Following a guidebook can be tricky. You never know what you might be missing on your trip. Guidebooks like Lonely Planet are aimed at budget travelers and backpackers, while Fodor's caters to people with who travel with a little more cash (or plastic) in pocket.

I have never met a traveler who fit exactly into the stereotype of "budget traveler" or "Jet-setter."

In my opinion, for international travel, L.P. and Fodor's are the two best guidebooks. Perhaps other series have a good guidebook on a specific place, say, Rough Guides Southeast Asia, which is quite good, but the "big 2" consistently churn out the best and most comprehensive guides.

But what if you are going to China and don't want to lug two 800 page books with you?

Personally I'd go with Lonely Planet, no matter what the budget was for my trip, but not before taking a pocket full of sticky notes to the local Barnes and Nobles and plopping down on the floor in the travel section to jot down a few pieces of info from other guidebooks.

Both L.P. and Fodor's also have great websites.