5 comments about Private Tuscany.

1. Something that I will enjoy over and over with a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning.



2. I WAS LOOKING FOR A GRANDER INSPERATION AND IT WAS NOT THERE. SOME NICE SHOTS BUT NOT WORTH BUYING.



3. With this book you can get a good idea of the warm ranges of wall colors that create a Tuscan mood. This book focuses more on color and neutral tones as opposed to some that go for the white tones. The decor shown is generally not over the top and focused on the grandiose villas that are out of reach of most everyone. There are many modest but lovely homes shown and you can pull fabric inspiration and accessory inspiration. I would give the book 3.5 stars due to some of the rooms being a bit sparse in design and lacking in real life things such as television/stereos, etc. That however is typical of most design books.



4. I am an Interior Designer and I am always searching for new references and inspiration. This is a beautiful book



5. This was not the book for me because we are building a Tuscan style house and the houses featured in this book are beautiful, but old and refurbished houses in Tuscany. So many of the materials are not available in America, and also there is the comfort issue; while the houses are beautiful and definitely authentic, they might not be so comfortable for today's lifestyle. If you are looking for ideas on a modern Tuscan style house, I definitely recommend Tuscan & Andalusian Reflections. However, if what you want is to see is the real, authentic, Tuscan refurbished houses, then this is the book for you.
   
   I must say the decoration ideas are great, and the pictures are beautiful. Even though it wasn't what I expected, I don't regret buying it because it definitely transports you to another place and time when you flip through it.

5 comments about Naples & The Amalfi Coast (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. I was hoping to get some more info. on the Amalfi coast towns, as that's where I'm visiting this summer. The coverage of Naples is extensive, which of course, is the lead part of the title. But "and the Amalfi coast" was also thrown in there, and for my interests, the towns of Positano, Praiano, Amalfi and Ravello occupied a total of 2 pages in a 250 page book. Sorrento got another 2 pages. That being said, the overall book is beautifully produced with lots of photos, maps, and careful drawings of key buildings. It's slim, easy to carry in your bag, and the text is an easy read, nothing overly confusing here. I think if you're looking for Naples info. mostly then this is your book. It would deserve 5 stars for that.



2. I have not received this book. I received the wrong book from Frugal Media on Thursday. I e-mailed them on Thursday March 8, 2007 and still have not heard from them. They sent me "Maple V Quick Reference" book in error. I still need this book for travel in April (2007). Can you help me?



3. An excellent guide to one of the most picturesque parts of Italy. Easy to use and full of information. Guide directions assure an excellent experience in the locale.



4. I will travel to Italy and I expected a little more information from this book about the Amalfi Coast...



5. I traveled to Naples in August 2007, staying just off the Spaccanapoli. Using this as a starting point, I traveled down to Pompeii and Vesuvius and finally on to Sorrento (the most beautiful of all my stops, by far!) The DK guide kept things straight in my mind and recommended some very interesting sites (such as the shopping lanes in Sorrento and details of the Naples Cathedral) that I might have missed otherwise. Food and entertainment suggestions were also right on.
   
   It's a small guide, but packs a lot in. I found it to be very useful for my stay in this area of Italy. Highly recommended. One last thing: when you're planning your stay in the region, at least investigate the possibility of making your home base in Sorrento or one of the Amalfi towns. Naples might appeal to some, but I found the city a bit too chaotic and dirty. There's a homey, inviting feel to some areas. But I still believe that travelers would do better in the smaller towns. If you'd like to see the Naples Archaeological Museum, Galleria Umberto, or other site in the city, think about making it a day trip or two into Naples. The Circumvesuviana line runs from Sorrento to Naples and is only about 10 euro. If you're the type that appreciates a quiet, casual atmosphere, you'll be much happier along the coast in my opinion.

4 comments about The Rough Guide to First-Time Europe 7 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1. If you've never been to Europe before and are looking for an easy starting place to plan a trip, The Rough Guide First-Time Europe is the item of choice: it's a pre-trip guide for destination-bound visitors and covers everything from planning an itinerary and budgeting and packing to traveling the continent. General tips blend with country profiles throughout, maps to help plan, and insights on European history and culture, making this a top recommendation any general library with a strong travel section will want.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. ... definitely a great one to start with. The Rough Guide to First-time Europe tells you all the things you need to know about travelling in Europe, before you get there and make the mistakes you don't want to. It has excellent ideas about packing, sample itineraries, and how to avoid cultural faux pas' in most places.
   
   It does have recommendations about what to see in various places, but it isn't necessarily a book to take with you, especially if backpacking!



3. Although this book is aimed at backpackers planning to spend 1-3+ months in Europe, it applies to low-budget backpackers on shorter trips as well. The book is divided into two main sections: the first section (about 2/3 of the book) is the information you'd use for planning, the second is a snapshot of 20-30 individual European countries with highlights and facts for each. There aren't more than a few pages per country, so plan to buy country- or region-specific guide books in addition.
   
   I am planning a 10-day trip to Italy and I found the packing, transportation, and pricing information most helpful. The book has comparison charts of the costs of hotels and food in each country, which help you figure out where (in what countries) your money will go the furthest and help you calculate a realistic budget. It also has a whole chapter devoted to packing, with suggestions on what to take (and what to leave behind!) and a sample packing list.
   
   This isn't a book you would take on your trip, but I think it is an invaluable resource before/while planning a trip. I'm just planning my flight and figuring out the rest of my agenda on my own, and this really helped give me an idea of what to expect.



4. This is a terrific book - I was a bit hesitant at first but since I got it I haven't been able to put it down. Not only is it honest and informative but it doesn't include all the complicated where to go, what to see info you usually find in normal guide books. This book tells you as it is! Definitely a big help as it is my first time to Europe and I really didn't have any idea what to expect except for what people have told me. Must buy on top your Lonely Planets/Eyewitness Travel books.

1 comments about Moleskine City Notebook London (Moleskine City Notebooks).

1. I picked this up for a dear friend who lived in London while attending LSE and has nothing but fond memories. They have EU and USA cities--it's not a Lonely Planet type guide full of places and ideas--this one has maps, street indices and Tube stops for where you might wander, but leaves the driving (and writing) to you. I have owned Moleskine journals for years and this series lives up to the history.

5 comments about On Persephone's Island: A Sicilian Journal.

1. It irks me that Mary Taylor Simeti is in possession of any of my money! That any publisher found ON PERSEPHONE'S ISLAND worthy of print astounds me! Be warned, you get exactly what is promised, a journal! Simeti's is a dry account, devoid of humor, insight and passion and is written with a lofty phraseology: a deadly combination that had better not be contagious! To be honest, I found the book so dull I was unable to read it straight through, so after eighty pages, I began skiping around in search of entertainment, since there is no story. I found none!

   If you're searching for an escape to another place, a glimpse into another life or culture, or just plain fun, look elsewhere! You will find none of the above here! Half a star-because the cover is very nice, if misleading!




2. Simeti does a great job of talking about her adopted home. The story works well on two levels - discussing the mythology, history, and culture of Sicily, but also weaving in her responses, frustrations, fears, and joys about her life as an American woman turned Italian wife and mother. One of my favorite books about Italy.



3. This book really gave an insightful and intriguing depiction of Sicily, its traditions and its history. The story line carried it along very nicely without reverting to a guide book. I'm Italian American and throughly enjoyed it. This book is a must for those interested in the Island.



4. I had high expectations for this book, but I find that it's quite hard to get through. I am very passionate about Italy, and especially Sicily, so it's not a lack of interest, but I find Simeti's writing to be a little hard to wade through. There's a bit of a feminist/pessimistic slant to her writing and be prepared for long sentences with multiple adjectives.



5. If you are even remotely thinking about going to Sicily, you should read this wonderful book. Deep understanding of this unique, strange amazing island, seen also with an American's eye. I was reading it while I was there, and it opened up everything I saw in ways that would have been impossible. Like being with a Sicilian friend.

1 comments about Lonely Planet Paris Encounter (Lonely Planet Encounter Paris) (Best Of).

1. A friend and I visited Paris for the first time together and Lonely Planet made it so easy! The book is organized very well and most of our itinerary we took straight out of the book. It also has great maps that made it easy to navigate the city (with the heart of Paris being able to be discovered on foot). I also bought the Lonely Planet China and have so fat found it incredibly useful. LONELY PLANET ROCKS!

5 comments about Streetwise Berlin Map - Laminated City Street Map of Berlin, Germany - with integrated metro map including S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines and stations.

1. The Streetwise Berlin map was convenient even though it does not cover the outer limits of Friedrichstein and basically does not cover outside of the S/U Bahn A/B zone. However, the area it covers is what a tourist generally needs. The best part of the map, in addition to it's size, was the S/U Bahn map which made it convenient and quick to figure out which train to take and the proper direction. It doesn't cover the street trams, but we could figure this out easily and did not find a map that covered that anyhow. We used this Streetwise map constantly. And, like I said, the Berliners I met, all said that the map was fantastisch. Small sized, it fits right into your bag or pocket and notes museums and other great sight in pink.



2. I got this map last year as a gift before I moved to Berlin for a short time. It was nice to have when we were in the Center of Berlin, but there are large parts of Berlin that are not on the map, so we also had another more extensive map of Berlin. Keep in mind that they also changed the subway system a bit in December 2004, so the map I have has the old map on it. There are subway maps on all the trains, so you can find your way around very easily.
   
   Its a useful and durable tourist map, but any good guidebook will have the same included.



3. I just received my Streetwise Berlin map. I'm sorry I bothered. It is a real disappointment. For one thing, it is very small - the map area when fully opened is only about 25" x 8" which means that for one thing, detail is lacking, for another only the central slice of the city is covered, and everything is so small as to make the map difficult to use.
   I would strongly suggest avoiding this map. Instead, seriously consider the city maps by Berndtson. I have used their maps in several European cities, they are a lot larger though still, when folded, as compact as the Streetwise one, they are easy to use, well-marked and detailed, and also laminated (the Streetwise map is laminated too, but that does not make up for its other probelms.)
   I have also used Hammond city maps in Europe and found them quite good too. At least their Prague map is excellent.
   Don't waste the momey on the cruddy Streetwise map when far superior products are out there for the same price.



4. It did not cover everywhere in Berlin I needed to be, both north and south. But its small size was convenient to fold and unfold without too much bother, and the lamination made that easy to do, as well as waterproof. The u-bahn/s-bahn system map was, likewise, not perfect but adequate: I had to squint to read it, but it was convenient to picture the whole system in one place, and to have the transport map in the same easy-fold easy-go map as Berlin itself.



5. Those who complain about the area covered are missing the point of Streetwise maps. They don't require the constant folding and unfolding of a more comprehensive map. If you expect to be primarily in the city center, a Streetwise map is perfect, and it's so easy to tuck into a pocket or bag. Any Berlin map does run the risk of becoming outdated, since the city has changed regularly since reunification, but the 2008 revised edition now being sold is reliable and seems up to date.

3 comments about Fodor's The Complete Guide to European Cruises, 1st Edition: A cruise lover's guide to selecting the right trip with all the best ports of call (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. I Purchase for the references to river travel and found the information containded in the book to be highly informative. Well worth the expenditure.
   
   D. P. Richarme



2. So many brochures in the mail, touting this mediterranean
   cruise, but which one is best?
   This is the book!



3. As a first time cruiser doing the Med in June/July 2008, the timing of this book couldn't have been better for me. The profiles of the cruise lines and ships are nowhere near as comprehensive as those in Douglas Ward's Berlitz Guide, but they do provide a reasonable overview.
   
   Where this book comes into its own is in the port profiles and advice section, which should be very helpful for those considering exploring ports of call independently, rather than taking ship's excursions.
   
   The information is clear and concise, and the maps are very handy.

3 comments about A Traveler's Guide to D-Day and the Battle for Normandy.

1. What makes this book stand out for me is the eyewitness reports, which are dotted throughout as you read this account of the D-Day landings. They bring alive the personal experiences of those who fought and help the reader appreciate the scarifices made.

   The book is a nice mix of the history of this particular military campaign, and what the traveller to Normandy can hope to see today. This means the book is a good read for either the armchair military buff or the interested tourist.

   Lots of photos and clear maps also add to this very good and highly readable book.




2. This is a great guide to take with you on a trip to Normandy. I carried it with me throughout my tours and was able to read aloud about the events that took place-standing on Omaha Beach and reading about the various divisions that struggled where I stood was of great value to myself and my husband.

   The eyewitness accounts bring it to life as well.

   If you plan on touring the D Day beaches and sites, bring this one with you!




3. Mike Tolhurst's father fought in the battle for Normandy. Perhaps that is why the narrative portion of this book reads with such emotion, not just military matter-of-factness. This book would succeed, I believe, simply as an account of this part of the war, even without the "travel guide" aspects. Eyewitness accounts and quotes from German as well as Allied soldiers bring what was happening to life.

   I had already decided to go to Normandy when I purchased this book. But it was invaluable in helping me decide which places to see, since I knew my time would be limited. Each chapter consists of a narrative of part of the battle, then an accompanying suggested tour which touches on cities and places mentioned in that chapter. I ended up not following the plans exactly, but still basing my choices of places to go on the authors' narratives.

   I found Normandy to be beautiful and welcoming, and would recommend that every American, Canadian and UK native visit these sites if you can, most especially if a relative fought in the war. If you do you'll need some guidance as to what to see and where it is, and this book will help a great deal.

3 comments about Top 10 Normandy (EYEWITNESS TOP 10 TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. Concise, time-saving and fits in your carryon nicely. Certainly follows the porfessional and reliable series well. We used this guide the most (out of several)during a January trip to Normandy. Highly recommended.



2. Not that anyone can use everything in this book, but there are certainly lists to help anyone with their trip to Normandy. Good additional book, not to be your only reference.



3. I agree fully with the previous reviewer -- this book is not enough to be a stand alone guide to your trip to Normandy, but it is a spectacular compilation of things to do across the region.
   
   There are numerous lists of everything from little villages specializing in crafts, food, and whatnot such as pottery, cheese, copper cookware, and more, to the top 10 D-Day sights and top 10 D-Day museums, to the most picturesque villages in the countryside and coast.
   
   If you're interested mainly in D-Day sights, I found this book useful, because it had a few pages dedicated to the best museums, and key sights. Most people have a limited amount of time, and especially if you're driving yourself around, it's extremely helpful to have this reference of the "must-sees" along with the "nice to sees" time permitting.
   
   We used this book lots during our 5 days in Normandy this May to plan what we wanted to do and see, and used a more detailed book (Lonely Planet Normandy was great) to round out the practical details. (Oh, yeah -- if you're driving, better bring a GPS! I think we'd still be lost in the bocage somewhere if I hadn't had that life-saving device with me!!)
   
   This book lacks details like contact info and opening hours for museums, but makes up for it with a wealth of suggestions, useful facts, and great pictures (a strong suit of all the DK Eyewitness books).
   
   Bottom line, get this, plus Lonely Planet or a guidebook of your choice, and you will have a great trip!