Which book?

Neither, the Thomas Cook publication 'Greek Island hopping' is more useful.

I agree with Ouzo that Greek Island Hopping is the best guidebook. Alternatively, Lonely Planet Greek Islands has a big section on Athens and Piraeus, and is thinner and lighter than the others.

Lonely Planet Greek Islands is almost identical to the edition on the whole of Greece, but with the chapters covering the mainland (except the Athens area) removed. If you buy the LP Greece edition, there is no advantage having the LP Greek Islands edition as well.

Get from your local library all the books they have which cover the places you decide to go. Then scan all the appropriate pages with your computer and print them off. You then have a lightweight source of reference for very little cost.

RUmmie boy is exactly right, if u have a computer set-up that allows scanning of open books. Otherwise, spend a few dollars at the photocopy machine at your office or school... wherever it's free or cheaper. Don't neglect looking at ROUGH GUIDE to GREECE -- covers islands and better coverage on Mainland that many others.

About that Xeroxing thing -- it's madly convenient to photocopy the town maps of isles you're planning to visit ... i.e. Naxos Town, Chania & Iraklion on Crete etc etc. That way u can tuck them in a pocket when you're out for the day.

For this, the Maps in Greek Island Hopping are REALLY good, clear & w all streets included. The newer LP guides are bad bad bad on this; they fired their good cartographers, and picked up icky cheap maps that are grey-on-grey... very fuzzy when photocopies. ROUGH GUIDE better also.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>very fuzzy when photocopies<hr></blockquote>That could be why they did it. LP maps are simply awful.

Hi Julia,

I used the LP Greek Islands earlier this summer as I was only doing islands and Athens. As always, it was a good guide for me, BUT I also rely on feedback from other like minded travelers I meet along the way. My book always becomes "graffittied" with scribbled notes from others. I find it a great combination for me. Just like yourself, I didn't want to spend more than I had to, especially when I know I'll find out more information once I reach my destination anyway.

Keep a smile,
Simeon

Thank you all for your help! I'm going to try and track down a copy of the Thomas Cook guide and maybe LP island Hopping too!