Luxe Guides

With the biggest collection of cocky tag lines I've seen in a while, pocket-size Luxe Guides are very fond of themselves, but I can see why. Covering 16 cities in Asia and Australia, they claim to be the point where "style meets sass" and provide "lean, mean and on the scene" suggestions for shops, restaurants and hotels, unique services and lifestyle options. They're updated twice a year, written and edited by city residents and approved by a publisher visit. And finally, LUXE accepts absolutely zero paid advertising, free services or products, backhanders or gratuities. Authentic? Definitely. But let's be clear, these aren't really for backpackers, unless you're a trustafarian. Even the Web site says markets them by saying: "if you're fed up with guides written by people who wear their luggage," so you've been warned.