Travel Guides

 Summer is a traditional time for vacation and travel.  We’ve already had several people in for books to help them plan their trips, so I thought it was time for a post on travel books.

If you had asked me a decade ago, I would have said sadly that travel guides were on their way out.  Fewer and fewer were being published as people apparently took their searches online.  When I tried that before a trip a couple of years ago, the results were frustrating, to say the least.  Every site seemed trying to sell me something: tours, tickets, hotel rooms, etc.

My suspicion is that a lot of people had the same experience because guidebooks are definitely making a comeback!  We have been getting in a number of new books on various places, both inside the U.S. and international destinations.  When possible we get more than one because each publisher has a slightly different focus.  To compare, I picked books on Italy and checked out what each had to say on Pompeii.

Fodor's is one of the best known names in travel guides for good reason.  Fodor's Essential Italy  had a bit on how to get to Pompeii (and nearby Herculaneum), a brief history, and information what to see. Small color photos give an idea of what there, and a map gives a good idea of what is where.  They suggest packing snacks as food can be expensive but note luggage is not allowed. They also give a few warnings about content:  Pompeii had more than a few brothels and their explicit murals are still there.  Suggested time spent is four or five hours, and tips on getting a guide are included.

DK made its name years ago for doing informational books with fabulous photographs.  In many ways, they set the standard.  When they moved into guide books, they brought that aesthetic with them.  The DK Italy book only had two pages on Pompeii but gives some background information, where to book tickets, and of course some very good color photographs of what can be seen.  None of the photos come from the brothels, by the way, but the text does mention them and the murals.

Lonely Planet is a guidebook I used to avoid.  Oh, the information was very good and they tended to do some books on lesser-known destinations but the very small print and lack of illustrations made it a chore to read.  That has changed; while the print is still small, it’s more readable, offset with text boxes with tips and bits of information.  It had four pages on Pompeii, two of which gave an illustrated timeline of what would have happened on the day the volcano erupted.  There are fewer travel tips and more information on what is being seen.

Rick Steves is the go-to guide for many.  He specializes in European travel and his guides are top notch when it comes to the mechanics of travel.  His book on Italy lists all the different ways to get to Pompeii, which takes up several pages and includes going by car. There are detailed instructions on getting tickets and hiring guides, even listing specific companies and individuals with contact information. He lists where the restrooms are, places to eat, how long to plan to stay, and, oh, yes, that there are some risqué murals which you may want to avoid if traveling with children.  Steves is opinionated, which is not necessarily a bad thing though I have to say on one trip we skipped something he panned and I still regret that I didn’t disregard that advice.  I might have been disappointed but since I’m not a seasoned traveler as Steves, I might have enjoyed it.  Steves’ books are much like his TV spots and podcasts: he gives fascinating background, personal observations, and detailed descriptions of parts of the site, putting places in context. It’s arranged as a walking tour. There is a small map which shows a tour route.  At least in this edition (2022; 2025 edition is due out next month), there are few photos and, except for some in front of the book, all are small and black and white.

Which guidebook is right for you really depends on what you want from a guidebook. All have their strong points.  I really like to consult two or three to get a well-rounded picture of what to see and how to see it.  Happy travels!