Rough Guide books offer a comprehensive look at a particular city, country or region. They are especially useful to travelers who like to get off the beaten path and see an area’s more unusual sights.
- The series is quite comprehensive, covering cities, regions, countries and special types of travel.
- The books provide excellent cultural information, including lists of books and films.
- Information on small towns and rural areas is quite detailed.
- If you’re traveling by car, you will not find much information about driving in a Rough Guide.
- The guidebooks are not updated every year.
- The British English used in the guidebooks could confuse some non-British readers.
- Rough Guides are typically divided into four sections.
- The guidebook begins with a photographic section dedicated to top sights.
- “Basics,” the first text section of a Rough Guide, covers the where-when-how of travel planning.
- “The Guide” takes you through every part of the country, city or region that the Rough Guide covers. Maps are provided.
- “Contexts” provides cultural information, including booklists and websites to enhance your understanding of your destination.
- Because the books are written in the United Kingdom, British English – and British humor – are the norm.
- The print is quite small.
- Some Rough Guide books don’t cover towns that can’t be reached by train or bus.
I’ve used Rough Guides for years. They offer something for everyone – historical background, cultural insights, must-see places and truly local hangouts. You’ll find detailed descriptions of museums, churches and architectural treasures as well as off-beat suggestions for your itinerary. Each Rough Guide also prepares both beginning and experienced travelers for every aspect of travel, from packing to dealing with reverse culture shock.
One of the things I like best about Rough Guides is the level of detail each guidebook provides. I love getting away from popular tourist spots and visiting towns some locals never discover; my Rough Guides have helped me find some of my best-loved destinations. You can find eclectic restaurants listed side-by-side with UNESCO World Heritage sites, all packaged in a useful, readable format.
Rough Guides cover literally dozens of destinations, currently 200-plus and counting. Whether you’re heading for a mainstream destination like Rome or New York City or striking out on an adventurous trip to Southeast Asia, there’s a Rough Guide for you. The series offers something for every type of traveler; you can find information on wildlife watching, trekking, shopping and people-watching in a typical Rough Guide.
If you’re looking for a guidebook that is just a little bit different, one that can give you a local slant on a particular issue or historical event, pick up a Rough Guide and flip through the pages. You’ll find travel essentials, to be sure, but you’ll also learn about places to visit, books to read and foods to try that can make your trip something really special.
In SummaryThe Rough Guide series is an excellent trip planning resource. Whether you’re visiting an area for the first or tenth time, you can use the Rough Guide for that destination to plan a rewarding trip.
