Guide to the Travel Guides

Choosing a getaway isn't an easy task, but selecting a guide should be. We sorted through the stacks.

Blue Guide

Best for: Treasure hunters

Signature strength: Expert advice from art historians, emphasizing a region's history and culture

For instance: The Rome book has essays on iconic artists, reproductions of their greatest works, and a thorough survey of the Vatican's riches.

—By Alexis Soloski