5 comments about City Secrets: Rome (City Secrets).

1. This was a very useful guide. I would highly recommend it to those who hope to learn more about the Rome that larger tours would miss.



2. If you're looking for a guidebook, this probably isn't the best choice. The book reads like a series of short essays and opnions about Rome sights, but doesn't provide much practical information. I wasn't able to get through the entire book even though it's small. The gray print makes it difficult to read in any less than perfect light. There may be some interesting facts in it. I just wasn't able to make my way through the payges to get to them.



3. City Secrets is a jewel. We enjoyed both the content and the style of the authors, all grant winners at the American Academy in Rome. The book directed us to sites and places to eat we would not have discovered otherwise.



4. I don't recommend this book for the average person. The type is teeny tiny and in pale greyscale against a vellum background; very artsy but impossible to read. The content is comprised of personal opinions by academics and artists.



5. this is not a travel journal as much as a history book. I will keep in my library because I love rome and will return again. Read this in advance of your trip and get a moons book for carrying with you. this is great advanced reading with great off the beaten path stuff but read ahead of time and take a more generic book with you and some notes rather than carrying this as extra weight. Also if you thinking about rome (why think...do it) read this to get excited about how rich in history and architecture this great city is then book your tickets and go.

1 comments about Ukraine - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!).

1. A great travel resource, I read this after a trip to Ukraine to better understand interactions we'd had. Boy, do I wish I had read it *before* traveling. I will make a point of seeking out country-specific books from this series to get a jump on transitioning to a new culture.

5 comments about Dublin (City Guide).

1. This sweet, compact guide measures only 7" x 3", but packs a wallop in the info department! Went to Dublin last year, and out of 8 city guides I looked at, this was the ONLY one who had info on Bram Stoker (Dracula's author); his house in an historic landmark, and the author also leads you to his beautiful birth residence!



2. I bought this guide and the Rick Steves book to plan my trip to Dublin. Both were very helpful, but I left Rick's book at home because Lonely Planet has GLBT info in it and has better maps. I used the maps a lot, both to find my way and also to get back on track when I got lost. A lot of the prices for things quoted in the book had gone up, but that's to be expected. I highly recommend both Dublin and this guidebook.



3. My wife and I just got back from Ireland and had a great time, in part because of this book. The guesthouse we stayed in, several of the restaurants we visited, and more than a couple of the sites we saw were drawn from its pages. I'm happy to report that its guidance was uniformly spot on. We tend to enjoy simply being in a place, doing things in a low key way and deciding what to do next as we take our time wandering around. This guide was perfect for that, easy to whip out of a bag over lunch or on a street corner, though I suspect that it would be useful for those who prefer to set down itineraries, too.
   
   For what it's worth, this has been our experience with other Lonely Planet guides as well (including those for Ireland and Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks).



4. As the other reviewers have said, this is a great guidebook. I used it to plan a three-day visit recently. The hotel I chose was exactly as described, and a good choice. Unlike some guidebooks, it has great maps. There are six detailed colored maps in the back of the book, a map of the Dublin Area Regional Transit trains, and numerous smaller maps inside (e.g., maps of walking tours, of Trinity College, of cathedrals). The book is chock-full of interesting and useful info on all the sights of Dublin. In addition, if you want to do day trips out of Dublin, don't assume you need a different all-Ireland guide - there is a section on "excursions" you can do in a day, and instructions on how to get there (public transport, car, organized tour). I will say that one of the tours I took wasn't quite how it was described, but I should probably take that up with the tour company. A few tips: a) for a breathtaking coastal walk, go to Howth. Malahide, another coastal town, wasn't worth the time for me. b) Glendalough is a beautiful park with two big lakes, and to me was worth more time than the organized tour I chose allotted for it.



5. I really found the book useful, but I wish it had a method to highlight "must see" things better. I was in Dublin for a very short trip and had difficulty combing through the book to figure out what I should prioritize for my limited time. In retrospect, I wish I had purchased the Ireland guide, rather than Dublin, so it would have been easier for me to pick out the key things to see. On second thought, I might not have had the great, detailed maps if I had done that, so maybe I went the right route!
   
   I've had great experiences with Lonely Planet guides in general, though I also love Let's Go. They don't have as many out there, but I buy the Let's Go version if it's available - better info for people on a budget, and lots of great "off the beaten path" suggestions.

5 comments about Eating & Drinking in Paris: French Menu Reader and Restaurant Guide 4th edition (Open Road Travel Guides).

1. I expected more from this book. While it has lists of restaurants, the menu guide is just a glossary of french terms. I admit that I'm spoiled - I expected something similar to a book I used extensively in Japan - "What's What in Japanese Restaurants - A guide to ordering, eating, and enjoying" by Robb Satterwhite. In that book, you go to the section for the type of restaurant you're in, see typical menus and translations, and can order from there. "Eating & Drinking in Paris" is NOT that kind of book. It's not a menu guide. It's just two lists - an alphabetical list of restaurants (note: not by neighborhood or type - though there's a neighborhood lookup at the back), and a list of words. Speaking no French, there is no way I'm going to translate a long menu word by word with an alphabetical dictionary. I kept flipping through, hoping to see groupings of typical cafe or bistro fare, only to realize how little actual guidance there is. I'm leaving this one at home.



2. If French isn't your primary language and you need help understandind what to order in a restaurant or if you are looking to find out more about French food and are looking to broaden your culinary horizons, then this book will be helpful to you. If you plan on eating fast food, don't waste your time



3. I bought this book before our trip to Paris, knowing that I wouldn't be able to read a menu. The book had a lot of good tips on dining out, which turned out to be very handy while we were there. Also, it's a small book, so I kept it in my purse the entire time. We were able to look up all of our menu items in the book, and, while some things we just didn't know what to expect, we were still able to glean information about it. We also found some things on the English menus that we had to look up, as well. For instance, "Croque Monsuier" was on the English menu, which is roughly translated to a ham and cheese sandwich.
   
   I would recommend this book to anybody leaving for France who speaks little to no French.



4. What strikes me about this guide (and I buy every new edition) is the author's ability to find new gems. We dined at Le Severo (great beef dishes) in a neighborhood we'd never have gone to except for this book. The next night we visited La Maison (which despite its excellent location near Notre Dame isn't in other guide books) and had one of the best (if not the best) meals of our lives. After a long stay in Paris, we wanted to have some Italian and headed to Soprano for a relaxing inexpensive evening. I like the fact that the author seems to steer US travelers to places where they'll feel comfortable AND have a great meal.



5. I just returned from five days in Paris, and took this along in my bag for the menu translations. I speak French, but the culinary terms often elude me, and this little book had every term I looked up. Don't agree with his editorial on Ile Flottant -- I love it!

5 comments about French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew.

1. I am ready to go back to France after reading this book. Anyone with a love of good France, light humor and beautiful countryside of France, should read this book.



2. In this wonderful look at Gallic Culture and Cuisine, British Francophile Peter Mayle visits several food fairs and celebrations in the French countryside and takes us along for the ride in this tale that is part travelogue/ part food guide. The tales are usually funny, interesting and mouth watering. I nearly drooled on some of the pages reading his description of the elegant dishes that were served.
   
   I've never learned so much about Frog Legs, truffles, snails, or cheeses. I only regret is that he missed the festival celebrating the sausage that my Canjun relatives call Boodat.
   
   Conviently there is an appendix with addresses and phone numbers for anyone contemplating a trip to France to attend one of the festivals themselves.



3. As a former (and once-again) food writer, I must say this book is deliciously entertaining. I'm still in process of devouring the entertaining writing. Very well done. Any serious foodie will enjoy it!



4. This book chronicles the adventures of Peter Mayle through the French country-side armed with knife, fork and corkscrew. His delightful sense of humor is present through out his epicurean journey. He attends amazing food events. There is the religious celebration of the black truffle. the marathon where every stop is hosted by a winery ( complete with tastings through-out the 26.2 miles!!) and the "interesting" fair of the ESCARGOT! You will understand how seriously the French take their food when you read this book..or do they just like to have fun!



5. "It was a pleasure just to be alive." ~ Peter Mayle, on his experience in France
   
   Peter Mayle's "French Lessons" is an engaging book about French cuisine. He takes the reader off the beaten path to vicariously experience new discoveries. Along the way we find cooking advice (what type of pan to use when making an omelette), health spas, festivals, beaches, marathons and cheese eating competitions.
   
   In one adventure Peter Mayle takes the reader to a Catholic mass which celebrates the expensive black truffle (they are auctioned off before lunch). His vivid prose enlivens the imagination. Through his writing we experience all the nuances he is enjoying.
   
   As someone who makes her own croissants I am always eager to read about French cuisine. This is a warm cozy read, the type of book you curl up with in the winter or read in the summer in the shade.
   
   If you love Peter's books I know you will adore: The "A Year in Provence" Movie.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review
   Once I spent a weekend in Paris

5 comments about Frommer's Scotland's Best-Loved Driving Tours (Best Loved Driving Tours).

1. I really wasn't very impressed with the outline. I would recommend Scoland the Best and then the Eyewitness guide as a must if traveling to Scotland. It was not very specific, and the tours for the most part were too long. Most were 2 days, and we were in different places every other night which really didn't allow us to do what the tours suggest.



2. For all the hours we spent in the car, this book definitely came in handy. With full-color photos and maps, history and tips on scenic side trips, this guide was the best for our driving tour. The itineraries were well thought out and were a great guide and resource.



3. This review is for the 6th edition, 2005 printing.
   
   Excellent guide to seeing Scotland with a sports car or a recreational vehicle (RV; a home on wheels). You will enjoy some great driving tours and routes through this historical region of United Kingdom.
   
   Frommers has recently come out with more "Best-Loved Driving Tours" series ... guides that are not very inexpensive, but are very well researched and quite comprehensive. One will have plenty of driving tours and routes to chose from, whether you like arts and museums, scenic roads and breathtaking views, urban towns and shopping, or just want to experience a regione's culture and life.
   
   Unlike the other Frommer guides that are fatter and heavier, this little book gives you not too many specifics on lodging or eating. It is geared strictly for the person behind the wheel and her or his passengers.
   
   I have had a great experience using this guide and will recommend it to anyone who can afford it. Also, you might want to check to see if your library carries it and check it out for the duration of your visit abroad.
   
   When I backpacked 4 months through Europe I had a copy of the Lonely Planet for Europe (a thick and heavy book) because it covered more cities and esoteric towns, a ripped chapters of all the international youth hostals Europe of the countries I visited, and as primary guide for nominal cities and capitals I used Frommers (ripped the book and kept only chapters of countries planning to visit - so I can keep the weight down).



4. great itinaries for loco-regional driving
   quite detail maps and time suggestions
   best if include more long trips which cover some of everything



5. Most of the trips were little loop trips that began and ended in various locations around Scotland. What I really needed was one loop route around Scotland for one week that included my desired destination cities: Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Perth, Aberdeen, Inverness, Drumnadrochit (Loch Ness) and Glasgow. So what I had to do on my own was to cobble together pieces of various stops out of the book to fit my planned itinerary and choice of hotel stops. Since I bought the Historic Scotland Pass I also tended to visit those sites more than others in the guide. These factors made this book more of a resource picking places to visit along the way than anything else. A future edition would benefit by including about three good circle routes around Scotland (beginning at one of the two major airport cities: Glasgow or Edinburgh) to help plan a one or a two week long vacation.

5 comments about Seville & Andalusia (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. As always, Eyewitness has the best maps. The coverage of Seville makes it the best guide for that city, period. The coverage of the outlying major areas, such as Granada and Cordoba, should be supplemented with the Cadogan book on Seville, Granada, Cordoba, but the Eyewitness has the best information on eating, shopping, getting around, hotels, and culture survival for Seville. If you are staying in Seville, take this book with you into the streets when you go.



2. I love these books. They give brief informative descriptions along with tantalizing photos in all areas. I like very much the historiccal timeline in the beginning of each book. Although brief, it gives a great sense of what was going on throughout time in the particular location. This book starts with all history from 1000 BC. I love the pictures and cross sections as well as the brief and concise snippets on many interesting towns, sights etc. It gives a very strong visual and overview of many places so you can decide where you may actually want to visit. Of course there areth erequisite reccomendations for restaurants, hotels and travel options. These are also brief and you may want a different book or travel agaent for more suggestions in this area.



3. As is true of DK's Eyewitness books, this book is full of fantastic pictures. It's great to wet one's appetite, but doesn't really have enough meaty information to help one prepare to visit Andalusia. It's one saving grace: great maps. I recommend this book, but not alone. This is a great companion to The Rough Guide to Andalucia.



4. Eyewitness Guides are beautiful, gorgeously illustrated books on glossy paper that are perfect for planning a trip but not so good for carrying along with you. But they don't need to be! I used the guide to Andalusia to plan my 5-city itinerary, including a stop in Ronda which I'd never heard of but ended up being one of the highlights of our travels. This guide gives you a general view of the sights to see, with many photos and maps. But especially in a country like Spain, the wise traveler makes his or her first stop the tourist office--there's one in every city and many towns. That's where you get your map, the info on walking tours, a schedule of museum openings and closings, etc.
   
   I can't resist giving two tips: the tourist office in Seville near Plaza Nueva has FREE internet. And be sure to go to the Alcazar--I thought it outshone the more famous Alhambra, with far less hassle and far fewer people.
   
   I agree with the reviewer who says the hotel info is not good, and the author of this guide could probably eliminate it with no loss except excess weight. These days the internet is by far your best source. And as for restaurants, just wander!
   
   I loved this guide, but no one source is going to have it all for the independent traveler--and in any guide, info on hotels and restaurants is usually out-of-date before it's printed. But use this guide to dream--it's great



5. The Eyewitness travel guides are always a must when you travel. I added this one to my growing collection and was not disappointed!

2 comments about Michelin Red Guide 2008 Espana & Portugal (Michelin Red Guide: Espana & Portugal).

1. I am always more comfortable in traveling to a country for which there is a Red Guide. They don't include the folksy details of some of the other guide books, but I like quiet hotels and I don't think that you can beat this series of guides for that information. Give me a red hotel with a red rocking chair and I'm in heaven!
   It's less good for restaurants, unless you are only into the high end, but when you want to find quality, it's great.



2. I love Michelin guides and have used them for many travels. This review doesnt reflect the guide or its content but the fact that it is listed as "Multilingual." Parts of it are multilingual but the description in the listings are all in Spanish. If you are expecting the descriptions to be in English, this is not the guide for you.

No comments about The Innocents Abroad (Signet Classics).

5 comments about Ukraine, 2nd: The Bradt Travel Guide.

1. The "Bradt" Ukraine book helped to make my decision to journey to Italy, Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia with the information from my "Lonely Planet" book. I have used Lonely Planet before and found it great with pictures of what can be expected at the various destinations. The Bradt Ukraine had a few pages of mediocre pictures in the front and compared to my reading of the destinations I have chosen to travel to, failed to fire my imagination - which is a terrible pity because I am of Ukrainian heritage myself.



2. I'm heading to Kiev, southern Ukraine and the Crimea this fall. This book has been a great introduction to the history of the region; I'll definitely bring it with me on the trip!



3. I bought book for forthcoming trip to Ukraine. Before packing it looked at index and was disappointed to find that the last page, 439 was wrinkled and had a hole 2 thumbs wide at bottom next to binding. I had paid more for a new book from Amazon and found this in worst shape than some used books I had ordered in past. Asfor reviewing book itself, I will do that upon returning from trip.
   JoAnn Aviel



4. Want proof that Bradt's got Ukraine figured out? Look at the relative absence of other travel guides for this fascinating country. Lonely Planet does one, but then again, they'd probably publish a guide to the Moon. Rough Guides, Fodor, Frommer, Cadogan, Footprint... nada. Bradt's got the market on Ukraine, and there's a reason for that: This guide is really good.
   
   It is a travel guide in the truest sense of the word. There's a definite emphasis on pragmatic travel information, at the slight expense of cultural and historical context that some readers particularly enjoy. It's not a text-rich cultural guide, a la Rough Guides, but a directory of good places to spend your time and money. The best part? It's accurate and authentic. You have the locals in your hand with this book, and you're armed with the kind of information that will make your visit to Ukraine rich, rewarding and real. The book leaves most of the historic context for you to discover on your own, but it points you in the right direction so you're not overwhelmed. There's a 100-page introduction to the country that is particularly good. The authors have written this section as something of a "culture shock" essay intended to give you the real, irreverent portrait of the country, with plenty of concise information that makes you feel like you're ready to relocate to Ukraine. They've painted the picture perfectly.
   
   The truly startling city of Lviv, former capital of Polish Galicia, gets special treatment, and should be on every itinerary in Ukraine. Visitors from crystal-clear Scandinavia or baroque central Europe may wonder what all the Lviv hype is about. Here's the thing: It's not just about frilly architecture. It's about recognizing that Lviv was once an enormously diverse, poly-ethnic, Austro-Hungarian frontier town, and it's essentially intact. Prague may be cleaner, but it's also more homogeneous. Lviv's position on the margins, rather than in the center of everything, is the source of its intrigue. Go there.
   
   There's more to this difficult country than Kiev and Chernobyl. Get out and see the places preserved in a pre-communist time warp (such as Lviv) before the word gets out and they become another stop on the expensive Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Vienna tour.



5. I actually live and work here in Kiev and I purchased The Bradt Travel Guide to help me plan some upcoming day trips as well as to get some updates on places of interest here in Kiev. And while the guide was obviously well researched for the first edition it seems to me that the 2nd edition was a rush job or maybe just lacking in its design.
   
   For example Bradt says that it's possible to travel on $75 a day - okay granted one should assume that amount is closer to $100 a day with inflation in the Euro and the cheapening of the dollar. The problem at least in Kiev - a very cosmopolitan city, is that many of the restaurants mentioned will cost you between $70 and $100 for a nice meal. By the way Georgian wine is very good and is available locally for about $8 a bottle so a glass of wine in a restaurant should not cost more than about $7 - my tip for those who read this! Also the local beers are all very nice and cost next to nothing - about $1 a bottle. There was not an effort to break down restaurants by cost range as was done with the hotels - most other guides I've used in the past do this and I find it really helpful. I was hoping for some new restaurant finds! And any restaurant that accepts major credit cards is in this class so beware if you're using this guide. Also, my specific need was for places to see that are close by but there was very little in that section for Kiev.
   
   Overall, I think there are better guides although not quite as new. One very good point is the availability of apartments at reasonable prices. With public transportation very reasonable - that means cheap!, all you really need to know is what bus/tram to hoop on to get you to either the nearest Metro or somewhere central like Independence Square.
   
   If you aren't sure about coming to Kiev/Kyiv, I want to tell you that I highly recommend it - the city is beautiful and the people are very nice. Ukraine is a big country and also very nice - I've been to the Black sea and to the Carpathian mountains so far and enjoyed them both although for very different reasons.