Travel certainly broadens the mind but it can also tie it in knots, especially if you haven't got a decent city guide to show you what's hot and what's not. Yes there are countless handbooks to choose from but most of 'em are padded out with impractical drivel designed to assist dorks and dimwits.

That's why we've been searching for a selection of city guides that cut through the crap and tell you what you really want to know. And by the power of Greyskull, we've found 'em!

Wallpaper* City Guides have been put together by the travel experts at everyone's favorite designer lifestyle bible, and they're just as concise, discreet, informative and stylish as the magazine itself.



As well as suggesting where to eat, drink and stay, each pocket-sized guide tells all you style-savvy visitors what to see, even if you only have 24 hours in the city in question. There are also fact-packed sections on up-and-coming areas, non-touristy shops, urban life, sport, landmarks and things to do further afield. You can even discover the low-down behind iconic buildings in the fascinating 'Architour' section.

Each guide also features easy-to-read foldout maps plus rate and currency cards. They really are the only books you'll ever need. And if you're worried about making a total tourist out of yourself, worry not; as well as looking incredibly stylish, each Wallpaper* City Guide features handy tabbed sections so you won't spend your entire trip thumbing though pages.



An ideal gift for the more discerning city-break fan, these indispensable travelling companions are available in themed packs of five:

Party Cities:
Barcelona, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro. (Ideal for wandering hedonists).



Shopaholic:
London, New York, Milan, Paris, Bangkok. (Perfect for roving retail therapy fans).



Black Sabbath World Tour Cities '95:
Stockholm, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Copenhagen. (As played and pillaged by the gloomy riffmeisters).



The Favorite Cities of Elvis:
Madrid, Shanghai, Rome, Mexico City, Istanbul. (As selected by a panel of lip-curling, pelvis-thrusting, uh-huh-huh-ing Elvisologists - yes, us).



We really can't overstate just how incredibly handy these cool little books are, but if you're still not sold on the Wallpaper* City Guide concept you can always ask the locals - they'll love you for it. Not!