BEST BET FOR HOTEL BEDSIDE READING: I've found my new go-to travel book series. "The Holiday Goddess Handbag Guide to Paris, London, New York and Rome" (HarperCollins) is a Top 10 travel bestseller with page-turning contributions from actors Noah Taylor and Helen Lederer (Absolutely Fabulous) as well as authors Sara Foster, Justine Picardie, Imogen Edwards-Jones, Rachel Johnson and journalists from Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Luxe Guides, Lonely Planet, Grazia, and Conde Nast Traveler.

There are more than 30 Holiday Goddess editors and contributing editors posted around the world, whose shared career adventures include everything from novels to BBC travelogues. All of them write as if they're revealing tips and travel secrets to a best girlfriend, which, in fact they are, now that they've become such a cult favorite with so many.

The savvy Holiday Goddesses are also smartly tuned in to "chiconomical" budgets, and are true believers in sustainable travel and volunteerism; their website (www.HolidayGoddess.com) even puts its money where its heart is by supporting international charities Dogstar and War Child Australia. 

I love "The Holiday Goddess Handbag Guide"'s fashionable interior illustrations, and the fact that the hardback book's rich red linen cover perfectly matches my favorite red trenchcoat (my must-have travel piece).  But as much as I like flipping through it's generos 368 pages, I must admit that I was glad to see that each city guide is available separately from the Apple store as it's own individual illustrated e-book for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. At the tiny price of $5.99 each, it's a great read, and a great way to lighten up my carry-on.  

The Holiday Goddess Handbag Guide to Paris, London, New York, Rome