Travel: Travel Guides & Maps

Maps.com is a "one-stop source for maps of all sorts, from wall to digital. You can also use the site for driving directions or to find an address."

Brought to you by BING, this site offers a wide variety of mapping possibilities.

"It's important to note that the format of each Access guide presupposes that the visitor is on a walking (or perhaps bicycling) tour of the area. The guides are organized by neighborhoods and broken into five color-coded subject headings, (Red = Restaurants, Black = Culture/Sights, etc.). Each neighborhood is further organized as if one were strolling the streets. In some of the books, there are descriptions of places that could only be found by walking down the avenues and lanes" mentioned.

Birnbaum now appears to focus exclusively on producing guide books for the Disney theme parks and cruise line.

The first Blue Guide was written for London and published in 1918. Still published today, these guides emphasize art and architecture. There are several series published: the Blue Guides, art/shop/eat, and the Visible Cities.

DK has become known for their books (on a variety of topics and subjects) that are profusely illustrated. DK's travel guides cover specific regions, countries, cities, or travel concepts, such as "Off the Tourist Trail: 1,000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives" and "Bed in a Tree and Other Amazing Hotels from Around the World." Our library owns a number of the DK country travel guides (which always include historical and cultural information), though we may not always the most recent edition.

Started by Eugene Fodor, a native of Hungary, the Fodor travel guidebooks began in 1936, with the publication in Europe of "On the Continent," which was released in the United States two years later. Fodor immigrated to the U.S. after World War II, and after working for U.S. intelligence began publishing guidebooks, first on European countries then in 1964, for U.S. destinations. Eugene Fodor died in 1991 at the age of 85. Today, Fodor's publishes guidebooks for over 140 destinations.

"Since the 1957 publication of Arthur Frommer's revolutionary Europe on $5 a Day, the Frommer's collection of travel products has expanded to include over 300 guidebooks as well as this popular Frommers.com Web site, reaffirming Frommer's as the most trusted name in travel today."

Lonely Planet has its origins in the travel interests of Tony and Maureen Wheeler, whose first travel guide - Across Asia on the Cheap - was written, typed and stapled at their kitchen table, and came about to meet the requests from friends. Lonely Planet is committed to "independent travel, trustworthy advice and editorial independence" and addresses the travel interests (and budgets) of a diverse traveling public. The company is highly committed to responsible travel.

"At the turn of the 20th century Michelin created the Michelin Guide, its first travel publication in an effort to encourage motorists to travel in the recently introduced automobile." At last count, Michelin publishes 380 travel guides; 250 maps, plans and atlases; and 22 hotel and restaurant guides.

Another travel guide series profusely illustrated that not only talks about the sites but also takes the reader into the history and culture of a destination. "Every day National Geographic experts across the world explore the heart of a country's culture, history and people. This incomparable experience can be yours through National Geographic Traveler guides."

Claimed to be " ... the most thoroughly researched, selective and opinionated guidebooks on the market," Rick Steves' guidebooks (Europe-focused) are written to meet a variety of needs. If you will be a first-time visitor to a destination, there are guidebooks particularly recommended, as they are based upon the duration of your trip. Rick Steves also publishes phrase books, and books based on interest, such as "European Christmas" and "Travel As a Political Act" (we have the latter).

Rough Guides travel guides are " ... aimed to combine a journalistic approach to description with a practical approach to travellers’ needs ..." and have come to be known for their "... wit and inquisitiveness as much as their enthusiastic, critical approach."

These online guides "... offer insight into some of the planet's most intriguing places, plus photo galleries, maps and tips on how best to explore them."

This online resource provides a variety of travel guides such as cruise guides, ski guides, airport guides, beach guides, country guides and city guides. There is also a section on the site called "Travel Essentials" that includes information on weather, world time, news, events, attractions, etc.

Considered THE restaurant review publisher, some information is available free on this subscription web site. Zagat also produces print guides.