Obviously there’s no ‘right’ way to do it – guidebooks, no guidebooks, tech, online… The annoyance comes when people start to judge others. If people stay off my case, I won’t feel the need to list their voluminous failings. Doesn’t that sound fair? I already know I’m doing it the way I like best. Suggestions for improvement are welcome. Derisive comments will not be tolerated.

I’m about to do Thailand without a guidebook and Burma with a guidebook. This should be interesting.

But that 10 percent…kinda key. Sure, most of it you could get from the Internet. And I will seldom rely entirely on a guidebook for restaurant reviews, because food is too important to me.

As A Wannabe Travelwriter says, it’s all about getting a book that matches your sensibility–and unfortunately, now that most series are trying to cater to the widest possible market, that’s hard to find. So if you can’t, well…just hone your instincts.

Now I’m going on so long, I’m thinking I should write my own post…. OK, see it here.

Frank- you let him have it buddy! Good job! He’ll be sorry he ever messed with Leif Pettersen and his rag-tag gaggle of fans. Lol!

I think you make some good arguments for the use of guidebooks. The practical info alone is what makes a guidebook. I agree about the accomodations section as well. Most online sites will, by nature, have the most up-to-date listings and information. I find the hostel reviews to be generally accurate though. Yes, they are written by dimwits, drunks, and schizos, but the overall feel is usually correct and the numerical values seem to average out over time (about 100 reviews).

However, I don’t agree with your assessment of the eating recommendations. Almost without exception, every restaurant that I’ve been to that has been featured in a guidebook has had relatively bad service with the waiter or waitress weilding an anti-tourist attitude (especially true in Romania). Although, this could possibly be due to the increasing numbers of tourists due to the guidebook’s publication.

Do I carry a guidebook? No, not because I’m trying to be a hip, savvy traveler, but because of the following reasons:

Good transport info and better maps can be downloaded onto an ipod (Yes, I am a tech-geek).
The weight (I like to keep my pack as light as possible).
And.. in every hostel, someone else is going to have one, so I can always see one if I need or want to.

Just my thoughts.

A well constructed post. I enjoyed reading it. I think Gary is going through that stage of being on the road a little while and expressing his inner views that clash a little with the greater picture.

Travel guide are for the masses and, et al. They have to cover a wide area, to satisfy all. The toe jam Romanian backpacker you mention is the man urchin who inevitably spends more on travel through not having a clue where he is than the LP clutchers.

Kindle, and the great Polish rip off versions at .3 the cost would be my preferred in the future. Toe Jammers, Long term guru’s and so on I avoid.

Step out, get lost and enjoy whats out there.

M

I just left the following comments on Gary’s site:

“Wow. And I thought the topic of travel writing and guidebooks was quieting down.

If you have the aptitude and hours to spend; online; in cyber-cafés; programming, charging, and figuring out iPods and Kindles that is great. Good for you.

I may be guilty of stereotyping, but it seems there is a reoccuring theme of rather young, techie-travelers with backpacks looking for the best hostel to bed down.

There are many people who have neither the savvy nor desire to plan their trips utilizing those very legitimate tools of travel. So lighten up.

Whether it is snobbery or not, you do come off as being very judgmental and somewhat narrow-minded as to demographics of the thousands of people who travel.

A couple of points: First, I think if you find a guidebook with a “travel philosophy” you can relate to, then it’s worth the money. On trips to Europe, my wife and I have greatly benefited from the information from Rick Steve’s, and can rely on the recommendations.

And we have been impressed with the honestly of books like Maui Revealed. The reviews were just that; and not just lists of restaurants and lodging.

The challenge is to find guidebooks you are comfortable with for new areas of adventure.

Also, I have a question. As a wannabe travelwriter, I am intrigued by the evolving paradigm of printed media. Everyone seems to want free online information in lieu of traditional books, magazines and newspapers. If no one is willing to pay for that information, why will writers continue to expend the effort?

And please don’t tell me that rambling blog posts on thousands of travel websites will serve the same purpose.

While I may be old, I am not exactly a dinosaur when it comes to understanding the tubes that make up the internets. And I do spend considerable time using all the travel tools available. But, like I said earlier…lighten up.”