Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Your opinions on travel guide books. Lonely Planer, Rough Guide, Footprint etc !! Your opinions on travel guide books. Lonely Planer, Rough Guide, Footprint etc !!
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
" they are poorly researched" .

Compared to what?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Apr 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by uganduro View Post
" they are poorly researched" .

Compared to what?
Does it need a comparison ?

I guess I could compare it to how it describes itself. Eg. The LP Cuba Book on my desk now.

"An UNPARALLELED guide"

"Loaded with detailed maps. More than any other guide of the island"
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Apr 2011
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,364
My humble opinion

LP = shite. I believe many of the authors haven't been to the places they expose opinions about. As a rule of thumb if you assume the opposite view to the author on a hotel/hostel it is quite accurate. Ideal volume/weight to put under side stand of fat BMW when stuck in the mud on the Moyale/Isiolo road.

Footprint = quite good, at least in Ethiopia and South America. They also mention where bike parking is possible. Also the bus timings and distances were v useful. 200km and 12 hours = bad road, 500km and 5 hours on the bus = good road.

Rough Guide = really hard to follow unless you travel the same route in the same direction as the author.

cheers
C
__________________

TBS.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Does it need a comparison ?

I guess I could compare it to how it describes itself. Eg. The LP Cuba Book on my desk now.

"An UNPARALLELED guide"

"Loaded with detailed maps. More than any other guide of the island"
I'd like to know what kind of information you consider "well" researched.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Apr 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by uganduro View Post
I'd like to know what kind of information you consider "well" researched.
My gripe is the information which is NOT well researched...

Accurate addresses of Embassies with maps to go with them..

Hostels and hotels which had closed down two years before the publish date of the book.

Prices of hostels and hotels which is very important when travelling with a strict budget and also out of date. I used to show the people working in the hostel the LP prices. And they would chuckle and say "Yeah, that was the price years ago".

Eg. In mozambique down the east coast. After riding 30 miles of terrible road to reach a "tranquil yet lively shoreline village with a modern camp site and budget hotel" I actually found the place was a derelict building site where the only hotel still standing was £65 a night affair.... The manager said it had all shut down years before.

There are some VERY obvious occasions in these books that no one had ever been there or researched it at all..
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,120
I've still got a bit of a soft spot for both Rough Guides and Lonely Planet even though I agree with Chris that these days you're often better off assuming the opposite of what they say. The reason is I remember what travel was like before they were available. I picked up a copy of the original 1982 Rough Guide to Greece in my local Oxfam bookshop recently and what I wouldn't have given for that during my 3-4 trips round Greece in the 70's. A copy of Robert Graves's "The Greek Myths" and a page torn from a school atlas (what we actually used on the first trip) wasn't much of a substitute.

During the 90's TRG and LP were just about universal but I noticed that because of that they'd started distorting their own market. Hoteliers were desperate to get into them as it obviously brought loads of custom. How many times have I heard a hotel owner say to me "you like? you tell Lonely Planet". How would you go about getting your establishment into them if you were a hotel owner - sex, drugs, rock n roll ?

I wouldn't leave home without them up until about 2005 but recently haven't bothered as it's easier to get up to date info on the internet. Times move on. I'm not even sure my son know they exist. He certainly didn't take any guide books for a 6 month trip round China in 09.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Apr 2011
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
I mentioned a couple of years back and its worth mentioning again ... if you are homesick for western company or you want to meet up with some young female western company while you are out in the middle of nowhere, then by all means go to a place mentioned in Lonely Planet.

Certainly showing up on your own bike where others arrive by rancid public bus scores a lot of points with the average female backpacker, and I know of a number of bike trips that have picked up an extra passenger after staying at Lonely Planet listed accommodation for a couple of days.

So social opportunities for meeting western company is certainly one valid reason to carry a guide book.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 16 Apr 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
I mentioned a couple of years back and its worth mentioning again ... if you are homesick for western company or you want to meet up with some young female western company while you are out in the middle of nowhere, then by all means go to a place mentioned in Lonely Planet.

Certainly showing up on your own bike where others arrive by rancid public bus scores a lot of points with the average female backpacker, and I know of a number of bike trips that have picked up an extra passenger after staying at Lonely Planet listed accommodation for a couple of days.

So social opportunities for meeting western company is certainly one valid reason to carry a guide book.
I have to agree. Lonely Planet hot spots are definitely the place to meet the ladeeeeeez !!

Maybe that's the only reason I keep buying them !!
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Lonely Planet Mexico to swop for SA guide book jc Central America and Mexico 0 27 Jan 2009 00:31
Guide books Crusty South America 4 23 Jan 2009 22:36
Lonely Planet Guide books stevesawol Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 68 4 Jun 2008 08:08
What's the score with Lonely Planet's budgets in the Africa guide? ChrisJ86 sub-Saharan Africa 13 18 Jan 2008 10:04
"Rough Guide" to Bike Routes kholmes1 Europe 10 25 Oct 2002 00:26

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:24.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top