Passionate sightseers won't miss a thing with these scholarly and information-packed volumes. The guides include background essays on history and culture, and give practical advice on transportation, currency, cuisine and language. Most of each book is organized around precise but flexible itineraries whether by region or within towns and cities, and finally, minutely detailed walks through museums and other important sights.

While these are largely sightseeing guides noted for their serious coverage of history and culture, and in the past were sketchy on current, practical matters such as hotels and restaurants, more recent editions provide more comprehensive information on hotels, restaurants and other practical matters.

Features at a glance:

detailed descriptions of sights
comprehensive art, architecture, history, literature, and music background
hotel and restaurant suggestions
travel advice
maps of regions and itineraries
maps of cultural sites