Reviews (1)

Parisian Perfection
This is an amazing book, it is HUGE.The photographs are of the first quality and are crisp.This book is 700 pages so you can imagine how thorough it is, it just goes on and on, page after page, one building more amazing than than the other.I have always loved Paris and the city photographs so well, much like Rome.This book is a steal at this price and that is saying something, I am surprised they can print it at this price and make money, the paper used is of the highest quality and that's what makes the pictures pop.The book goes inside buildings that are rarely photographed, that's why it is such a joy to find that the photographer is excellent and that the quality of the book is fantastic.I highly recommend this to anyone who loves Paris and appreciates books of this quality. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art, French    4. Europe - France    5. European    6. France    7. History - General    8. International Architecture - European    9. Paris    10. Art / General    11. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    12. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (9)

history andthe present
I loved this book, especially as I was staying a few doors down from his apartment in a hotel and it made my visit enhanced by his descriptions and thoughts.

an intimate look at history
This is a great book to read while in Paris.With the book in hand, we easily found many points mentioned in it (and it answered some questions we had had while walking around the Marais on our own).It's very much a "labor of love" by someone who became intrigued by a small slice of history that, coincidentally, sheds some light on the broader picture over a long period.Anyone who enjoys history will envy the author's dig through old documents and records searching for even tangential mentions of his building, and the people associated with it.(Also recommended, for entirely other reasons:"Paris to the Moon," by Adam Gopnik.)

A Little TOO Much detail
man this book gets boring at times. it's more the history of the neighborhood and medieval and renaissance parisian life as it took place around the author's apartment building. Maybe the other books I've read about Paris are overly sentimental, but this book does little to invoke the romance of the city of lights.Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. History - General History    3. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (24)

Toujours Provence
I enjoyed Mayle's first book A Year in Provence a lot better than this book. If you want to learn about French food and meals then this book will help you. But it is not as funny as his first book.

Poetic gourmet tour of Provence
Pete Mayle does it again. Experience Provence through the poetic, visual style of the expert.Who needs to travel when you have Peter at hand?

Pas mal, mais....
I knew we were in trouble when Mayle's sequel to his delightful "Year in Provence" opened with vignettes on constipation and suppositories. Oh, Mayle's fresh and breezy style is here, and he still has an eye for small but telling details, but this is mainly a retread of the same ground he worked in the much more cohesive "Year in Provence." We are told, yet again, about annoying guests, fraud in the truffle trade, and the arrogance of outsiders who are invading Provence and turning it into a playground for the rich, which is rich coming from a man who has plenty of money to finance his enviable lifestyle and quests to discover the origins of pastis!
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Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Europe - France    3. France    4. Homes and haunts    5. Mayle, Peter    6. Provence    7. Provence (France)    8. Reference - General    9. Social life and customs    10. Travel    11. Travel - Foreign    12. Travel / Europe / France    13. Travel writing    14. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (4)

CZECH Phrasebook
Very consise and compact and easy to use.
About the CZ phrasebook and the two earlier reviews
I wasn't surprised when I saw that the two earlier reviewers were from the US of A. They actually view it as the phrasebook's shortcoming that in the country at hand they actually speak some English as well. How ignorant is that?! Since the yanks probably won't know the answer to that either, here's the answer: Very. Most of the world does not speak enough English to adequately convey their sentiments, ideas, opinions, whole personality...but does that matter to angloamericans? No, they actually think that a travel experience will be as rewarding whether or not you speak thelanguage of the native residents. As long as they understand your Enligsh, all's well. I hope, for theirs sake as well, that some of these people see the error of their ways.
Good investment
For only 8 dollars I think this book is a good buy. Sure, you will find people who speak English in the Czech Republic, but I think it would be 'slightly' rude that you didnt even make an effort to learn some key phrases in Czech before your visit. Czech is their official language, and if you want to have a real cultural experience rather than getting by on your English, then I would recommend looking into this product. This book will lend you some key phrases as well as background to the country and people of ancient Bohemia. I visited the Czech Republic also, and found that many of their street signs, signs in general were in Czech, and it was really useful for me to look it up in the phrasebook. Also as well as the dictionary, it has subject vocabulary, as in what to do when you're in a restaurant, what to say in a doctor's office, telling the time, things like that-mostly anything you can think of. The biggest plus of this product is that it is actually up to date, and gives you vocabulary for anything (even what to say on a date!) and isnt out of sync with the times. Also it was coveniently sized to fit into my small purse or pocket withouot being an incovenience. I think this product helped me in familiarizing myself with their culture before going there-so I wasnt as culture shocked as some of my other colleauges. I recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Former Soviet Republics    4. Language    5. Miscellaneous    6. Polyglot Phrasebooks    7. Slavic Languages    8. Slavic Languages - Czech    9. Czech    10. Czech Republic    11. Language self-study & phrasebooks    12. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (8)

60% of contents are useless facts.
just on principle, i have returned the book even though it was only $9.it's definitely not for someone looking for a guide to german ways; the book should have been updated since 2002.

Useful
This book is a good reference for anyone planning on spending any time in German Europe.At the very beginning of the book there is quiz to test your knowledge, of which the answers are provides at the back of the book.Flippo uses culture and history to explain the German way of life.He covers all the main travel subjects such as entertainment, food and drink, language, and transportation.He also talks about other topics not often found in the common travel book; such as business and economy, health and fitness, and education.
Nice stories but it reinforces stereotypes and urban legends
I have lived in Germany for more than 20 years and am currently residing in the United States.
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Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Culture shock    3. Etiquette    4. Europe - Germany    5. German    6. Germany    7. Germany - History - Post Unification (1989-)    8. History    9. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    10. National characteristics, Germ    11. National characteristics, German    12. Social life and customs    13. Subjects & Themes - Travel - General    14. Travel    15. Travel - Foreign    16. Cultural studies    17. Places & peoples: general interest    18. Guidebooks    19. Usage guides   

Reviews (2)

Go with Rick!
If I could bring only two guides to France with me this year, one of them would certainly be Rick Steves' France 2006.the other would be a very good street map of Paris, where I'll be staying most of the time.Rick's reviews are excellent, giving specifics and details without going overboard on flowery, vague descriptions.

Rick Steve's France - 2006
We used this book on a recent trip to Normandy.The hotel ratings were very good & helped us determine if that was where we wanted to stay.He doesn't mention whether or not a particular placed is closed during the winter & we did find one of our hotels was closed, but the ones open were exactly as he described.The book was most helpful in our decisions as to what we wanted to see & do.I would recommend this for anyone making a trip to France.Be sure & get the latest edition, as things due change. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. France    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Europe / France   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Italy    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

If you only get one book on Bordeaux ..........
While this book definitly represents a large investment.Therecan be no doubt of the fact that it is the true bible on Bordeaux.Whenever we have any question what so ever about Bordeaux, this is the book we reach for.END ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Bordeaux    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. France    6. Gironde    7. Gironde (France)    8. Guidebooks    9. Viticulture    10. Wine and wine making    11. Cooking / Wine & Spirits    12. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (2)

Restoring a Home in San Diego
After our house burned in San Diego county, during the waiting time for the insurance company, the architect, the engineer, and the city approval, we purchansed MANY books on Tuscan design and architecture, as that is the style we want to emulate.Restoring a Home in Italy provided may examples that helped us though the selection process.

What a book!
While this book may look more like a coffee table piece - and it could very well be - I read it cover to cover.The stories were very informative, telling of the beauty and the challenges of restoring one of these fine homes.After each of the functional sections there was a great write up on the details of the topic, such as; roofing, swimming pools, heating, etc.Naturally, you can tell I loved it and would recommend it to anyone interested in fine Italian home.I hope the author reads this and realized what a great job she did..... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Conservation and restoration    4. Domestic    5. Europe - Italy    6. General    7. Interior architecture    8. Italy    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Architecture / Domestic    11. House maintenance    12. Interior design   

Reviews (6)

Lovely!
Ideal for anyone contemplating a precarious excursion to Germany.

Married to a German and this was very helpful..
I have never been to germany although one day I really hope to go. My husband is german and his mother does not speak a lick of English. This desperate daughter-in-law was saved many embarrassing and fustrating moments by this book. It is a handy size to keep in the car or in a good size purse. I had to live with my MIL for a couple months and weeks at a time and this book has helped me communicate with her on many levels about many necessary topics, especially when my husband wasnt always around to translate or got tired of it.
It'll work, yep.
The ultimate compliment you can pay a travel guide?"Works as advertised".I'd argue the same goes for this survival guide of Germany and to a less extent, Austria.Read more

Subjects:  1. Austria    2. Conversation and phrase books    3. Description and travel    4. English    5. Europe - Austria    6. Europe - Germany    7. German    8. German language    9. Germany    10. Travel   

Reviews (6)

GREAT TRAVEL BOOK
This was an indispensable tool my navigation of Belgium.I also purchased the Top 10, published by DK just so I would not miss anything.I liked the large maps and the clear directions to the venues.The pictures were GREAT.This book greatly enhanced my journey.

The best travel book around!
DK guides are by far the best for any trip -- their black-by-block walking guides just can't be beat.

Very good resource for planning and en route
I have had great experiences with the DK Guides. I use it extensively in my trip planning and this is the guide I take on the trip.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bruges (Belgium)    2. Brussels (Belgium)    3. Europe - Benelux Countries (BelgiumNetherlandsLuxembourg    4. Europe - Benelux Countries (BelgiumNetherlandsLuxembourg)    5. Ghent (Belgium)    6. Guidebooks    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Travel / Europe / Benelux Countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Ireland    2. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    3. New Age    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Ireland    7. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    8. Travel / Europe / Ireland   

Reviews (47)

AN OLD TIME FAVOURITE!
Norton is just the sweetest little Scottish Fold kitten one could ever hope to meet.His folded ears, gentle disposition and loyalty to his owner, Peter Gethers, will astound you.Norton has a puss-in-ality extraordinaire.He trots obediently five steps behind his owner to the market, on the beach, and to visit friends.In a car, he sits perched atop Gethers shoulder and watches life go by.On a ferry ride, he puts his paws on the rail and follows the waves.Even Norton's father who is a confirmed "dog-lover, cat-hater" mellows up to the adorable little fellow and they become best friends.Norton even has the ability to help Gethers choose his girlfriends; some Norton likes, others he does not - and emphatically lets Gethers know which ones do not win his approval.Norton is a jet-setter.He accompanies Gethers on trans-continental flights to Paris and many other countries around the world.He dines in luxury at five-star dining establishments, sits in his own chair as if he had just graduated from the most exquisite Swiss finishing school, and enjoys his own fare specially prepared by the chef.However, according to Norton's palate, nothing tops a good can of Pounce!
The Travels Of Norton
Norton, is a credit to Scotish Folds. And Mr. Gethers know excatly how fortunate he is in having the most Purr-fect of friends. This a joyful read of a cat who just can't help be lovable, and who loves the people he meets. Apparently some cats do on some level know exactly what's going on.

veeeeeeeeeeeeerygooooooooood^^*
It's very exciting and pleasant for reading this book!!
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American - General    3. Anecdotes    4. Authors, American    5. Biography    6. Cats    7. Europe - France    8. Fiction - General    9. General    10. Nature/Ecology    11. Novelists, American    12. United States    13. Animal stories    14. Travel / Europe / France   

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Reviews (24)

A Laugh Out Loud book for both sexes to enjoy
In one of our weekly trips to the bookstore, I picked up a copy of this book thinking I would enjoy reading it since I fell in love with Tuscany after vacationing there. My husband made the comment, "I have too many books to read, I'm not buying anything else 'til I get some of those read".
Funny, Lighthearted
"The Reluctant Tuscan" is a lighthearted, humor-filled account of a washed-up TV screenwriter move to Tuscany at the behest of his wife.Reflecting the humor typical of an American situation comedy that he worked on as a writer or executive producer, Phil Doran takes you through the trials of his adjustment to Italian life after giving up the fast lane in LA.The book is witty and filled with superb stories that capture the incongruities of Italian life in a charming way.This is not another "Under the Tuscan Sun."I heartily recommend it.
When can I move?
This was one of the funniest books I have ever read.I gave it to my Mother as a birthday gift.She loved it and passed it back to me to read.I fell madly in love.I then read it a second time a week later to my husband during a 12 hour drive to the Bay Area last month.He's ready to move.I passed it on to another friend who also fell in love.None of us wanted it to end! Warm, hysterically funny, poinant, and with surprising twists and turns.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description And Travel    5. Doran, Phil    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    7. Europe - Italy    8. General    9. Homes and haunts    10. Italy    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Social life and customs    13. Travel - Foreign    14. Tuscany    15. Tuscany (Italy)    16. Travel / Europe / Italy    17. Bargain   

Reviews (6)

This book saved my#$%!
This book is great.
When I was off to Romania . . .
. . . I found there was very little available in guidebooks.However, the Lonely Planet people did a good job with this difficult country.I appreciated the concise information, and I suppose it is a miracle they gathered as much info as they did!

The best available tourist guide for Moldova
As mentioned by other reviewers, there is very little useful information in English for visitors to Moldova. Most of what one can find are overly negative (and overly biased) media reports and dry, "CIA Factbook"-type descriptions.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Former Soviet Republics    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Moldova (Moldavia)    6. Romania    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (27)

Totally Sun Burned
I have met several from Italy, and many obviously being quite materialistic. I am about to visit the Tuscany region and have done enough homework as a tourist, but not this book. I am a US citizen much of my early life spent in China with a love of food. I have lived in paradise-like places in the US and metropolitan cities elsewhere. Unlike this author, I can say that American tourists are talkative but friendly. I wonder how he would perceive waves of Asian tourists who travel in motor coaches and carry umbrellas under his Tuscan sun? I would rather read Bill Bryson's well-written "Neither here nor there--travels in Europe" to see how irritating Europeans equally are, not to mention how so cheap the men there are and try to hit on you without meaning anything. It's just neither in the American or Asian culture.

A MUST have for your collection!
I purchased a signed copy of this book from a small shop in Siena, Italy - I don't think I've ever laughed out loud from a book before, but this book had me in tears!!!His tales of his clients are priceless and he has such a great storytelling ability that you're just drawn right in!He also takes great care in explaining and portraying the Italian countryside and culture and you can clearly see his love for his country shine through in the book.Don't wait to buy this - I promise you'll love it!

A tongue-in-cheek rebuttal of the idyllic Tuscany painted by American authors and dreamers
Dario Castagno is a born Tuscan. Raised in London until he was ten, Dario's fluency in English and love of Tuscany, including exploring abandoned farmhouses and villas like the one in Frances Mayes' "Under the Tuscan Sun" and his experiences working in a Chianti winery, led him to create Chianti Black Rooster Tours. Dario gives personalized tours of the Chianti region to groups up to six, and in "Too Much Tuscan Sun" he chronicles seasonal life in Tuscany, cultural gems, and the all-too-often bizarre and demanding American tourists that he is saddled with.
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Subjects:  1. Americans    2. Anecdotes    3. Chianti    4. Chianti (Italy)    5. Description And Travel    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Europe - Italy    8. Form - Essays    9. Italy    10. Satire And Humor    11. Tourists    12. Travel    13. Travel - Foreign    14. Travel writing   

Reviews (3)

Great photos and information
I enjoyed looking through this book prior to my recent trip to Poland.I am an avid photographer, and seeing some of the sights in the book prior to the visit really helped.The maps and diagrams are very good for giving the reader an idea of what to see in the various areas.This is a great book for someone who has never been to Poland.

DK's Travel Guides Are The Best
Dorling Kindersley publishes the most beautiful travel guides filled with colorful photographs and brief descriptions and background on points of interest in the particular country. Their Brings Light to this Burgeoning Tourist Destination
You may have never considered vacationing in Poland, but after reading the Eyewitness Travel Guide for this country you will definitely want to make plans to go.DK does a fantastic job of highlighting the wonders of Poland.Ten years from now Poland will be just as high or higher on the tourist itinerary as Prague is today. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Eastern    2. Europe - General    3. Guidebooks    4. Poland    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel / Europe / Eastern   

Reviews (2)

DK EYEWITNESS HISTORY AND GUIDE OF NAPLES AND THE ALMALFI COAST EDITION 2005
QUICK INFORMATION: An Essential Travel Book
This book on Naples and the Amalfi Coast has been the best and most valuable guide book to the region.This Eyewitness guide, as is the case with the entire series, is very nicely laid out.The map of Naples under the front cover is color coded and provides highlights in each.The colors of the map relate to the sections in the book relating to the main areas of the city.The book nicely covers the history of Naples, art and architecture and culture, the environment and items of local interest.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel / Europe / Italy   

Reviews (5)

Very uneven, but sometimes useful
I agree with the other reviewers, who objected to Steves' dismissal of Rudesheim and Heidelberg. It's particularly arrogant of him to include nothing about them in the book. I visited both and enjoyed them, particularly Heidelberg, and I'm not a Disneyland/Hilton kind of traveler. He has some good nuggets of info. For example, we tried to get a room in Dresden on the spur of the moment, and the tourist office had nothing within 10km of town. But an agency listed in his book, renting private apartments a stone's throw from the Frauenkirche, had some very nice, reasonable units. That alone was worth the price of the book, but overall I think Steves is a little too sure that he knows the one and only right way to see Germany. Take another book with you, too.

Reasonably accurate with caveats
Ricks book on Germany was, for the most part accurate and useful. I had booked my trip and planned my itinerary before I had purchased the book so I mainly utilized the dining, shopping, and points of interest information. Rick was dead on about skipping Mainz--I should have--but didn't and wasted 2 perfectly good days in Germany. However, I feel Rick was totally wrong about skipping Rudesheim, inasmuch as I had the best time partying with the natives in the beer gardens along the Drosselgasse, and the Asbach cognac factory tour and tasting was neat too. Combo gondola/chairlift/river boat ride package from Rudesheim to the Germania monument then to Assmannshausen to sample spatburgunder and back to Rudesheim for 9 euros was a bargain and great fun too.Rothenberg was more of a tourist trap than I imagined, but Rick's book got me some incredible discounts at the store he recommends. A very useful book to have, but not the only one I would use !

Don't leave home without it
Will be bringing this with me in Sept. for a tour of Bavaria and Austria. Rick's books even have up to date hotel information. Can't wait to try his recommendations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Austria    2. Europe - Austria    3. Europe - Eastern    4. Europe - Germany    5. Germany    6. Guidebooks    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Eastern Europe    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. Travel / Europe / Eastern   

Reviews (3)

A Good Tool, But Not The Only One
We used this atlas for a 2 week road trip through Spain, and found it to be very helpful. I had also mapped routes using various internet sources, and having this atlas was better as we could change our minds and pick other routes, if we felt we wanted to. Sometimes the numbers of the highways didn't match exactly, but that can happen at anytime, anywhere. Maps and atlases are frequently outdated as soon as they are printed. But this one gives the best information available here in the States, I think.
Ready to experience the road in Spain
Very good atlas, even found my friend's village high above the Ebro.

Michelin Road Atlas - Spain & Portugal
Excellent road atlas for travel around Spain and Portugal.Accurate and reliable.
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Subjects:  1. Atlases - General    2. Europe - Spain & Portugal    3. Maps & Road Atlases    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign