Such a deal….I have copies of three of the newest books in the Pauline Frommer guidebook series “Spend Less See More” including New York City, Hawaii and Italy.
This week I’m going to post reviews of all of them, and give Family Travel Logue readers a chance to win each one. I’m an independent operator, but I use guidebooks extensively, especially when I travel with kids. My time is unfortunately limited, and I want a guidebook to show me how to spend it wisely.
We’ll start with the New York City book, which I used during my recent trip to Gotham to live-tweet the Readers’ Choice Awards for Condé Nast Traveler.
I’ve always been a fan of the various Frommer’s travel guides, because they are budget-friendly, full of helpful details and info-packed sidebars, and they make a big effort to show people how to find local experiences and atmosphere.
Pauline Frommer is the daughter of Arthur Frommer, who launched the original Europe on $5/Day back in 1957. She’s also a mother of two, so her books tend to carefully include kid-friendly attractions in addition to the “usual suspects” at a destination.
Each of the “Spend Less See More” guides is well-organized, and includes alternative accommodations to “US$300/night chain hotels,” interesting places to eat, sights and attractions (including “gems most visitors miss”) and “Insider’s” info, like how to attend a TV show taping in New York.
The books are written with a friendly, frank voice that has plenty of strong opinions; I prefer that to bland assessments even if I ultimately disagree.
Other NYC book highlights:
- The best places to view Ground Zero while it is under re-construction
- The scoop on home stays, including the fact that Pauline’s stepsister rents her place out to visitors
- Reviews of hostels in the city (complete with opinions on cleanliness and mattresses) including the Big Apple Hostel at Times Square and family rooms at Hosteling International
- Good info sidebars on eating out and museum-hopping with kids
- How to get cheap(er) theater seats, on- and off-Broadway
- A review of the various tourist pass options
- Sections in the back for family travel, staying wired/connected, and recommended books and movies about New York
If they come out with a Pauline’s guide to Chicago for my possible trip to the July 2009 BlogHer conference in the Windy City, I’m buying it - no question.
If all this sounds like your kind of book, here’s what to do to win my copy (which is only slightly worn from my own NYC trip:)
- Leave a brief comment below about why you’d like to read “Pauline Frommer’s New York City”
- At the end of this week, on Friday, December 5, 2008, I will randomly pick one of your comments using one of the cool tools on Random.org, then I’ll announce the winner in a separate post.
- If you win, I’ll email you at the address you leave when you comment (to get your snail mail address,) then I’ll box up the book and send it to you. Yes, I’ll mail to places outside the US.
Thanks for participating, and thanks to Sarah Gorback at Wiley Publishing for sending me a review copy.
Good luck!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I would love to win this book! I’ve only been to NYC once and that was before I had children (when money wasn’t such a big consideration). I would love to go back with my kids someday and this book sounds like it would very helpful.
I have been all over the planet, but I have yet to make it to NYC (beyond the airports).
I have booked my first trip for New Year’s 2009 and don’t have a guidebook yet.
I want to win yours! (Insert video of me with outstretched arm and grasping fingers like Stephen Colbert here.)
Haven’t had a chance yet to read any of the Pauline Frommer’s guidebooks but I do love the Frommers guides. They’ve been my starting point when planning trips to Madrid and Arizona. And as I’m planning another trip next year around the US and back to NYC, would love to get my hands on a copy of Pauline Frommer’s NYC guide to see what she suggests one should see when visiting NYC.
Nice guide books. But actually when traveling with kids and limited in time, I would prefer a good personal tour guide. It saves time and has more fun.
http://www.ourexplorer.com
local guides, local wisdom
I’d love to win the New York Guide Book - I’m hoping to see New York Next Summer on a house swap with the family - with 5 of us the costs always mount up, so it would be great to get some low budget tips
This was a great review. I have to say I haven’t really been sold on a series or author but her style sounds right up my ally.
I have to add this one to my wish list, as we’re planning a NY trip this winter (what timing!) when my MIL comes to visit the US for the first time. What better place to see than NYC, but I’ll need all the tips I can gather with 2 little ones in tow.
Love your writing!
Thanks to all of the entries so far; once I return from travel later today, I’ll announce the winner!