Most travellers invest in a guide book before travelling to a new destination. I've spent hours in bookstores trying to pick the very best guide, and I have found my personal favorite-- DK Guides! These guide books never let me down, with wonderful maps and lots of photos! I never leave home without one! Often I can find my destination because the photo is right in my book, and it has succinct bits of information that are interesting on a bus or subway trip to the place!
Even though I always travel with my trusty DK Guide book, I also never leave home without a pocket version--a Pop-Up Map from Compass Maps! This is perfect if you're trying to lighten the load to go sightseeing because you may not want to carry your full guidebook everywhere, like say a dinner trip with a cute purse. I always put this in the zipper pocket of my travel bag-- it has a popup map and also lists the key sites, transportation, and other essential info! Best part--they fold up easily, so you won't look like that straggling tourist trying to fold up your big map on the side of the road!
I know I'm ready to go when I have my DK Guide and my pop-up map!
