Backpackers Bible: The Lonely Planet
Anyone who frequents hostels or hangs out in the Backpacker areas of tourist locations will without a doubt see more than a few copies of the Lonely Planet floating around.
I don't know how many times I have heard it referred to as "The Bible" but I have to admit I think it's a bit annoying. It takes a lot of the fun and adventure out of traveling.
Don't think that I am slamming The Lonely Planet, I feel the same way about most guide books. I've purchased more than a few in my travels but most of the time I'm left feeling bored and ripped off.
I do like the maps, the information on tourist sites, suggestions on travel, and the section on language and customs for different areas.
With that said I do have a problem with some of those sections too. The maps are often outdated or notoriously wrong. The information on different tourists sites is often really brief and not of much use and quite often the language section chooses to publish the "polite" version of phrases, but ones that are not used by the common person.
The problem with most guide books is that if you buy one on a country like India, there is just so much information to try and pack in to the book. That means that you are going to get just a superficial overview and no good details. Often there is more specific books, for instance on a province (state) or particular city within a country which gives great details. The problem is if you are touring all of India you would need at least 5-8 books and you would be increasing your bag weight by about 10 Kilos.
My advice to everyone is to do a little bit of research on the Internet. Book your "first" hostel in a new city online before you arrive and then work out the details after you get there. Every hostel I've ever been to has brochures for neighboring cities, tourist maps and generally a helpful staff that will help you sort out what you should see.
If you aren't in to the hostel and budget travel option then head on down to the tourist information office and you can get loads of really great information and maps for free.
Half the fun of traveling is experiencing and interacting with society, why not start off with the tourist information office? =)
I don't know how many times I have heard it referred to as "The Bible" but I have to admit I think it's a bit annoying. It takes a lot of the fun and adventure out of traveling.
Don't think that I am slamming The Lonely Planet, I feel the same way about most guide books. I've purchased more than a few in my travels but most of the time I'm left feeling bored and ripped off.
I do like the maps, the information on tourist sites, suggestions on travel, and the section on language and customs for different areas.
With that said I do have a problem with some of those sections too. The maps are often outdated or notoriously wrong. The information on different tourists sites is often really brief and not of much use and quite often the language section chooses to publish the "polite" version of phrases, but ones that are not used by the common person.
The problem with most guide books is that if you buy one on a country like India, there is just so much information to try and pack in to the book. That means that you are going to get just a superficial overview and no good details. Often there is more specific books, for instance on a province (state) or particular city within a country which gives great details. The problem is if you are touring all of India you would need at least 5-8 books and you would be increasing your bag weight by about 10 Kilos.
My advice to everyone is to do a little bit of research on the Internet. Book your "first" hostel in a new city online before you arrive and then work out the details after you get there. Every hostel I've ever been to has brochures for neighboring cities, tourist maps and generally a helpful staff that will help you sort out what you should see.
If you aren't in to the hostel and budget travel option then head on down to the tourist information office and you can get loads of really great information and maps for free.
Half the fun of traveling is experiencing and interacting with society, why not start off with the tourist information office? =)
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