
Title : Drivesafe Abroad (fold-out driving guide)
Author :
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Safe Driving in Europe
Ever come across a road sign (even here in the UK) that you didn't recognise? I drive in Europe every summer and I am always amazed at how often some symbol is totally "unreadable" (in the sense that I have never seen it before and also it 's not "obvious" what it means).
Well, I found this little fold-out 'map' very useful indeed on a recent trip to France and Spain. This could save you from entering potentially hazardous situations or even from being fined for an innocent traffic offence. Highly recommend it. Might save you a lot of hassle. Cheap too.

Title : Florida Holiday Map (Holiday Maps)
Author :
Rating : 1 Stars out of 5.
Summary : What a waste of time and money
Please be aware that this map covers the size of about a sheet of A2 or A1 paper. The detail is of such a small scale that is is useless for navigation and I can't really see why they bothered to print it in the first place. Don't buy it unless you are desperate!

Title : Brit's Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World
Author : Simon Veness
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Fantastic book, fabulous backup
This year will be our first visit to Orlando.I bought this booked having had it recommended by several people and it has proved to be just as good as they all said it was. What they didn't tell me was about all the extra information and customer service that comes with it!
Apart from all the information written about in the other reviews, there are web site links given in the book with forums specifically for British visitors to Orlando and the opportunity to purchase a Personalised Itinerary for £10. I went ahead with this (thinking I could risk £10 if it didn't turn out to be any good) and the information and communication, directly from the book's author, has been second to none.
I have never recommended a book before and I can't recommend this one highly enough. It is a planner's dream.

Title : Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal, Sea World and the Best of Central Florida (Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal, SeaWorld, the Best of Central Florida)
Author : Bob Sehlinger
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A good partner with The Unofficial Guide....
While we only timetabled in to visit Seaworld and Discovery Cove, this book was instrumental in making this choice. Having two children we didn't want to waste time and money on parks where they would be disappointed at height restrictions or nightmare ridden from rides that terrified them. This book helped us make a firm decision to miss out a few parks until they are older. Thus saving us money and tears and stress. Although I am wondering if I can sneak off by myself to the US to go to the other parks...

Title : National Audubon Society Field Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda
Author : C.Lavett Smith
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Indespensible
As a diver and as a hobbyist of home reef systems, I find this book to be indispensible in identifying various reef fishes located in our Eastern waters. The book provides and focuses on distiguishing characteristics and certain behaviors that a diver or a hobbyist might see in encounters with these fish. Contains a great full-color plate section as well as basic outlines/silhouettes and of course brief yet detailed descriptions. An excellent work, now if I could just find its companion for corals....

Title : Florida (Lonely Planet Regional Guides)
Author : Kimberly Grant
Rating : 2 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Leave it at home
If you want bad advice written by people who sound like they went around rubbing all Floridians up the wrong way read this. I made the mistake of booking some of the hostels listed in here only to arrive at my destination to discover that I could not have picked a grottier rip off to stay in. Luckily I had researched my destination independently and so only a few nights were spoilt by the advice in this lonely planet. The prices are very inaccurate and the advice it gives about the friendliness of people is utter rubbish. Miami and Key West were just two of the places that this Lonely Planet writer said the people were unfriendly in and that proved to be completely false.
My advice would be to take everything in this guide with a pinch of salt and leave it at home - pack some extra sun tan oil instead!

Title : The Rough Guide to Florida (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Author : Mark Ellwood
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Rough with some smooth edges
Unusually for a travel-guide, I managed to read the 'Rough Guide to Florida' from beginning to end. For this fact alone, I must applaud the author for keeping me entertained with informative and interesting snippets of information.
The communication style of the book is in-keeping with the, now well-established, format of the 'Rough Guide' series, being concise and honest in it's appraisal of the area(s) reviewed.
If I have to make a critical comment, it would be that it appears that the author is rather biased towards Miami, with the detail being more exhaustive for this area than any other part of Florida. This seems rather strange seeing that there is a 'Mini Rough Guide to Miami and The Florida Keys' as part of the same series.
My advice, do not make the same mistake as me and buy both, but buy this one!

Title : Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal, Sea World and the Best of Central Florida (Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal, SeaWorld, the Best of Central Florida)
Author : Bob Sehlinger
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Balanced and informative guide for the Florida Tourist
It's sad but so many British visitors holiday in Orlando yet never step outside the cosy Disney world. I say 'sad' because there is so much more to explore. There is no doubt that the Disney environment will satisfy even the most cynical and world weary of tourist, a world where all is clean, friendly and expertly presented. But outside Maingate is so much more, no less entertaining and, in many cases, more inspiring. This book provides a circumspective tour of many of these and doesn't labour on the better known at the expense of the lesser. The seasoned Florida visitor who might be becoming a little jaded with the usual fare will find lots of interesting opportunities whether their demands are for the active or more sedentary lifestyle.
Though meant as a reference book, it's one of those guides you can repeatedly read from cover to cover. And just ideal for that 8 hour flight!

Title : A Brit's Guide to Orlando
Author : Simon Veness
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Don't travel without it...
Bought this gem before I had a holiday of the lifetime with the kids. Can't rate it high enough. There is a mass of information in here that can be a little bewildering, but thats not the books fault, its just what orlando is like, but it is spot on. Did disney and universal following the suggestions and got on all the rides we wanted to and avoided any disappointed children. Plan ahead and get in the parks early. My copy got wet on a ride at universal so I WILL be buying another copy for next time. Any chance of a book covering the West Coast?

Title : Universal Orlando with Kids (Universal Orlando with Kids: Your Ultimate Guide to Orlando's Universal Studios, Citywalk Islands)
Author : Kim Wright Wiley
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Don't go without this guide!
If you are taking kids to Universal Studios in Florida then you must read this book before you go. After several trips to the Orlando area this guide has been invaluable when planning the precious days to be spent in this massive theme park. It helps you clearly decide which rides will or will not be suitable for your children, thus helping you get the very best out of your trip. From the first time you read it you will keep going back over sections as you would a good reference book in your local library. We are now as prepared as we will ever be for taking our daughter to Universal Studios, especially the Islands of Adventure. No one wants to be in a queue for a ride for an hour or so just to find when it is your turn to ride that junior is terrified of heights. If you want to stay friends with your kids buy this book (for your sake if not theirs!).