“Where to Eat in Canada” by Anne...

“Where to Eat in Canada” by Anne Hardy offers a selection of restaurants, from those offering top cuisine and ambiance to those where the food may be overcooked but no one ever leaves hungry. Many of the restaurant selections include recipes so that you can cook the dishes at home. The popular guide is in its 18th publication, and it includes additions and deletions from previous guides (Kampmann/Harvard Common: $10.95).

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Robert S. Kane’s excellent observations, advice and suggestions continue in his latest guides, “Germany at Its Best” and “Spain at Its Best.” Guides are lively and personalized and include touches of historical note (Passport: $12.95).

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“Courvoisier’s Book of the Best,” edited by Lord Litchfield, is an international reference guide for those who travel well. It contains irreverent and entertaining information. Off-beat advice even includes a place where peeled grapes are available with room service (Salem House: $9.95).

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Readers planning a trip often have inquired about improving language fluency. Passport Books can help with its “Practice and Improve” series in Spanish, French, German and English. Each program is a two-course book that supplements four 60-minute stereo cassette tapes. Each can improve your vocabulary, grammar and comprehension of the language. Short practice sessions included ($39.95 each).

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“Great Vacation Drives--17 Unforgettable Road Trips” is a state-by-state guide divided into five long-distance trips plus 12 regional trips. Each is categorized by city-to-city segments to help catch the fairs, festivities and events. Many color photos, along with history notes and where-to-eat tips (U.S. News and World Report: $4.95).

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“Quick Reference Chinese” by Richard L. Kimball contains 2,000 words and phrases in an English-Chinese, Chinese-English format. Travelers can work at not saying anything inappropriate, embarrassing or using the wrong inflection that may cause misunderstandings. The book also offers vocabulary for emergencies, and other useful references (China Books/San Francisco: $7.95).

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The Automobile Assn. in the United Kingdom has released a series of Pocket Guides to “Edinburgh,” “Dublin,” “Cambridge” and “York.” Each contains brief vignettes of practical information on most every subject (Salem House: $9.95).

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“The Outdoor Traveler’s Guide--Australia” by Gerry Ellis and Sharon Cohen is a textbook-style presentation for exploring that continent. Landscape, wildlife and vegetation are detailed in text, with 242 dramatic color photos and 15 maps (Workman: $18.95).

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The Travel Vision Guides offer sufficient information for finding lodging, food and amenities in regional areas: “Western U.S.A.,” “Central U.S.A.,” “Southeastern U.S.A.” and “Northeastern U.S.A..” Well worth $6.95 each.

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“Away for the Holidays” by Patricia Carpenter is an international directory of inns, hotels, resorts, spas, tours and cruises. Lavish, simple or traditional, there’s something to fit everyone’s life style (PCA Publishing: $12.95).