Baedeker is a German publishing company founded by Karl Baedeker in 1827. The company is best known for its travel guidebooks, which are often referred to as 'Baedekers' or 'Baedeker guides'. The term 'Baedeker' has become synonymous with guidebooks and handbooks, and is used to refer to any comprehensive GUIDEBOOK. Karl Baedeker's son, Ernst, took over the company in 1859 and expanded the business to include guidebooks for other countries. Today, Baedeker is still a leading publisher of travel guidebooks and handbooks.