Pocketable, hip and urban, these travel companions know what makes you tick. By Duangtawan Nilayon, photos by Manit Tanakornprapa

No, you don’t need to know the opening hours of the MoMA or where to find the Louvres. You got all that from a free map by the tourism board the second you landed. What you do need to know is where to get handmade calfskin gloves or how to make an appointment to see some eccentric’s private collection. Just follow the guide!

Lonely Planet Encounter

Where: 25 cities around the world.
Good: Lonely Planet tries to break free of its Backpacker Bible image and appeal to you young affluent and insufferably hip travelers. The result is the Encounter series. Its not as chic or cool as some rivals, but Lonely Planet does guarantee practicality. Find the usual where to eat, where to shop and where to sleep—only the places are cooler and more upscale than in the classic LP guides. Neat extras like the interviews connect you to some of the cities’ movers and shakers.
Bad: It can’t really make up it’s mind. Part classic, part trendy, this guide is not as extreme as some of the other offerings covered here. But that may be exactly what fits your travel plans.
Price: B425-495.

Moleskine

Where: 12 European cities and four in the USA.
Good: Besides being a part of a legendary two-century-old brand, this multi-purpose notebook with detachable sheets, blank pages and a pocket is a user-friendly travel mate. It has a city map, metro map, list of street names, measurements, sizes and temperatures. For a repeat traveler, or as a kind of diary to accompany your guidebook, it’s an elegant and practical option.
Bad: For everyone else, the total lack of essential information on where to eat/sleep/shop will be a deal breaker. 
Price: B881-929.

Luxe

Where: 28 cities around the world.
Good: These accordion leaflets seem way too small to be proper guidebooks. And yet, they manage to pack absolutely every must-see address on their limited space—a half-dozen bars, a half-dozen hotels, etc.—by featuring only the most expensive and happening spots. Great if you’re short on time, the Luxe guides also come in box sets for those wishing to tackle the world in one long marathon of hipness.
Bad: No maps, no photos and you may need to pay extra for a magnifying glass. And the cheeky writing can get really annoying.
Price: Separately, B371-374. Or you can get the Asian set, which you can order at Kinokuniya, for B633.

Wallpaper*

Where: 60 cities around the world.
Good: The legendary design magazine does guidebooks, too. Expect the same simple design and gorgeous photos of striking architecture. For something this hip, the guide remains very practical: there’s a map and even sections on sports or out-of-town escapes. It also gives you room to jot down your own impressions by including some handy blank tables and pages.
Bad: If you can’t keep up with this much cool (design studios, galleries, boutique hotels and places for design-driven creatures), you might need a second guide to tell you where to find the Parthenon or the Tower of London.
Price: B317-346.

Louis Vuitton City Guide 2008

Where: 30 European cities and New York City.
Good: The French luxury brand covers everything considered “haute” in Europe and NYC. With featured venues like the Ritz Hotel (yawn), it’s a holy bible for the khun nuu‘s on their summer vacation. High fashion, luxury dining and sophisticated leisure are what Louis Vuitton serves up. So, if you are searching for a wonderful afternoon tea in London or trying to sniff out the right designer perfume, LV is the one.
Bad: Yes, it’s classy; but frankly, it’s also old-fashioned. No photos, no maps and what’s the deal with that Times New Roman typography and a two-column newspaper style layout?
Price: B3,750 for the 30-city Euro set. B1,790 for New York.