1 comments about Michelin Portugal Madere/Portugal & Madeira (Michelin).

1. We spent the last two weeks traveling by car in Portugal from Lisbon to the top and northeast corner of the country; over 2500 km.

   This map was vastly better than the smaller maps we had. It worked particularly well in giving us a clearer picture of what the routes would be like. We discovered no errors.

   It also contains an index of cities and villages.

   Not 5 stars for the following reasons: many small villages not on the map. (To an extent this is unavoidable given that there are so many small villages.) Also, there's no cross milage chart.

   Even more valuable would have been a chart of estimated driving times between major cities. It was all too easy to get stuck behind (very) slow moving trucks in the hilly areas. The 'N' roads, which look like major highways on the map, usually have just one lane in each direction. In addition, they can be endlessly twisty, leaving little opportunity to pass.

No comments about Time Out London Eating and Drinking 2009 (Time Out London Eating and Drinking).

No comments about Greece and the Greek Islands (Small Panorama).

1 comments about Hot Sun, Cool Shadow: Savoring the Food, History, and Mystery of the Languedoc.

1. Essential reading for anyone planning a trip to the Languedoc. Part guidebook, part history, part culinary journey, part cookbook, it's also the story of a couple who actually did what many of us dream of doing: finding a second home somewhere warmer, sunnier and more relaxed, with, in this case, better food.
   Angie Murrills is a vivid writer with a keen eye, a warm heart and an insatiable appetite for food and food history. Each chapter ties a food - cassoulet, confit, anchovies, cheese - with a Languedoc town or region, illustrated with small, charming ink drawings by Peter Matthews.
   I dare you to read this and not start planning a lazy trip boat trip down the Midi Canal, or a trip to the Camargue, to see a bloodless bull fight in Stes. Maries de la Mer.

2 comments about Moon Italy (Moon Handbooks).

1. Informative, practical and fun to read.
   I particularly like the cultural insights his book provided through the films and books selection.



2. Moon Italy is a necessary companion for the serious traveler in Italy. Alexei Cohen provides fresh and first-hand descriptions of familiar landmarks like looking over his shoulder and adds interesting and useful background information about history, politics, and local customs. His style is easy to read. A thorough index makes it easy to sort through voluminous details to find specific information. Moon Italy is a complete textbook for travelers looking for current and up-to-date information.

4 comments about Literary Paris: A Guide.

1. I picked up the book expecting the typical drivel so often encountered in this genre. Happily mistaken and captivated I was to discover the level of research and insight invested into this gem. Written with unbridled enthusiasm and discerning charm, Literary Paris is a must read. Bravo, Ms. Powell, bravo!



2. There are plenty of guide books to Paris, whatever your preference. Powell's attempt to provide a view of Paris through the lives of writers who have lived there is an inspired idea, as so many of these people have helped to shape Paris in our imaginations. It is delightful to think of walking through the streets of the city and thinking about the writers who have lived there. While the Cafe de Flore is happy to acknowledge that Sartre and de Beauvoir hung out there, it's more fun to think that one can find where Arthur Rimbaud invaded the life of Paul Verlaine, or where Janet Flanner liked to hang out to hold court. Beautifully designed and illustrated, I know I'll be using it on my next trip to Paris to enliven neighborhoods I thought I already knew.



3. I received this as a gift and loved it. I will review it again before my next trip to Paris (AFTER the US/Euro exchange rate moves in the US dollar direction,) and may take it with me. You can read a few pages at a time and this is great because I like to read a bit before bedtime. Since the entries are short you can finish one or two at a time. I got the feeling it would be great to travel to Paris with the author.



4. Wonderful book for bringing an additional literary and historical depth to the world's most beautiful city. The perfect book to carry along as you stroll from cafe to cafe.

No comments about AA 2008 Big Road Atlas France (Aa Atlases).

No comments about Michelin Green Guide Wine Regions of France.

2 comments about Pauline Frommer's Paris (Pauline Frommer Guides).

1. I can highly recommend this book for all visitors to Paris. I travel frequently and recently went to Paris with a friend who has never been to France before. We both found the book to be very useful and full of helpful hints. I especially appreciate the way the restaurant section is organized and I also enjoyed the author's personal opinions about her favorite (and/or least favorite) places and activities.



2. I was lucky enough to go to Paris three times, each time carrying Pauline Frommer's Paris book with me everywhere. Twice I went for less than two days and the third time for five days. The layout of the book is great. She has it broken down by the arrondissements (or districts). In each arrondissement there are recommended places to stay and eat. She is not shy about her recommendations and you get the feeling she actually knows the owners and employees at each establishment. Paris is a huge city and with this book I felt that I had some little connections to the people when I went to the recommended establishments. I went on two of the walks recommended in the walkabout section and each walk I stopped at the recommended cafes and they were wonderfully Parisian, not cafes catering to American tourists but thankfully still spoke English. There is a chapter on Paris' 10 iconic sites but also easy itineraries for one, two, three or 4 + days in Paris, which was very helpful to me since my time was limited. The best recommendation for me was to stop by Quai St.Bernard on a summer evening to watch people dance along the Seine doing the tango, something I would have walked right past if it was not for the book. All of the advice given was worth the $16.99, I have some wonderful memories of Paris and can't wait to go back. I would highly recommend purchasing this book if you are going to Paris. I felt I was given advice from a friend to all of the great spots to see while visiting her city.

No comments about Asian Business Customs & Manners: A Country-by-Country Guide.