1 comments about DogFriendly.com's Lodging Guide for Travelers with Dogs: United States and Canada Pet-friendly Lodging, Hotels and Accommodations.

1. This book was a great help to us in traveling with our three dogs. It is clearly written and we found the information contained in the book to be 100% correct. Great reference!

4 comments about Frommer's Toronto 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. Resourceful, handy, and full of important travel reference, "Frommers Toronto" by Hilary Davidson is a good book to have when traveling to Canada's largest city. Full of maps, suggested itineraries, and the names and addresses of many local establishments, this book came handy when I traveled to Toronto back in October 2000.

   While I consider this book a good buy and reference, I am more biased when it comes top travel guides, I highly recommend Lonely Planet's guide to the city. Lonely Planet is an excellent series because it is full of information that not only will benefit you during your stay in Toronto, but also comes in handy when preplanning your trip. Whether you want to learn about entry requirements or more about the city's history and culture, Lonely Planet in my opinion ranks supreme in the travel book industry. Frommer's is a great series, but I feel that it is geared more to travelers 35 years and above, whereas Lonely Planet covers the young adult market.

   Still a good book, Frommer's will make your stay in Toronto a pleasant one. Try it, you won't be disappointed.




2. ....there's so much to do and see in Toronto, you are going to need a guide like this one from Frommer's. You aren't likely to miss the big tourist sights--the CN Tower, the Jetsons styled City Hall, the Sky Dome and Ontario Place--but the little secrets like shopping districts where you can get more from your dollar (that is, more than what you get on the daily currency exchange), Frommer's take you there. Also there are superb breakfast places and diners that you can get meals on the cheap. Frommer's helps you find them. You can wander in the historic glory of Casa Loma and it's famed gardens or you can get a dig on the daily downtown hustle and bustle...heck, I don't know if they still do that kinda thing nowadays, but you can even ride Lake Ontario, if you're so inclined. Frommer's will give you the details so's you get the best bang for your buck. Trolley rides, jazz shows, art museums, places to get film developed in an hour, Frommer's got the buzz about. While the CN Tower is a must see, (the glass floor at the skyview scared the bejesus outta me) it isn't the only thing to see and do in this great city. This guide will be indispensible to your enjoyment of Toronto. Trust me.



3. The usual reason to buy a travel book like this is to get some insights about places to visit and use the map to figure out how to get to those places. Unfortunately, the maps in this book aren't always correct. We had tickets to Mama Mia at the Royal Alexandra. The book justs insists that the RA is on the wrong side of Simcoe. Luckily there were plenty of banners hanging along King Street to guide us in the right direction. Still, I was a little more gunshy about all of the Frommer's recommendations after this. Some of the dining recommendations were good but some just made no sense (a highly recommended seemed mediocre and overhyped). The layout of the book means that there is never a single map to show you where both the restaurants and attractions are. Each is relegated to its own section. Due to the Royal Alex mishap, Frommers got relegated to the hotel room and we just used the freebie Hertz map we got when renting the car. And tripadvisor.com got consulted for all attaction advice.

   Luckily the book is cheap so I wasn't out much money. But with the wealth of web resources, I would either just rely on the web or buy one of the other travel companies books.




4. I just got back from a trip to Toronto and I found this book incredibly helpful. I bought it mainly for the restaurant and shopping chapters (which were great) but the best parts were the walking tours. There are three days of complete itineraries plus several walking tours of different neighborhoods, and they were so interesting that I ended up spending most of my trip following them. I feel like I really saw the city, not just the touristy highlights. Some of the places I wouldn't have found on my own, and others, like the University of Toronto Campus, I wouldn't have thought of visiting (there are two art galleries on the campus though so it's definitely worth a visit).
   
   The other thing I really loved about the book was that there were sections about restaurants that are good for people with food allergies. This is always an issue for me when I travel, so it was fantastic to have a list of places that I could eat at without worrying.
   
   There were a lot of great things about this book, so I'd highly recommend it. Also, Toronto is a great city so I'm planning another visit!

5 comments about Discovering Denali: A Complete Reference Guide to Denali National Park and Mount McKinley, Alaska.

1. In my many treks to Denali, I have never Had to search for places and things that I had not explored- until I purchased this guide. The author brings to life the Park, as well as a reason to take the 'trail less traveled', as if there was a passion and connection with with the land that he so describes.



2. Discovering Denali includes information on how to get to the park, what to see on the way, where to stay (including campsites, bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels), side trips and excursions, and tips for fishing, hiking, flightseeing and even climbing Mt. McKinley (also know as Denali, "the High One"). There are also bits of interesting history and folklore, extensive maps, and some personal insights by the author. It is the first and only source of information that provides detailed descriptions about the 43 individual sections of the park, including backpacking and camping information that heretofore has only been available upon arrival.



3. Discovering Denali by Dow Scroggins is a "Complete Reference Guide to Denali National Park and Mount McKinley, Alaska," and the subtitle says it all. This book is a must for anyone going to Denali National Park area or to attempt climbing Mount McKinley (Denali). Scroggins details the beauties, necessities, delights, and dangers of this Wilderness adventure. He is specific in telling what equipment to bring and what to expect on many different trails. He covers all seasons individually. You'll also find an excellent guide to animals and plants found in this special area of the United States. He has included an interesting history of Denali National Park, driving and transportation information, as well as lodging and restaurants, activities, maps, and calendar of events. This is the best guide we have seen of what you need to know before you go to this vast and beautiful wilderness, whether you are a one day sight-seer, a camper, a back-pack hiker, or an expert mountain climber.



4. Once you get there, you learn that Alaska is EXPENSIVE, especially mistakes in planning well ahead. As is Denali National Park. And more you know, the better. For those planning a trip to Denali NP a word-of-mouth is probably the best way to go. The book by Dow Scoggins offers a good starting point and a reference for the w.o.m. search. Myself, I bought four guidebooks about Alaska and Denali, three more-or-less useless, rather collections of ads by different operators from the region, and the Scoggins' one. After being there, I can tell you that the book is worth the money.



5. This book is very thorough in covering everything around Denali National Park, and I mean everything. There is a trade off in that it isn't very deep in any one area, but if you are afraid that you are going to miss out on a hidden gem in the area, get this book. I used it on my last two trips to the find restaurants I never knew of and a better campground to stay in when I couldn't get into the park.
   
   A couple of considerations, there are few illustrations in this book and it really does read like a Fodor's guide, so it is not a thrilling cover to cover read. Also, the information is starting to get a little dated. The information is still valid, although prices and schedules are probably getting out of date. Hopefully a new edition will come out in the next couple of years.

No comments about Moon San Juan Islands: Including Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands (Moon Handbooks).

No comments about Lonely Planet British Columbia, 3rd Edition (Regional Guide).

5 comments about Moon British Columbia (Moon Handbooks).

1. I've used Moon Handbooks for years and they are simply the best! I have the Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Alberta, and now the British Columbia book, and I've never been disappointed. These books include the usual stuff, such as lodging, restaurants, and recreation, but they also include local history and cultural information that makes them far superior to most guides. Buy a Moon Handbook that covers the state you live in--you will be surprised at how much you can learn. If you're going traveling, they are indispensable.



2. This is indeed a terrific guidebook for B.C. Previous editions, however, included Banff and Jasper National Parks, which admittedly are in Alberta, not B.C., but are usually included in Canadian Rockies travel itineraries. There's no excuse including Yoho (which is just over the border) but not Banff and Jasper, except to sell more books. So this is not an improvement.



3. I know of no better book to my home province of British Columbia than this Moon guide. On my travels as a semi-retired geologist, I also carry copies of the Lonely Planet and Frommer's book and have reviewed both of them and others at Amazon.com, but Moon Handbooks British Columbia stands alone for its usefulness. The other books have their good points, but this one encapsulates everything one needs to enjoy the wonders of the province, whether it's their first trip or they live here. It covers every single corner of BC and is thorough and up to date.

   The Moon guide is cleverly written and arranged to appeal to all budgets. The bulk of the text relates to towns and parks of BC, with informative coverage of everything from museums to fishing opportunities and wildlife viewing. Each section ends with details of the best places to stay and recommendations for dining. If you're camping out or RVing I'd suggest also getting a campground guide, but the Moon book suggests at least one campground in each town, each of which the author has obviously visited. Motels are also detailed, and over previous editions I'm yet to find fault with the author's choices. Ditto for bed and breakfasts and restaurants.

   In my opinion, thois is definitely the best allround guidebook for British Columbia




4. This was the first of the Moon books I'd ever used and I was very impressed. There was a ton of useful information on general Canadian travel, but the bulk of the book is devoted to the various regions and the best of what there is to see and do. In places like Vancouver, where there are lots of museums, he discusses these; on Vancouver Island he tells all you'll need to know about water activities; in the Okanagan Valley he chooses his favorite wineries, etc. I'd been to BC previously, but visited a few great spots that I wouldn't have found without this book. The author concentrates on 3 or 4 places to stay and a similiar number of restaurants in each town and he has obviously done his research well as I couldn't find fault with the recommendations that cover all price ranges.

   Also importantly, the book is very well organized and the maps were very helpful. I also liked the thorough bibliography.




5. Excellent book for travel to BC. We have used other Moon Books on travel and have been very pleased with all of them

No comments about Wallpaper City Guide: Montreal (Phaidon Press) (Wallpaper City Guides (Phaidon Press)).

5 comments about So, You Want to Be Canadian: All About the Most Fascinating People in the World and the Magical Place They Call Home.

1. This is a most interesting read, mostly comedic, but it is really a hoot to read.



2. If you're looking for a humorous quick read this book will suffice. However, its not going to make you go "yep that's me" or "I recognize that" as much as others of the genre might



3. I am really interested in exploring the option to live in Canada - that's why I purchased this book in the first place. The book references to life in Canada in a humourous manner and is practically intented to familiarize Americans with the Canadian facon de vivre.. It was a fast and fun read though I wished it had more information on everyday Canadian life basics and differences between cities like Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.



4. So I realized I don't want to live the rest of my life on Cape Cod, I like the cold and the ocean, so maybe a small village in Canada? Not as funny as I had hoped, and way too much emphasis on alcohol and drugs. No thanks Canada, I won't fit in up North.



5. This book could have been a lot better than it was. I thought it was going to have at least a little bite to it, but instead, every page broadcasted the same (incredibly inoffensive) message: "I love Canada!!! YAY!!!"
   
   I love Canada too, but there are a lot of silly (and stupid) things about the country as well. If this book had shown more of the silly things, this would have been a much better buy.

5 comments about Breaking the Limit: One Woman's Motorcycle Journey Through North America.

1. This book is about life on and off a motorcycle - a book for everyone.
   
   I just purchased by tenth copy to give to a friend. If you ride a bike you'll love it; if you dont't you'll still love it! I started the book about nine o'clock one evening and just kept on reading until I finished the story.
   
   Karen Larsen uses a ride from New Jersey to Alaska and back to review her life and project her future; you can join her and live your own adventure as you pour through the pages. You can laugh with her, cry with her and come away in awe of the world in which we live - if you liked Pirsig you'll love Larsen.



2. Breaking Limit was an awsome book to read. She describes her trip where you can feel your there. Having family that have gone to Alaska and being adopted myself, I was able to relate to what she was feeling on her trip. I myself ride a bike and Karen's bike from what my husband says would be a hard trip that long and that far.Karen gives an amazing travel journal with the roads she chose and gives someone the ideas of what to expect on a bike trip.My husband enjoyed the book aswell.Any bike rider would enjoy it and relate to it. Ladie riders it will give you the confidence and encouragement that us gals can travel and do it.



3. Don't waste your time reading this review ... man or woman, find and devour it as I did.



4. What an incredible read by an amazing woman. The book is intelligently written, including bits of history in her descriptions of areas traveled and her encounters with strangers. I also ride a "SPORTY" and men are amazed that I have ridden over 10,000 miles on it, much less a "short distance" trip of 450 miles in one day. I am in complete awe that this women did it on a model that was not rubber mounted as is mine. Have shared excerpts with my husband and he is interested in reading the book also. And being the man that he is, knowing I would enjoy a solo/soul searching journey of travel, encouraged me by stating he would "hold down the fort" so I could have a similar but shorter experience. Definitely recommend this to all women who ride.



5. This book was first brought to my attention as an amazon reccommendation. Just from reading the excerpts I thought this might be a good read. I will say, (again,) this was exactly what I had hoped for. Karen's journey from New Jersey into Alaska and back, using almost all back roads, was a detailed account of what it might be like as a woman traveling throughout the united states. She stayed at, for the most part, campsites or hostels, only rarely staying in a hotel, thats over 14000 miles. An incredible review of the journey, and not so much the destination.
   The first thing you might ask while reading this, as I did and do, is, how did she remember all these details? She must of taken notes every night before she camped. The roads she took, the people she met at gas stations or coffee houses, their names, what they were wearing, the expressions on their faces, all of it. She of course doesnt account everything, the book would be monsterous, but she gives you a good idea of the whole aspect of the journey. If your into adventure, motorcycles, and possibly getting an idea on your next summer road trip, I say read this book.

No comments about Exploring Old Quebec: Walking Tours of the Historic City.