Rick Steves rules!

Sadly, Wallpaper Guide only looks good (i.e. Don't buy it but scour and take notes at book stores). Looks good on paper but the reality is otherwise. Maps (which don't show street names) don't actually pin point where the cool stores/restaurants they profile in the main page so its a pain when you are out on the streets trying to figure it out. Directory only gives bare minimum information. More a snapshot of design forward places than anything. Was disappointed because Wallpaper magazine is actually a great magazine. Quite a shame because it is a great size to travel with.

Both Frommers and Lonely Planets are "staples" when it comes to travel. Covers all the basic places, neighborhoods, annoyances etc... then you supplement with the cool stuff.

NY Time travel section (print online) is the best we have found. Lots of off the beaten path places for design savvy and foodies alike...while still feeling like a real traveler experience local culture...pull up individual articles and scour through those. We found a restaurant from a Times article, hole in the wall restaurant in Istanbul and ended up seating next to a Lonely Planet writer!

Local editions of Time Out magazines are also a great resource and many things geared towards hip and young locals so you feel like you are really living the life verses watching from the outside. Haven't tried the Time Out guides yet but would be interested inhearing comments.

The small sized (for preference) "Rough Guides"