Rough Guides

Planning a trip to Africa? Get started with The Rough Guide First-Time Africa. Packed with essential information, this pre-trip guide makes the preparations easy and the travelling fun – and saves you money along the way. The title shares informed advice on buying the best ticket, getting visas and vaccinations, planning your itinerary, budgeting and packing wisely. Practical tips on coping with your first night in Africa, plus the low-down on getting around, finding accommodation, staying healthy and travelling safely. Comprehensive profiles of 41 countries, including details of the main attractions and when to go.

The Rough Guide to Sardinia is the ultimate travel guide to this astonishing and varied Italian island. Discover Sardinia's highlights from the exceptional seafood restaurants of Alghero to the remarkable prehistoric, Carthaginian and Roman monuments and

The Rough Guide First-Time Africa tells you everything you need to know before you go, from visas and vaccinations to budgets and packing. It will help you plan the best possible trip, with advice on when to go, what not to miss and how to avoid trouble on the road. You'll find insightful information on what tickets to buy, where to stay, what to eat and how to stay healthy and save money in Africa. The Rough Guide First-Time Africa also includes insightful overviews of each African country, highlighting the best places to visit with country-specific websites, clear maps, suggested reading and budget information. Be inspired by the full-colour 'things not to miss' section whilst useful contact details will help you plan your route. All kinds of advice and anecdotes from travellers who've been there and done it will make first-time travelling stress-free. The Rough Guide First-Time Africa has everything you need to get your journey underway.

Laos umožňuje nahlédnout do prostředí dávno zapomenuté Asie, do kraje nedotčené džungle, života lidí proslulých svým přátelstvím a do Vientiane coby nejpoklidnější metropole na zemi. Průvodce řady Rough Guides po Laosu přináší užitečné informace o tradičních slavnostech, etnických skupinách a věhlasném chrámovém umění, ale nechybí zde ani fascinující přehled historie jednoho z posledních komunistických států. S touto knihou můžete ihned vyrazit na cestu po silnici (nebo po řece) skrze více či méně navštěvované kouty Laosu, přičemž se jistě budou hodit uvedené mapy, přehled hraničních přechodů i popisy dobře ukrytých zajímavostí. Vychutnejte si ledově chlazené Beer Lao v metropoli batůžkářů Vang Vieng, zatímco můžete pozorovat večerní slunce, jak se noří do vod Mekongu. Projeďte na lodi říční džunglí odlehlých severních provincií. Vystoupejte (opatrně!) kolem starých válečných pozůstatků na Ho Či Minovu cestu. Obdivujte nejlépe dochované khmerské památky mimo území Kambodže.

"The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget" is the definitive guide to making the most of this exotic region without breaking the bank. Backpackers, career-breakers, gap year travellers and those who want more bang for their buck, will find in depth budget information for all seven Central American countries and every aspect of travel. From accommodation and restaurants to special events, festivals and adrenalin-pumping outdoor activities, this guide is packed with the best budget information from night-life, shopping, markets and entertainment, to 'Treat Yourself' boxes that highlight great places and things worth splashing out on. There is a full-colour introduction with highlights for every country. You'll also find useful words and phrases in every language and detailed maps for hundreds of locations. Make the most of your time with "The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget."

Great Escapes unearths 500 of the world's most inspiring holidays, offering great ways to get off the beaten track and enjoy a more authentic kind of travel. You can discover a wealth of new adventures from sleeping in houseboats in Kerala and witnessing the zebra migration in Botswana to taking the train-hotel from Paris to Madrid. Whether you fancy living like a local in a tipi with Native American Indians, riding with cowboys in Venezuela or staying in a bunkhouse barn in the Brecon Beacons, this guide is packed with the how, where and when to plan your next extraordinary trip. Authors Richard Hammond, former "Green Travel" correspondent for "The Guardian", and Jeremy Smith, former Editor of "The Ecologist Magazine", have hand picked the best hotels, resorts, and tours run by people who are passionate about what they do, assuring a spectacular choice of inspirational travel ideas without compromising on the quality of your holiday. Whether you wish to stay in an eco-chic hotel, experience a closer connection with local culture, or simply want to see the world in a new light, make your next trip a Great Escape.

"The Rough Guide to Cult Movies" offers a blend of essential trivia and informed opinion as it takes you on a tour of the most compellingly weird - and weirdly compelling - films in the world. Whether you're a paid-up member of The Big Lebowski fan club or just looking for a night in with an interesting DVD, "The Rough Guide to Cult Movies" is the ultimate guide to the world's most memorable films. "The Rough Guide to Cult Movies" selects cinema's most compelling triumphs: films that are brilliant, intriguing or just plain bizarre; from action flicks to zombie films, by way of nuns, yakuza, musicals and mutations. You'll find expert, pithy reviews of over 1500 movies, with forgotten legends like Charlie Chan and the Opera or contemporary classics like "There Will Be Blood", plus filmmakers' picks of their favourite cult movies, in their own words. There are good movies and there are bad movies and then there are cult movies.

"The Rough Guide French Phrasebook" is the definitive phrasebook to help you make the most of your time in France. Whether you want to book a hotel room, ask what time the train leaves or buy a drink from the bar, this new phrasebook has a dictionary of over 5,000 words and will help you communicate with the locals in no time. The free audio downloads, recorded by native French speakers, can be downloaded to your computer or MP3, allowing you to listen to the correct pronunciation of essential dialogues, ideal for practicing before you go or while you're there. There is even a regional pronunciation guide and Rough Guide travel tips, so wherever you are you can get around and speak the lingo. "The Rough Guide French Phrasebook" has an extensive two-way dictionary packed with vocabulary and a helpful menu and drinks list reader, perfect for choosing the right dish in any restaurant. With this phrasebook in your pocket you will never run out of things to say! Make the most of your trip to France with "The Rough Guide French Phrasebook".

This fully updated, full-colour "Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches & Islands" is the perfect companion for island-hopping through Thailand's spectacular coastal regions. Whether you want to kayak through the limestone karsts of Ao Phang Nga, explore the dive sites around Ko Tao, party on Phuket or relax on one of Ko Samui's idyllic beaches, this guide will lead you straight to the region's best attractions. It offers a thorough coverage of Bangkok, Thailand's fascinating capital, the guide features an expert breakdown of the country's amazing diving and snorkelling sites. You'll find up-to-date reviews on all the hottest places to stay from ultra-chic hotels to eco-minded accommodation and local Thai homestays, as well as recommendations of Thailand's best nightlife, shopping and restaurants for all budgets. Explore all the corners of Thailand's beaches and islands with superb, full-colour maps and pictures, and authoritative background on everything from Buddhism and Thailand's history and environment to the best books on the country and practical language tips. Make the most of your time with "The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches & Islands".

Planning a trip around the world? "The Rough Guide to First-Time Around the World" is loaded with the very latest travel information, from visas and insurance to vaccinations and round-the-world tickets. This book will help you design the best possible trip, with tips on using your phone abroad and guidance on which websites, apps and travel agencies to use to get the best deals and advice. You'll find insightful information on what to pack and which festivals not to miss, how to stay safe and - perhaps most importantly - how to get under the skin of a place and meet the locals in a natural way. As well as an inspirational full-colour 'things not to miss' section, the guide includes regional profiles and maps to help you plan your route and plenty of practical advice to help you save money. "The Rough Guide to First-Time Around the World" has everything you need to make your trip as enriching and memorable as it should be. Make the most of your time with "The Rough Guide to First-Time Around the World".

"The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget" is the ultimate guide to exploring this fascinating continent on a shoestring, with coverage of all the top sights, the clearest mapping of any guide and handy hints on how to save money. Discover the highlights of Europe, from the vibrant capitals of London, Paris and Rome to the great outdoors, whether skiing in the Alps, hiking in the Tatras or surfing on the Portuguese coast. Read about Europe's great attractions from the Sistine Chapel in Rome to the Aya Sofia in Istanbul. And with coverage of four new countries - Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina - "The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget" is more comprehensive than ever before. Find practical advice on travelling around Europe, whether by InterRail, Eurail or bus, and what to see and do in each country. With up-to-date descriptions of the best hostels and budget hotels, bars, cafes and cheap restaurants, plus European shopping and festivals, this guide is the budget-conscious traveller's must-have item for European trips. Make the most of your trip to Europe with "The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget".

"The Rough Guide to Nepal" offers an insider's guide to Nepal, from its 'Tantric' temples to its lively bars. It details all the finest Himalayan treks, with practical, up-to-date and expert advice on where to go when and what to take. It covers all the National Parks, offering advice and information on everything from tracking wildlife to hiring elephants. Dedicated chapters are devoted to mountain biking, white water rafting and other adventure sports, and there is unrivaled detail on Buddhism, Hinduism and the numerous ethnic groups that make Nepal a unique destination. "The Rough Guide to Nepal" also contains scores of detailed maps, covering everything from Pokhara and the Chitwan National Park to the Everest Base Camp trek. Make the most of your time with "The Rough Guide to Nepal".

The new-look "Rough Guide to Provence & the Cote d'Azur" - now in full colour throughout - is the ultimate travel guide to the most compelling region of southern France. Discover the local highlights with stunning photography, colour-coded maps and more listings and information than ever before. From great cities like Aix and Avignon to the vibrant port of Marseille, the eerie marshlands of the Camargue and the glamorous resorts of the Cote d'Azur, you'll find detailed practical advice on everything to see and do, as well as up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels, bars, and restaurants for all budgets. With in-depth descriptions of every destination, suggested itineraries and top 5 boxes, "The Rough Guide to Provence & the Cote d'Azur" will help you make the most of this beautiful region.

The new, full-colour "Rough Guide to Tuscany and Umbria" is the ultimate travel guide to some of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. Covering the region more comprehensively than any other guide, it's packed with up-to-date and expert information on all the attractions, from the great museums of Florence and Siena to the tiny rural villages, as well as guiding you to the best of the beaches, forests, mountains and vineyard-clad hills. It also gives you the lowdown on the best hotels and restaurants for all budgets, and illuminates the sights with background information on history, folklore, art, architecture and festivals. Dozens of photographs and easy-to-use colour maps complete a guide that has long been established as the best you can buy. Make the most of your time, with "The Rough Guide to Tuscany and Umbria".

The "Rough Guide to Vintage London" is your ultimate guide to London's burgeoning vintage scene, that is making the British capital a more exciting place to visit than ever before. Whether you're into fifties fashion or seventies furnishings, old-fashioned beauty parlours, Art Deco cafes or retro restaurants, "The Rough Guide to Vintage London" will show you where to find the best bargains and the hippest hang-outs. This authoritative illustrated guide casts a discerning eye over the entire city, highlighting the best of vintage London in each area. It covers over 200 budget and luxury attractions, from the East End hotspots of hyper-cool Hoxton and Shoreditch to the eccentric emporia of the West End, as well as the pick of London's markets and the classiest vintage outlets north and south of the centre, all marked on full-colour maps. Whatever your look or interest - blitz chic, beehive hairdo, forties screen idol, rockabilly, twenties flapper or Edwardian chap - "The Rough Guide to Vintage London" will tell you where you can enjoy them to the full.

The new-look, full colour "Rough Guide to Sardinia" is the ultimate travel guide to one of the Mediterranean's most fascinating islands. Discover Sardinia's highlights with stunning photography, colour-coded maps and more listings and information than ever before. You'll find detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Sardinia, from museums and archaeological sites to mountain hikes and beaches, as well as up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels, bars and restaurants for all budgets. The major festivals are covered at length, Sardinia's chequered history and rich archeology are explored, and lesser-known aspects of the island such as its industrial heritage, literature, handicrafts, culinary quirks and trekking opportunities are featured. With loads of practical advice, suggested itineraries and top 5 boxes, "The Rough Guide to Sardinia" will help you make the most of your time on this stunning island.