To guide or not to guide?

The team at Not Just a Holiday took part in a journalistic debate on the pros and cons of using a travel guides when exploring the world. Obviously, we were very much pro.

We argued that whether you are planning a 10 day break somewhere sunny or preparing for a gap year, travel guides are an essential part of any successful trip. You don’t have to have your head in a book for weeks before the event, but a little bit of research can go a long way. By flicking though any well known guide you can instantly maximise your holiday potential. You’ll know the best places to eat, the safest (and most dangerous) places to stay, the most exciting activities to do, the best methods of transport, and how to get value for money. As soon as you arrive your tailor made holiday can begin.

And, don’t think because it’s in a guide book everyone will be doing it – if you are more of a lone ranger and prefer to explore off the beaten track , guides like the Lonely Planet and ours are there to offer impartial, practical advice to help you create an extraordinary travelling experience. As we have proudly told you before, Saint Augustine wisely noted that ‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page’. Think of a travel guide like your index – find what you want and you skip, or zip line, straight to the best bit!