Subjects:  1. Barcelona (Spain)    2. Catalonia (Spain)    3. Europe - Spain & Portugal    4. Guidebooks    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel / Europe / Spain & Portugal   

Reviews (3)

Another strong title from Lonely Planet
I ventured to South India, Bombay and Goa, last January, and this book never left my side.As a first-time visitor to the country, I was nervous at first, but the information found in this book helped me to prepare adequately for the trip and navigate my way through this often confusing (but always amazing) country.The guide caters to travelers on a variety of budgets, and offers tips for escaping the white-washed tourist trail to really get a taste of local culture.I would recommend ordering a copy a couple months before leaving- there is much to peruse in the book and region, and it will help you to plan out what you want to see, what you need to pack, and how to get by when the culture shock is hitting hard.

short on detail
India is really too big to be adequately covered in a single guidebook. That was one of the main reasons I used Lonely Planet's "South India" while travelling there in December 2003. Some of the information, particularly prices for accommodation was out of date, but this is to be expected of a guide book that has been in print for more than two years. What disappointed me about this book was that even though it only covered part of India and should be less constrained by space considerations it was frustratingly short on detail in various ways. Some places could have had more detailed coverage and there were still many places omitted completely. I also think Lonely Planet stretches the definition of South India a bit far by including chapters on Maharashtra and Orissa. Less states and more detail would make this guide book much better value for money.

As always, lonely planet excels
You can never go wrong with lonely planet. Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. India    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

POCKET SIZE FUN
68 Fun Things to Do-- from Jones Beach to NBC Studio Tour, with the usual destinations as well. New York is so extraordinary that a lot of guidebooks try to be all too thorough. But really a short and sweet book can do the trick. If your young visitors are age seven and up, give them Melanie in Manhattan too, a novel about a New York girl. (Warning Melanie and her brother Matt the Brat have a favorite museum game called Point Out the Naked People. Their art teacher mom has no idea....)
Written with humor and fun, this book made our trip the best!
Thanks to this book, we were able to figure out just the right bites of the big apple to take. We also were prepared for when we'd have to wait in line, and we saved big bucks through the author's tips on Broadway on a Budget. We used the author's fun facts to impress our kids. For example, if you were to look at every piece of art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it would take more than four years to see it all! We used several guidebooks. This one was by far the best! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Special Interest - Family    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. Travel Guides - U.S.    5. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    6. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    7. New York    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / United States / Northeast / Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA)   

Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.Read more

Reviews (17)

Taking this back to the library
I could barely read any of this book. The type is so tiny and hard to read, and the maps are all grey and difficult to read as well. Everything is just scrunched in there and you have to pore over that map to figure out what the heck you're looking at. They're way too busy. They cram too much detail into one map.
Great Lonely Planet Guide
I can very much reccomend this book to everyone planning to go to Hawaii. It has a section about every Hawaian Island open to travellers. You find general background information about the islands as well as very detailed information about things to do and see, lodging, dining and activities. It also picks out places that are usually less crowed than the major tourist accumulations.
Hawaii - know more than the guides!
I bought this for my parents. My mother read it before she went on her trip and ended up becoming an unofficial guide on some of their trips. She also had long informative conversations with the actual guides because of the book.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)    6. Hawaii    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Whet your Appetite!!!
I read this book cover to cover before my first trip to Costa Rica and had highlighted a number of places I intended to visit.This book was EXTREMELY helpful in giving an accurate description of geographic regions, landmarks, customs, and general travel information.It made my trip much easier knowing what to expect.In addition, after returning, it was fun to compare the photos in the book to the ones I had taken.The beautiful photos in the book were not just "travel" photos to entice you to visit, but accurate photos of how beautiful and incredible Costa Rica is! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel - General    6. Travel Guides    7. Costa Rica    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / General   

Reviews (9)

useful, but disappointing
on every backpacking trip, a lonely planet was always one of the must-haves because they are always so on it when it comes to accuracy and reliability. well, i was disappointed by this guatemala edition. the author raved about the country: antigua, tikal, the people...so i had all these warm fuzzy expectations. that was mistake number one.
This book is spot on.
I traveled to Guatemala for two weeks in the summer of 2005 and used Lonely Planet the entire time.It was my first trip there, so I needed and wanted extensive detail and maps, which this book provided.I found it to be right on about everything from restaurants and hotels to ATM locations.I appreciated the small bits of cultural and historical information as well.The transportation sections were the most helpful.On several occasions I had people ask to borrow my LP to look up bus connections.Overall, I thought it was excellent and recommend it highly to anyone traveling to Guatemala.

Very helpful guide to travel to Guatemala.
Lonely planet is very popular in this country.You'll see a lot of travelers with a copy of the book.The maps are very acurate and you'll find good recomendations. What's great about this country is that people are friendly, so you only need the basics and the book has them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Guatemala    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars & Diaries    3. Non-Classifiable    4. Pictorials    5. PHOTOGRAPHY / Subjects & Themes / General    6. Travel / General   

Reviews (2)

Amsterdam travel guide
This is my 3rd or 4th Eyewitness guide that I have purchased. They give you a lot of info in a compact book. It includes not only points of interest but also provides the "must see". Each guide also includes maps, mass transit, translation of phrases, restaurant, hotel, and general tips to make your trip more enjoyable and safer.

Excellent book, but...
I am giving this book 5 stars because I think it does an excellent job covering the city of Amsterdam. The illustrations are fantastic, the tips are helpful, all of the major points of interest are covered (and then some) and it is up-to-date. I'm a big fan of the Eyewitness travel guides, and this book certainly won't come as a disappointment to those who are familiar with their books.
Read more

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

Editorial Review

The essence of London, found "in the swing, tramp, and trudge; in the bellow and uproar; the carriages, motor cars, omnibuses, vans, sandwich men shuffling and swinging; brass bands; barrel organs; in the triumph and the jingle and the strange high singing of some aeroplane overhead..." (Read more

Reviews (57)

Smart, User-Friendly Guidebook Has Legs After Your Trip to London
From Lonely Planet to the Rough Guides, location-specific guidebooks generally seem so transient since a purchase generally depends upon an upcoming trip and soon afterward ends up in a storage box collecting dust or on craigslist for sale. That's not to say they don't have valuable information when you need them, but there is no incentive to return to the book once the trip has ended. The one exception to the rule is the series of Dorling Kindersley's Eyewitness Travel Guides. The London guide is as good as any in the series as it presents a graphically pleasing, intuitively organized guidebook with detailed pictorials that show animated aerial shots of neighborhoods like Covent Garden or cut-away floor plans of heavily visited buildings like Westminster Abbey or the Tate. It also helps make geographic sense of neighborhoods that allow you to navigate easily through them by pointing out recommended sights.
A Must Have
We only spent a few days in London but this book helped us to plan which sights we'd have time to see. It also has a great map of the tube which helped us, more than once, find our way around Central London. A Must Have!

The travel book you really need!
I have many travel books for London but I have to say this is the best.Updated frequently, it contains a vast amount of information.I found the book to be very acurate with opening times and ticket prices for events, as well as travel directions. If you have never been to London before, you will appreciate the back section of the book which covers the basics (using a payphone, the different coins and notes, airport and train iformation etc). Even though I know London very well now, I still find the book very useful when planning a day out.The photography is amazing as well!This is a must have! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. General    3. Guidebooks    4. London (England)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel / Europe / Great Britain   

Reviews (3)

A must for a European trip
What I like best about the Rough Guides is that they give critical reviews. They will point out the tourist traps and will give negative reviews. I find that Frommer's and Fodor's rarely point out the negatives to a particular... The rough guide is very critical and is a great balance to these other guides.
A Great Buy for the Average Traveler
The Rough Guide To Europe 2006 is a great book to pick up if you're not the most adventurous but more-so the average traveler looking for a great time in some of the best known or little known towns and cities. The guide provides an easy to read and discover map legend that will help you decide what route to choose whether you're using car, train, or other means of transportation to get around. However, I do enjoy the highly detailed country maps of Fodor's Europe more for getting around country to country.
Excellent Overviews for the Business Traveler
I travel to Europe a couple times a year for business. I needed a guide book that would help me find the main sites to see in various European countries during my trips. (I rarely go to the same city twice.)
Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Europe - History    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Europe    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Europe / General   

Reviews (5)

Paradise Found on a Grand canyon Tour
The Grand Canyon Handbook: an Insider's Guide to the Park, was quite helpful.I searched all over the internet for grand canyon tour information, and i must say paradisefoundtours.com was by far the best.I signed up for a grand canyon tour and a hoover dam tour with them.The book and the website went hand in hand.We had a great time!

It's not just a big hole in the ground
The way the books of this series work is that they took a guide for new rangers in Yosemite with the 100 or so most frequently asked questions, and wrote their own answers for each park.So in each book the questions are very similar but the answers might be very different. It's not just a big hole in the ground
The way the books of this series work is that they took a guide for new rangers in Yosemite with the 100 or so most frequently asked questions, and wrote their own answers for each park.So in each book the questions are very similar but the answers might be very different.Read more

Subjects:  1. Grand Canyon National Park (Ar    2. Grand Canyon National Park (Ariz.)    3. Guidebooks    4. Parks & Campgrounds    5. Travel    6. Travel - United States    7. United States - Mountain - Arizona    8. Arizona    9. The Arts: General Issues    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. USA    12. National Parks   

Reviews (5)

A very good book
OK, ignoring all the strange hype and anti-hype over going to Myanmar (my in-laws live there), this is a good book.I purchased it as my sole guidebook.Although some of my local guides had a few words of disparagement for some of the restaurant recommendations (they said they were years out of date), it was otherwise a useful tool.If you are going to Burma, buy this book.Really, you'll find it handy.
Response to pepper "pepper".
Uhmmm... the name Buck Naked comes from the "Seinfeld" show. It is the artist name George would use if he were a porn actor...
Stop the moralizing - the people of Burma will thank you
I have been to Burma several times and I know the people I have talked to appreciate my going and communicating their concerns to the world. I believe I can say, with all appropriate humility, that I have been involved with Burma far more than the other reviewers here and am even married to a relative of a member of parliament from the NLD, Aung San Suu Kyi's party.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Myanmar (Burma)    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (5)

Find another guide
I used this book before my trip to learn about the history, but I never used it once in South Africa.I found everyone else's Lonely Planet Guide much more helpful.

Easy to read, balanced, and informative
I recently purchased this book for my mother who is going to South Africa for a vacation. The book was so helpful for me two years ago, that I wanted to make sure she had it. (My copy is marked up and the seams are a bit worn!) I like the books's balanced report on the history of South Africa, and the fact that it is neither for rich travelers with no budget, nor is it for poor students.The sections on things to buy and places to go are great, with enough examples to give you choices, but not simply a laundry list of restaurants and stores. It also has good information on things like local languages and cultures. A Beautiful Book about a Beautiful Country
I had the opportunity to visit SA for a month in 1999. I knew going that Iwould have an informed friend to host and guide me, so I did not bring anyguide books with me. However, when I returned home and had 34 rolls of filmto show, I wanted a book to accompany the photos and act like its ownsouvenier. After looking at many titles, I settled on the Insight Guidebecause of its excellent balance of basic information (incl. a well-writtenchapter on the history), color photos (on the order of NationalGeographic), maps, tourist information (what to do; where to go; how toprepare; etc.), and candor about apartheid. I never regretted paying a fewextra dollars more for the book because it stood head and shoulder abovethe competition. It's the book I would have made had I the opportunity.The mulitple authors are well-informed, and though some info might beoutdated, one has to remember-- this is AFRICA! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Republic of South Africa    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

almost perfect
Latest version of this brilliant publication. It's perfect for finding that secluded gem of a place to stay or eat (or both!). And you know they check these places every year. Why almost? It doesn't include the cheapest hotels, which are often as good as more highly rated ones. Pay particular attention to 3 features: a) restaurants that have rooms attached, b) those establishments regarded as being particularly good value and c) the maps of towns that help navigation if just passing through.

Poor service -- very poor follow-up.
As part of a $250.00 order, I ordered the Michelin France Provence map in English, and the Michelin 2006 Red Guide France: Hotels and Restaurants in English - both Items they sent me were written in French, which are of no value to me.I requested a shipping label to return the map and the book and asked they send me the English versions. The Amazon Outsourcing Desk in India refused both request.I requested an American Amazon Customer Service Manager contact me on this Issue.That has never happened.I am also being asked my Satisfaction on a 3d book - Markets Of Provence - which they never sent me.The remainder of my $250.00 order were the English Versions, as ordered.My Overall Satisfaction:Well below the 1 Star shown.Actual Satisfaction "F Minus" for all departments in Amazon and far less for their very poor Customer Service and lack of ethical follow-up for their mistake.

Ya Gotta Read French
It takes a ton of determination to master the rating system, symbols, and inset-type maps, but once you do the guide is wonderfully comprehensive and detailed, and it's keyed in to Michelin's excellent, even more detailed road maps. While Michelin gives you an explanation of the rating system, map system, and symbols in English, (as well as in other languages), the text is all in French so it's of limited use to many Americans. We've used it (not exclusively) for our many trips to France and while we occassionally disagree with its ratings (who's to say we're right-although, of course, we are) we've found it's usually right on the mark. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. HotelsInnsetc.    3. Restaurants    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. France    8. Hotel & holiday accommodation guides   

Reviews (8)

The best of all NZ guide books
When purchasing a NZ guide book, I wanted the best one so that I only had to buy one book.I reviewed other buyers' comments which all seemed to point to the Rough Guide as being the best one out there.They were right.This is book is extremly helpful and has all the topics covered that I was looking for.The authors' account of places/things in NZ does not seem biased, like many travel books are.The book tells me which destinations are worth going to, how to get there, how to get around, where to sleep/eat, what activities are worth doing, etc.All advice is catered to both people traveling on a budget and to those willing to spend more money.I am very happy with my purchase.

a very useful guide book
Granted, it's a large book to carry around, but with this and a few local brochures, my New Zealand trip was painless (and I was driving, not hiking). Even though I found an amazing amount of information at the information centers that are everywhere, I'm still glad I bought this guide.
Best book if weight is not an issue
I'd agree with much of what Terry Holmes says (see review below).This book is bigger than Lonely Planet and the layout is different but for me, it was the better book.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. New Zealand    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Australia & Oceania   

Reviews (2)

Very insightful
I think this series of guides is very good. I've just come back from Morocco and found this to be the better of the books to be carrying (others I met had Footprint, Rough Guide or Lonely Planet). It is as good as an inspiration to go as it is as a reference inside that mosque, market or on that mountain. It must not be confused with the 'comprehensive' reviewed/listing/directory book of the Lonely Planet genre (for people who call themselves adventurers yet cannot go to a hotel that has not been 'bigged up' in their 'bible' - well at least they're all guaranteed to end up in the same shed based on one person's opinion!). There's rarely a book with as many photos and full color diagramatical explanations - call me illiterate but sometimes I just want to see a photo of something and say 'I want to go and look at that'!
Morrocco travel guide
It has a lot of wonderful pictures and very clear descriptions of the regions of the country and includes a brief history.I hope Morocco will live up to the wonders of this travel guide! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Reference - General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel / Africa   

Reviews (1)

An absolute MUST for your Disney World Trip!
This book is very detailed and gives you information on everything in Disney World and the surrounding theme parks (including a very detailed map!). From the prices and what to expect at the restaurants to very detailed descriptions of the rides including age recommendations.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. Travel Guides - U.S.    5. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    6. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    7. Florida    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (1)

Travel Guide
Great pictures and lots of information.I'm using this information for my itinerary. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Austria    2. Europe - General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel / Europe / Austria   

Reviews (2)

It is really really really bad travel guide!!!
I started to use Lonely Planet 15 years ago. I can say that I am a witness of how much quality deteriorite it has been. I used to just buy it by default. It was a Bible for me. But, a BIG but, this Lonely Planet Australia set a new lowest standard for the series.
Unless These Books Bring Back Destinations and Hostel Listings They'll Be Lonely on the Shelves Due to New Better Competitors
Since the late 90's Lonely Planet have been dwindling down the number of destinations and hostel listings in these guides and replacing that space with more five star hotels, fine dining and other useless information backpackers will never use.In this edition Lonely Planet lists the most expensive Hotel in Australia, Palazzo Versace in their Gold Coast accommodation listings.They are so out of touch with their target market now it is not funny.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - Australia    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Australia    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

The Travelers Companion
I admit it: I'm addicted to travel. My wife and I are semi-retired and we are on the go half the year. We travel for our home-based business, "The Nurses Choice" which cover 50 metro areas and therefore must visit a variety of cities. We then decided to expand overseas.
Disappointed Romanian!
This book in my opinion is biased and takes an angle of Europe that is "clean and proper" and fails to shed light on the rest of it. I can understand that these are "tourist guides" and why would anyone want to tour a country forgotten by time. However, I am a very disappointed Romanian with this book and would never use it as my reference. I have seen travel guides outlining Europe exclude Romania before, but with the precision and detail of DK's series, I was left yet again in disappointment.

Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)by Dan Colwell
Eyewitness travel guides are splendid and this is not an exception. This is a handy guide to Europe and shows some of the more popular spots to travel to. I was a bit confused that not all countries were included. However, that might be because they picked the places that most people travel to. I personally was a bit disapointed that Romania, Ukraine and other more far eastern european countries were not included. However, still and all, this is an awesome guide for the countries that are included. I love how they show everything instead of just writing and writing like many travel guides do. These are the best guides out there and the many photos make these guides stupendous and astounding and many leagues better then closest competitor. ... Read more

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