It provided the context and the basics I needed, but the downside was that it was six months out of date as soon as it was printed. So that fabulous trattoria was now formerly fabulous.

 

Six years later, and I am better off tapping a Google map on my smartphone or firing up TripAdivisor to find a nice hotel or meal while abroad. The information is instantly available and up to date (mostly), but here the downside is that it lacks the context and the broader backdrop that printed travel guides offer. What I want is something that offers both, instant information and a broader education on the place I am traveling.