Reference book for Germany trip

[hotflash2434 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hotflash2434]

Does anyone have recommendation(s) for book(s) to read before my trip to Germany. Thanks.

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

Rough Guide or Lonely Planet guides are generally very good.

[tennisWalt Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tennisWalt]

Check out Rick Steves

Our very first trip to Europe was to Germany. We found his Guide Books had more Nuts and Bolts than other guide books. They don't have pictures like some other books. But he gets to the point and he does not get into a lot of forgettable information about each location.

Check out his Web Site at:

http://www.ricksteves.com/

His PBS shows are really great. You can get a Rick Steves' DVD of Germany here.

http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/ca...ntId=15&id=108

Lots of free information here.

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti.../germ_menu.htm

Have a great trip!

Walt

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Rough Guide or Lonely Planet guides are generally very good.

I concur. For Europe generally, and Germany specifically, the two best guidebooks are, in order, Rough Guide and Lonely Planet.

The In Your Pocket Guides are excellent for some cities, but they can only be picked up when you get there. I know they have Berlin in Germany, and some other cities there. Check www.inyourpocket.com

[wombat Member Find all posts View Profile Close wombat]

I like to use Dorling Kindersley's Eyewitness guides for a general pictoral view and idea of the places (in deciding first where to go, and what to miss), and then either Frommer's or Rough Guide for more specific details on planning, directions, bus numbers. prices, opening hours etc.

DK's guides are good at giving an overall perspective and are very colourful, but weak on the more minute details. The reverse is true for Frommers, Rough Guide, Lonely Planet etc. Rick Steeves is quite good too, but I found that the quality of Bradt's guides varies considerably.

[hotflash2434 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hotflash2434]

Thanks

Thanks for all your recommendations! I'll be busy before leaving reading all the reference books I have ordered. Jan

[aleksir Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close aleksir]

I will second Rick Steves' guidebooks. I found them very enjoyable with good tips on what to see, what may not be worth it, and several pointers on avoiding lines, cost, etc...