“Rome”
(Knopf CityMap Guides; $8.95)
Welcome to the incredible shrinking city! In a pocket-packing 4 3/4 by 6 3/4 inches, this guide has Rome down flat–and unfolded. Sturdy two-page spreads hit the dining, shopping and entertainment highlights in quick-word sketches, one neighborhood at a time. Unfold the two-page spread (at 9 1/2 by 13 inches, it’s still a manageable size) to find the accompanying map and a list of must-sees. One spread opens to impart cultural information on operating hours, typical dining times and how to get tickets to events. The map of the metro unfolds on a list of lodgings, from campsites and monasteries on up. And even though this “Rome” is less than 1/2 inch thick, it manages to include summer festivals, cybercafes, hot night spots, best views and regional landmarks such as Tivoli and Ostia Antica. This smart new series also has guides for London, Paris, Venice, New York and Barcelona. (ISBN 0-375-70950-9)
Road guides
“Fodor’s Road Guide USA”
(Fodor’s Travel Publications; $18)
Prepare to be nudged, oh mighty Mobil Travel Guides. There’s a new series in town. The new “Fodor’s Road Guide USA” is extensive, taking 15 volumes to cover the Great 48 plus D.C.–almost twice the volumes as Mobil. So there’s every reason to expect more from the Fodor’s books. They deliver, by far, more lodging and restaurant listings, more events and attractions. And into the necessarily regimented state-by-state, city-by-city format, they’ve added some fun features: suggested auto routes accompanied by maps, such as the Iowa Mormon Trail Driving Tour; the occasional cultural highlight, such as Wisconsin’s Cheesehead phenomenon. I examined the volume that covers Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin, and after giving it what I call The Galena Test–comparing this book’s account of Galena against Mobil’s–I was on the verge of giving it my blessing. Then I looked at the maps. Downtown Chicago, to be specific, the one in the back of the book. There, among the soft pastel colors and the easy-to-read type, was a conundrum: The Museum of Contemporary Photography and the “North Pier Fest. Market” were located, but the Art Institute of Chicago was not. More puzzling was that in the entire written section on Chicago there was not a word about the Museum of Contemporary Photography, but the written segment on the Art Institute was preceded by a star, Fodor’s highest recommendation. As for “North Pier Fest. Market,” it sat on the spot the written material identifies as River East Plaza. They are, in fact, one and the same place. Nudge, nudge, Fodor’s. Someone who’s been to Chicago in the past two years would have known better. Someone like Mobil, maybe? (ISBN 0-679-00497-1, for volume on Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin)
Alaska guides
“The Milepost”
(Morris; $24.95)
More than 750 pages and a pull-out map go into this 53rd annual edition of the self-proclaimed “bible of North Country travel.” Extensive route maps, road logs, city grids and full-color landscape photographs, as well as countless listings, are interspersed with ads for lodging, goods and services. (800-726-4707; or at www.themilepost.com)
“Alaska Wear”
(Russ; $15.95)
If there’s any place you ought to be safe from the fashion police, it’s Alaska. But still, it would be a mistake not to dress for the occasion. “Alaska Wear” is a different kind of travel guide, a different kind of “fashion” guide. The aim of author and outdoorsman Tony Russ is for you to keep yourself comfortable and appropriately supplied, no matter your travel dates or destinations. In addition to weather maps, temperature charts and lists of recommended gear such as tents, boots and cooking utensils, the book also offers advice for handling moose and bear encounters, and gives both a bug index and an aurora borealis index. (ISBN 0-9639869-3-7)
Gear
Desenex Can Safe
($16.85)
Everyone has something to hide. Question is, will the secret fit in the hollow of this decoy Desenex can? The can looks authentic, measuring 5 inches long by 2 inches in diameter. But it feels a bit heavier than the real thing, and its storage compartment, at 2 3/4 inches deep by 1 3/4 inches diameter, won’t hold much more than a watch, a ring and a few greenbacks. That’s fine, if that’s all you’ve got to hide. Just don’t expect it to hold credit cards or a passport. (available from Magellan’s at 800-962-4943; or at www.magellans.com)
Aladdinpower Hand Held Generator
($75)
If you can operate a nutcracker, you hold the power to recharge batteries in the palm of your hand. All you do is squeeze the Aladdinpower Hand Held Generator, which cranks enough electric power to recharge batteries for cell phones, CD players and the like–whatever device uses re-chargeable batteries. In fact, the generator’s creators say their product will save you from carrying “bulky batteries” around. But to be honest, this four-piece set–hand-operated generator, charging regulator, emergency flashlight and “universal connecting cell phone cable”–takes up a bit of room on its own. Even though the set fits into a 5-by-4-by-2-inch zippered case, that may eat more space than fresh batteries would. But it does work, and it is fun to use: The tiny flashlight attachment lit immediately and, after a few seconds of squeezing, stayed bright for several minutes, even after being detached from the generator. (available from Magellan’s at 800-962-4943; or at www.magellans.com)
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Contact Resourceful Traveler in care of Toni Stroud at tstroud@tribune.com.
