Just had a thought for the next mumsnet book

[hmb]

I have just taken out the guide books as it is holiday time again. And the sort of books that we used to use, rough guide etc don't meet our needs any more.

How about Mumsnet on France (etc) small pocket sized guide, detailing Mumsnet recomendations on good places to eat out, stay, visit, info on baby food and milk, travel regulations, how easy is it to hire a baby seat etc etc etc.

This one could run and run, Mumsnet on America etc
Any chance of a cut in the profits girls

absolutely! how about Mumsnet on Europe - should cover most holidayers!

Excellent! I'll cover the Vendee in France, allong with about half a douzen other mn from earlier postings!

What do you want us to look for ladies!!!!?

hmb fab idea!! there are lots of good tips on the travel section to get us started!!

The Cadogan "Take the Kids" Series does this quite well but isn't very comprehensive (only Paris/Eurodisney and Southern France currently covered, for example).
I think you've identified a gap in the market, hmb!

Dh and I used to be real Rough Guide fans, but they tend to stay away from the sorts of places that you'd go with children. For example they said almost nothing about the Vendee, where we went last year, as it is a 'tourist' destination.

I do have another better guide, but it only covers the vendee and not the rest of France.

What we need is a book that lists good places to visit for different age kids, places that you can eat out with (and for the lucky parents who have help, without) kids. Places to go that will please the adults and the children.....just because we have had kids it doesn't mean that we only want to build sand castles, for eample museums that do kids guides etc. Places to take the kids when waiting for the ferry would be helpful.

And then the basics on nappies, milk and food, pushchairs and car seat stuff.

Don't want to burst any bubbles here - I think it's an excellent idea. Trouble is, guide books have to be updated regularly so would have to be a fairly small print run to keep it up to date, and small print runs do work out fairly pricey.

Excellent. Bagsy Mumsnet on the Caribbean. Do you think anyone would buy "Mumsnet On The Carribean Without Children"?

How about an e-book then? Pay to download on the internet?

Fab idea hmb! How would we market it to non-Mumsnetters (or rather, people who haven't discovered Mumsnet yet)?

How do other travel guides manage it then? I know MN's not in the same league.

Blimey, don't ask me, I'm only a science teacher! Possible Mumsnet could do a deal with someone like the Rough guide?? Rough guide/Mumsnet family guide to Europe. I can't be the only sad old bag who has grown old with RG???

I think (fwiw) that's a good idea too. As long as they realise that our experise is far better than anything they could put together, and don't nab your idea

Well, personally I've never Roughed it, Dahling .

I think it's a good idea. I was wondering how other travel guides cope with the "updating regularl" problem.

Well it's Fodor's, then, for SnootyDragon

fantastic idea - wonder if our sponsors will give us free holidays each year to 'update' info in the book

Getting back to realiy, if you angle the book as extra info for parents, rather than a comprehensive guide to all child orientated things in the area, then you could be more relaxed about getting up to date info. As long as you include websites, addresses and phone numbers when possible, readers can check out things for themselves. And mumsnet can do the same - or perhaps a sponsor can offer small amounts of cash to mumsnetters if they check up the odd thing while they are on holiday in the area.

The mumsnet books on pregnancy and babies aren't comprehensive how-to-do-this manuals are they, and people don't buy them for that reason, I assume, so the precedent is already set.

Ive been planning my trip to Disney Paris, having never done it with kids before Ive gone all out and designed a charted itinerary. I know its anal but theres 3 familys together and inc'is 3 kids all under 5 yrs old. So Mum and myself thought it would make herding 11 of us with organised/booked restaurants and days planned alot easier. It would be great to have a book to put this all into to help others make the most of it. Although I should really let you all know after if it helped !!

So howsa about a Theme park section ?? We can then all put our tips, tricks and timings in!! Bit like the Gina Ford of theme parks or should I say the E.A.S.Y way of theme parks with kids!!!