Product Recommendation: Travel Guides

Before leaving for Berlin last week, I went in search of that city's volume from my favorite new series of travel guides, the Luxe City Guides, but failed to find a copy at any bookstore. So if you’re traveling, order one in advance!
      The first time I ever used these compact, cheeky little guides was in Thailand (thanks, Nina, for the recommendation), and I fell in love with them. Each one provides a “greatest hits” list of places to stay and eat, things to do, and shopping itineraries, all in an easy-to-carry, accordion-book format. Much more to the point and less conspicuous than a thick Fodor’s or Lonely Planet. (But beware: the Luxe Guides have no maps and are useful for only a certain sort of tourist—say, not a backpacker.)

Another series that I always like to check out before going to a new country is Travelers’ Tales. These aren’t guidebooks exactly but rather anthologies of essays that provide an introduction to a new culture through the stories and adventures of other travelers. The series also contains several titles about general topics, such as food or spirituality or women’s journeys, that span the world, if you can’t find a specific guide for where you’re going.