Best Travel Books?

I want to get my parents travel books for their birthdays (which are right before Christmas), so that they can plan their travel to the UK.  There are many kinds out there, does anyone have recommendations for first time, older, American travellers?  Lonely Planet seems geared towards young backpackers.  I thought either Eye Witness Guides or 'For Dummies' might be good for the parents.

Thanks in advance!

Not a travel book, but still a nifty guide for tourists: City Walks Notecards. The only drawback is that they're only for London, but it still would be a nice gift idea if they're planning on spending any time in London. I've used the Paris card set and they're fun, informative and beautifully designed!

Thanks! Actually I own those cards...I got them as a gift when I moved over here, but sadly I haven't even used them    But that will be a good idea for when they come, the best way to get to know the city is to walk around!

If you hadn't mentioned them I probably wouldn't even have remembered I had them!

Thanks! Actually I own those cards...I got them as a gift when I moved over here, but sadly I haven't even used them    But that will be a good idea for when they come, the best way to get to know the city is to walk around!

LOL! What a coincidence! I can't vouch for the London cards but, as I mentioned, the Paris ones were great. If your parents are walkers, I think they'll enjoy using them!

I like the DK Witness series of travel books. They are set up just like their non-fiction books for kids if you have seen those before. I like the format of it, they have color pictures too, which I  think are nice. 

I like the DK Witness series of travel books. They are set up just like their non-fiction books for kids if you have seen those before. I like the format of it, they have color pictures too, which I  think are nice. 

DK Witness, never heard of it but I am going to check them out.  Pictures are a good idea for parents!

DK witness (I think those are the same as Eyewitness, actually) are good guides, but they're (usually) quite heavy compared to other guides for the same region...not so good if you're carrying them around all day.  But for planning purposes, they're fab!

I'm personally a fan of Rough Guides which I don't think are too backpacker-y (more "bed-and-breakfast-y" IMO), and are written in a very readable style.

my parents usually use fodors or frommers.

lonely planet also has a great "best of..." series that isn't too backpacker, great for 5 days in a city.   

i can def NOT rec Moon Handbooks. 

my parents usually use fodors or frommers. 

I've used both of those too and have liked them.

I like the Rough Guides personally.

Thanks everyone, there is just many to choose from.  I wanted to get something that older first-timers would find useful.  I also like Rough Guides Hatsumomo!  Not sure if my parents would like it as much.

I'm going with Fodor's.

Thanks again

We got the DK Eyewitness top Ten books.  They're great if you are going for the first time.  we have one for London, Paris and Prague.  they're small enough to put in your bag and has tons of information.  And pictures.  I find the three i have to be very useful.

We got the DK Eyewitness top Ten books.  They're great if you are going for the first time.  we have one for London, Paris and Prague.  they're small enough to put in your bag and has tons of information.  And pictures.  I find the three i have to be very useful.

I was thinking about Eyewitness but I can't for the life of me find them listed on Amazon....I'll keep looking! I had one for Spain when I went there for the first time and the pics were really good.

ETA: I have located them and I'm now switching to Eyewitness!

There are many kinds out there, does anyone have recommendations for first time, older, American travellers? 

Rick Steves from Public Television fame. He does a great series of books, podcasts, video podcasts, DVDs. The website and materials are all geared for the first time American traveller to Europe.

http://www.ricksteves.com/

The language and the maps are simple and not too overwhelming. I HIGHLY recommend it for this age group, especially for first timers.

I bought his Europe Through the Backdoor book for my first backpacking trip. I used LP for the actual trip info but ETBD book had loads of handy info for travel and inspired the confidence that I actually could travel all over Europe.

My brother bought me a 'Dummies' guide when I moved to London. Sweet.