Want to find out about lesbian-friendly B&Bs? Where to watch the rugby in
France? Are you a bit of an olive-oil snob? Well, you’re in luck. The growth
in guidebook publishing is not so much about new destinations, but more
about niche travel.
“New guidebooks are less about specific destinations, more on special themes,
generally from small publishers, even one-man bands,” says Andrew Steed,
general manager of Stanfords travel bookshop in Central London. “Lots have
much more luscious pictures than ordinary travel guides, and many seem to
tap into our desire to make a list of everything – 100 places to see before
you die, and so on.”
Diffords Guide Quarterly
For the serious tippler, these quarterly guides not only list more than 500
cocktails, but also offer cool bar suggestions around the world. Not sleazy
old boozers with carpets last cleaned in 1986, but joints where the hip and
wannabe hip wanna be seen. Details: www.diffordsguide.com,
£9.97.
Women’s Traveller 2007
Bestselling lesbian travel guide with listings for more than 1,000 cities in
North America and Europe. Bars, clubs, bookshops, restaurants and hotels are
included. Details: www.damron.com,
£8.95.
Luxe
Thin, fold-out guides (more like a map) that are ideal for a lady-who-lunches
handbag. These pitch themselves at the top end for the cash-rich, time-poor
who want the best accommodation, dining and shopping. Details: www.luxecityguides.com.
Nota Bene
“The world’s most demanding travel publication,” says the blurb to these
upmarket tomes, which are available by subscription only and aimed at those
who don’t really have to worry about their Amex bills too much. Forthcoming
titles include Punte del Este, Portofino and Mykonos. A year’s subscription
is £350. Details: www.nbreview.com.
The Budget Airlines Guide to European Football
If you’ve always wanted to see FC Boavista play at home or check out a match
at the Stadio delle Alpi, Stuart Fuller’s handy guide will give you tips on
where to stay and how to get about. Details: Active, £9.99.
Aventure Motorcycling
Whether you’re an avid biker, or planning ahead for the midlife crisis, if you
dream of escaping into the sunset on two wheels, this guide gives
inspiration and practical tips. Details: Trailblazer, £12.99.
The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations
You’ve read the book, you’ve seen the film, now wallow in your own private
nostalgia among the markets where Amélie was shot or at the Australian
studios where The Matrix was produced. Details: Titan, £16.99.
Normandy with your family
Frommer’s new family range covers holiday favourites from the Balearics to
Croatia, with tips on best beaches and how to keep the young ’uns occupied. Details:
Frommer’s, £12.99.
The Big House Party If you want to gather all your mates on Facebook
together, this book lists more than 100 places to stay in Britain where you
can play lord of the manor with a large group of friends or family. Details:
Pendant Press, £14.99.
To Asia with Love – A Connoisseurs’ Guide to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand
Vietnam
“This isn’t a book that will get you from A to B on a shoestring,” says Nick
Pulley from Selective Asia, who gives the guide to all his clients. “But it
will get you the best cup of coffee in Hanoi or help you to find one of
Thailand’s last secrets – a truly deserted beach.” Details:
Global Directions, £8.95.
Chow! Venice – Savouring the Food and Wine of La Serenissima
Two American women have sussed out better places to dine, from sandwich bars
to late-night eateries filled with knowledgeable locals. Details:
Wine Appreciation Guild, £9.95.
Green Places to Stay
When sustainability and sound eco-credentials are more important than the size
of the pool and range of cocktails at the bar, this is the guide for you,
listing environmentally friendly places to stay worldwide. Details: Sawday’s,
£13.99.
Stanfords (020-7836 1321, www.stanfords.co.uk);
Amazon (www.amazon.co.uk).
Guidebooks go online
In Your Pocket
No need to fish in your pocket when downloading these guides to Eastern Europe
– they’re free (www.inyourpocket.com).
Hedonist’s guide
Tired of a guide being out of date by the time it hits the shelves? Buy one of
the 17 books and get free online updates. Online access only: about £5 a
guide (www.hg2.com).
Lonely Planet
Pick & mix chapters from 35 guidebooks in Central and South America cost
£1-£3 a chapter. (www.lonelyplanet.com).
Dorling Kindersley
Crib notes on hotels, bars, restaurants and tourist sites can be downloaded
free as a trial until September 20 (www.travel.dk.com).
Mr and Mrs Smith
You don’t need to buy the three books to read about and book the 270 upmarket
hotels (www.mrandmrssmith.com).
Alastair Sawday
Special Escapes, 250 properties in the UK and Ireland, is free to users (www.special-escapes.co.uk).
Jane Knight
You should have also included Explorer Residents' Guides, which are aimed specifically at people moving and working abroad. Having recently made my first move overseas I can't tell you how useful this book was as it doesn't just cover where to go and what to see but gave me me vital information about renting my flat, getting my utilities turned on and even finding a yoga class.
Kate, Dubai,