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 anoraks and dimwits.
That's why we've been searching for a selection of city guides that cut through the codswallop and tell you what you really want to know. And by the power of Chalmers, we've found 'em!
Wallpaper* City Guides have been put together by the travel experts at everyone's favourite designer lifestyle bible, and they're just as concise, discreet, informative and stylish as the magazine itself.
Pocket-sized guide
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.
Easy read tabbed categories
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 pressie 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 Favourite 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 smart 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!
Dimensions:
Approximately 16cm (H) x 10.7cm (W) x 1cm (D)
Please Note:
Each guide is approximately 100 pages
Book contains high quality photographs
Has room for notes, sketches and memos
Fold-out aerial photo on inside cover
Maps on fold-out back cover
Contains essential info and resources
8 main tabbed categories
Landmarks
Hotels
24 Hours
Urban Life
Architour
Shopping
Sports
Escapes
Party Cities:
Contains 5 books: Barcelona, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro
Shopaholic:
Contains 5 books: London, New York, Milan, Paris, Bangkok
Black Sabbath World Tour Cities '95:
Contains 5 books: Stockholm, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Copenhagen
The Favourite Cities of Elvis:
Contains 5 books: Madrid, Shanghai, Rome, Mexico City, Istanbul
As an avid Ozzie fan I can vouch for the superb quality and accuracy of these fabulous little books. Get your mitts on one! Will Forrester, Swansea - 29th November 2008
The party city series is spot on, really informative and great for party animals like myself! Nessa, Newcastle - 29th November 2008
Got all of these now! They are so useful, and fun too! Helena Carter, London - 23rd November 2008
Brilliant! Sam West, Crewe - 23rd November 2008
Ace books! I got my friend the shopaholics set as she is addicted to buying, well, anything and everything. She's even moving to Paris soon, and she absolutely loved them! Although I don't know if I should be encouraging her.... , - 10th January 2007
EST. 1998
