It is officially summer and most people has begun their vacations or at least started planning their vacations. I myself arrived home from Chicago only yesterday after spending four days in the windy city. Before leaving for my trip, I read just about every travel guide that we have at the store, trying to find just the right one to take with me. The day that I was supposed to leave, I had it narrowed down to pocket sized guides and I finally decided on the KNOPF MAPGUIDES. This guide separates the city into separate sections and gives down to earth directions to the places it recommends, such as “by the Jimmy John’s on Michigan Ave.” Each section only takes up two pages side by side, but then opens up into a map of the area so you only have to look at sections of the city at a time, not a whole map. At the front it shows you where the sections are in relation to each other, and at the back is a map of the mass transit system. Also, the whole guide is printed on pretty thick paper, perfect for toting around and extensive use. If you’re looking for an authentic experience in the city you are visiting, this guide is definitely the one to choose. It doesn’t bog you down with too much information. On my trip to Chicago, my friend Kelly and I stayed with a Chicagoian who lives in Hyde Park and every place that he recommended was in the Knopf Guide. So on the days that we wandered the city on our own, I knew I was in good hands with the Knopf Mapguide.

Another great book that I read before my trip was Tough Times, Great Travels by Peter Greenberg. This book is also great because it is to the point and tells you exactly how to find great deals and hidden bargains. I always find those travel books that are inches thick with tissue-like Bible paper quite daunting and never read enough to learn what I actually picked the book up to learn, so these pocket sized guides are just perfect for me. Come in and check them out: they might be perfect for you too!

Until next time,

Emily

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