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Post by Dyvad on Aug 24, 2002 19:52:24 GMT -5
Hello, I'm leaving for Europe in 16 days, I'm on a limited budget (but unlimited time  ) and I haven't prepared much  , my (first) question is about a used book, Frommer's Europe on a 25$ a day, the 1986 edition. Is it too much outdated? or will it still provide me with usefull info? I know the prices will have changed a lot since then, that some places (restaurants and hotels) might not even exist anymore, but will it still point me to where I should be heading for food and all on a budget travel? And what to do and see while travelling? Or should I definitly invest some money on a more recent edition? Or could I manually update it by printing info I find on the web? Thanks. |
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Post by Kim on Aug 25, 2002 1:36:44 GMT -5
Hi there,
Definately invest in a new book. It's one of the most valuable things you will bring with you. And while a year or so out of date may still be fine, 1986 is way too old.
Everything has changed so much since then that it would be useless for you.
What I would do is invest in a new book and make yourself notes from things you pick up on the web.
For example, go to my hostel directory section and print off the pages of the places you are going. That way if your book only lists a selection of hostels and they are full, you will have a whole list to try.
Kim
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Post by Dyvad on Aug 25, 2002 18:20:22 GMT -5
I was afraid so.
Thanks.
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Post by Dyvad on Aug 25, 2002 20:48:42 GMT -5
If I can't afford a new guide book, what would be the most vital information to bring along?
also, is there any chance of guide books being cheaper oversea?
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Post by Patrick on Aug 25, 2002 21:10:28 GMT -5
Dyvad, a guidebook will most likely save you more money than it will cost you to buy. It should pay for itself. You could buy guidebooks along the way, in each country you're in. If you're really stressed for cash and staying in hostels, ask other people if they mind letting you take a look at their books. If you just need pieces of information in certain countries, stop in a bookstore and take a look in some books there. Be resourceful and you should be able to save yourself some $$$$. Good luck. oh yeah, and don't forget the internet and this messageboard  should be able to find lots of info! |
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Post by Kim on Aug 25, 2002 22:03:21 GMT -5
No, they aren't cheaper overseas, unfortunately.
It's hard to say which would be the most valuable information as it's all very important. From the maps to the hostels, if you don't have one it might be very difficult.
Why don't you go to your library and see what they have? Theirs might be a year or two out of date but it's better than what you have at the moment.
Kim
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snorkelman
Senior Travel Member
Travel Guru
Posts: 220
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Post by snorkelman on Aug 28, 2002 10:37:43 GMT -5
I have to agree with the above. Believe it or not, I actually own the Frommer's Europe on $25/day. I used it way back when as a supplement to a Let's Go. Frommers was not that great because it really tends to cater to richer folk. At least half of the information and places listed were too expensive for backpackers.
In Europe, hostels and cheap places to eat often change (they certainly change their phone numbers), so a 16 year-old guidebook is next to useless.
No matter how tight your budget is, you should always have an up-to-date guidebook. If you are really cheap, ask someone to buy it for you as a gift.
Yes, Kim is right about finding such a book in Europe. If you are lucky enought to actually find such a book, in a language that you can read, then you will almost always pay more than you would have at home.
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Post by nitsansh on Aug 28, 2002 14:27:36 GMT -5
Frommer's was 25$ a day in 1986??? Must have been more at that time...
I travelled on 20-25$/day in '88 and you couldn't afford a hotel room and restaurants with that budget...
However... I would not recommend to take a guide book of this kind older than 3 years... 16 years is really ancient... good only for nostalgic purpose... (look how low were the prices then...)
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Post by Patrick on Aug 28, 2002 16:12:47 GMT -5
It's like some old books I have... it doesn't help when the books are missing entire countries right ;D
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Post by Dyvad on Aug 30, 2002 2:13:55 GMT -5
hehe I admit that I now find funny the fact that I wanted to bring a 16yr old guide book, but if I didn't asked I would have taken it with me (along with the grey suit he recomended wearing to enter some restaurants ). I went to the local library, didn't find much better so I kept looking around and found a more recent guide book: Independant Traveller's Europe 1999 It offers sugestions on day trip and itinaries to follow, as well as hints on where to eat and sleep on a small budget. Hopefully I'll be ok with it, else I'll have to tell my mother how dangerous Europe can be without a more recent guide book (and hope she'll buy it as a gift for me  ) |
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Post by Kim on Aug 30, 2002 15:26:09 GMT -5
Well 1999 is getting closer!
I think pretty soon we will have to take up a collection to get you a guidebook from this year! ;D
Kim
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Post by me on Aug 30, 2002 19:45:51 GMT -5
You could just go to the local used book store and look for a 1-to-2 year old book. The local "half price books" often has lots of books sold by people who didn't make a planned trip, or even made the trip - but take good care of the book!
actually, things change in just a year or two. restruants and hostels, especially!
you could also try an online bookseller. they might have a better price.
whatever you do, get it soon so you'll have time to look through it before you leave.
good luck!
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) and I haven't prepared much 
, my (first) question is about a used book, Frommer's Europe on a 25$ a day, the 1986 edition.
should be able to find lots of info!
)