5 comments about Vienna (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. Rugged bound handbook for touring Vienna. Outside cover is plastic coated card stock, doesn't soak up water when lying on the lunch table, easily cleaned. Glossy paper throughout its 288 information packed pages: a district map on inside front cover and public transport map on the inside back cover.
   
   "Introducing Vienna" is the first chapter devoting 60 pages to an overview Vienna from a geographical, historical and cultural perspective. Then brief descriptions of major attractions, even the brief descriptions take 20 pages because Vienna offers so much to the visitor.
   
   Next comes "Vienna by Area" with more detailed information on attractions with highlights of St Stephans Cathedral, the Hofburg area which was the Habsburg center of power now converted to civic and cultural uses, museums, palaces etc, too much to describe here as the book devotes 120 pages to guide the reader to sites, dining and maps.
   
   Next comes "Further Afield" with adjacent areas like the Prater recreation area with it famous Ferris Wheel "der reisenrad" and more museums. Schoenbrunn palace also in this chapter as are recommended day trips outside the city and along the Danube river. Concluding the chapter are detailed walking guides for self directed excursions.
   
   The section "Travelers Needs" has restaurants, hotels etc plus photos of local cuisine along with the German language name including the famous Sachertorte, it makes me hungry just looking at it.
   
   Closing the book are suggested entertainment venues, casinos, music theaters followed with practical information on exchanging money, public transportation, how to use public telephones, posting letters and cards, street maps and index.
   
   I selected this guide because it has plenty of information on sites and cultural attractions, its sturdy binding which will outlast me on the trip and its convenient size. I have travelled may places and a good practical guide is great for me, the explorer. I like to explore and discover on my own rather than join guided tours and be shown what others believe should interest me. This book givens me so much information I should not overlook anything major unless I choose to, and that's the point, I will choose for myself what to see and do. Vienna has so much to offer, the guide helps me sort it out.
   
   I intend to spend a full day at the KHM Art History Museum, watch an Opera at the world famous State Opera House, listen to a Mozart concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the Music Hall, attend Sunday mass with Vienna Boys Choir, see Schoenbrunn, Belvedere etc. Still time in my schedule for day trips up the Danube to Durnstein to see the Castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned and if my wife is up to it, a day trip to Budapest. Of course each day in Vienna we plan to visit pastry shops and coffee houses to get the full "flavor" of Vienna. A ride on the ferris wheel is almost mandatory.
   
   If there is anything more in the guide I could ask for, it would be more web site listings for music attractions as many of the venue tickets can be purchased in advance to be sure of getting seats. The guide has some web sites addresses, but a self planner like me could use more.



2. Vienna is a fascinating place to visit and this is a great book to use. For once I did not find the subdivisions as useful in this book. Vienna can be a very confusing city to get around until you get the hang of it and sometimes the street maps in the book cut off in odd places. Despite that the recommendations of things to see and do and the smaller maps were top notch. I saw almost everything this book recommends within one jam packed three day weekend. Highly recommend.



3. Restaurants and hotels pricing was off, but, as usual, DK Publishing Eyewitness guides are like having a personal historical/architectural
   guide by your side - 24/7/365. It's simply.. perfect.
   
   Make sure to visit Budapest while in Vienna - only 3 hours away by train. Also consider Bratislava for a one-day trip - the historical center is pretty.



4. The product delivered was OK. However the delivery took almost a full month, being delivered on the very last day that reading the fine print said the product might be delivered. Products which I had ordered on the same date from two other merchants thru Amazon, all with regular non-expedited shipping, delivered product two to three weeks sooner. One of those much-quicker merchants was located in England!



5. The eyewitness guides are a pleasure to read .Many great pictures and plenty of detail .I am as pleased with this one as the others I already own .These guides are books you actually pick up and read again after you have completed your trip.

5 comments about Trans-Siberian Handbook: Seventh Edition of the Guide to the World's Longest Railway Journey (Trailblazer Guides).

1. My friend and I did part of the trip last summer, and the guide was simply invaluable. We were in the major cities decribed in the book, and we took the train Irkutsk--Ulaan Baator. The book was very helpful both when we were planning the trip (has train schedules) and on the spot, directing us to places of interest. Overall, gives you a good idea what to expect. Start reading the guide at least half a year before the planned trip. You'll need good 4 to 5 months to arrange everything.



2. For passengers on traveling on all or most of the Trans-Siberian Railway and visiting the cities along it, there are only two English-language travel guides. The Lonely Planet guide appeared in 2003 with a second edition in 2006, while Bryn Thomas updates his guide almost yearly and in 2007 it reached its seventh edition. I'm a two-time veteran of the Trans-Siberian, using the 1st edition of the Lonely Planet on the eastbound Trans-Manchurian route, and the 2nd edition on the eastbound Trans-Mongolian. When I recently discovered Bryn Thomas' guide in the local library, however, it struck me as the guide that I wish I had had on the trip.
   
   The Lonely Planet guide and Thomas' have much in common. Both include a history of Russia in the Trans-Siberian era and general information about culture. They both give sightseeing guidance and lodging listings for the cities along the way. The LP sticks to the three traditional routes between Moscow and Beijing or Vladivostok, but Thomas has now added Yakutsk, soon to be accessible by rail) and other possible rail terminus cities like Prague and Hong Kong.
   
   What makes Thomas' guide real special is his enthusiasm for the train journey itself. Unlike the LP guide, he gives timetables for the route, truly equipping the reader to prepare for the trip without having to look for too much information outside the book. Thomas discusses in detail the layout of carriages, specifics of what the carriage attendant can do for those under her charge, and things to look out for at kilometre markers along the way. The LP guide has little about the journey itself, and what little interesting information it did have in the first edition disappeared in the second.
   
   Thomas' tone is also much more pleasant to read than in the common guidebooks for independent travelers. He doesn't try to sell you places you have already decided to visit with an overuse of words like "vibrant" and "spectacular". I also admire that he succeeds in writing for a general audience. While some of the accomodation listings are pricey, it doesn't feel like he is dismissing backpackers like certain sell-out guidebook lines.
   
   I don't think I will ever travel the Trans-Siberian all the way again. While still fairly low considering the distance, fares are rising and I usually have the three free weeks needed to hitchhike from Europe to Ulan-Ude or Vladivostok. Nonetheless, I'd certainly recommend this to travelers planning a trip that is well-worth doing at least once.



3. Because I plan to trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway next year I bought this book hoping to read some advice and tips on how to travel the whole trip, where to stay, how much it costs, where to stay etc.
   
   But his book absolutely surpassed all my expectations!! There are not only those tips on trans-siberian rail, but also "travel guides" for cities like Moscow, Irkutsk and even tips on how to get to Mongolia, where to stay in Ulan-Bator and so forth.
   
   I have no idea how I would plan my trip without this book! It's really amazing how much information (and even with tips from other "ordinary" travellers!!) is in that, for instance bus-numbers from Moscow airport heading to the center of the city ...
   
   The book absolutely worth the money.



4. I have not been able to find any single travel book that covers as much useful information as this! I will be traveling the Trans-Siberian rail this summer, and this book has been a constant companion through my planning process. Detailed information on all of the towns and cities along the way along with maps to avoid getting lost while wandering. Definitely a bonus for the all of the information on smaller towns- it's very difficult to find a travel-worthy guide book that covers more than just St. Petersburg and Moscow, not to mention UB!
   
   Can't recommend this book higher to anyone considering journeying the Trans-Siberian Railway!



5. I am leaving soon for a two-week trip in Siberia. This book has been an exceellent primer. I'll know more about how to judge it when I return.

4 comments about Sicily (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. We've used these Eyewitness Travel books before and love them. They are great if you prefer a lot of pictures and illustrations instead of pages and pages of raw text.



2. I have several Eyewitness Travel Guides. This guide has useful Tourist sections, wonderful photos and divides the island into sections for easy reference.



3. Having traveled to Sicily, and researching more than 7 different travel guides, DK is far and away the best one. My second choice would be the National Geographic guide of Sicily, which I own, but it is clearly second to DK. The color and detailed diagrams of buildings are simply beautiful. There is so much info packed into each page, yet the information is well presented.



4. This book is the right size for taking it with you, and all the information you'll need for a successful visit. Lots of great photographs.

5 comments about The Time Thief (The Gideon Trilogy).

1. This book is so amusing and funny, I loved the first book of this Gideon Trilogy (Gideon the Cutpurse/Time Travelers) and this second novel, The Time Thief, is even better than the first. A fast paced, exciting, hilarious read. Highly recommended for those who love Harry Potter or time travel type stories. Myself as well as my adult friends and also my 4th grade daughter think this book is A+.



2. The book is an excellent read. It's filled with suspense and action. The characters face some unique problems and have to make some difficult chioces.



3. Even better than the first book. The Tar Man is an intriguing and complex character.



4. This series is INCREDIBLE! The author, characters, the plots, resolutions are intricate, detailed and fully developed. HOWEVER, BE AWARE that each book in the series has 2 published versions/titles. The first book is "Gideon the Cutpurse" (British version) and "The Time Travelers" (American version). The second book in the trilogy is "The Tar Man" (British version) and "The Time Thief" (American version). So far, the 3rd book is entitled "Lord Luxon" but I do not know if this is the British or American version, or what the other title will be. I prefer the British titles and British versions (the hardcover British "Gideon the Cutpurse" version is AWESOME and creative).
   
   Once I stopped buying the same books but different versions, I absolutely loved this trilogy. It is well worth the money and the wait. This is SO MUCH MORE than just another time-travel story. I would even suggest it for people who don't usually go for time travel themes -- the history, power struggles and choices between good vs. bad and right vs. wrong are truly deep and relevant yet not overdone; Just for the simple plot alone, this one's a keeper -- and yes, I've read the Harry Potter series, and Linda Buckley-Archer's Gideon series is well worth the comparison. You won't regret it. For both children and adults alike.



5. When Kate Dyer and Peter Schock accidentally traveled back in time to the year 1763 --- after an antigravity machine malfunctioned --- they were befriended by Gideon Seymour, a gentleman who is a former cutpurse. Gideon became their guide as they adjusted to living in the 18th century, as well as rescuer when they met the feared Tar Man and the notorious Carrick Gang. While the overall experience shocked and awed the two young time travelers, they still had hope that they would return together to their lives in the 21st century.
   
   However, when a rescue attempt from Dr. Dyer was interrupted, Kate returned to the 21st century, leaving Peter behind. Kate feels guilty for what happened and wants to go back to save her friend immediately. For Kate's family and Dr. Andrea Pirretti, Dr. Dyer's lab partner, there are other matters to contend with. There are the growing questions of Inspector Wheeler, who is strongly suspicious of the children's disappearance, and the NASA scientists' activities. Then there's the antigravity machine-turned-time-travel device and its potential consequences. Dr. Dyer is concerned about getting Peter safely back to the 21st century, whereas Dr. Pirretti is more worried about the negative effects of time travel, particularly if it was used for sinister intentions.
   
   Kate is determined to bring Peter back, so she seeks out the most unlikely yet important person for help --- Peter's father. When they get back to the 18th century, though, they quickly realize that they are not in 1763, but in 1792! Luckily for them, a man comes forward, introducing himself as Joshua Seymour (Gideon's half-brother who sailed to America), and offers to help. Kate is relieved to meet Joshua, but as time goes by, she begins to question who he truly is. The adventure intensifies as the trio visits old friends, makes new acquaintances, and travels to France in the midst of the French Revolution. Unfortunately for Kate, new problems arise when she begins to experience strange symptoms.
   
   Meanwhile, the Tar Man is intent on making a name for himself in 21st-century London. He employs a teenaged girl named Anjail as his guide and is determined to get his way no matter what, sometimes with hilarious results. However, it's not all relatively harmless mischief, especially when the Tar Man hatches a scheme in order to strike it rich and perhaps change history.
   
   Strange alliances and secrets act as catalysts, driving the characters and readers to a stunning conclusion that will leave them with more questions than answers. THE TIME THIEF is a page-turning adventure that features intrigue and action, along with moments of humor and emotional turmoil, bringing the diverse characters and the situations in which they find themselves (no matter the time period) to life.
   
   --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

1 comments about Fodor's France 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. I have the Fodors book on France from 1993 (interestingly enough the same chateau on the cover! different angle though..) and the difference in 15 years is nothing short of amazing! The reviews, itineraries,maps, the explanations, the sidebars on wine-tasting, art, etc... in short, everything - has been embellished, polished, perked up, smoothed, increased dramatically and all to the good. Fodors used to be VERY good at reviews of hotels and dining but VERY short on historical interest and background. Well...not any more. This really is the only volume you will need when you go to France, and is a lot of fun to just go through if you are interested at all in the history, art, society and culture of the country - even if you are not planning a trip to France soon. Fodors has done everything right!

5 comments about The London Mapguide, 5th Edition.

1. This is an excellent map for getting to know London, as it says in many of the other reviews. The main reason I'm writing is that I was on the fence between getting this guide or the Streetwise maps for a recent trip. I ended up getting this mapguide for London and the one for Paris, but we used Streetwise for Barcelona, and I definitely found that the map books are far superior.
   The books show a level of detail that Streetwise can't match. We walked all over London and never found so much as an alley that wasn't on the map, whereas it was often hard to locate streets on the Barcelona map (I realize this may reflect a difference in the cities, but no one ever called London an easily navigable grid). Also, this mapguide can be folded and put in a front pocket, and it's small enough that you can read it on the street without looking like the quintessential tourist. You pretty much have to unfold the whole Streetwise any time you want to use it and since it's laminated it can't really fit in your pocket.
   I can see where some people had problems switching between pages on the maps, but I found this pretty easy - it definitely helps to spend a little time studying the overall city map in the book before setting out. This mapbook does have a small London guide section and we actually found some good recommendations in it, but it won't replace a full size guide book for planning a trip.
   All in all I loved using this mapguide, and I still look fondly at the dogeared copy I brought back. It's not that Streetwise maps are horrible, but if you have the choice, I'd bring the book.



2. I had a previous edition of this book that I used repeatedly until it was out of date. This edition is just as great. I love that major stores, hotels, etc. are listed. Also this is about the only map I can find with bus lines.



3. I repeat: Do not go to London without this map!
   
   The BEST guide book that I spent my money on. I am not a city girl, so I relied on this map heavily during my trip. I would have been lost without it. Every street and site is clearly listed on this map. Excellent!



4. We could not have toured London so thoroughly without this guide. It was VERY helpful & we had it out all the time. Small enough to carry in you bag. It is full of great information with easy to see large maps of the city broken down by neighborhoods. This is not really a review guide but an informative guide. It has information that you need to know, hours of operation, overview of what the attraction consists of, locations on maps, etc.
   
   I also purchased the AtoZ but found it had too much detail & was much larger, not as easy to carry around. I think it would work better for someone living or staying in London for an extended period. For the average tourist just wanting to see the main parts of the city, this is perfect.
   
   I highly recommend you don't go to London without this guide, great price for such a wealth of information.



5. We've visited London more than 20 times over the last 10 years to visit family, and we still use the millenium edition we picked up in 1999 at a shop down in Soho. We take it out with us every day, and use it constantly. We always browse the guide books for new ideas when visiting, but when it comes to getting around the city with ease every day we resort to this book. The bus lnes and tube stations are clearly marked, the landmarks are useful, and we can always figure out how to get from place to place with ease. It's just the right size to carry, we find the A-Z is either too small to read or to thick to carry, and this guidebook has just enough extra info to make it more useful anyway. We just keep the book in London along with our Oyster cards, and we're ready to go on the first day upon arriving.
   
   We stay in a town just off this map set, but on th eoutskirts of London there aren't too many options anyway - we just take one of three buses towards town and are then within the scope of the book. There was some mention of wanting more detail of areas outside of city center, but I thik that would detract from the usefulness because the book would be too large. We can read about Hampton Court or Windsor or wherever in a different book on the day we go out to one of these places, but prety much every day we end up in the city itself - we don't really visit London to explore the suburbs. :)
   
   For the price of this book, I couldn't find a reason not to pick it up and use it from day one on anyone's first trip to London.

2 comments about Rick Steves' Croatia and Slovenia (Rick Steves).

1. I grew up with "Lonely Planet," taking an adventure trip almost every summer, but for my most recent vacation around ex-Yugoslavia, I decided to carefully compare what was on the market. I chose Rick Steves not only because it covered the most ground with the smallest amount of pages and weight, but also because it had the best balance of historical background, dining and lodging recommendations, and comparative evaluations of tourist sites that helped me to prioritize what to see in the few days I had available. Note that this book also has a good 70-80 pages on Bosnia and Montenegro, which are very easy to access from Southern Croatia (especially by rental car). I especially appreciated the book's comprehensive digression on how the present republics evolved out of the old Yugoslavia; Rick Steves is not only informative but remarkably balanced in his description of the Tito years and of the recent conflict between Serbia and Croatia. These issues are still on the mind of everyone you will meet out there.
   Couple of quibbles: Rick Steves seems to appeal to middle-age travelers, and his nightlife suggestions should rarely be trusted! The language section is tiny and inadequate. And the maps are approximate, carelessly drawn, and missing from some major towns. On the other hand, the Tourist Information in each town will give you detailed maps for free. So, over all, I am happy I made this choice.



2. The tone of this book is condescending. It is no where near the depth and quality of a Lonely Planet series. I would not waste the money.

5 comments about Greece Athens & the Mainland (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. This book has great photos. I always enjoy looking at DK Publishing's books - they are so pretty. However, if you are looking for a true travel guide, this is not the book.



2. It is a shame that DK publishing divides Greece into two separate books, one for the mainland and one for offshore islands. It forces you to buy and carry both books for complete coverage of the country. Even places that are quite close to each other geographically are in separate books, if one happens to be on the mainland, and the other on a nearby offshore island.Greek Islands (Eyewitness Travel Guides)



3. The tourbook is organized very well with history, maps, restaurants, hotels, etc and the colored pictures are excellent. The size makes an ideal companion when travelling.



4. These is no other that eyewitness guides...purchase and enjoy all aspects.



5. I usually use Lonely Planet and Green Guide (Guide Vert) but I read a lot of negative reviews about LP, so I gave Eyewitness a try. The photos and diagrams were fantastic - they really helped me make some choices about what to see compared to LP. And I particularly appreciated the diagrams of how many of the ancient sites such as Corinth, Delphi, and Olympia used to look, because you need some help when you see these ruins. Neither LP or Green Guide had these consistently.
   
   My main problem was that it didn't have a lot of useful information, or if it did it was hard to find. The book's organization isn't too good - for a given site or city it has information about the city in terms of tourism or practical all over the place. Green Guide has much better practical maps, which are in color and cover a larger geographic area. Eyewitness is great when you get to the site you want to see, but it is not so useful to find the sites.
   
   Also, compared to LP and Green Guide it has a lot less historical and explanatory information. And in terms of total number of places covered, I have the impression that Eyewitness has less than others. There's a price for nice, glossy photos.
   
   Finally, not that it's critical, but my binding broke within a day, though the book cover mostly kept the book together.
   
   I think I will only buy Eyewitness again in special circumstances.

1 comments about Europe by Eurail 2008: Touring Europe by Train (Europe By Eurail).

1. This looks like a very useful tool for once we are traveling, but a little less so for planning ahead.

3 comments about Fodor's Paris 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. Fodor's Paris 2008 has everything the average vacationer would need to experience France from the inside out.
   Here is a detailed index of what this book has to offer:
   
   -Clothing size, weight, distance, liquid volume, and temperature conversions inside the front cover
   -Detailed table of contents
   -"About This Book" page which tells you how to read and use the information in the book
   -General information about Paris such as cleanliness, diversity, and the general attitude of Parisians
   -Paris Planner which includes information on what to wear, when to go, and transportation
   -Detailed and easy to read maps of Paris and it's arrondissements
   -Detailed lists and descriptions of Paris's top attractions
   -Fun things to do in Paris with kids
   -Great Itineraries
   -Where to eat
   -Where to stay
   -A selection of gorgeous color photographs
   -Word of Mouth from Fodor's online forums
   -Detailed information about nightlife and the arts
   -Shopping
   -Free stuff to do in Paris
   -Books and movies of Paris
   -Vital vocabulary words
   -Information and advice on traveling such as travelers insurance, booking, rental cars, guided tours, emergencies abroad, electricity, money, taxes
   -A folded tear out map of Paris
   -Map of Paris's Metro system on the inside of the back cover
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone considering visiting Paris on vacation, anyone moving to Paris, or the average Joe who wants to learn more about the most romantic city in the world. It has everything you want to know about Paris.



2. I bought both Paris and London 2008 books for my upcoming trip to Europe, and I enjoy both. The guides are easy to read, tell you how to make the most of your time at various locations, tell you how to get to where you want to go and provide a variety of eating and shopping locations for all budgets.



3. I used this book on my first trip to Paris,and it was a valuable resource to pick how to spend our time. The maps were also very helpful in getting around the maze that is the Paris streets.