- Effectively and creatively organized information
- Candid and detailed entries
- Addresses and phone numbers provided to enable further research or make reservations
- Places are sometimes selected for trendiness rather than value.
- Strict budget travelers are likely to find restaurant and nightlife recommendations almost useless.
- Highly detailed entries and reviews are likely to become outdated fairly quickly
- "The 99 best..." describes three top draws for 33 subcategories. Each entry features "The Scene," "The Draw," and "Hot Tip."
- Maps are used sparingly. You'll need a detailed city map for exploring.
- Address and phone number listings also include Web addresses, making planning easier from a long distance.
- Included: seasonal event schedules, climate charts, and conversion charts for clothing sizes.
- Length varies, but most guides come in at under 300 pages. Cost is $17.95 USD
- Published by Pulse Guides P.O. Box 590780, San Francisco, CA 94159
Buyers of Night+Day books might not want Lonely Planet guides, and vice versa. In fact, within the introductory pages of Night+Day volumes, one actually finds the following: "Lonely Planet? We don't think so. Night+Day celebrates our lively planet."
In truth, most budget travelers are far more likely to buy and embrace Lonely Planet than Night+Day, which focuses on trendy nightlife and style rather than an essentialist approach to travel.
So why review these volumes here?
For many, budget travel means value travel. It's not always the lowest price, but the best experience for the money, even if your budget is generous.
There are 21 urban areas featured (or about to be featured) in the series, with second editions planned for several cities. I looked at the Sydney volume.
The book starts with "The 99 best of Sydney and Melbourne," a collection of "top three" experiences within 33 wide-ranging categories (some of which will not interest you). Walking the Harbour Bridge (in my mind a must-do in Sydney) includes this thought: "OK, so it gets a bit polluted with all the exhaust fumes...for tourists, it provides a view of the city and bay that's hard to forget."
Another feature is itinerary planning branded as "A Perfect Plan" for three days and nights. But budget travelers might find these plans less than perfect. Some entries earned mention for trendiness more than value. It's probably better to use other features in the book to put together your own perfect plan.
With that in mind, each volume includes an extensive "Black Book" listing of top attractions, hotels, restaurants and nightlife. It's an extremely valuable resource that will save planning time.
But keep in mind that the prices (and perhaps phone numbers) are likely to change quickly. As with most guidebooks of this type, if you buy Night+Day, the latest available edition is a must.
