Customer Reviews

The Rough Guide to Wales 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

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I'm not an expert in reviewing travel guides. We have traveled, however, to India, Peru, and Mexico, and I always plan our trips using a combination of travel guides, internet info ([...]) and, when necessary (like for internal travel in a different country) a travel agent. We are planning a trip next year to Ireland and Wales, and I always start by purchasing travel guides and collecting data about towns and festivals, and dates we might want to aim for, and I buy a map to see for myself where, in the big scheme of things, these places are (and whether or not it looks like a road connects them, or whether it looks like an airport is near, or whether RR tracks are on the map, etc.).

I usually start with the Lonely Planet, because it's easy to read, and enjoyable, and seems to be loaded with information I've found helpful. I thought I'd try the Rough Guide for a change.

It's different from the Lonely Planet books. For me, it's harder to read, physically. Lonely Planet pages are divided into 2 columns of text. Rough Guide has writing all the way across the page, and it's small (and I'm 51). Also, Rough Guide has more historical information than I can take in ahead of time. Lots of it. Lonely Planet seems to be lighter historically, and more packed with restaurant, lodging, and touristy visiting information, and that seems to suit my needs better. Rough Guide is heavier reading than I want to take on at night after a long day at work. I'm SURE it's exactly what some travelers want - just not me.

While the Rough Guides originated as a sort of backpacker's guide to this planet, they have evolved into a full-fledged look at the destinations that doesn't have to read by flashlight in the hostel. Thoughtful, comprehensive and well-written, I enjoy using them and know I can rely on the text -- and I've been a professional travel writer for 22 years.