All guidebooks are not created equally. Most are jam-packed with information from great restaurants and hotels to hot tourist attractions and shopping locales. That doesn't mean that the particular book your looking at is going to be the right guide for you. If you're not designing your travel experience from a book that truly suits your needs, you're not going to have the vacation you're longing for.

It's important when choosing a travel guide to look at several books on any given destination, written by different authors and published under different collections. You have to consider your budget as well as what type of experience you're looking for.

If you want to enjoy a posh stay at a fine hotel and spend oodles of cash on spa days and elegant dining, you want a travel guide that reflects your style and tastes. On the other hand, if you want to find a cozy bed and breakfast off the beaten path and experience the unique flavors of local diner cuisine, choosing a guide that's filled with five star hotels and restaurants are going to deliver you to the right destinations.

Taking the time to really think through what it is you truly want from your vacation, will help you find the appropriate guidebook to match your needs. Take the time to leaf through the pages of several books and find information that whets your appetite for exploration and actually excites you. If you start skimming and find yourself reading excerpts word for word, odds are, you've found the right travel guide for you.