Footprint New Zealand

I was not familiar with this British travelguide series until I used this edition for my recent trip to New Zealand. The book is very easy to use, with pleasing layouts, and up-to-date and reliable restaurant recommendations of sites to see, hotels, restaurants, etc. The writer really showed his familiarity with NZ, and the writing was crisp and energetic. I had researched several guides to NZ (Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide) before I left and found this one to be the best. I also looked into the Footprints guide to Australia and found it to be equally first-rate. I will definitely consider a Footprints guide again the next time I travel.

I was amazed to read the current review surrounding the Footprint New Zealand Handbook and would like to rally to its support!I am a journalist based in London and do a great deal of traveling in the South Pacific. I always carry a guidebook and until recently relied on Lonely Planet or Rough Guide. This time however, on a recent two-month trip around New Zealand, tired of these major players (which always seem to rely more on their brand name rather than quality) I decided to try Footprint and the work of sole author Darroch Donald.I can say without a shadow of a doubt the book was a valuable companion and the best and most entertaining guidebook I have ever come across. The style was so refreshing and at times most amusing which was a nice change from the usual stuffy historic ramblings and bland descriptions. Over all, compared to other guides I have used and regarding New Zealand in particular, I felt it was very well researched, accurate and up to date. The fact that the same author (who obviously loves the place) wrote and researched the entire book was also a major asset.Of course there are a few spelling errors and I did come across the odd company or restaurant no longer in existence, but that is to be expected of any travel guide.I was also interested to read about the omission of Milford Sound. In the book I purchased Milford Sound was included in the text so I presume this was just an error in editing with the first print run.So in summary don't hesitate-I thoroughly recommended the Footprint New Zealand Handbook and now travel as a true convert to the company. I see Donald also contributed to the first edition of Australia and if New Zealand is anything to go by that book will be equally as much fun.Rebecca Robinson