info on places to be and the places to be seen at It is the polar opposite of Blue Guides. Bars, dance clubs, restaurants, and hot spots are listed as current as is possible when the book goes to the press. Because Time Out's business is to keep on top of the happening scene for their magazine, you can be sure that their book guide stays equally current.

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