Be guided by insight when you travel.

• Position: Insight Guides from American Map-Langenscheidt Publishing Group

Most guidebooks give travelers the sights: where to eat; where the museums are and when they open; where to stay; and the best places to relax. Insight Guides from American Map-Langenscheidt Publishing Group, Long Island City, N.Y., provide more than just sights--they give insights. With the Insight Guides--like travel itself--the "traveler" experiences the essence and excitement of going to, and learning about, new destinations. They are available in four different formats: full size, city guides, pocket guides, and compact guides.

Full Size ($21.95-24.95, 150-plus titles, including Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando). A four-color photo appears on virtually every page. The stunning visual dimensions make them ideal souvenirs or gifts. Moreover, each title features authoritative essays by seasoned travel writers and journalists, complemented by stylish and, at times, irreverent sidebars and journeys down side alleys into "real life" and unexpected history. Here's a global sampler on Madrid: "The city is proudly traditional, yet wildly fashion-conscious (though its fashions may be strictly its own) and exudes an overall air of affluence. Here, people dress to the nines just to nip out to the shops, low self-esteem is as rare as a rainy day, and there is an insistence on having a good time."

Insight City Guides ($15.95, 20-plus titles) are comprehensive, focused, yet portable guides for the world's great cities. They come in a compact format with rounded spine, and a removable mini-accordion restaurant guide and city map tucked into a clear sleeve on the back cover flap. They combine restaurant recommendations with a locator map and a de tailed city map on the flip side. A basic menu planner and useful phrases are included throughout the text. They provide expert evaluations of must-see sites and lively essays by local writers on the history, culture, and people.

Insight Pocket Guides ($12.95-$13.95, 110-plus...