Europe-bound? Pack these guides

These guidebooks are packed with listings. There are plenty of symbols designating facilities but there are no descriptions. There is also all the basic information one needs to make a reservation — phone number, fax number, address, price range, facilities, opening dates and every so often, a special comment.

No property or restaurant can find its way into the Michelin Red Guides without passing the strict Michelin excellence gauntlet. Every establishment noted in these guides is good.

That said, anyone searching for reasonably affordable accommodations should scour the least expensive hotels and restaurants in the Michelin guide and select from those properties and eateries. Travelers will not be let down by the comfort or level of service at even the most humble of any Michelin-recommended restaurants or lodges. Plus, these hotels have a far better chance of being packed with Europeans rather than other American tourists.

For sightseeing, the Michelin Green Guides provide by far the best simplified descriptions of major sites at cities throughout Europe. The guidebooks allow travelers to aim their sightseeing at the most important museums, regions and buildings, and also includes a basic description of each sight. The Green Guides are also packed with maps to help tourists make their way through cities as large as London, Paris or Berlin and as tiny as Les Baux, Lucca and Segovia.

These guidebooks are the most consistent standbys when it comes to traveling in Europe. Pick the best accommodations and restaurants from Rick Steves and the least expensive of Michelin Red Guides and a traveler searching for good values will seldom go wrong or be blindsided.

Before leaving for Europe, purchase Michelin maps at many bookstores in the United States, Canada and throughout Europe. These road and city maps are excellent and a must-have if planning on traveling through Europe by a rental car.

And remember, if you’re planning a ski or snowboard vacation, buy my guidebooks — Ski Snowboard America and Canada or Ski Snowboard Europe.

May you travel well. May you travel affordably.

Charles Leocha is nationally-recognized expert on saving money and the publisher of Tripso. He is also the Boston-based author of "SkiSnowboard America & Canada." E-mail him or visit his Web site . Want to sound off about one of his columns? Try visiting Leocha's forum.

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